Brave Hearts

Kabanata 23

"Sorry, Doc." I said stiffly. "I have work to do, kailangan kong mag-ayos ng mga papers ngayon."

"I understand," I heard something on his voice. "P-pero...sa sunod ba pwedeng—"

"Sorry, Doc." I said. "You shouldn't waste your time on me."

"It's Atlas, Lia. Call me Atlas." He sighed. "I thought we talked about this last night?"

"Talk about what?" hinawi ko ang buhok ko at lumabas ng banyo. "You're a resident here and it's just right to call you Doc—"

"Do we have a problem, Amalia?" I heard him asked seriously. "Maayos naman na tayong magkausap kagabi...I visited you earlier and you agreed to meet—"

"Well, I find it unnecessary now, Doc, mukhang abala ka sa bisita. Ayaw ko namang makaabala." I said coldly but I know it sounded so bitter.

Natahimik siya at mapait na akong napangiti habang nagtutungo sa elevator.

"Lia, I-I didn't know she'll come, wala na—"

"I'll go, Doc." I said and turned the call off.

I reached the correct floor feeling nothing but pain, I tried shrugging it off but I couldn't kaya nang may sumalubong sa akin at bumati ay tipid ang naging ngiti ko at tumango na lang.

"Good morning, Dra. Lia!" masayang bati sa akin ng isa sa doktor sa ospital at napangiti ako roon.

It's really motivating hearing the veterans and licensed one calling interns like me Dra. kahit hindi pa.

"Magandang umaga po, Dra." I smiled softly at her. "Nakita niyo po ba si Dr. Sean?"

"Oh, nasa clinic." She said and I nodded, thanking her. Nag-in muna ako bago nagtungo sa opisina ni Doc bitbit ang paper bag na bigay ni Tita Marichu.

Magkakilala pala silang dalawa?

"Come in," I heard the voice after I knocked kaya tinulak ko ang pintuan at pumasok.

I saw Doc engrossed of what he's doing, may binabasa siya sa chart kaya tumikhim ako at nagsalita.

"Good morning, Doc." I greeted.

He lifted his face, nakita kong nanlaki ang mata niya nang makita ako pero kaagad na ngumiti.

"Magandang umaga, Dra. Lia." He smiled at me. "Kumusta, napadaan ka?"

"Uh..." I lifted the paper bag and he gasped a bit and laughed.

"Oh, I left this, who gave you this?" he asked.

"Uh, sa may unit po, si Tita Marichu?" I answered and his eyes widen a bit and slowly nodded.

"I see," he answered and took it from me before offering me a seat. "How is she? Is she good?"

Nagtaka ako sa kanyang tanong pero ngumiti at tumango, naupo rin sa inilalahad na upuan. Bumalik siya sa swivel at tumango ako.

"Yes po, she toured me around." I told him and he nodded, smiling, inayos niya ang salamin niya at pinagmasdan ako.

"You...like her?" he asked and I nodded.

"Yes po, Doc." I answered. "Mabait po siya sa akin, she's humble too, nalaman kong asawa pala siya ng may-ari ng building, nagulat po ako. Magkakilala po pala kayo ni Tita Marichu?"

He stared at me and I felt comfortable when he smiled in a soft way and nodded.

"She's actually my wife, Lia." He smiled and my eyes widen, napatakip pa ako sa bibig ko sa gulat.