jennie
as soon as i exit my car, the bright sun hit on my face, making my eyes squint even with the protection of my sunglasses. i shut my car door close and turn towards the shop.
"sure mom... no not yet. i need to get my car fixed first so i dropped by at a repair shop." i pressed my phone in between my shoulder and ear to make my hand available, using it to lock my car.
"i'll call you later mom. love you." i drop the call before quickly making my way inside. gosh it's still early but the weather's already bothering me. i flip my hair on the side as i look around.
"hello?" i called out when i see no one around the shop. i heard a loud buzzing sound on the left so i followed where it came from. i found a pair of legs covered in what i assume is a coveralls. the person's upper body is hidden underneath the red car.
"excuse me?" i exclaimed in a louder voice to get their attention. the noise stopped at napansin ko na napatigil 'yung tao kaya nakahinga ako ng maluwag.
i watch the person slide out from below and our eyes instantly met. i felt an unsettling feeling on my stomach because the person's eyes looks familiar but i'm not sure where i saw them.
tumayo siya at ipinatong 'yung mga hawak niyang tools sa isang bench bago niya ako harapin ulit.
"anong kailangan niyo miss?" the person asked while she's wiping her hands with a towel. malalim 'yung boses niya but it's undoubtedly a girl's voice.
tinitigan ko siya. she has short shoulder length gray hair, it's top half is tied into a tiny bun behind. napansin ko na natigilan rin siya as her doe eyes made their own assessment on me.
wait— doe eyes...oh my god.
this can't be— it's like i couldn't even believe my eyes when i finally recognized the person.
she cleared her throat when i took too long to respond. thank god i was wearing my glasses, atleast my stunned reaction is somewhat covered.
"miss?" i blink a few times before coming to my senses.
"uhm yeah. uh i.. my car has some scratches so i'm hoping you can fix it."
stuttering, really jennie? this is not highschool anymore! well in my defense i was just too shocked, okay?
"gaano kalaki miss?" she stared at me and i stop myself from looking away. i wonder if she recognized me too but her expression stayed impassive so i guess the answer is no.
i shove all other thoughts on the back of my mind and focused on what i came here for.
"just little scratches. can i expect you to finish it within the day?" bahagya ko siyang tinaasan ng kilay.
"check ko muna."
"okay. my car's outside." tumalikod ako sakanya at nagsimulang maglakad pabalik sa kotse ko. lumapit ako kung nasaan 'yung mga gasgas.
"here it is. my cousin borrowed my car last night but he was too drunk to remember where he bumped it." i explained, rolling my eyes when i got reminded of jeno's carelessness.
i turned my gaze at the person next to me and caught her looking away. my eyebrow raise at that. she bend forward to inspect the scrapes on my car.
"balikan niyo na lang bukas." sabi niya bago umayos ng tayo. nagsalubong ang kilay ko sa narinig ko.
"why tomorrow? hindi ba kakayanin ngayon?"
"sorry miss. marami pa kasi kaming tatapusin ngayong araw." she explained.
i look away and bite my lower lip as i think. should i just have my car fixed on other shop? pero ito lang kasi ang pinakamalapit sa clinic ko.
i let out a sigh before nodding.
"okay. dadaanan ko first thing in the morning." tumango siya. i glance at my wrist watch before returning my gaze on her.
"where should i place my car then?"
—————
i reached the 2nd floor and immediately heard doyeon's loud voice yelling my name. "jennie here!"
the music's volume is high pero naririnig pa rin boses niya dahil sa lakas nito. they're on our usual seats sa vip section.
"babe i miss you." doyeon stood and greeted me with a hug and a kiss on the cheek.
"hi." i greeted them all. rosé blow me a kiss while soojin and irene just wave with a smile.
"already ordered your usual, jen." rosie told me once i sat next to her. i smiled gratefully at her and accepted the glass she's handing me. "thanks rosie."
"okay now that we're complete, i'm gonna tell you about this guy i met..." doyeon started so i leaned my back on the couch to make myself comfortable.
after doyeon shared about the new guy she's seeing, we talked about other things. i sip on my martini while listening to irene rant about a certain client that pissed her off.
"oh god ako rin. speaking of annoying client, diba i usually open my shop at 9 am? and it's my scheduled teeth cleaning kay jennie and miss ma'am here is a bit late so we started late rin so obviously i was late rin sa pag open and this customer greeted me with an impatient look and complaints about waiting for so long." soojin ended her kwento with a roll of her eyes.
she then turned her gaze at me prompting me to explain the reason why i was late. i heave out a sigh and place my glass on the table.
"sorry. jeno borrowed my car kasi last night and brought it back with scratches so i had to dropped it at a garage shop..." i trailed off when i was reminded of the person i encountered earlier. should i tell them?
"and?" rosie urged kaya tiningnan ko siya.
"i feel like there's more to your story." dagdag niya kaya i have no choice but to blurt it out.
"you won't believe who i bumped into."
"your psycho ex?"
"one of the guys you ghosted?"
"naka one night stand mo?"
i rolled my eyes at their guesses.
"walang tama. here's a hint: highschool, tall, cute dancer."
it was doyeon who got it immediately. her eyes widen like saucers.
"oh my god! sino na nga 'yun?!!"
i guess i'm wrong then. soojin followed next.
"wait don't tell me lisa?" doyeon smack soojin's arm repeatedly. "yeah her!"
"wait wait wait. you mean lisa manoban? jennie's ultimate crush before?"
"the girl jennie went crazy over with?"
"the girl jennie chased like a fool back in highschool?"
"wow thanks a lot for the reminder guys." i smiled at them, full of sarcasm. they all laugh at my sour reaction.
"sorry jen but you can't deny that was such a fun memory." doyeon said with a full laugh. umirap ako.
well we were in highschool. i was young, naive and infatuated. just like they said. i chased lisa like a fool but she rejected me multiple times than i can remember.
"anywaysss how was she? please tell me she got hotter?"
all four of them turned to me, waiting for some juicy details for me to spill. how was she? how do i even describe it? i pick up my glass and took a sip.
"well, she's so much different from highschool." i thought about the lisa i saw earlier.
she looks... dirty. like literally because her coveralls are all full of greases. she just looks.. like a mess.
"the lisa in highschool was a tall cute charming girl. the lisa now... let's just say, the complete opposite." i shrug my shoulders.
"in other words, hindi raw nag glow up." soojin supplemented na nagpatawa sa iba while doyeon huff in disappointment. i shrug my shoulders.
"anyways, that was all in the past now. my foolishness is just gonna be one of my crazy memories back in highschool. i'm successful and happily living my life now." i leaned my back on the couch as the corner of my lips tip into a smirk.
"don't tell me you're still bitter jen?" irene gave me a teasing look, giving my shoulder a slight shove.
"ikaw ba naman maghabol tapos babaliwalain lang." sabi ni doyeon na may kasamang nang-aasar na tawa. umikot ulit 'yung mga mata ko.
"it's just funny how life works." sabi ko na lang because why would i be bitter?
i'm pretty, young and rich. while lisa.. well she's just someone from the past.
—————
"hi." i look behind me and saw kai approaching kaya nginitian ko siya.
"it's good to see you here." i playfully roll my eyes at what he said.
"as if we don't always see each other at this kind of events?" sabi ko sakanya at tinanggap ang yakap niya.
"you weren't there last time." he pointed out. "oh right. one of my batchmate invited me to another town." i explained once i step away from our hug.
we have an organization with my fellow dentists where we regularly attend or perform free services to people.
"well it's good then that we meet here." he let out a short laugh. nag-usap pa kami saglit ni kai bago siya bumalik sa sarili niyang tent.
yeri, my assistant informed me that everything's settled kaya umupo na ako para makapagsimula na sa unang patient. our program is open to all ages. i enjoy doing this because not only can we help but i also got to visit different places and meet different kinds of people as well.
"thank you po ma'am. pumila po talaga ako ng maaga para makatanggap ng libreng pabunot." kwento ni tita. ngumiti ako habang nagsusulat sa papel.
"walang anuman po. oh huwag muna kakain ng matitigas na pagkain ha?" bilin ko at nginitian siya ulit nang magpaalam na siya.
"next patient po." narinig kong sabi ni yeri habang pabalik ako sa table. i pulled the next patient's profile and read the name. luca manoban. the familiar surname made me paused as i involuntarily look up at the next patient.
my gaze immediately connected with lisa's. i didn't know i'll see her again. or this soon.
today, she looks more like the lisa i knew. she's wearing faded jeans and a simple shirt with an unknown band printed on it. i noticed the little boy perched on her lap. i can see the resemblance between them. he can be lisa's sister or her..
lisa's lips formed into a smile so i got distracted from my thoughts.
"goodmorning." she greeted. i nod in return before looking away from her smile.
"just put him on the chair please." i requested to lisa which she quickly followed. i did a quick scan about the kid's details before standing and preparing my tools. while yeri is helping me with my gloves, i directed a question to lisa.
"how are you related to the patient?" i swear it's part of my job not because i'm curious.
"kapatid ko. luca say hi." the little boy wave cutely at me kaya nginitian ko siya.
"hello luca. my name is jennie." i showed him a kind smile. napatingin siya sa mga tools na nasa table and immediately notice the nervousness registering on his face.
"how are you feeling today?" tanong ko para ibahin ang focus niya.
"i-i'm fine po."
"is this your first time?" tumango siya, his eyes still wide with fright.
"don't worry this will not hurt. parang kagat lang ng langgam." he stared up at me, his cute eyebrows furrowing.
"pero masakit pa rin po kagat ng langgam eh." his unexpected answer made me laugh.
"pero konti lang." i wink at him and gestured it with my two fingers. "can you open your mouth for me?" napalunok siya at napakapit ng mahigpit sa kamay ni lisa.
"naalala mo 'yung sinabi ko sa'yo luca?" lisa suddenly cuts in kaya nabaling sakanya 'yung atensyon ni luca. i watch as she run her fingers through his black hair.
"kailangan matanggal 'yung sira na ngipin mo kasi?"
"kasi kung hindi pupuntahan ako ng tooth monster at tatanggalin lahat." he responded. napangiti ako sa narinig ko. i've heard a lot of several made up stuff to coax kids to have their tooth removed but this one from lisa is by far my favorite.
nang mapansin ko na nakatingin na si lisa sa akin, i cleared my throat and wipe the smile off my face.
"which one?" i casually asked.
"'yung sira sa likod." i nod at her answer and got to work.
after i finished, i smiled brightly at luca.
"done. oh diba mabilis lang? you're such a brave kid." i ruffled his hair. he gave me a smug smile in return and lift his thumbs up.
i giggled before standing and removing my gloves. "thank you." narinig kong sabi ni lisa kaya binalingan ko siya ng tingin.
"you're welcome." she put her hand on her nape and massage it, like she's contemplating about saying more to me.
"i thought dadaanan mo kinabukasan 'yung kotse mo." napataas ng bahagya 'yung kilay ko. i didn't expect her to open the topic about my car. i shrug.
"i've got a busy morning kaya lunch time ko na kinuha." napatango siya. she opens her mouth to speak again.
"kung—"
"jennie? are you done? lunch time na. let's go?" kai's voice interrupted whatever lisa was about to say. "hold on." sabi ko kay kai at nilingon ulit si lisa.
"what was that?" umiling si lisa at ngumiti.
"salamat ulit." sabi niya at inalalayan na si luca paalis.
—————
my phone rings on top of my table kaya tiningnan ko ito. kai's name flashes on my screen kaya pinagtuunan ko ulit ng pansin ang pasyente ko. i decided to just finish what i'm doing dahil patapos na rin naman ako.
mrs. gerardo, one of my regular patient, thanked me once we're done. i was thankful she doesn't have time to spare for talks because she had an urgent schedule. i stood from my stool and made my way towards my table. after pulling the gloves off my hand, i reach for my phone and dial kai's number to return his calls.
"kai hey, sorry for not answering. i had a patient." i told him once he answered.
"oh no no it's okay. sorry for disturbing."
"it's fine. why did you call?"
"well i figured since you didn't use your car, do you want to maybe have lunch together outside?"
napaisip ako sa offer ni kai. inihatid niya kasi ako kanina sa work. after our last volunteer, he asked me out. hindi naman ako manhid para hindi mapansin na may gusto si kai sa akin. i've known him since college so i didn't see any reason why not try things with him.
"sure. let me just fix my stuff." i told him and pull the door open to look for yeri.
"great! i'll be there in 10." i smiled before putting my phone down and ending the call.
"yeri i'll have lunch na. go take yours na rin."
"eh ma'am.." napakamot siya sa ulo niya and then step to the side, revealing the two other person sitting on the couch.
napatayo si lisa.
"oh sorry. babalik na lang kami mamayang hapon." sabi niya at kinausap si luca para umalis na. the little boy looks at me, his eyes full of discomfort while he has his hand on his cheek.
i let out a sigh. "wait." lisa turned her head on my direction. "come in." i told her and walks back inside my office. i heard their footsteps before the sound of the door being closed came after.
"what's wrong?" i inquired as i pick up my alcohol and sprayed some on my hand.
"sorry kung nakakaabala kami. namamaga kasi 'yung gums niya at sabi niya sumasakit raw." she explained with a worried look on her face.
"let me take a look. come here sweetheart." i called for luca and help him sit on the dental chair. "can i see?" i gently asked him and thankfully he opened his mouth without hesitation. i adjusted the light and inspected the part where i removed his tooth.
"does it hurt a lot?" luca bob his head as a yes. "how much?" i let him close his mouth so he can answer.
"mas masakit pa sa kagat ng langgam po." napangiti ako sa sagot niya. i pinch the other side of his cheek because of his cuteness. umayos ako ng tayo at hinarap si lisa na tahimik lang kaming pinapanood.
"it's just normal after mabunutan ng ngipin. did you follow my instructions? 'yung mga bawal sakanya?"
tumango si lisa. "how about the medicines?" another nod from her.
"then everything's good. the pain should last two to three days. kapag hindi pa rin ito nawala, come back." lisa visibly exhaled a relieved breathe before nodding her head.
"thank you and uh sorry—" she pulled out her wallet but i shook my head.
"don't bother." i told her indicating about her attempt to pay.
she paused, and just stood there awkwardly. i raise my eyebrow in question so she cleared her throat and put back her wallet inside her pockets.
"thank you. how can i repay you?"
"no need. i didn't even do anything." sabi ko sakanya at tumawa ng bahagya. my phone chimes for a message kaya sinilip ko ito.
kai said that he's already outside.
"kumusta pala 'yung kotse mo?" my thumbs pause from tapping a reply to kai when i heard what lisa asked me. i raise my gaze at her. why the sudden question? napaiwas si lisa and i heard a silent curse from her.
"actually, i couldn't start the engine." i uttered to her honestly. kaya naman dalawang araw na akong hinahatid sundo ni kai. i was avoiding going to the garage shop and see lisa again.
lisa murmured something to herself before she looks at me.
"nasa garage ako bukas kung gusto mong ipa-check 'yung kotse mo."