Habak ni Doctor Quack

Chapter 14

It was another bright morning in Doctor Quack's clinic, but today, there was something different in the air—a certain buzz of excitement that had Pipoy raising an eyebrow. Doctor Quack was pacing the room, humming an unfamiliar melody to himself, a look of deep concentration on his face. Pipoy, sitting lazily by the counter, glanced up from his morning snack.

"Dok, what's with the humming?" Pipoy asked, narrowing his eyes suspiciously. "You've got that look. You're up to something."

Doctor Quack paused mid-step, turning to face Pipoy with a wide, excited grin. "Pipoy, I've been reading up on an interesting new treatment. Something that could revolutionize the way we heal people."

Pipoy, already sensing something bizarre coming, leaned back in his chair. "Alright, let's hear it. What's today's miracle cure? Frogs that make people smarter? Magical eggs? Wait, don't tell me—it's something to do with glitter."

Doctor Quack chuckled, shaking his head. "No, no. This time, it's music. I've been studying the effects of sonic healing. It's said that certain musical tones and vibrations can heal ailments, calm the mind, and restore balance to the body."

Pipoy stared at him, unimpressed. "You're telling me you're going to sing people back to health?"

Doctor Quack's grin widened. "Exactly, Pipoy! Music has a long history of being used in healing rituals across different cultures. Chanting, singing, drumming—they all have therapeutic effects. And I think we should incorporate music into our treatments."

Pipoy snorted, shaking his head in disbelief. "So you're going to sing to our patients? Dok, not to be rude, but I've heard you sing. The last time you tried karaoke at the barangay fiesta, you cleared the dance floor."

Doctor Quack ignored the jab, his enthusiasm undiminished. "That was different. This is about healing. I've been practicing some special songs that I believe can realign energy and promote recovery."

Pipoy groaned. "Dok, I don't think realigning energy is going to help when you can't hit a single note."

But Doctor Quack was already preparing for his experiment. He set up a small speaker in the corner of the clinic, pulled out a microphone, and grabbed a tambourine from one of the shelves. The clinic, which had always been filled with odd remedies and herbal concoctions, now looked like a makeshift recording studio.

Before Pipoy could protest further, the clinic door opened, and Mang Pepe, a regular patient who often came in with complaints about his aching back, shuffled inside. He was hunched over, clutching his lower back as he approached the counter.

"Morning, Doctor," Mang Pepe groaned, wincing with each step. "My back's acting up again. Can you whip up one of those herbal creams for me?"

Doctor Quack, already beaming with excitement, held up a hand. "No need for creams today, Mang Pepe. I have something much better. A revolutionary new treatment!"

Mang Pepe raised an eyebrow. "New treatment? For my back?"

Doctor Quack nodded eagerly. "Yes! Music therapy. The healing power of song."

Pipoy watched in disbelief as Doctor Quack picked up the microphone, adjusting it as though he were about to perform on stage. "Now, just relax, Mang Pepe. Let the sound waves wash over you. I'll start with a healing chant."

Mang Pepe blinked, clearly confused. "Uh... alright?"

Doctor Quack cleared his throat dramatically, and then, to Pipoy's horror, began singing—loudly and completely off-key.

"Ooooooooh, heal the body, heal the soul!" Doctor Quack crooned, swaying slightly as he waved the tambourine in the air. "Let the music make you whole!"