The Past Behind Us

CHAPTER TWO

CHAPTER TWO

It's been three years and I'm currently working on my thesis while having my internship with Dr. Pham. Ilang buwan na lang ay ga-graduate na ako at makukuha ko na ang aking diploma. Magiging isang ganap na forensic anthropologist na rin sa wakas.

"Very good Ms. Ilagan," she commented after I explained the cause of death of the victim's bones I've examined. "Oh, have you seen this, Ms. Ilagan?" She asked and I frowned. Did I miss something?

She adjusted the adjustable microscope to the pelvic bone. It has some tiny cracks na hindi mo talaga makikita ng hindi gumagamit ng microscope. It also has some sort of discoloration. I didn't see this earlier. I've been checking the bones for almost a day pero ngayon ko lang nakita ang isang ito.

"A needle," we both said in unison habang nakatingin sa screen kung saan naka-connect and microscope.

"Have Dr. Mavin to swab this one," she said and left.

How rude. Ni hindi man lang sinabi kung ano ang nakikita niyang hinala. And, didn't she realize that it was the end of my shift? I looked for other interns, but I guess they've left. I was left with no choice but to have the entomologist swab the said bone.

"I hate that old hag," I muttered nang papaalis na ako ng institution. Sabagay, may kasalanan din naman ako dahil palagi akong nag-e-expect at nagpapa-bibo. Masisisi niyo ba ako? It's my last year na pero hindi pa rin ako binibigyan o pinapakitaan ng importansya ni Dr. Pham. Mabuti pa nga si Taylor dahil parating pinupuri ng kanyang mentor na si Dr. Mavin.

"Nakasimangot ka na naman." I don't have to turn my back para tingnan kung sino iyon dahil pamilyar ang kanyang boses.

It's Taylor, the scholar of Leah from our beloved country, Philippines. At dahil pareho kaming sabay pumasok sa institution, sabay din kaming aalis. Mas mauuna nga lang ako ng ilang buwan dahil mas mahirap ang entomology sa anthropology. Plus, he's studying mineralogy at kailangan talaga niya ng guidance from Dr. Mavin.

"It's Dra Pham. Bakit ba hindi niya ako mapansin pansin? I've been a good student to her naman."

He chuckled, "I just heard her commended you earlier, Torry. Masyado ka lang talagang proud sa sarili mo, na mga kaunting bagay ay hindi mo na na-a-appreciate."

I groaned, "I'm adding you to my hate list, Taylor," I said as I rolled my eyes at him.

I'm just boosting myself up. What's wrong with that? Wala na nga akong nakukuhang suporta sa doctor na nagti-train sa akin, pati na rin sa kaibigan mukhang wala pa. Sino pang mag-aangat ng sarili ko kung hindi ako lang din, diba?

"May pa-irap irap ka pa, eh hindi ba totoo naman?" he asked pero muli ko lamang siyang inirapan. "What if tanggalin natin mga mata mo, no? Laki laki na nga ng mata mo, pa-irap irap ka pa."

I looked at him with the look of are-you-fvcking-serious. "You're such a devil, Taylor."

"Oh, I'm the devil now?" he asked, then laughed.

"Oh just shut up."

Itinaas niya ang kanyang dalawang kamay na para bang sinasabing 'suko na ako'.

"Got any news from your mom?" he asked ng hindi ko na siya pinansin.

I shook my head bago pinatunog ang aking sasakyan. "I haven't received any news about her. Tungkol lahat kay Rance and Thisbe. Wala silang binabanggit eh."

"Sana lang gumaling na si tita. I'm praying her the best," he smiled at pumasok na sa kanyang sasakyan. I did the same at umalis na ng building.

I was on my way to my apartment nang tumawag ang tatay ko telling me to meet them at the airport. He booked us a flight to the Philippines dahil may nangyaring masama kay mama. I tried asking him what was the problem pero hindi niya naman sinasagot. He just ended the call at hindi man lang nagpaalam.