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Chapter 25

"Doc, pinapatawag ka po ng HR." sabi ng receptionist sa akin. I traced the side of my lips with my pointer finger and my thumb due to stress dahil alam 'ko naman kung bakit ako pinapatawag ng HR eh. It's either papagalitan ako ng mga ito o kaya pipilitin nila akong gawin ang interview. Naiwan ang babae sa lobby at dumiretso na ako sa 4th floor, east building kung nasaan ang office ng HR namin. It's a long walk, at magttransfer pa ako sa ibang elevator just to get there. Ang hassle talaga, Bada.

When I arrived, I was greeted with a huge smile by the financial advisor of the hospital. Moreno na matangkad at medyo singkit itong lalaking 'to. Kilala 'ko na ang mukha nito dahil palagi niya akong pinapagalitan about giving pro-bono cases sa mga taong "hindi" naman daw nangangailangan talaga. Tss. The audacity for you to say that. "Doc, Valdez." umupo ito sa swivel chair na nasa harapan 'ko at ako naman ay pinaupo niya sa katapat nitong upuan. "No." sagot 'ko kaagad bago pa nito simulan ang sasabihin niya. I know for a fact na sasabihin lang niyang gawin 'ko ang interview dahil mukhang pera naman 'tong taong 'to eh.

"But it'll be good for the business? Tsaka it will also help with the clinic you're planning to build, hindi ba?" he said while smiling mischievously. "Ayoko. Kung gusto mo, ikaw gumawa." sabi 'ko rito. Yes, malakas ang loob 'kong sagot-sagutin ito because of the way he sees people entering and exiting the hospital. Parang mga gawa sa papel ang mga tingin niya rito kaya alam 'kong wala siyang pakielam basta makaearn kami ng pera. "Doc. Valdez, I'm not going to ask you again. You continue with the interview." sabi nito sa akin nang tumayo siya at nilapag ang mga kamay nito sa lamesa na namamagitan sa amin.

Nag-isip ako sandali. Hindi naman pwedeng siya lang ang makikinabang sa pag harap 'ko sa mga tanong ng journalist na 'yon. "I'll do it. Under my terms and conditions. Tutal ako naman ang haharap at mawawalan ng dignidad, hindi ba?" umiling ito. "Well then, I don't want to do it. It's just my reputation that's at stake here. Pati na rin ang dignity and credibility 'ko bilang doctor." minasahe nito ang mga sintido niya. "Okay, ano bang conditions mo?" sabi nito. "I want to be able to do pro-bono cases without having to tell you or consult under you dahil wala ka namang alam sa mga sakit ng tao since you only see them as your way of earning money. My clinic will also be built ONLY for the less fortunate people that are in need. 'Wag ka mag-alala, it'll be under my name if something bad happens dahil alam 'kong 'yan lang naman ang gusto mong marinig." Pinatawag nito ang kanyang lawyer and had her draft up what I said.

"Thank you. Aalis na 'ko dahil may INTERVIEW pa 'ko." I said, emphasizing on the interview part. Sila na daw bahala kausapin ang mga ito kaya naman ay dumiretso na lang ako sa doctor's lounge at nag-ayos ng sarili. I still want to look presentable even if I'm so stressed out. Mabuti na lang at meron akong extrang damit na dala. Its my "just in-case something spilled over my current outfit" emergency extra outfit. I changed into a long black sleeve that's silky and shows a little bit of my chest and partnered it with a black slacks. Saktong sakto ay naka suot din naman ako ng heels kaya it suits well with what I'm wearing. I put on some rosey red lipstick, added some eyeliner to make myself look fierce. I sprayed on some of my favorite scent which is Chloé's Love Story. "Doc?" tawag sa akin ng isang PGI. "Conference Room A daw po kayo." I thanked her and made my way to the conference room.

I'm not going to lie, my heart can literally jump of out my chest sa sobrang pagkabog nito. I'm usually an introvert and really don't want to be seen.

I was surprised to see all the cameras set up around the center kung saan daw ako iinterviewhin. "Akala 'ko ba, private lang?" sabi 'ko. "Well, we already took the chance and we decided to make it live parang walang cuts, hindi ba?" sabi niya. Naiirita na ako sa babaeng 'to.

"Okay, we're live in 3.. 2.. 1.." sabi nung direktor. Nagsimula na akong ipakilala ni Chelsea, ang chismosang interview na 'to.

Chelsea: Welcome to.. Chelsea's "Getting To Know" show!! We're currently in St. Lukes hospital where the infamous Doctor Valdez works.