anywhere, somewhere, far away

02

"Madam, kaya mo ho ba?" Inalalayan nila ako papasok sa conservatory at pinaupo roon sa malaking sofa na ni-request ko noon. Buti na lang.

Ibinaba ni Dr. de Ayala sa lamesa ang black case na dala niya. Binuksan niya iyon at bumungad sa akin ang iba't ibang klaseng gamit sa ospital. Naroon din ang white coat niya kung saan nakaukit ang pangalan niya. It was folded neatly and above it is his stethoscope.

Alfaro Lenoci de Ayala, MD
Family Medicine

"I may have to remove your boots. I need to check if your foot is swollen." Tumango ako at hinayaan siya gawin ang kailangan niyang gawin.

"Good thing your fall wasn't that bad, though I suggest your need to rest. It's just for a few days if you don't want your sprain to get worse." I was shamelessly looking at him while he's busy checking my foot.

His thick brows, sharp jawline and perfectly shaped nose... Nagtama ang tingin naming dalawa nang iangat niya ang mukha. Sa likod ng salamin niyang may grado ay ang napakaganda ngunit malalim niyang mga mata. His eyes were pitch black that made me see my reflection on it— expressive, however full of mystery. Though it showed gentleness that matches his touch on me.

Umiwas ako ng tingin bago tumikhim. That was awkward and embarrassing. He basically caught me staring at him!

"How is my foot, Doc? Makakalakad pa naman ako, 'di ba?" I joked. He nod at me and just smiled.

"Huwag ka muna masyado maglakad... And avoid horse-riding for a few days." Tumaas ang kilay ko. Nakita niya iyon kaya bumuntong hininga siya. "But I know for sure you won't do that, kaya naman I suggest you to try to minimize it na lang." Natapos na niyang balutan ng tape at pahiran ng ointment ang paa ko bago siya umayos ng tayo.

"Thank you." I muttered under my breath.

"You are welcome, Miss..." He trailed off.

"Oh, my name is Lux Priscilla Mirabile." Inabot ko ang kamay ko and he took it.

"Nice to meet you, Miss Mirabile." His soft eyes bore onto me for the second time and I felt my skin on fire.

"Just Lux would be fine, Doc." I gave him a small smile.

"Okay, Lux." He nodded and smiled at me again. "And Alfaro would be fine, as well."

"Oh, breakfast. I have one served here. If you may," I motioned the house help to place my breakfast down.

"Thank you, however, Señor Antonio has requested for me to be at the palace in," he checked his wristwatch. "Ten minutes." He sighed. Napanganga ako. He'll be late kung dito pa siya kakain ng breakfast.

"Bakit nga pala nagpatawag si Lolo ng doktor? We have one naman sa Bayan." I asked the girl.

"Oh, si Doc de Ayala na po kasi ang bagong personal doctor ni Señor." Napatango ako.

"So you'll be staying here until he leaves for Manila, I'm guessing?" Tumango si Doc Alfaro.

"My lolo," I stopped talking... Nilingon nila akong dalawa, hinihintay ang sasabihin ko. "He's not sick, is he?" Hindi ko mapigilan mag-alala dahil mag-isa na lang siya.

"He sent us some new lab test results and I reviewed them on my way here. Fortunately, he is healthy." I sighed and thanked Dr. de Ayala.

"Sa inyo na lang ito, lalarga na kami." I told the house help before standing. Hindi naman na ganoon kasakit ang paa ko.

"Vesper." I called him. Lumapit ito sa akin kaya nilingon ko na si Doc.