In Another Life

8: Yearning hearts

Tyrese

Si Eisley yung naghatid sa amin sa airport. I didn't know he could drive. He just looked so naive and clueless that I couldn't help but see him as this adorable and vulnerable kid. Oh well, this was why I should not judge the book by its cover. 

Kasama namin sila Bev at Nyle dahil ngayon yung flight nila papuntang Europe. Ako naman, pabalik na ng Manila. Hindi pa babalik si Eisley dahil may mga kailangan pa siyang asikasuhin dito sa Cebu. As a business owner, of course, he would be busy. Hindi lang halata the past few days since he would barely pick up his phone. 

Ngayon ko lang na-realize na ang daming tumatawag sa kanya, pero wala siyang sinasagot. 

"Bakit 'di mo sinagot yung mga tawag sa'yo?" 

Eisley shrugged. "They need to message first before calling." 

"Paano kung urgent?" tanong ko ulit. 

"They can still send me a message stating it's urgent," he said so calmly. "You probably know by now that I am not a social person. Whether it's business or personal, it takes a lot of effort for me to talk to someone." 

"But you talk to me, though? In fact, you talk to me often." 

His lips curled into a crooked smile. He could do that? "You're different." He then gave me his usual timid smile. "For some strange reason, I am comfortable with you." 

I felt my cheeks flushing. I had to take a deep breath again. 

Nasa tabi lang namin sila Bev at Nyle kaya narinig nila yung usapan namin. Syempre, inasar na naman nila kaming dalawa. Walang nagrereact sa amin ni Eisley. He wasn't even denying it. I just pinched Bev's side of the stomach to make her stop. 

"Malapit na boarding namin. Pasok na kami sa loob, manay." Bev hugged me. "Thank you for being my bridesmaid. Thank you rin sa gift niyo ni Eisley. Ang ganda ng painting. We really appreciate it! Idi-display talaga namin 'yun sa bahay. Ganda ko pala talaga!"  

"Thanks, Bev!" I hugged her back. "I'll miss you again." 

"Ang cheesy natin. Mag jowa lang? Don't you love it?!" She laughed. "Pero seryoso na, gusto mo ba talaga ng nursing? Can you see yourself doing it for a very long time? Why do I feel like mas bagay ka maging artist?" 

I sighed. "Hindi ko na nga alam, to be honest. This much needed break made me reflect on a lot of things. I am actually doubting if I want to continue doing this. I mean, I love looking after people, but I didn't realize it's taking a toll on me. I feel like it's turning me into a different person and not in a good way. Ewan, baka burnout lang 'to." 

"Baka? Burnout talaga 'yan. Ang maldita ba naman ng mga katrabaho mo tapos nakakagalit din yung healthcare system sa bansang ito. Mahirap talaga. Kaya nga nag-quit ako, 'di ba? I don't feel safe going to work." 

Hinigpitan ko yung yakap ko sa kanya bago ako bumitaw. "Salamat, Bev. Thank you for being there for me. Enjoy your honeymoon!" 

"Okay, balitaan mo ako, ha? Hindi ko papatayin yung phone ko." She then gave me a playful grin. "Tawagan mo ako pag sinagot mo na si Eis-" 

I covered her mouth with my hand and pushed her so she would go. "You're going to be late. Bye!" 

She laughed. Hinatak na siya ni Nyle paalis dahil ang daldal niya masyado. Baka maiwan na rin sila ng plane. Natawa lang ako. 

Bago sila tuluyang pumasok sa loob, humarap ulit sa amin si Bev at sumigaw, "Eisley, wag kang susuko! I'm rooting for you! Fighting!" 

Napapikit na lang ako. Wala siyang hiya. Pagtingin ko kay Eisley, he looked so clueless. "Don't give up on what?"