Closing Time

iii

That was five years ago, in this very café. We've been meeting here for five years now, reviewing for exams together, writing reports and assignments for the subjects we had, preparing for our graduation, arranging my job applications, filling out RD's own applications for Medicine.

"Babe, you ok?" tanong ni RD. He was talking about something, but I wasn't really listening. Pinapanuod ko lang  ito habang nagsasalita, studying closely his boyish features I have come to love all these years. He was always so young and carefree, parang batang walang pinanghahawakang responsibilidad. I used to think it was cute, but right now, I'm not really sure. He would not take responsibility, alright. Not for our relationship, not even for his own career.

Napag-usapan naming magtrabaho after college, work experience lang, saka kami magaabroad. Ok pa naman sa umpisa, nag-agree naman siya. Tapos bigla na lang sinabi isang araw na sinabi daw ng parents niya na pumasok siya sa Medicine. Hindi pa ako ready to face the real world, Nina. What the hell was I supposed to say then? That I think it's a wrong idea? That I think he's being manipulated by his parents? That I think he's a big baby who couldn't stand up for himself?

"Babe? Wala ka sa sarili." Sabi ulit ni RD. "Are you ok?" Sinapo niya ang noo ko, something he kept doing ever since he started Medicine. It's like he would prefer me to be sick para gamutin na lang niya ako. 

Iniwas ko yung noo ko, looking down on my book. "I'm ok. Ano kasi yung sinasabi mo?"

"Yung cadaver dissection namin kanina.."

Ugh. He's talking about dead bodies again.

Gustong-gusto ko itong barahin, sabihin na hindi naman talaga magandang topic ang cadaver dissection for a stimulating conversation. Besides, hindi rin naman ako makarelate sa mga kinukuwento niya.  If I wanted to talk about mutilating long dead bodies I would have gone back to school with him. But I didn't want to, I've moved on from school and I'm working now.  So why the hell would he keep talking about that? Gustong-gusto ko siyang awayin. Pero hindi na lang ako nagsalita.

Konting tiis na lang Nina.

"Oo nga pala, Babe." Tikhim nito. "Yung lakad natin sa Saturday, pwede ba nating imove?"

Tumingin lang ako sa kanya, poker faced. "Ang tagal na nating plinano yun."

"Exam kasi sa Monday, I was gonna go study with Marion and the guys sana. Actually kaya nga ako nalate kanina, I just came from the study group." 

Si Marion.