OXYGEN

XXVII

Take a break, take a breath

---

Hindi ako nakagalaw dahil sa biglang paghalik ni Doctor Finn sa kamay ko. Napatingin agad ako kay Darcy na halatang medyo nagulat din dahil sa ginawa ng doctor.

He's smiling at me kaya mabilis akong nailang. Why would he do that? Is it allowed? I mean, nakita ko na si President Duke na hinalikan ang kamay ni President Reign, pero iba ito. Hindi ako presidente at kakakilala ko palang sa kanya.

"I have heard all your reports and I truly admire your ideas, ladies. Unfortunately I wasn't there to witness everything because of an emergency in our department, but somehow I managed to know it because of Doctor Habiusy. I am looking forward for your inventions, and I promise to be at the event because I will be one of the judges," he said and sip on his glass.

Napatingin ulit ako kay Darcy na ngayon ay nakangiti na. Nagkaroon ako ng lakas para ngumiti na rin sa kaharap naming doctor.

His shiny hair creates a reflection from the lights. His eyes are black and his eyebrows are a bit thin. He looks innocent but the way he smile makes me create a bad impression for him. Judging a person based on their looks is not really my thing especially if I am not interested, but this guy's whole existence is screaming mystery and puzzles.

"So, what types of invention are you fond of, doc?" rinig kong tanong ni Darcy kay Doctor Finn.

The guy smiled and fixed his tag on his shirt. May nakasulat doon na Machine Coordinator kaya napatango nalang ako.

"We invent machines that are useful among the people and for future purposes," he said and shrugged his shoulders a bit. "Perhaps, are you guys interested in joining my team? When time comes and you both won the program, I could easily put you guys under me."

Nagkatinginan ulit kami ni Darcy dahil sa sinabi ng doctor. Honestly, he has a good offer, and thinking about a position in that department, it would probably a dream come true. But I somehow remembered my purpose in joining this program---I have people to protect, and I want to make a change.

"That would be a pleasure, doc," saad ni Darcy at ngumiti pa lalo.

"How about you, Cora? Are you interested?" baling ng doctor sa akin at tinitigan ako ng maigi.

I smiled a little and uttered a word, "Sure," tanging salita na lumabas sa bibig ko.

There was silence before we hear a man coughing lightly behind my back and I immediately turn around. Nakita ko agad ang madilim na mukha ni Doctor Elliot habang nakatitig sa akin.

"Ah, doc," mahinang bulong ko.

He took off his eyes at me and shifted towards Doctor Finn who's a bit shocked just by seeing Doctor Elliot in front of him.

"Doctor Elliot, wow! It's been a while," masayang wika ni Doctor Finn at agad na inilahad ang kamay niya kay Doctor Elliot.

Mabilis niya itong tinanggap at agad na nakipagkamay. Mariin lang ang titig ko kay Doctor Elliot habang kinakamayan niya si Doctor Finn, I can't really fathom his gestures but the way he looks at me earlier, alam kong galit siya.

"Nice to see you again, doc," bati ni Doctor Elliot at kinalas ang kamay niya.

Hindi ba sila nagkikita sa West? Sa bagay, ang laki din naman kasi ng laboratory nila doon at baka sa ibang department ng inventory si Doctor Elliot.

"Do you know these ladies? I just had a little talk with both of them," masiglang saad ni Doctor Finn at tiningnan kaming dalawa ni Darcy.

"Cora's my trainee," walang emosyon na wika ni Doctor Elliot.