At Last, Him

Chapter 26: Moments of Kindness

As CL navigated the city streets, his phone rang, and the urgency in his expression made me sit up a little straighter. "I'm sorry, Shan," sabi niya, ang tono ay puno ng tensyon. "I need to make a quick stop. It's an emergency."

Before I could respond, CL pressed on the accelerator, guiding the Ford Ranger swiftly through the lanes. Ang liwanag ng mga neon sign at mga dumadaang ilaw ng kalye ay kumikislap sa mga bintana habang mabilis kaming dumaan sa masikip na kalsada ng Manila. Soon, the imposing silhouette of the Celestia Medical Center came into view. The Celestia Medical Center was unlike any hospital I had seen before. As CL drove us into the parking lot, the building stood tall with a modern, inviting presence. Its architecture combined sleek glass panels and warm, natural stone that glistened under the night sky, illuminated by subtle, strategically placed lights. A living green wall adorned one side of the entrance, an unexpected touch that lent a sense of life and hope amidst the sterile seriousness of a medical facility.

No'ng matapos mag-park ni CL, lumingon siya sa 'kin. Bakas sa mga mata niya na na gusto niyang humingi sa 'kin ng paumanhin dahil naisama niya ako dito. "Babalik agad ako 'pag tapos na 'ko. Pakihintay na lang ako sa lounge."

Tumango ako at ngumiti sa kanya bago siya tuluyang umalis. Pinagmasdan ko siyang magmadali sa paglakad na halos tumakbo na siya, mabilisan niya lang ang pagkilos niya. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mapaisip kung ano'ng klaseng emergency ang pupuntahan niya.

No'ng pumasok ako sa lobby, hindi ko napigilan ang sarili kong mapatitig at mapahanga sa interior—high, vaulted ceilings with suspended light fixtures that mimicked constellations, casting a gentle glow. The floors were polished terrazzo, interspersed with muted, organic patterns that reflected nature. Wooden accents and planters filled with lush greenery softened the otherwise pristine environment, adding warmth that seemed designed to comfort anxious visitors and patients alike. A massive floor-to-ceiling window framed the skyline, offering a view of the city lights that flickered like a distant galaxy.

Maging ang mga upuan sa lounge ay maingat na inayos, na may mga semi-circular na sofa na nag-uudyok ng komunidad habang binibigyan pa rin ang mga tao ng kanilang sariling espasyo. Ang color palettes ay nakatuon sa mga earthy tones, nakakaanyaya at nakakapagpakalma, na sumasalungat sa mga puting coat at scrubs na mabilis na dumaan.

I sat in one of those plush chairs, my eyes wandering over the fine details—the minimalist art on the walls, the gentle waterfall feature that added a soothing trickle to the ambiance. The entire space was designed not just to be functional but to evoke a sense of peace, making the waiting a little more bearable.

Nilibang ko na lang 'yong sarili ko at tiningnan sa phone ko ang pictures mula sa grand opening ng firm kanina. Nakatutuwa lang pagmasdan na kasama ako sa mga litrato. Parang dati lang, T-square at tube ang palagi kong dala no'ng estudyante pa ako. Pero ngayon, madalas ay naka-smart casual o corporate attire ako, dala-dala ang sarili ko at ang mga karanasan ko sa buhay.

When CL finally returned, he was a stark contrast to the beauty surrounding us. Bawat hakbang niya ay mabigat, isang madilim na pagod ang nakapinta sa mukha niya. He dropped into the seat beside me, the silence between us accentuated by the serene environment.

Sa wakas, matapos ang tila walang katapusang paghihintay, huminga nang malalim si CL at binasag ang katahimikan. "Tonight... I lost one of my patients. She had cancer," he said quietly, the weight of his words hanging in the air. The elegance of the surroundings seemed almost paradoxical to the raw pain in his words.

My heart ached at the pain evident in his voice. I hadn't known him long, but seeing him like this, raw and vulnerable, made me feel a deep respect for the path he had chosen.