Palawan Strangers (CharDawn)

Seven

The clock is almost five in the afternoon. It was a one-hell-a afternoon. So many things have happened. They settled on, sitting down, on the limestone rock. Dawn can safely say she has conquered one of her fears. Sa nangyari ba sa kanya kanina?

It was an overlooking view of the island. It was beautiful to be up there, quiet and peaceful. They only hear the birds chirping and feel the breeze of fresh air. A couple has arrived on the island with that motorized boat they've seen earlier but they were after the cliff diving spot.

He takes her hand, lacing his fingers with hers. The move was so smooth and natural that she almost melted. "I'm going back to Puerto Princesa" he tells her.

She blinks. "Oh?"

"Mataas kasi ang census sa hospital, kailangan ng reliever"

Dawn smiled at him, her eyebrows raised, nodding, like she was putting all she had into that smile to make it seem real. "Are you going back tomorrow?"

-----

6 hours ago.

He was waiting for his ordered fresh catch seafood when his phone rings, Dr. Sylvia Tan.

He answers on the second ring, "Good morning, Doc"

"Doctor, ipapa-air kita bukas, ang taas ng census ngayon. Nagdo-double shift na si Doctor Martinez"

"Kaya na niya yan, Doc" he replies with a laugh. "'di naman po yan marunong mapagod"

Dr. Martinez is one of Richard's closest friends. They grew up together, he treats him like his younger brother. Richard was too grateful for this man who has changed his life. He was the one who invited Richard to visit Palawan to recover. Dr. Martinez works as Provincial Hospital Health Officer in Palawan. Richard was supposed to be there for a summer vacation only, just to unwind and breathe out. However, he fell in love with Palawan and left Manila for good.

Lucky for Richard, he found a true friend. Of all his friends, it was Dr. Martinez who was there for him at those times that he was miserable. It's a rare thing for men to have someone like him. Men don't usually have an incredible bond between friends unlike what women do. Somebody with who you can talk about everything and someone who makes you feel comfortable without the fear of judgment. Dr. Martinez has introduced him to different perspectives on things. He can also see Richard's blind spots.

Dr. Tan only laughs on the other line.

"Tomorrow ha, 7AM magde-depart ang air ambulance dito. May ipi-pick silang pasyente for surgery, sumabay ka na." Dr. Tan tells him.

"Copy, Doc," he says.

Richard had no choice, he was only a temporary reliever Doctor in the municipality of El Nido. Now that hospital work calls for him, he is obliged to fulfill his duty.

And that would only mean... leaving Dawn, the woman he was falling hard with already.

-----

"Yes, tomorrow morning," he says quietly. His heart is sinking.

"Yeah, yes, of course. You're from there, right?" she says, her tone was calm, she was just cool about it instead of ripping his heart out and stopping him from leaving.

He waited, even though he knew she wouldn't stop him, she's a Nurse and she fully knows doctor's duties and responsibilities, "Gusto mo bang sumama sa akin doon?"