At What Price (Completed)

XXI

#AtWhatPrice 21

Here I break away, Start a brand new day
Write a story that no one but me can write
— Big Mini World, Jessica Jung

•••

"Tired?"

I immediately saw him as he entered the library. Tumabi siya sa'kin sa couch and rested his head.

Based on his uniform and the expression on his face, galing siya sa duty.

"Yeah. The last pregnant patient has a complicated case." He breathed frustratedly.

I blinked in concern. "Why? Anong meron?"

He froze a bit and his face relaxed. "Can't tell you eh. Physician-Patient Privilege."

Oo nga pala. Same with lawyers.

"I really wonder, bakit kailangang itago yung sakit?" I asked out of wonder.

He adjusted his seat, making himself comfortable. He is now facing me. "Dahil minsan, nakakahiya. It can tarnish reputations."

"Bakit naman nakakahiya? Lahat naman ng tao nagkakasakit."

"Discussions about sex pa nga lang, may malice at shame na... Paano pa iyong mga abnormalities?" he torts. "Humans tend to make fun or belittle things that they don't understand. Pisikal man o sa loob na complications, people feel superior if wala sila nun... Empathy is more rare than you think." he sadly shared.

"Hmm.. so mag-aaral ka pa rin? You look tired."

He smiled, halatang kulang siya sa tulog. "Kailangan eh. Importanteng subject mamaya. Di pa ako nagbabasa. Dibale, after nun... wala na. I can sleep."

"Okay."

"Kamusta today?" Tanong naman niya.

"Hmm... For the first time ever, I didn't feel lost sa lesson kanina. Hindi ako kinabahan kasi nakapag-advance readings ako." I said calmly. Buti na lang talaga nagbasa ako.

"I'm still not confident with application though, I have to atleast finish 15 problems to get familiarized." I reached for my book and opened it. "Kaya wag mo muna akong daldalin."

He chuckled. "Aye, ma'am. Aalis din naman ako pag lunch na." Aniya dahil may pasok pa siya. "Wala kang pasok bukas?"

"Wala. But I need to review for my two major exams on the day after tomorrow." I sighed. "Wala pa akong nare-review don."

"Then.. dun tayo sa table nang makapag-aral na."

•••

Hapon na pero may last class pa kami. Margot and Nailea both went home. I couldn't dahil sayang sa pamasahe. The time was spent on reviewing and finishing assigments so it was all good.

"Claudia!" Nag-angat ako ng tingin.

Margot finally came. Nagsabi kasi siya na magkita kita kami sa may field para sabay daw kaming pumasok.

She was wearing a turtle neck and a big heart sunglasses. The colors really complement her well. I mean, yes, it looks good, but why?

"Si Nailea?" She asked the moment she approached me.

"Mataas ba ang araw?" sarcastic na tanong. "At bakit ka naka-turtle neck? Mukha bang winter sa Pinas? Dito pa sa school na mala-impyerno ang init?"

Her mouth went into an O-shaped. "Kahit kelan ka talaga! Excuse me! My figure looks emphasized. Don't you see?" Umikot pa siya.

Sabagay.