The Mayor's

CHAPTER 15

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Hindi ko na sinabi iyon kay Gwen dahil hindi pa ako handa na pag-usapan siya. Masasaktan lang ako kaya paano ako makaka-move on.

I looked at the ring that he gave me years ago. I smiled bitterly while remembering my core memories with him. Now, I appreciate all of the love and affection he gave me back then,

Kahit sa mga sandaling panahon na iyon ay naranasan ko pa rin ang mahalin ako at pahalagahan kahit na may takot sa puso ko. Naramdaman ko maging mahalaga dahil iyon kay Gideon. He gave me all his love and in return I just ruined his name.

I was very insecure of my status because I know we weren't on the same level. He is so high that I couldn't reach, a star that I only see through the sky, and a dream that I cannot achieve.

Hanggang ngayon ganun pa rin naman siya, ngunit isa na lang siyang pangarap na hinding hindi ko na dapat pangarapin. Isang pangarap na tuluyan ng lumabo at nawala na sa akin.

"Oh, okay ka lang? namamaga ang mata mo." Gwen worriedly asked. Nagtimpla ito ng kape nang matapos ang morning routine niya pagkagising.

"Yeah, napuyat lang kagabi."

Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, feeling doubtful.

"Anyway, next month na ako mag t-transfer ng area." She added.

"Saan? OR ka na please, para magkasama tayo." Tiningnan ako ng masama ni Gwen.

"Tsk, kaya mo na dun, I wanna try psych ward, so I applied."

Gulat ko siyang binalingan. "As in? Psychiatric ward?"

"Oo nga. I find it interesting there so yeah." Nagkibit balikat ito sinasabing hindi naman big deal ang pinasukang trabaho.

"Wow!" tugon ko, hindi pa rin makapaniwala sa kaibigan. "Congratulations, Gwen!"

Noon pa lang interasado na talaga si Gwen sa psychiatry at napilit ko lang siya sa ER noon dahil same hospital naman kaming dalawa. We both tried to apply in Psych after passing our NLEX but after assessing myself, I didn't pass because I wasn't mentally healthy that time. And now Gwen continued to pursue it.

As usual hindi naman kami na-toxic sa OR as well as Gwen kaya halos sabay kaming umuwi.

"Ihatid ko na kayo." Clare insisted, after that day ngayon lang ulit kami nagkita.

"Naku doc, nakakahiya naman. Makakaabala pa kami sayo." tugon ni Gwen.

"No, it's okay. Not a problem at all."

Tatanggi sana ako ulit but Gwen was excited about it, she was teasing me secretly.

"Thank you so much, Doc." Gwen added after we were in his car.

"No problem." tugon nito. Sandali niya akong sinulyapan bago binalik ang tingin sa unahan.

"Hmm anyway. I have a favor to ask if it's okay with both of you."

Sabay kaming napatingin ni Gwen sakaniya, parehas kuryoso.

"Ano po yun, Doc?"

He formally cleared his throat. "Me and Doc Fernandez were planning a medical mission in San Jiménez next week, so I am hoping that you two could join, if you know if it is okay both with you and no busy schedule as well." aniya.

Hindi agad ako makapagsalita, I can feel Gwen's silence at the back.

"Are you familiar with the town? It is still part of the Zamboanga Peninsula." He added. "We were planning this for almost a year because according to the RHU the dengue cases there are prevalent and it's very prominent." Umiling ito.