where the wind rises

08

"I didn't mean to pry, but I can't help it, forgive me. Did something happen between you and Nikolas?" Agad nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa tanong ni doc Alfaro. Uminit ang mga pisngi ko bago umiling nang marahas.

"No, nothing. Whatever made you think that?" Hilaw na ngiti ang iginawad ko sa kanya habang nililinis niya ang mga sugat ko.

"I noticed how unusually quiet he is ever since last night. It has been a while, is all." I didn't say anything and just thought of Niko.

He was right. At first I thought he was just tired, but it wasn't that. It is definitely because of what happened yesterday. It was because of me. It's my fault.

Wanting so bad to change the topic and clear the awkwardness, I asked a question.

"If you don't mind me asking— where did you both meet? How did you two become friends?" Natigil siya sa pag palit ng gasa sa binti ko upang mag-isip, hindi inaasahan ang tanong ko.

"We were neighbors then. We also went to the same high school and university. Nikolas was a bully way back." Doc Alfaro couldn't help but chuckle. "Please don't tell him I told you that." I nod my head while smiling.

"When I transferred
there, he was the so called 'king'. He would make fun and bully those who were weaker than him. Then he met me, the nerd, according to them. Ako ang pinag tripan niya hanggang sa mag-second year kami noon." Umiling-iling ito. I can't imagine them back in high school, Niko and doc Alfaro as the bully and the nerd. Mas lalo na si Niko, hindi ko alam na may ganoon siyang reputasyon noon.

"But one day, we were both walking towards a store after school since he was forcing me to buy him snacks. Typical high school bully." Doc Alfaro rolls his eyes before faking to vomit. "We spotted a stray dog on the sidewalk. It was limping. I couldn't just leave it there so I helped the poor dog and when I turned to look at Niko, he was already tearing up."

Hindi ko na napigilan tumawa. A bully with a soft spot for animals.

"Mas malambot ang puso niya sa mga aso, kaysa sa iyo." I told doc Alfaro.

"I know, right? And ever since, we've been inseparable and he stopped bullying me after I found out about his secret. I had huge leverage against him." He smirked while reminiscing. "Well, that's about it until we become good friends and even went to the same university." I nod my head while smiling. Natigil ang pag halakhak ko nang may magsalita sa 'di kalayuan.

"What are you both doing here?" Niko appears in a rush. Sweat was dripping down his jaw and neck. Speaking of the bully with a soft heart.

"I'm tending to Flora's wounds." Doc Alfaro answered without looking at him. I saw how Niko squints his eyes at my leg, casually resting on doc Alfaro's thighs.

"Bakit?" Pati ako ay kumunot ang noong napalingon muli sa kanya. I heard doc Alfaro's throaty chuckle.

"Because I'm a doctor?" Tinaasan niya ng kilay si Nikolas.

"Doktor din naman ako, ha?" Sabay lingon sa akin. Nahigit ko ang hininga habang nakikipag titigan sa mga mata niyang asul na asul.

"Mukha bang hayop si Ms. Mirabile?" Namula ang pisngi ko dahil doon. Kunot noo akong lumunok.

"What I mean is, I'm her primary physician. And it's only natural that I'll be the one treating her." Sinamaan niya ng tingin ang kaibigan ngunit hindi siya napansin nito. O baka hindi talaga siya pinansin ni doc Alfaro.

"You know what, I'm okay now." Umayos ako ng pagkakaupo bago sinamaan ng tingin si Niko. I saw him raise a brow at me.

"I called Dr. de Ayala instead because I saw you were busy with your assistant. I didn't want to disturb you." Tumayo na ako bago pinasalamatan ang nakaupong kaibigan ni Niko. Hindi ko na rin sila hinintay pa na magsalita bago ako umalis.