How Do We Live?

Chapter 2: Homeostasis

"Since, you agree and even assessed the whole surgery, there is the duty and the physician-patient relationship. Both of you are well acquainted with the situation. Hence for the breach, I guess there is no breach of standard of care here because you provided all the pre-surgery exams that is needed for the patient." Hindi ko napigilang liumunok ng magtangis ang panga niya at bahagyang inayos ang kanyang salamin at marahang kinamot aang tungki ng ilong... is he shy or something?

"Dr. Roque, quit staring." Napapitlag naman ako dahil sa talim ng boses niya at bahagyang pang-isinandal ang katawan sa upuan niya. Dios mio? Am I?

"I'm just l-listening to what you are explaining." Natameme ako matapos kong sabihin iyon at marahang inabot ang dulo ng tenga para pisilin iyon.

"Don't look at me like you're about to devour me." He said and even show a mischievous smile on his face. Chief Valencia's jaw drops at his remarks. Si Nikkolo ay mukhang sasabog na dahil sa inis at si Chief Anastacio ay parang hindi na alam ang gagawin!

"I-I'm not!" In my defense, it's such a failure to stutter, kaya ang ngisi niya ang mas lumaki dahil doon.

"Going back, for the injury, we are not sure if something happened on the operating room. Please send me a copy of the operation footage. Dr. Roque and I will study that one for a second opinion." Halos manlaki ang mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Nikkolo was about to protest something but her mother is looking at him deadly.

"B-Bakit ako?"

"Bakit hindi ikaw?"

"If you're asking for a second opinion, Chief Valencia and Anastacio will be a better choice than me. I'm just a regular general surgeon here." For a second ay nakita kong nandilim ang titig niya sa akin. I suddenly want to roll up my tongue towards my throat dahil sa kaba na pinaramdam ng mga mata niya sa akin.

"I'm not asking for a better choice, I'm asking you. You're not just anyone here Dr. Roque." Natuptop ako dahil sa sinabi niya. Chief Valencia and Anastacio look at each other before directing their gaze to Rahim na ngayon ay direktang nakatingin na sa mga papeles sa harapan niya.

"Again, with this, we are still going to investigate the proximate cause. I would conduct a schedule with Dr. Roque and question Dr. Valencia on some matters. Kailangan 'din ang mga nasa team mo ng panahon na iyon. Besides the lawsuit is directed to the main hospital also." Schedule? Why does that sound so demanding and controlling! Busy person ako! Wala akong time para sa kagwapuhan mo! Your mere presence is a distraction! 'tas gusto niya na may schedule pa ang consultation namin! Aba!

We discuss more points of proofs for the case bago na-dismissed ang meeting. Kating-kati na akong lumayas sa room na iyon dahil kung hindi naman ako nag-spaspace out ay nakabaling lang ako kay Rahim!

His freaking presence is nothing but distraction!

I fought myself na huwag magmadali sa paglabas ng conference room just so I could show more respect to the chiefs. Pero ng oras na mawala na sila at tumungo para sa isang board meeting ay agad na akong nagmadali para makababa sa at makapagpalit! This morning shift will literally spin the hell out of this hospital! My patience should extend beyond my limit!

"Monika!" tawag pa ni Nikkolo pero hindi ko siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

"Monika! Anong meron sa inyo ni attorney?" I flip my arms on him just so he couldn't hold me more at mukhang nagulat pa siya sa ginawa ko.

"Anong meron sa inyo ni attorney at ganoon kayo magtitigan?"

"Nikkolo! Stop! Ano ba iyang sinasabi mo!"

"Anong meron sa inyo? Do you have something in the past?"

"Mutual feelings." Para akong nalamig dahil sa baritono niyang boses, Rahim is looking at us, a meter away from our location. Ang mga malalamig niyang mata ay nakapukol sa akin na akala moa ng gabi ay ikinulong sa loob noon.