"Are you okay, Firecracker? You look stressed." My big brother, Elliot Yno, asked as soon as I slid on the seat in front of him.
Firecracker is the nickname he picked when he was twelve and I was six. Mukha raw akong mabait sa una pero sumasabog kapag nakilala mo na ng husto. I was opposing him at first until it had grown on me.
"I'm okay, Kuya. Busy lang sa clinic lately." Sagot ko at agad na inabot ang isa pang menu sa mesa para lang maiwasan ko ang titig niya.
It's Thursday. At ang ibig sabihin ng Huwebes ng bawat linggo ay ang libreng lunch mula sa 'da best Kuya sa buong mundo.
"Sabi ko naman sa'yo, hire someone who will do the administrative tasks if you are adamant in getting into practice. Para at least, gumaan ang workload mo. Hind 'yong nag-do-doktor ka sa umaga tapos nag-pe-paperworks ka sa gabi. You'll exhaust yourself that way." He reprimand and by my peripheral vision, he's glaring at me.
I rolled my eyes, my sight still train at the menu as I flip pages. "Gagawin ko nga. In fact, I've already screened some applicants. But I won't hire until the extension is finished."
"Why wait? Matagal pa 'yon. 'Yong huling estimation niyo is a year and a half. Ano? Maghihintay ka ng ganoon katagal bago ka magpasok ng bagong taong tutulong sa'yo? Sinasabi ko sa'yo, Elora Ysabelle Sapphire. Mauuna ka pang mamatay niyan bago matapos ang clinic mo." Sermon niya.
I placed my menu down the table and groaned. His glare intensified. "Ayaw mo 'yon? Kapag namatay ako, sa'yo na lahat ng mana."
Mas lalong sumama ang tingin niya kasabay ng pagsipa niya sa'kin mula sa ilalim ng mesa.
"Aray ko naman, Kuya! Paka-bayolente mo, eh!" Reklamo ko habang pinupukol siya ng sama ng tingin. I was caressing my shin which is sore from his kick. Kapag ito talaga nagpasa, isusumbong ko siya kay Mama.
"Ipapakain ko sa'yo 'tong menu na hawak ko." Banta niya. I stuck my tongue out making him growl.
We got into a glower marathon but he soon activated the 'I'm more mature card' and was the first one to break it. He dusted off his dark suit from imaginary lints. This is his way of calming himself.
"But seriously, what's the problem?" he probed.
I raised a brow, carefully tucking away the panic burning inside me. "What makes you think there's a problem?" I retorted.
"Fire," he said with a 'you-can't-fool-me-I-know-there's-something-wrong' tone.
I sighed, giving up. Sasabihin at sasabihin ko naman talaga sa kanya, so might as well lay it all out.
"I'm short."
"I know you're short, baby girl. You're 5'2, hindi nga namin alam kung saan mo namana kapandakan mo. Must be recessive."
I rolled my eyes at him, "5'2 and a half." I corrected. "I'm short in cash. Hindi ko nga alam kung paano itutuloy ang construction."
That got his attention. He stared at me with incredulity swimming in his eyes. "Paano ka na-short? I did the financial planning and analysis for you. Malaki pa ang maiiwan even after the expansion costs. Anong nangyari?"
Ah, shit. Ano bang sasabihin ko? Tinangay ng gago kong ex 'yong pera ko? Fuck. If I say that he will spring into action and will immediately meddle with my affairs. And of course, malalaman ni dad. Ayaw ko naman mangyari 'yon.
I don't want to see the 'I-told-you-so' and 'you-should've-listened-to-me' expression on his face. And more importantly, I don't want him proving me wrong. Ayokong sabihan niya ako na dapat nakinig ako sa kanya at hindi ako naging pasaway.
This is something I need to show him that I can pave my own way to success. I can climb up high on that ladder without his shadow casting over me.
"Ah, basta! Marami akong naging extra gastos these past few months." Pagpapalusot ko.
"Extra gastos?" He asked, pissed but surprised.
But I waved him off and called for the waiter. Hindi ko nga alam kung bakit pa kami natitingin sa menu kung pareho lang din naman ang in-o-order naming parehas kada linggo.
"Na-compute mo na ba kung magkano pa ang kailangan mo?" He inquired after the waiter left.
Tumango ako, "Not thoroughly pero alam ko medyo malaki." I lament. "The clinic can stay afloat with our current condition. Pero, natapos na kasi 'yong dalawang consultation room na bago at in two weeks, papasok na 'yong mga bagong hire ko na doktor. So, may bago akong papasahurin."
"Jesus, what did you do with your money? Ilang beses ko na kasing sinabi sa'yo na mag-open ka ng magkakaibang account for different purposes. Hindi lang dapat iisa. Kaya hindi mo na-monitor, eh. Pinaghalo-halo mo ang mga pera mo."
"Hindi naman lahat." Paglalaban ko. "May sariling account 'yong clinic. 'Yong reserved money ko lang, savings, at pera sa expansion ang nagkahalo-halo."
Itinirik niya ang mata niya at halata mong inis na inis na siya sa mga pinagsasasagot ko. "What are you planning to do?"
"Mag-apply ng loans. PAG-IBIG. Five-six." Inakma niya akong babatuhin ng kubyertos dahil sa huling sinabi ko. Kinunutan ko siya ng noo saka ko siya tinakot. "Sige ka! Kapag ako nagkasugat sa mukha dahil diyan, lagot ka kay mama at daddy!"
Binaba niya muli sa tabi ng plato niya iyon at kalmadong nagsalita, "Pupunta ako sa condo mo mamayang gabi para ma-compute nating mabuti kung magkano ang kailangan mo."
I gleamed at him. At least, he's alleviating some of my burdens. Gagawin ko pa lang sana para malaman ko na kung magkano ang hihiramin ko sa bangko kung sakali at kung kakayanin ko bang bayaran.
"Yehey! Ikaw talaga ang paborito kong Kuya!" I cheered.
"Malamang dahil ako lang naman talaga ang kapatid mo." Mabilis na tugon niya sabay irap.
We paused our discussion when our table attendant got back with our orders – my tuna pasta and baked salmon and his baby back ribs and mixed veggies.
"Ako na ang magbibigay sa'yo ng pera. Saka mo na lang ako bayaran kapag okay ka na ulit." Sambit niya habang humihiwa sa karne.
Napatigil ako sa pagsubo ng pagkain ko at sumimangot. "Okay naman ako ngayon."
"Fire." He warned with an exasperated sigh. "Dagdag pa ang interes sa proproblemahin mo kapag nanghiram ka sa bangko. Sa PAG-IBIG limited ang makukuha mo. And don't even think about five-six. Ibabaon kita sa buhangin ng Saudi Arabia kapag nangutang ka sa mga 'yon."
"Kuya Yno, kapag naglabas ka ng malaking pera malalaman ni daddy. At alam mo na ang kasunod n'on. He'll lambast me with the 'I-told-you-so' speech I knew he's been preparing ever since I got enrolled in college."
Upon mentioning our father, the creases on his forehead relaxed and the frown he had disappeared. He immediately understood why I want to work everything out on my own.
"Fine. But bellow if you need help, okay?" He gave in.
I nodded my head and raised three fingers, Girl Scout's honor. "I promise."
"Mukhang kailangan mo ng refresher course about financial literacy. Kung saan mo man nagastos ang pera mo, sana makabuluhan naman."
I sarcastically snickered. Buti sana kasi kung pansarili ko nagamit kaso hindi, eh. Inubos ng hinayupak na 'yon!
"Mukhang every day, dapat ililibre mo na ko ng lunch Kuya. You know, tipid-tipid." I teased.
He rolled his eyes at me and waved dismissively. "Umuwi ka sa main house at magpaluto ng packed lunch kay Manang Tersing kung gusto mong makatipid. As a matter of fact, pumaroon ka na lang muna for the mean time para makatipid ka talaga. 'Yong dapat ipambabayad mo ng bills, neccesities, and association dues ng condo mo itabi mo na lang muna."
"Lol, no. Malalaman agad ni daddy na may mali kapag umuwi ako."
"Firecracker, just for once stop with the explosion of repulsive attitude. Ipagbaliban mo muna ang pride mo, makakatulong naman sa'yo 'yong sinasabi ko." He groaned, probably exhausted because he's not breaking my decisions.
"Kuya, I'm short in cash but I'm not broke. Saka nag-promise na ko sa'yo 'diba? Manghihingi ako ng tulong kapag kailangan ko."
He stared at me for moment before he reluctantly nodded his head. "Alright." He surrendered. "Basta siguraduhin mo lang hindi kita pupulutin sa lansangan kapag naglaon."
"Don't worry, sa iba ako papadampot." Biro ko kaya nakatanggap nanaman ako ng isa pang alon ng sama ng tingin mula kay Kuya.
We discussed more of the on-going building of my clinic. Inalam na ni Kuya kung gaano na karami ang natapos at kung magkano na ang nailabas kong pera. He's still upset with me losing all my money but vowed to drop by my place tonight so we can wrap up the estimation so I would know how much I needed to borrow.
He also gave me recommendations as to which bank to choose. Varying from the one that offers the best deals, has the lowest interest, and which has the most flexible payment options.
Sinabihan niya rin ako na kapag nakapili na ako, siya na raw bahala dahil may mga kakilala naman daw siyang pwedeng kausapin. Which made me decide to ask Aubrey and Lucy to do the loan for me, if they would agree.
Kasi kung may kakilala si Kuya, malamang may kakilala rin si daddy. And I know he'll blow a fuse when he learns from someone that his daughter is borrowing a huge amount of money.
"Call me immediately if you need me, okay, Firecracker?" Paalala ni Kuya nang hinatid niya ako pabalik ng clinic ko.
I was standing by the curb and he has his forearm resting on his open window.
"Yes, Sir!" I saluted, earning one last eye roll from him before he speed away.
I admitted my way inside and I was welcome by waiting clients. Mayroon pa kasing fifteen minutes bago matapos ang lunch break. Nakapatay pa ang ilaw sa reception area kaya mukhang nag-re-retouch pa ang mga 'yon.
I accepted a few 'Hello, Doc.' from the clients who's been under my care. I gave them all equal smiles before heading my way towards the big door going to consultation rooms.
And then a high-pitch voice caught my attention, "Doc Fire! You're here!" She shrieked with evident glee.
I surveyed the area until my eyes landed at a very familiar girl. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa hawak niyang aso, saka nag-register sa'kin kung sino siya.
"Hello, Col." I greeted, trying my best to match her enthusiasm. "May sakit ulit si Potchi?"
Mabilis siyang umiling, "Wala po, Doc. We're here for her grooming." She chirped.
We?
And as if she read the confusion on my face. She tugged the sleeves of the man beside her. My eyes roam and I was face with the most gorgeous specimen of a man I have ever seen in my life.
Pointed nose, chiseled jaw, expressive eyes hidden under his rounded-lensed specs, and I think he has a long hair. Basing from the bun I noticed on his nape. And damn, he's even sporting two black earrings. Siya lang ata ang taong kilala ko naka-three-piece suit pero buma-bad boy ang vibe.
His expression is stoic and void of any emotions. He was just blankly peering back at me.
"This is my Kuya Reid. He's Potchi's daddy." Pagpapakilala niya.
Excited because I got his name, I smiled sweetly at him. Too sweetly. "Hello, Sir."
But I didn't get any worded reply. He just courteously nodded his greeting and proceeded to gaze away. Ni hindi man lang ngumiti!
Hiding my disappointment. I gave a final smile before I excused myself inside. Saktong pagpasok ko ay isa rin paglabas at punta ng mga katrabaho/empleyado ko sa kani-kanilang consultation room. Pati si Annie at Carol pumanik na sa reception area.
Seeing that there's still no patient decked for me. I fished my phone out and immediately fired Facebook. Sandali kong inalala kung ano ba ang apelyido ni Colette.
Smiling to myself, I typed his name on the search bar.
Reed Almodovar
A few popped out but none of it was him. So, I tried another orthography.
Reid Almodovar
Boom! His face was first on the list.
I bopped my finger on his name to start my stalking. Pero mukhang wala akong mapapala dahil naka-private ang lolo mo. Ang tanging nakikita ko lang ay ang cover photo niyang si mas batang si Colette na akap-akap si Potchi. Kahit profile picture niya 'di ko ma-enlarge. Gusto ko pa man din titigan ng husto.
He has one arm resting crosswise on his stomach while the other is resting on it vertically. He had his chin pressed on his knuckles and he's staring straight at the camera. At tama nga ako, mahaba nga ang buhok niya dahil nakalugay siya sa picture. His dark hair flows just above his shoulders. I wonder if this is a recent picture. Bago man o luma, isa lang ang napansin kong consistent. Hindi rin siya nakangiti. Nakatitig lang siya at wala kang kahit na anong emosyong mababasa sa mukha niya.
Nag-scroll pa ako pababa pero ang tanging nakita ko na lang ay isang icon ng baby at 'Born: May 5, 1992'.
"Well, at least, alam ko ang birthday niya." Kibit-balikat na bulong ko.
Muli kong binalikan ang DP niya at minsan pang tinitigan. "Alam mo, mas guwa-guwapo ka kung matuto kang ngumiti. Kasi mukha kang kumakain ng buhay – "
"Sinong kumakain ng buhay?" pukaw ni Mico na kinagulat ko.
"Doc Mico!" Suway ko sa kanya.
He smiled apologetically, "Sorry, Doc. Pero kumatok ako bago ako pumasok." Malala na, kaka-stalk ko nakalimutan ko nang magtratrabaho pala ako. "May emergency enucleation kasi, Doc Fire. Ikaw hinahanap, eh. Natusok raw ng barbeque stick 'yong mata ng Pug niya." He grimly said.
Napa-oh my god ako at napatago sa phone ko. Saka dali-daling lumabas ng kwarto ko.
"Nasaan na 'yong aso?"
"Nasa surgery room na, Doc. Pero gusto ka raw muna makausap ng may-ari bago mag-proceed."
"Okay, sige. Ikaw na lang mag-assist sa'kin. Ready mo na, susunod ako." Mabilis na sabi ko na siya namang agad niyang sinunod.
Muli akong lumabas sa waiting area para kausapin ang kabadong fur-parent. The mom was hysterical asking me a lot of questions, but all of them boils down to one thing, if her baby Peanut will make it out, okay. I gave her my best speech of me doing my best to calm her down.
"Ikaw na bahala sa kanya, Doc." Halinghing niya.
"Gagawin namin ang lahat, Ma'am." I reassured her. Saka ako muling bumalik sa loob.
I was quick with my pace while I tie my hair simultaneously. My head was directed down a couple of angle that I didn't notice I was about to collide into someone.
Pero bago pa mangyari 'yon, bago ko pa siya tuluyang mabangga, agad na dumapo ang magkabila niyang kamay sa parehas na balikat ko upang matagumpay na matigil ang matulin kong paglakad.
"Oh! I'm sorr – " The last syllable died on my mouth as I came face-to-face with none other than Reid Almodovar.
I was caught on the intensity of his gaze, not able to move away from his grasp. Until I heard Col from beside him, effectively breaking my trance. I cleared my throat and took a step back.
"Hi, Doc! We just dropped Potchi here." She said, pointing up at the huge sign on top of the door frame saying 'GROOMING AREA'.
I quickly took a glance of Mr. Poker Face before I smiled at Col, "Oo nga pala. Magpapa-groom kayo."
"Yup! Saan ka po pupunta?"
"May surgery ako. I have to operate a dog's eye." I shared. Her eyes bulged and her mouth formed in an adorable 'O'.
She grabbed Reid's coat sleeve and gave it a repetitive pull. "Kuya, she's so cool! When I grow up, I want to be just like Doctor Fire! I want to be a veterinarian."
He gave me a once over, from my feet up to my face. He lingered there for a while, his gaze burrowing into mine. Then he ruffled Col's hair and said, "Okay."
I grin inwardly. Marunongpala siyang magsalita. Ngumiti lang hindi.