Ludic Selcouth #4: Panacea

Chapter 14

“Nurse Kenzie, youʼre being requested by Miss Reed.” tumango ako sa intern na nurse bago mabilis na inubos ang iniinom na kape at dumiretso sa room 312.

“What is it?” bungad ko kay Zither at nilapitan siya. May cast pa ang braso niya pero panay ang cellphone. Lumingon siya sa 'kin at nginisian ako.

“Kailan ako madidischarge? I need to go home, Damon already wants me to go back—”

“Oh shut it, Zither. He wants to see you? Edi siya ang pumunta rito. Tangina talaga ng lalaking 'yan, siya ang may kasalanan kung bakit may cast ka ngayon sa kamay tapos hindi man lang makabisita? Sigurado ka bang aksidente ka lang na nahulog sa pool niyong walang laman na tubig?” I checked her arms and neck. Malalim ang pool na pinagbagsakan niya kaya ganito na lang ang kalagayan niya ngayon.

“I told you, we were making out. Nakalimutan naming wala palang tubig 'yung pool noong gabing 'yon.” tinaliman ko siya ng tingin at kumuha ng upuan at doon naupo.

“Siguraduhin mo lang. The group doesnʼt know that youʼre here, pasalamat ka ayokong magkagulo. Ilang beses ko na kasing sinabi saʼyo na makipaghiwalay ka na dahil lagi ka na lang naaaksidente kapag magkasama kayo. Itʼs like your bond is a bad luck.” pagod kong hinilot ang leeg at tumingala sa kisame. Off duty ako ngayon at isang oras pa bago ang balik ko kaya nagagawa kong samahan si Zither.

She laughed and rolled her eyes. “We are both clumsy, thatʼs just it. Donʼt say a word to the sorority, Kenz. Theyʼre always overreacting.” itʼs because her relationship with that Demon— I mean Myles Damon is really suspicious. I sighed as I stop myself from saying more things about them. Itʼs Zitherʼs life, but I just could not stop from worrying.

“Anyway, letʼs talk about you. Any news about your sex life? Or love life? How do you want me to call it?” inabot ko ang isang mansanas sa table at kinagatan 'yon.

“Sex life is the term. Well, I had a steamy night with a model the other evening. Heʼs good.” bigla siyang tumili kaya sinenyasan ko siyang tumahimik. Makabulabog pa siya ng ibang patients.

“My god! Sagana ka talaga kahit na wala ka namang jowa! Wala ka bang plano mag commit? Baka mabalitaan namin nabuntis ka na,” aniya at tinaasan ako ng kilay. Sarkastiko ko lang siyang tinawanan. I donʼt miss my shot so Iʼm always safe.

“Itʼs not gonna happen. I donʼt want to have a child so I always make sure that Iʼm safe before I engage myself on the activity.”

“Whatever. Do you want me to find a man whoʼs willing to settle on a serious relationship? Just say the word, I have a lot of men in mind that will surely reach your standards.” umiling lang ako at nginisian siya. I donʼt need anyoneʼs help when it comes to men, I can find one if I really want to.

“Thanks, but I donʼt want to be on a serious commitment right now. Iʼm too busy for that kind of relationship, it has a lot of demands. One night stands are fine for now.” humalakhak siya at umiling-iling.

“Geez, Kenzie. I didnʼt expect that youʼll grow like this, ha. Parang dati isang tao lang ang hinahabol-habol mo.” I smiled and flicked my hair. Well, that girl is gone now.

“Donʼt make me even remember it, it is so cringey! My 18 year old self is a petty bitch, I hate her,” sabi ko habang lukot ang mukha. Ayoko talagang inaalala ang mga ginawa ko rati. Ang cheap lang. Ang pathetic din. I would never do that again.

“And now that youʼre almost 24, you turned into a fuckgirl.”

“Atleast Iʼm successful. I can do whatever I want.”

“Sige nga, bili ka ng Louis Vuitton na bag—”

“Nah, next time. Iʼm still saving kaya huwag mo akong demonyohin. On-going pa ang construction ng bahay ko.” malapit na 'yon matapos kaya Iʼm saving for the furnitures. I want the best ones so itʼll look pretty and will last for a long time. Itʼs a good thing that I saved a lot of money from my college when I tried working on a call center for two years, mama is contributing too for the house. Ayoko sana pero pinipilit niya. Iʼm sick of living on a condo, I want a fresh environment. Together with my mama, lolo, and lola. Hindi naman ganoon kalaki 'yung bahay but itʼs okay for now, I can just expand it once I earned more.