Imee's POV
It's been 2 week and I'm here at the hospital, sitting on my swivel chair while reading some magazine. Katatapos lang ko lang din bisitahin ang mga pasyente ko and I'm really bored right now. After a couple of minutes someone knocked the door so umayos ako ng pagkakaupo and speak up.
Imee: Come in.
Gab: Hey Gali, have you eaten your lunch? (Then smile)
Imee: Not yet (smile back)
Gab: Tara, sabay na tayo.
Imee: Mauna ka na, mamaya nalang ako.
Gab: Bakit?
Imee: Malamang busog pa ako (then rolled her eyes)
Gab: Sorry naman, akala ko nagdi-diet ka eh (then laugh)
I just gave him a smirk then lean my back on my swivel chair.
Gab: Nakakapanibago ah. (then sit on the couch)
Imee: What do you mean nakakapanibago? (Confused)
Gab: Nakakapanibago kasi wala yung Mr. Laurel mo dito ngayon. Alam mo napansin ko, ilang araw na siyang hindi pumupunta dito. Anong nangyari? Basted ulit?
Imee: Anong hindi pumupunta?! Pumunta naman siya dito kahapon ah ......... Pe-pero umalis din agad.
Gab: Bakit umalis agad?
Imee: Tinawagan siya ni Franky eh.
Gab: Oh I heard what happen to his bestfriend pala. Sana maging okay na sila ng family niya.
Imee: Hopefully.
Gab: Gali?
Imee: Hmm?
Gab: Paalala lang ha, wag mo masyadong hayaan si Rod kay Franky. I know she needs Rod right now pero it doesn't mean na araw-araw eh hinahayaan mong siya ang kasama niya.
Imee: So anong gusto mong sabihin, Gab?
Gab: Look Lizzy, hindi naman sa nagiging nega ako ah pero what if ma— (didn't continue his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: What if may gusto si Franky kay Rod? Is that what you're trying to say?
Gab: Yah.
Imee: Ano ka ba Gab! Mag bestfriend lang sila noh! Parang tayo lang din. K fine! I admit, there are times na nagseselos ako tuwing magkasama sila pero naisip ko, normal lang naman yun. Alam mo kasi ganun din si Rod before, pinagseselosan ka kaya non everytime na magkasama tayo dati (then laugh).
Gab: Huh? Totoo ba?
Imee: Ahuh! Besides bago naman ako nakilala ni Rod, Franky is there na. So I don't have the right to say na layuan niya si Franky lalo na ngayong kailangan niya si Rod.
Gab: Well, you have a point.
Imee: Tsaka may tiwala ako kay Rod noh! Alam kong hindi siya manloloko gaya mo (then laugh)
Gab: Grabe ka sakin! Hindi naman ako manloloko ah. Napaka-judgemental nito.
Imee: Papalit-palit ka kaya ng girlfriend tapos sasabihin mo sakin hindi ka manloloko? Sus! Wag ako Gali.
Gab: Hayst! Pero seryoso Gali, wag mong hayaan si Rod kay Franky, okay? Wag kang pakampante, hindi mo kilala yung babaeng yun.
Imee: As I said earlier, may tiwala ako kay Rod (then sigh deeply) He always update me naman eh and alam niya na ayoko sa sinungaling at niloloko ako.
Our conversation goes on. Well, naiintindihan ko naman yung point ni Gab pero kilala ko si Rod. Sus! Hinintay niya ako ng 11 years eh. Besides mukhang malabo namang magkagusto sila sa isat-isa noh! Rod told me also na halos magkapatid na ang turingan nila so wala na akong dapat na ika-bahala pa. As long as Rod don't lie to me, okay na sakin.
Around 12pm Gab and I decided to have lunch together. We saw other doctors and nurses din kaya sumabay na kami sa kanila. It took us an hour eating our lunch because nagkwentuhan pa kami. They keep on asking me about that Medical Mission. Hayst! Eh ayoko ngang pumunta. Sabi nila wala pa daw naglilista ng mga pangalan sa announcement board hanggang ngayon kaya there's a possibility na mapipilitan akong pumunta doon. Around 1:10pm I excuse myself cuz Nurse Jenny inform me that I have a patient waiting me. While walking, I saw Rod and Franky palabas ng office ni Dr. Francisco. Mukhang problemado ulit si Franky so I walk towards them.
Imee: Rod? Franky?
Rod: Li-lizzy?
I just gave them a smile and didn't utter any words.
Franchesca: Hi Dr. Chavez (then smile forcedly)
Imee: You can call me Imee or Lizzy nalang din, Franky.
Franchesca: O-okay Imee.
Imee: Kamusta ka?
Franchesca: Heto ayos pa naman kahit papano. Buti nga palaging nasa tabi ko si Rod eh. Salamat ha?
Imee: For what?
Franchesca: Rod told me na ikaw daw ang nagsabing damayan niya muna ako.
Imee: Ah wala yun (then smile)
Rod: Kumain ka na? (Referring to Imee)
Imee: Yah. Kayo?
Rod: Tapos na din.
Imee: Okay. So I gotta go, may pasyente pa ako eh.
I was about to leave but Rod speak up so I faced him.
Rod: Lizzy?
Imee: Yes?
Rod: Ahm, Franky una ka na sa sasakyan. Susunod nalang ako.
Franchesca: Okay. Imee, una na ako.
I just nod then umalis na siya. Rod were now staring at me so I speak up.
Imee: Bakit?
Rod: Hatid na kita sa office mo (then smile)
I just smile back then started to walk.
Rod: Anong oras ka uuwi mamaya?
Imee: Around 6pm siguro.
Rod: Wait for me ha?
Imee: Bakit? (Then look at Rod)
Rod: Let's have dinner?
Imee: Okay.
Our conversation goes on until we reached my office. He open the door for me and pagpasok ko, I saw Nurse Jenny waiting for me already kasama ang pasyente. I told Rod na pwede na siyang umalis but he refuse dahil gusto pa daw niyang mag-stay for a while. To be honest, I missed him.....a lot. After 10 minutes, nagpaalam na din siya cuz his Dad called him. May kailangan daw kasi silang I-visit na site ni Franky eh. It took me another 10 minutes para I-check ang bata. Around 3pm, pinatawag ako ni Dr. Francisco. Hayst! Alam ko na naman toh eh. For sure about na naman toh sa medical mission. As I enter his office, I saw Samantha so I sit beside her.
Samantha: Pinatawag ka din?
Imee: Ay hindi (then rolled her eyes)
Samantha: Tsk! Napakasungit nito. Nagtatanong lang eh.
Imee: Asan si Doc? Bakit wala siya dito?
Samantha: May pinuntahang pasyente lang.
Imee: Ah okay.
Samantha was about to speak again but the door opens.
Dr. Francisco: Hi Dr. Chavez and Dr. Salazar. Busy ba kayo?
Imee: Hindi naman, Doc.
Samantha: What's the catch, Doc?
After Sam tell those words, I gave her a death glare. Kaloka tong babaeng toh! Ganun ba naman kausapin si Doc. Ano toh? Parang tropa lang? Dr. Francisco saw what I did and that made him laugh.
Dr. Francisco: So ano na? Ayaw niyo ba talagang pumunta sa Pangasinan to do the Medical Mission?
Samantha: Wala naman pong problema sakin yan, Doc. Kung pupunta si Imee, pupunta din ako.
Dr. Francisco: So? (Then look at Imee)
Imee: Doc, pasensiya na pero ayoko po talaga.
Dr. Francisco: You guys still have a month para pag-isipan pa, okay? Tsaka ipagdasal niyo din na sana may magvolunteer na kasi kung wala, mapipilitan talaga akong papuntahin kayo doon sa ayaw at gusto niyo.
Imee: I already talk to Dr. Del Valle about this, Doc. Sabi niya, siya nalang daw ang pupunta.
Dr. Francisco: Huh? Sigurado ka Dr. Chavez?
Imee: Yes, Doc. Why?
Dr. Francisco: Eh kasi nakausap ko siya nung isang araw. Pinagpipilitan niyang sumama if ever na pumayag ka. Gusto ka daw kasi niyang samahan eh.
Samantha: Maiba ako, Doc. May mga Doctor at nurses din po bang mangagaling sa ibang hospital or kami lang?
Dr. Francisco: I'm not sure but I think meron din naman siguro.
Samantha: Oh okay, Doc.
Our conversation goes on, inabot kami ng isang oras para pag-usapan yang Medical Mission na yan. Kaasar kasi si Gab, kinausap ko na nga eh pero iba pa din pala sinabi niya kay Dr. Francisco. Hayst! While walking papunta sa office, ang daming mga pasyente ang nakapila. At first, akala ko mga pasyente ni Dr. Del Valle yun but then again pagpasok ko sa office, Nurse Jenny informed me na bagong pasyente ko pala ang mga nakapila sa labas. So I tie my hair up then sinabihan ko na si Jenny na magpa-pasok na. I also told her na kunin na niya ang mga basic info nila para mabilis kami matapos besides check-up lang naman ito.
Patient 1: Doc? Pwede na po pumasok?
Imee: Opo. Pasok na po kayo (then smile)
Patient 1: Salamat po (smile back then sit on the chair infront of Imee)
Patient 1 handed me an envelope so I immediately open it then read it.
Imee: Ischemic Heart Disease? (Then looked at Patient 1)
Patient 1: I was diagnosed of having that kind of heart disease yesterday, Doc. I came here just to get a second opinion kasi I was hoping na misdiagnosed lang po yan.
Imee: Okay (then smile forcedly)
I just sigh deeply then started to ask some questions. Well, habang tinatanong ko siya napapaisip ako agad. Lahat kasi ng mga symptoms of that disease eh nararamdaman niya so there's a chance na tama nga ang diagnose sa kanya ng ibang Doctor. As I finished asking her important questions, I checked her heart's condition na and it beats so fast. I told her to relax and calm her self muna but then again, ganun pa din eh. Hindi pa din nagbabago. She even excuse herself because she vomit. Habang naglalakad siya pabalik sakin, I noticed na parang nahihilo siya so I walk towards her. I was about to held her hand but she passed out so I called Nurse Jenny right away and I told her na I-confine nalang muna ang pasyente.
Around 5:30pm na natapos ang check-up ko sa mga pasyente so I immediately stood up and do some rounds. Good thing most of them were on the process of recovering na. Yung isang pasyente lang talaga ang hindi. So I ask other nurses to check her from time to time. While walking pabalik sa office, Stephen saw me so he ran towards me.
Stephen: Bakla! (Shouted)
Imee: Tsk! Pwede ba wag kang sumigaw? Nasa tabi mo lang ako.
Stephen: Ay sorry.
Imee: What is it ba?
Stephen: May gagawin ka pa ba?
Imee: Wala na. Why?
Stephen: Sabay na tayo nila Sam pumunta sa Resto ha?
Imee: Huh?
Stephen: Anong huh ka jan?!
Imee: Wala akong alam sa sinasabi mo Stephen.
Stephen: Hindi ka na naman nagbasa sa GC noh? My god, Imee! (Then shook his head)
Imee: Pwede sabihin mo nalang kung ano yun? Pagod ako Stephen, gusto ko ng magpahinga.
Stephen: So ito na nga, kasi kanina nung nakatambay ako jan sa nurse station lumapit sakin si Sam. Ewan ko dun sa babaeng yun, nanggaling daw sa labas. Jusko! If I know nagkita na na— (didn't finish his words cuz Imee rolled her eyes and speak up)
Imee: Shhh! Ang dami mong sinasabi. Pwede direct to the point na.
Stephen: Okay, okay. Ito na (then do the peace sign) Magdinner daw tayo sa labas kasama si Alice then after that lezzzz go shopping! (then smile)
Imee: Pass na muna ako.
Stephen: Huh?! (Then crossed his arms)
Imee: Sorry, next time nalang ako sasama.
Stephen: O-okay. Basta kapag nagbago isip mo, text mo lang ako.
Imee: Okay.
After telling those words, nagpaalam na ako kay Stephen then go directly to my office. While sitting on my swivel chair, I checked my wristwatch and it's 6:15pm already. "Bakit wala pa siya? Nasa site pa kaya siya? (then sigh deeply) Kung nandoon palang siya, edi sana he texted or called me naman kahit papano. Or Baka naman na-traffic lang?......Oh m! What if he forgot about it na? Hi-hindi naman siguro. I'll wait nalang (in her mind)". While waiting for Rod, I grab my phone and called kuya nalang. Buti nalang sumagot agad.
*FaceTime
Anthony: Hi Li—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Are you home na kuya?
Anthony: Y-yes. Why? Uuwi ka ba nga—(didn't finish his words again cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Okay, please give your phone to Bella.
Anthony: Huh?!
Imee: I want to talk to Bella kuya, give it to her na. Bilis!
Anthony: Oo na, teka. Tsk! Akala ko pa naman ako ang gusto mong kausap, si Bella lang pala (then frown)
Imee: Whatever! (Then rolled her eyes)
Anthony: Bella? Your grumpy Tita wants to talk to you daw, anak. Here (then gave the phone Bella)
Nang marinig ko ang sabi ni Kuya, I just rolled my eyes and said "Tsk! Grumpy? Okay lang, dyosa naman (in her mind)". Bella and I talk about her day, how was school and so on. It took us 30 minutes lang cuz they were about to eat dinner na kasi. Around 7pm, wala pa din si Rod so I guess nakalimutan niya nga. I immediately stood up then took off my white coat and stethoscope. After a couple of minutes, pumunta na ako sa parking area then turn on the engine. While on my way home, I've decided to buy some food nalang for my dinner besides nakakatamad din naman talagang magluto lalo na kapag ikaw lang mag-isa ang kakain. I got home at exactly 8pm. As I enter my house, I took off my heels then kumain na ako agad dahil gutom na ako HAHAHA Then after that I took a bath then wore comfy sleepwear. I also did my evening routine on my face na just to relax naman.
I am now laying on my bed while checking my orders online. Ang tagal naman dumating! Nakakainis, excited pa naman ako mag-unbox HAHAHAH. Habang tumitingin pa ako ng pwedeng bilhin, I heard a loud horn mula sa labas. I just ignore it cuz I think sasakyan lang yun ng kapit-bahay. After a second, Rod send me a message.
From Rod:
Lizzy, nandito ako sa labas. Can we talk?
After reading his message, I stood up then go downstairs. As I open the gate, bumaba na din siya sa sasakyan niya then walk towards me and handed one rose.
Imee: Thank you.
Rod: I'm sorry, Lizzy. Pinuntahan kita sa hospital kanina pero sabi ng ibang mga nurses, umuwi ka na daw. Na-nagdinner ka na?
Imee: Yes.
Rod: Sorry talaga ha? Sinamahan ko kasi si Franky, dinalaw namin si Tito. Tapos na-traffic pa ako papunta dito.
Imee: It's okay, I understand (then smile forcedly)
Rod: So how was your day?
Imee: Okay lang.
Rod: Mukhang pagod ka ata? Madami ka bang pasyente kanina?
Imee: Yes.
Rod: Sino pala kasama mong nagdinner?
Imee: Wala.
Rod was about to speak na sana but I speak up again.
Imee: Alam mo Rod, dapat hindi mo na ako pinuntahan pa. Besides pwede mo naman akong tawagan nalang diba?
Rod: Yes, pero gusto ulit kitang makita personally before this day ends eh.
Imee: So now na nakita mo na ako ulit, pwede ka ng umuwi. Anong oras na oh, malayo pa naman yung bahay niyo dito.
Rod: I don't care kahit malayo, Lizzy. Ang importante makita kita besides malapit naman ang bahay nila Nico dito eh. Pwede naman akong makitulog sa kanila or dito nalang sa kotse mismo (then laugh slightly)
Imee: Tsk! (Frown then yawn)
Rod: Inaantok ka na?
Imee: Obvious ba?
Rod: Okay. Matulog ka na love (then smile)
Imee: Yan ka na naman ha!
Rod: Biro lang, pinapatawa lang kita love.
Imee: Pwes hindi ako natatawa, naiinis ako! Kaya tigilan mo na.
Rod: Ay sorry (then do the peace sign)
Imee: Sige na, umuwi ka na. Drive safely ha?
Rod: Yes boss (then wink)
Imee: Bye.
I was about to close the gate pero pinigilan niya ako.
Imee: What?
Rod: Pwede po bang makahingi ng yakap? (then smile)
Imee: Hindi, ayoko.
Rod: Sige na, please?
Imee: Hin-di! Ayoko!
After telling those words, I immediately closed the gate then enter my house. As I enter my room, tinignan ko siya mula sa bintana and guess what, nakatingin din siya sakin habang nakangiti. He get his phone inside his pocket and I think he's gonna type a message. After a couple of seconds, my phone vibrates, it's a message from him so I read it right away.
From Rod:
Goodnight, my Lizzy. I hope you sleep well. Nakalimutan ko palang sabihin, ang ganda mo palagi. You better sleep na ha? Wag mo na akong isipin pa, okay ako HAHAHAH. See you tomorrow😉❤️
Doc, do you think this person who's reading this message love me already?
As I read his message, I look at him then gave him a smirk. I was about to go to bed but he speak up.
Rod: Sagutin mo naman, Doc! (shouted then laugh)
I just rolled my eyes and I've decided to reply na. Okay! pagbigyan natin. Baka kasi mag-ingay pa.
To Rod:
She's getting there, Rod.
✅ Message Sent.
As I send that message, I saw him smile. His cheeks turned red. "Jusko! Kinikilig ka na niyan, Mr. Laurel? (In her mind)".
Rod: Ms. Imee Chavez!
Imee: Ano? Wag kang maingay jan.
Rod: Bumaba ka nga dito ulit. Bilis! Bilisan mo! (Kinikilig)
Imee: Ayoko! Umuwi ka na.
Rod: Doc, see you tomorrow (pointed Imee habang nakangiti pa din) Thank you, Lord! Malapit na! Yes!
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