"Yes."
"Who's the owner?" Kalmado kong tanong at binaba na ang kamay.
"I don't know, it's unknown, pero 'yung naga-asikaso ng clinic ay pinsan ni Evelien. But I heard some gossips that Evelien's uncle sa father side is the owner of the clinic." She answered. Kumalma na rin siya.
Hindi ako sumagot, pero binigyan ko siya ng continue look.
"The clinic was build 14 years ago, doon na rin nagsimulang magtrabaho si Ate simula nung grumaduate siya. The clinic offered her a job, kaya tinanggap ni Ate, kahit si Ate ay hindi niya alam kung sino ang pinaka owner. Hindi naman imposibleng Tafi nga ang may-ari non, the clinic's name say it all." Dagdag niya.
Napa-isip ako.
"Why? What's happening, Elisa? Is there something wrong?"
"River..."
Tinignan ko siya nang deretso. I straightened my back.
"Paki cancel lahat ng sessions ko for today, pasabi sa reception. I need to do something." Ani ko bago siya tinalikuran at naglakad na.
"Teka, Bakit?"
Pipihitin ko na sana ang door clever nang may maalala ako.
"Don't tell your sister that I asked about her." I said without facing her at tuluyan nang umalis, pero bago ko maisara ang pinto, narinig kong tumugon siya.
"O-okay."
Dumeretso ako sa office, totally avoiding the nurses and other people greeting me.
Pumasok ako sa office bago nilock 'yung pinto so no one would dare to disturb me.
Alam na kaagad nila 'yun kapag nakalock ang pinto ko. It's either may session ako, o naiinis ako at ayaw kong makihalubilo.
But this time is different. I need to focus on what I will do.
Tinabi ko lahat ng papeles na nagkalat sa table ko bago nilagay iyon sa drawer ko. Pagkatapos ay binuksan ko ang computer ko.
I comfortably sat on my swivel chair while waiting for the computer to open.
While waiting, napapa-isip ako bigla.
Am I really going to do this?
I will.
I rested my elbows on the arm chair at pinaghawak sa isa't isa ang dalawang kamay ko habang madiin na nakatingin sa computer.
Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko. Balak ko itong i-open ang do nut disturb at silent, but I texted my girlfriend first.
:Varla Elisa
baka i can't update you later, baby. eat your lunch, hm? i need to do something. i love you.
will also fetch you later. i'll set an alarm. don't worry.
Nang nai-send ko na, kaagad kong sinilent mode at do not disturb ang cellphone ko bago binalik sa bag ko.
Sakto lang din dahil kakabukas lang ng computer ko. Kaagad akong dumeretso sa google.
I also get a tons of paper and my ballpen before typing the name whom I can understand the situation better.
I'll try to connect the dots.
Name: Thadeus Yuchengco Tafi
Age: 56 years old
Born: April 23, 2005
Died:
Father: Ignatius S. Tafi
Mother: Mildred F. Yuchengco-Tafi
