Never Have I Ever

Fifteenth Shot

Kari

"Calix, ano 'to?" I almost felt my jaw drop when we went inside his bedroom–walang rated SPG mangyayari dito ah–so I couldn't stop myself from speaking in Filipino even if I know he doesn't understand it because of my surprise. Sino ba naman kasi ang hindi magugulat?

The moment he opened the tall mahogany wooden door by the furthest end of the 3rd floor and went inside a large room that was triple the size of where I was staying, a bunch of people clad in white outfits were in view who stood near the canopy California king-sized bed in a horizontal line as if ready for an operation.

"If you're referring to them, they're the ones who will check on you." Seryoso ba 'to? An entire row of people who are like an emergency response team is at his beck and call? Puta, iba talaga kapag mayaman.

"But Calix--"

"No buts. Everyone, turn around." He commanded like a general of an army and everyone turned their backs on us as ordered without a word. It suddenly gave me a slight chill in my spine with the kind of authority this man has. Is he more than I what I could possibly surmise? Mafia boss ba 'to o ano?

"What the--"

"Let's get you to my bed." Tangina, ba't iba yung pagkaintindi ko dun?

He then walked towards the bed covered in plush sheets and heaps of pillows–addict ata 'to sa unan– which were a few metres away from the door as I was still in his arms.

I'd rather not focus on how good he smells or how his touch is warm and definitely not creepy because that'd really be the death of me. He gently put me down on the soft bed which can instantly lull me to sleep while covering my body with the sheets all the way to my neck. Anong trip nito?

"You can all turn around now. Make sure to check on her thoroughly." It took me long to notice as everyone was looking at me but they were all female medics with varying physical characteristics.

The oldest one among them–as I assume–with the most grey strands in her black curly hair that was in a ponytail and thick glasses came forward, close to my bedside."Good afternoon, Miss Karina, I'm Doctor Julienne Howard, the current head physician of the Wright family." Ano daw? She was in a white coat over a long cotton dress which was a stark contrast to her black skin who slightly bowed her head at me since I was laying down on the bed.

"I'm a general practitioner who also has a background in internal medicine and surgical procedures." Is that humanly possible? I don't know if I should be impressed or scared.

"Nice to meet you, Doctor Howard." I tried to smile because I don't know what else to say. Pero teka, how does she know my name? Ganito ba talaga kapag house call?

"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Miss Karina. You can address me more casually. Doc Jules will suffice." She gave me a warm smile which calmed me down a little. I don't exactly have the best memories with doctors–except for Grandma Cupid–and hospitals so you can only imagine the battle of nerves in my body right now. Should I say anything in response or not?

"Is it alright if we look through your entire body?" She asked and didn't move an inch from her spot until I said anything which was awkward.

"Ah yes yes." I nodded hurriedly because it seemed like she wasn't going to move until I gave my consent. For a moment there, I felt like a Queen. Nakakakilabot na ewan.

The second I agreed, she nodded to everyone else who instantly moved to their positions–as if practised–and walked around the bed to check every inch of my body without removing the covers. How the heck was that possible?