Like A Syringe

-14-

Sinundo ako ni Ruse sa condo ko, sabay kaming pumasok. I let him carry my bag all the way in my office, which left the nurses and other doctors dumbfounded. Nagpumilit na naman kasi siya. And, I have a problem now. They also saw us holding each other's hand. Makikita mo talaga ang gulat sa mukha nila.

He put my sling bag under the table.

"Thank you." I said, putting my stethoscope around my neck, I got interrupted when I heard him clear his throat, forcing his cough.

"Where's the 'sweetie'?" His eyes were teary, I laugh at him.

"Hindi pa kasi ako tapos." I teased.

"Oh, sorry," He chuckles "My bad." Mahina kong hinampas ang braso niya habang tumatawa. Parang ewan eh, but he looked cute!

"Hindi ka pa... aalis?" Tanong ko habang papaupo sa swivel chair.

"Tatalon na ba ako sa building?"

"Doctor Alvaro!" Binato ko siya ng fastener kaya tumakbo siya, tumakbo rin ako para habulin siya. Naghabulan kami dito na parang mga ewan, napakalakas pa ng tawanan naming dalawa. I even throw the pillow in the couch to him. But we stopped when someone knocked.

We put ourselves together and clean the mess we made here inside. Inayos ko ang stethoscope ko saka na pinapasok ang kumakatok.

"Usap-usapan na kayo sa buong ospital." Nakapamaywang na sabi ni Leah at napabuntong-hininga. Tiningnan ko si Ruse, ngumiti lang siya saka lumapit sa'kin "Ruru, natatakot 'yan sa mga babaeng nagkakagusto sayo kaya ganyan." Hinila ko ang buhok ni Leah dahilan para mapatili siya sa gulat.

Nagumumukha tuloy akong bata dahil kay Leah!

I suddenly smell Ruse's perfume, second, his hands wrapping around my waist to hug me. I feel embarrassed because Leah's here, but I just let him be. Kahit pa narinig na niyang pilit na umubo si Leah, hindi pa rin niya ako binitawan.

"Respeto sa single mga be." She force a cough again, we just laugh, then Ruse let go, giving Leah the 'respect' she want.

"You don't have to be worried." He touched my both shoulder, facing me. Kung tutuusin nga naman, wala akong dapat ipag-alala. I don't need to be worried nor afraid. Was this a trauma or what?

"I gotta go, baka lagnatin pa ako." She playfully rolled her eyes and tap our shoulders before leaving. I let out a heavy sigh, eyes closed. Pagmulat ng mga mata ko, napakalapit ng mukha ni Ruse sa akin.

"You don't need to worry or be afraid, sweetie, there's nothing for you to be afraid." He said "Let them be."

His comforting words made my heart pound, I gave him a sweet smiled, nodding. He gently kissed my lips.

"Good luck, I love you, sweetie." I pressed my lips to his cheek and smiled.

"Mm, good luck, sweetie." I said "I love you too." He stroke and patted my head before reaching for the doorknob, he give me a flying kiss before closing it.

Nakangiti akong umupo sa swivel chair ko saka hinanap ang folder kung nasaan ang schedule ko para ngayong araw. I saw Ethan's name, magkasama kami sa operation isang surgery mamaya pagkatapos ng break. I glance at my wristwatch, then stood up. I headed my way in the west ward to talk to Nurse Olie.