Viral Scare

Genesis

Manila, Philippines | October 2019

Good morning! It's good to be back!

I said as I opened the door to the balcony of my unit on the 17th floor of one of the tallest building here in the Metro.

I took a deep breath before I sipped my coffee, then looked at the city. My hometown is not perfect but still, I miss it!

It's been less than 12 hours since I arrived from a year spent in India trying to help in the study of a certain virus. It was a tough one but I was able to endure it. Well, I'm the best in the country, I'm working for the well-known and respected Pharmaceutical Research Laboratory.

My name is Bea De Leon or BDL. I'm a doctor, but not just the usual type who works in the hospital. I am a scientist. Well, di uso sa Pilipinas pero you can name a few and that would definitely include me. For starters, classify me as a research Virologists.

We are the first line of defence for those who understand Virology. Our job is quite important kasi we are literally the first ones to discover and identify the enemy. It's not boring lalo't sobrang liit ng kalaban. Something that the naked eye cannot see. We usually go to ground zero and identify the virus the moment they emerge then classify or categorize them as new pathogens by family, then by their function so we can recommend effective therapies or treatment that can be developed. Nosebleed ba? Well, in short, inaalam namin yung virus, tapos papangalanan para mahanap ng naayon na gamot or vaccine. Sounds tough? Not really.

So since hindi naman umabot sa Pilipinas ang virus, parang wala din naming masyadong naging aware na yung virus na yun took thousands of lives. Good thing na I already sent a few samples before, for our company scientists to work on as they developed a cure. And I'm proud to say na we did it, we were the first ones who were able to formulate a drug and developed a vaccine that was recognized by WHO and other well-known countries.

Di man nabanggit ang pangalan ko doon pero they won't be able to do it if not because of me. Di kaya madaling makihalobilo sa ibang mga lahi. Tapos exposed pa ako sa virus, buti na lang sanay na ako. Well, kaya nga dalubhasa na ako sa larangang ito and proud to be the best nga. Pinaghirapan ko kaya to.

Saktong tapos na niluluto ko sa oven. Bacon and eggs, my favourites! I just slipped the strips sa plate, pati na din yung eggs then took a banana then peeled it before adding it to my plate.

I went back sa balcony with a chair while I slurp the food. Woah, I missed this kind of food, this moment. Puro kasi kebab ar curry kinain ko nung nasa India ako. Well, as if I have a lot of choices.

After my last bite, I heard my cellphone ring kaya agad kong nilapag ang plate sa sink and dived sa sofa so I can reach my phone.

"Hello?" I answered.

"BDL?" A Chinese man asked.

"Speaking?" I replied right away curious about who it might be.

"This is Dr Yee, I need you to report to the office tomorrow. We need to discuss something about another research project." He said not fluently but enough for me to understand.

"I just came from a research project in India. So you have a new one for me right away?" I said.

"Yes, BDL. You are the best and as the director of our unit, I am choosing you to lead us on this. It might also be related to the virus in India." Dr Yee answered.

"I understand, if it is related to MERS-CoV, then I will be there, director." I confidently said.

"Thank you BDL. We will see you." He said before ending the call.

OMG! The director just called me eh diba dapat department head? Kung sa gobyerno pa to, he is like the president of the country talking to a plain doctor. I know I'm the best pero it's a huge honour. Well, this new project is intriguing. Pero why not?! Buti na lang I'm single kundi baka hindi maintindihan ng partner ko yung klase ng trabaho ko and the risk na pagdadaanan ko. 

I smirked as I sip the last drops of my coffee.

I took my phone and dialled my cousin's number.

"Ate Bea?" Sagot niya sakin.

"Deanns! Asan ka now?! Tara gala tayo!" I shouted.

"Ate naman, lower down your voice. Nasa office ako." She replied.

"What time out mo? Daanan kita." I asked.

"I'll be out in 30. Pero wag mo kong sunduin may dala akong sasakyan eh." She said.

"Ayun naman pala! Ako na lang sunduin mo... Wait kita sa condo..." I stated.

"Basta gas mo ahh!" She said.

"Hay nako Deanns! Kuripot mo talaga, porket di ako chicks ganyan ka..." Biro ko.

"Nako nagsalita ang no jowa ever!" Paninita nito.

"At least no jowa no problem!" Pagbawi ko.

We just laughed.

"Eh teka ate, sure kang safe kasama ka, baka may nauwi kang virus!" 

"Wala! Loko to! Nagquarantine ako sa India ago umuwi dito tsaka hahayaan ko bang may mangyari sayo! Tawagan mo pala si Pongs para kumpleto tayo!" I replied.

"Naku ate yung dedicated na pinsan nating yun, mamaya pang gabi ang out sa hospital. Daanan na lang natin pag dinner time na." Deanna said.

"Oh sige, mamaya na natin kulitin baka mabeast mode. Moody pa naman yun." I commented.

"Sinabi mo pa, sige na ate, tapusin ko lang mga sinusulat ko, see you..." She said before ending the call.

I took a shower na para ready na ako pagdating ni Deanna. She's my cousin pala, magkapatid yung mga nanay namin. She is my favourite kasi super close kami nun, madami kaming nakakapagkasunduan and we're both Pride members.

Habang hinihintay si Deanna I tried to browse my Facebook feed para makabalita sa mga friends.

A certain post captured my attention, picture ng masayang usual couple na nasa beach. I can't help but smile na pagmasdan yung babae. All these years, napapasaya niya pa din ako kahit hindi niya alam. If only she knew I had feelings for her, ako kaya dapat ang kasama niya ngayon at hind yun lalaking yan?

Well, sadyang baka di lang talaga destined to be with someone. Baka sadyang I'm better off alone. Baka relationships are really not for me.