P.R.N

39

I couldn't take my eyes off Xavierre as she talks to Ruby. They clicked in an instant— probably because they were both jolly and conversational. Hindi na ako nagulat dahil hindi naman talaga mahirap maging kaibigan si Xavi.

We were having her despedida brunch slash her 'farewell party' at her apartment. Days from now, she'll be flying to Europe. Hindi na talaga siya mapipigilan.

Tyrone went with us. He was seated in front of Xavierre. Tulad ko ay nakatitig lang siya kay Xavierre. He was staring at her like it's the last time he's ever gonna see her. Mahal talaga niya si Xavi...

"What if ihanap mo ako ng pogi na blue eyes doon?" Ruby joked.

"Gagi ka! Harap-harapan ka namang magtaksil." Xavi even hit her shoulder. They laughed.

Lumipat ang tingin ko kay Brent na nakatingin din kay Xavi. There was a hint of disappointment plastered on his face. It's not like he was trying to hide it. Did he try to stop Xavi from leaving?

"Erica Vienne..." Napatingin ako kay Cole na nakaupo sa harapan ko. "You okay?" He mouthed.

Hindi ako sumagot at tumingin lang sa kaniya. Alam na niyang hindi ang sagot ko.

"I love you." He mouthed.

It feels so heavy. My heart feels so heavy. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ganito kabigat ang nararamdaman ko sa pag-alis ni Xavi e pwede ko naman siyang sundan.

"Do you have a farewell speech, Xavierre?" Lahat ay napalingon kay Brent na nakatingin pa rin kay Xavi. Nagpabalik-balik ang tingin ko sa kanila ni Xavi na nakatingin lang sa isa't-isa. Para silang nag-uusap sa mga isip nila.

Did something happen?

"C..." Tawag ni Xavi kay Cole matapos ang ilang segundong titigan nila ni Brent.

"Yeah?"

"Patulong naman ako sa lasagna?" She asked for a favor before excusing herself para kunin ang lasagna sa kitchen niya. Cole went with her to help.

I suddenly felt conscious that somebody was watching me, so I looked around and saw Ruby staring at me. I gave her a small smile.

"Hi." I greeted.

Para siyang natauhan noong bumati ako. Agad siyang ngumiti at bumati pabalik. She's pretty. "Hi! Ruby." Pakilala niya.

"I'm Vienne."

"Ms. Top 1, it's a pleasure to meet you." Magiliw niyang sabi. Ngiti na lang ang nasagot ko.

Hindi naman nagtagal ay bumalik na si Xavi at Cole. The brunch ended peacefully. It was filled with casual conversations and laughter— mostly led by Ruby and Xavi.

I noticed Brent's silence. Hindi naman subtle ang pinapakita niyang disappointment sa pag-alis ni Xavi. Hindi ko lang maintindihan kung bakit. Pangarap ni Xavi to, eh.

--

"Nag-aantibiotic po ba si Ma'am?"

A patient with severe nausea and vomiting went in the Emergency Room. Based on the guardian's description, the patient started vomiting yesterday morning and it got severe. I ordered the nurse to start the IV infusion immediately because the patient has already a poor skin turgor that indicates dehydration.

Maging ang mga labi nito ay maputla na at nagbabalat na.

"Magrerequest lang po kami ng CBC para malaman po namin yung cause ng pagsusuka po. Buntis po ba si Ma'am?"

"Hindi rin po."

Tumango ako bago bumaling sa nurse para ibigay ang order. I was writing the order in the patient's chart when I received a text from Tita Karen. It made my heart race.