Alluring Temptation (Familiá Altamirano #1)

CHAPTER 12

Closer Each Day

TRUE to his words, nanligaw nga si Reeve. Never in my life has someone courted me, but I'm not saying that I didn't experience having blind dates. I did have a few, maybe five or seven blind dates courtesy of my mom. When I started studying in medschool, doon ako literal hindi nakapagdate or nakapagflirt dahil masyado akong engrosed sa pangarap ko.

I was too busy achieving my dreams to date and think about men.

And somehow, I don't feel like dating because of what happened in the past that involved Reeve and me.

"Wife, your necklace." The bubble inside my dead burst when I heard Reeve's deep voice.

I blinked when he fixed my necklace because it was on backward. He also strokes back my baby hair that was covering my face. Tumitig siya sa'kin saglit bago tumaas ang sulok ng labi niya.

"There you go," he muttered.

"T-Thanks." My cheeks flushed. His small gesture really makes me awe-struck.

For me, those small gentures are more genuine than the grand gestures since you can plan or schedule them yet small gestures, sila 'yong hindi mo namamalayan na ginagawa mo na pala ng kusa. Those random gestures really shows that kahit maliit na bagay lang para sayo, pero sa iba, malaking bagay na 'yon.

"Anything for my beautiful wife." A smile blossomed on his face.

Ngumiti na lang ako ng tipid at nagpatuloy sa ginagawang pagsisintas ng sapatos. Sabay na kaming lumabas ni Reeve sa tiny house at pumunta sa covered court kung saan magaganap ang medical mission at ang feeding program maya maya.

Today is the last day of our Medical mission. Since Reeve organized a feeding program again, he cooked a whole meal lunch - healthy fried rice, chicken fillet, malunggay soup, and oatmeal bread. There are also sliced fruits like watermelon and bananas.

Nahati ang covered court para sa dalawang program- ang medical mission at ang feeding program. Some of the barangay tanod, including the barangay captain and some few volunteers, were helping Reeve in the feeding program.

"Naninigarilyo at umiinom po ba kayo ng alak, Tay?" Magalang na tanong ko sa pangatlo kong pasyente na may Arthritis. His leg was slightly swollen and he was having difficulty walking because of the pain in his joint.

He scratched the back of his head. "Hindi ko maiwasan, doc ganda. 'Yon lang naman ang mga bisyo ko. . ." pangangatwiran niya.

"Makulit po talaga si Tatay, doctora! Ilang beses na nga po namin siyang pinagbawalan sa mga bisyo niya pero matigas po talaga ang ulo," sumbong ng bunsong anak ni Tatay Tomas.

I let out a light chuckled. "Tay, Kailangan niyo pong iwasan ang paninigarilyo at ang pag-inom ng alak para maiwasan niyo magkaroon ng gout." Ngumiti ako at sinenyasan si Nurse Elaine. She quickly handed me the things I needed- Prescription slip and a pen.

"Ako na po bahala, dra. Ano po ba pwedeng gawin kapag biglaan pong sumakit? Kunwari po kapag madaling araw?" Tanong ng bunsong anak ni Tatay Tomas.

"You may take short-term relief for pain such as acetaminophen, aspirin, ibuprofen, or other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. You can also use a heat compress to relieve muscle and joint stiffness." I started writing on the prescription slip.

"Cold bath or cold compress can reduce inflammation, swelling, and pain." I passed the prescription slip to Nurse Elaine. "Nurse Elaine pakibigyan ng Rheumatoid cream at anti-inflammatory medicine sina Tatay."

"Sige po, dra." she answered politely. "Doon po tayo, Tay." She gestured the way to the medicine stocks.

I took a sigh when they were out of my sight. Sinilip ko ang oras at nakitang isang oras na lang pala at lunch break na. I suddenly felt thirsty when I saw a kid enjoying his coconut juice.