DOCTOR
A fine, sunny morning greeted me after opening my eyes. I thought Joaquin was gonna be there beside me pero wala. Hindi man lang nag-iwan ng note para sana alam ko kung nasaan siya. Gigising ako nang wala si Joaquin, matutulog ako ng wala si Joaquin. What a cycle.
I stood up to prepare. It's the usual thing. Araw araw naman ganito ang set-up. To be honest, since I said sorry to him that night, hindi na kami nagkaroon ng maayos na pag-uusap. Magkatabi kami matulog pero parang ang layo layo niya sa akin.
"Good morning, Dennise!" Manang Cely greeted me while preparing some delicious breakfast to the dining. I smiled back at her.
"Good morning, Manang. Si Joaquin?" tanong ko as I carry Bumbum in my arms. Ang bango, palibhasa bagong ligo.
"Nauna na umalis. Hindi nga ginalaw kahit ang kape niya kanina. Ano ba ang nangyayari sa asawa mo, ha, Dennise?" tanong ni Manang Cely. Nag-kibit balikat nalang ako bilang sagot, hindi ko rin naman alam e.
"Kumain na ba kayo Manang? Sabayan niyo na ako ni Ate Janet. Lagi nalang ako walang kasabay kumain." natatawang saad ko sa kanila. Nagtinginan muna sila bago nagpasyang saluhan ako.
Day off ko ngayong araw at wala akong ibang gagawin kung 'di manatili lang dito.Pero hindi ako mapakali, I feel like I need to do something. I wanna be productive today. What if ayain ko sina Jill for a girl's day out? It's been so long.
I get my phone and immediately chatted them. We have group chat exclusive for girls only. Niyaya ko sila so sana mag-respond sila. Wala naman kasi akong gagawin dito. Nakakaboring lang.
I beamed in joy when I saw Deb, Jill, and Pia answered yes. I wonder why Ynel didn't. Baka busy siya. Sabi niya nag-start na siya ng trabaho e. Hayaan na nga. Medyo ilang din naman kasi ako sa kaniya.
I told them to pick up me by 3 in the afternoon. Umoo naman sila kaya hindi na ako nag abala pa na mag-reply. Minsan lang ako mag-aya kaya I'm sure they can't say no.
———
I checked my wristwatch and saw the time says 2:30. Pia honked infront of our gate so I went out already. Together with her si Deb and Jill. Could be better if Ynel is here. Complete sana ang girls.
"Hi girls. Namiss ko kayo! Sayang, wala si Ynel today. Nakausap niyo ba? Hindi nag-seen sa group chat natin." tanong ko. Deb fake a cough that's why I looked at her.
"Busy siguro sa ospital. Baka nag-eembalsamo ng patay." I heard Jill spoke. My brows met. Ano raw?
"Ha? As fas as I remember, surgeon si Ynel. Kayo, inaapi ninyo masyado porket wala dito!" natatawang puna ko. Jill just smiled at me. Something is weird today. Hindi sila madaldal like the usual conversations every time we get along.
"Den, where's Joaquin?" Pia asked, sabay tingin sa front mirror ng sasakyan.
"Oh, baka pumasok. Sabi ni Manang maaga raw umalis. Hindi nga daw nag-breakfast ang sabi sa akin." I answered.
"Baka sa iba nag-almusal."
"Ano, Deb?" Hindi ko narinig ang binulong niya. Deb shook her head afterwards. Oh my goodness, why is everybody so weird right now? Did I do something?
