Somebody Waiting

Pito bago mag walo

'Whoah. Dr. Reyes alas singko palang po bakit parang madaling-madali ata tayo?' Peter commented after looking at his friend rummaging his desk inside his office.

'Masama mag-ayos?' Sagot nito habang busy sa pag aayos ng gamit sa bag.

'Don't me. Wag ako. Ano meron?' Dudang tanong nito at umupo sa swivel chair.

'Ano kayang pwedeng dalhin? Snacks kaya saka soft drinks pwede na?' Tanong ni Richard na parang hindi iniintindi ang kaibigan.

'Whoah! Anong nangyayare, san ka pupunta? Bakit may dalahan ng snacks na mangyayare?' Peter asks dumbfounded.

'San punta mo? May pinopormahan ka ba na di ko nalalaman? Is this your way of moving on from Mango tree girl? After all these years mah brothah binata ka na!!! About time tanda mo na tsong.'

Richard looked at him questioningly.

'Daldal mo. Dapat di ka doktor eh. Dapat announcer ka sa karera ng kabayo.'

'Wag mo iniiba ang usapan. Tell me, who is she para mapasalamatan ko.' Peter said then hug his friend from behind.

'Pre, malapit na ko magduda talaga sayo ah.'

'Grabe ka naman! Sino nga.' Kulit nito.

Richard grab his backpack, straighen his stance and look at his friend.

'There's no one. Pupunta lang ako sa condo ni Raine because she's inviting me for dinner. That's it no more, no less. So, can I leave peacefully?'

'Meron ka? Ang sungit mo! Parang tinatamad ka naman ata pumunta eh.'

'Mukha ba kong timatamad tsong. Di ko na nga alam san ko ilalagay feelings ko eh. Honestly nagulat ako na gusto nya daw ako makita. Pre, kinakabahan ako.' Sagot nito na halata naman na totoo. Nagpapawis ang palad nito at hindi magkanda-ugaga kagabi palang.

'Teka nga, magkalinawan tayo. Di ba she invited you for dinner?'

'Yes...' Sagot ni Richard na parang nag-aalinlangan.

'E bakit ka kakabahan may lason ba yung ipapakain sayo? Tsong dinner. Hapunan. Kakain ka lang. Yan napapala ng walang social life eh, na-invite lang ng dinner makaarte para kang mamamanhikan. Tsk. Bery wrong bro. Bery wrong.' Singhal nito sa kaibigan.

'So, ano nga, snacks and softdrinks will do as pasalubong?' Dedmang sagot nito.

'Pa-check up ka. Malala ka na.'

//

'Hey,' Richard greets as the other person picked up his call.

'Hayah back' Sagot nito.

'Papunta na ko dyan. Quick question: Ano dadalhin ko dyan? May request ka ba?'

'Hala totoo papunta ka na? Ge ligo lang ako. Softdrinks will do. Ingat ka sa byahe.'

'Thank you. Masarap ba yang niluto mo?' Tanong nito sabay tawa.

'Makakalimutan mo first love mo pag natikman mo to..' Pagyayabang naman ng dalaga.

'Weh? Pag yang yabang mo waley ah.'

'Let's see. Let's see. Will take the shower na. See you later marshmallow.' She said then ended the call.

'Can't wait to see you...' Richard thought out loud as the call ended. Aware that the person on the other line wont hear it anymore.

//

After 45 mins. of driving Richard finally parked his car inside Raine's condo.  He grab the two plastic bags of snacks and another bag that contains two bottles of softdrink.

To say that he is excited is an understatement---he's ecstatic. He's looking forward to this the whole day.

Habang nagra-round nga sya sa mga pasyante he can't dismiss the idea of him and Raine eating together, laughing and bantering--- alone. His grin did not escape the prying eyes of the nurses on each floor.

'Happy si doc Reyes today, shocks Candice, ang wafu!!!' Report ng isang nurse sa 7th floor habang kausap ang isa pang nurse sa 10th floor.

'Weh di nga. Picturan mo nga girl! Miss ko na sya. Bukas pa sya magra-round dito sa area ko eh.' Malungkot na sabi nito.

'I know you will ask for it. Hintayin mo lang tye-tyempo ako' sagot naman ng kausap at binaba ang telepono nang makita ang head nurse na si Liza na parating.

'Ano tapos nyo na bang pagpyestahan si Dr. Reyes? Back to work guys. Focus.' Sambit nito ng mariin habang may inaayos na mga papel sa nurse's station.

//

Finally, nakarating na rin si Richard sa tapat ng pintuan ng condo unit ni Raine na nirerentahan. Lumipat muna sa manila ang dalaga after the wedding fiasco para mas madaling madamayan si Sam kapag kailangan nito ng kaibigan.

He inhaled deeply and took all the courage he has to knock on her door.

Knock.

knock.

knock.

The door immediately opened. He stepped inside only to see a rushing Raine grabbing her purse and struggling to put on her earings.

'Hey, what's with the rush?' Richard asked confuse.

'I'm sorry Chard, tumawag kasi si Sam nagpapasundo, nasira daw kasi yung kotse nya.'

'Mind if I tag along?' He offered.

'No. Its ok. Hahatid ko lang sya sa house nila then balik ako agad. Luto na yung sinigang mauna ka nang kumain kung gutom ka na.' She said while steeping outside the door not looking back.

Richard sigh.

'No, I will wait for you. Balik ka ah.' He uttered to the air.

//

Richard manage to entertain himself while waiting for Raine's return. He open the television and absent-mindedly browse one channel after another. For who really cares his mind is not here but somewhere else thinking if the the traffic was too heavy that took Raine at 10 in the evening still not around..

Maybe she's on her way here. Sana hindi umulan para di delikado. He thought.

After a while, he went over the kitchen and took a spoonful of sinigang to taste.

'Hmmm...masarap nga.' He said to himself with a sad tone.

Actually, his heart sank down to his stomach when she said earlier that she has to leave for Sam. Oo nga pala. He's the priority. And may I remind you Reyes Jr. that you only exists in her life for just a little while. When the plan is finish and done, you have to take one step back at a time, until she get used to it and you disappear forever from her life. That's the plot my dear self. He thought. He look once again on the clock 12 midnight...

Sigh.

To: Raine

Balik ka pa? Ingat ka ah.

He texted and with that he fell asleep on the couch.

A/N: Twitter: @batkayoganyan