Palawan Strangers (CharDawn)

Twelve

Dawn grins, Dawn Sandoval– she misses that name. There was calmness and kindness evident in the man's face.

"Sino ba sa mga kapatid ang friend mo?"

"I'm Aga Martinez, Lea and I were... classmates in med school"

"What?! Really?" Dawn says, maybe a bit loud. Her eyebrows pop up and she can see the hind of a smile on Aga's face.

"Opo, Ma'am," He nods, "Actually, we've spent some time in your house in Makati. That's where we've met, pero hindi ka naman madalas doon sa bahay niyo. Your parents wanted Lea and I and two of our friends na doon sa bahay niyo mag in-house review noong malapit na ang board exams. Luckily, the four of us passed together."

"Oh, yes! I remember. My god, ang tagal na nun! Was it you pala? Yung only boy in the group?"

"Yes po. You even told me to call you Achi"

Dawn scratches her forehead, "Oh god, I really cannot remember. I'm sorry"

"Nah, it's okay. Matagal na rin po talaga 'yun"

"'Pre –actually, nandito si Doc Lea," Richard tells Aga, interrupting their conversation.

Aga's mouth drops open, and what he heard was completely unexpected. He nervously chuckled, "Really?"

"Yes, my sister's here! We're staying in Richard's house" Dawn lays a hand on Richard's lower back, caressing it, "Babe, let's have dinner sa bahay mo. What do you think?"

Babe.

Richard beams. Feeling Dawn's hand in his back is too sensual, his knees weaken. How could this woman do it to him? "Yes, sure! That's a great idea!"

Aga shifted his feet impatiently, "Uhm – I think may duty ako bukas eh."

"Wala kang duty bukas" Richard says, clearly teasing him. Richard remembers an old story his friend had told him years ago –that story, they've talked over bottles of beer. He flashes Aga a knowing look. He can see the budding nervousness in his friend's eyes.

"Ha? Ah– eh–" Aga clears his throat, "I-che-check ko po muna ang sched ko, Ma'am"

"Ano ka ba 'pre? Para namang hindi ka Head ng hospital. Mag-off duty ka naman bukas."

Dawn grins, "Oo nga, I'm sure Lea would be so happy to meet you again"

Aga's eyes narrow at Richard. Clearly, Richard is doing it on purpose, and whatever is that is making him nervous.

"Pumunta ka bukas, gusto mo sunduin pa kita" Richard tells him, putting him in a spotlight.

He gulps down his dry throat. Putangina mo, Richard. Kilala kita! "Sige po, Ma'am. Pupunta po ako bukas. Dinner, right?"

Dawn reaches out and squeezes Aga's hand, "Achi" she smiles, "Diba you've said that I told you to call me Achi. It should not change. I love my sisters' friends, kahit I cannot remember na some of them."

Aga's cheeks flush, "Sige po."

"Alright, we'll see you tomorrow!  Don't bring any alcoholic drinks. I hate to see my sister being drunk again. May bata kasi kaming kasama."