We’re having our dinner at the same hotel restaurant tonight. Katulad kahapon, sinundo ako ni Roilan sa hospital at mamaya ay ihahatid uli ako roon.
“I know a newly opened restaurant in Mandaue. We should try it. Kung gusto mo lang,” he told me in the middle of our dinner.
I looked at him in the eyes. Magaan ang kanyang mga tingin sa akin. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa kanyang mga labi. He licked his lower lip unconsciously. Napatitig ako roon ng wala sa sarili. Tumikhim siya kaya napaangat agad ako ng tingin sa mga mata niya.
“Okay. Let’s try it…” I said.
We talked about his project in Mabolo. And then my experiences as a student nurse in Vergara Medical Hospital. I told him so many things. Naging madaldal ako at marami akong na-share sa kanya. He was only listening to me. Nakatitig, at matamang nakikinig. Sometimes I would see the amused and proud expression on his face. He looked like a proud dad listening to my stories.
“Lola Aurelia will be happy to know that you pursued your dream course. That was her dream, too…”
“Yeah… I remember when she told me that… I thought she was just joking,” nakangiti kong sabi.
His Adam’s apple moved when he drank the water from his glass. Marahan niya iyong binaba sa table. Tumikhim ako at umiwas ng tingin.
“Maganda sa Vergara Medical Hospital… Are you going to apply there after your graduation?” he suddenly asked me.
I licked my lower lip before answering, “Uh, Kinausap ako ni Dr. Vergara tungkol d’yan. Gusto nila akong kunin pagkatapos ng graduation.”
I glanced at him and noticed how his jaw clenched.
“Dr. Vergara? He asked you personally? He must’ve seen how good and hardworking you are…” he said, but there was something in his voice. Like there was something bothering him.
Nagkibit-balikat ako. “I don’t know. I’m considering his offer but I’m still thinking about it. May iba pa kasi akong gustong apply-an.”
Nagkatinginan kami nang muli akong mag-angat ng tingin pagkatapos kong balatan ang shrimp sa pinggan ko. And he’s watching me while I do that.
“Where?” he asked.
“Sa Manila?” I replied like a question.
Napaayos siya ng upo dahil sa sinabi ko. His brows furrowed and I saw how his jaw clenched for the nth time.
“Manila? Hindi ba marami ring hospital dito sa Cebu?”
Lumabi ako. “I want to try in other places, too.”
Tumikhim siya at muli kaming nagkatinginan. “Marami akong kilala sa Manila. Which hospital do you want to apply to? I can refer you to them.”
Kumunot ang noo ko. Kaya nga parang ayaw kong tanggapin ang offer ni Dr. Vergara dahil gusto kong pahirapan ang sarili ko sa pag-a-apply. I don’t need the backer. I don’t want any help from them. I don’t want anyone meddling with my plans. I appreciate their help but I want to stand on my own feet. Kailangan kong matuto nang hindi umaasa sa iba.
“Pinag-iisipan ko pa,” tanging sagot ko na lang.
We ended up talking about his project in Mabolo. Inilipat ko uli roon ang topic. At kahit hindi pa tapos kumain ay kinailangan na naming umalis dahil baka ma-late ako sa duty ko.
“Ms. Aluarez.”
Nagulat ako sa tumawag sa akin. Nilingon ko agad si Dr. Vergara na palabas sa isang silid. He’s wearing his white coat and a stethoscope is hanging on his shoulders.
