Trigger

54

Julianne Victoria

"Annyeonghaseyo Shin-ji san!"

Napailing na lang ako nang marinig na nagsalita si Trevor, a british expat na crush na crush na crush si Shin-ji. He joined the team almost two months ago and he reminded me of those UK punks from the 80's dahil kahit mainit ay naka leather jacket at eyeliner ito and he was even sporting a Mohawk.

"God, Trev." Shin-ji wasn't all smiles as she stirred her coffee. "How many times will I tell you that I am Japanese not Korean, so stop it with the Annyeonghaseyo thingy!"

Day 79 na namin dito sa Peloponnese and so far, I liked the weather here compared to Nepal. Inayos ko muna ang unan ko sa ilalim ng double bunk bed namin ni Shin-ji bago tuluyang makinig sa usapan ng dalawa. We just woke up and Trevor volunteered last night to make some pancakes kaya nandito siya ngayon sa bunk namin.

Unlike our previous tent, our newly pledged temporary shelter was an upgraded one. Tita Eva said that we got a new anonymous benefactor at ito ang nagprovide ng mas komportable naming tent ngayon. It was fully airconditioned, had double bunk beds that came with really soft duvets and pillows, plus sturdy room divisions unlike before na tela lang at ang pinaka nakakatuwa sa lahat ay mayroong tub ang may kalakihang portable bathroom! I was so delighted the first time I saw it kaya ako ang unang nagbabad at naligo doon.

"By the way Victoria, did you happen to hear something last night?" Sabi ni Shin-ji ng makaalis na si Trevor para magluto. I raised a brow then tried to remember. Kaagad ko siyang pinanlakihan ng mga mata nang maalalang parang may vibration sa taas ng higaan namin kagabi.

"Oh my god... you are disgusting Shin-ji." Natatawa ko siyang inirapan and she just gave me an 'oopps' reaction.

"You should try it though, your sister has good tastes." Kinindatan niya pa ako sabay hila na sa akin patayo.

"Oh, no thanks." Umiling na lang ako habang nakasunod sa kanyang naglakad.

"Ohayou gozaimasu, doctor!" Shin-ji greeted and I beamed ng makita si Tita Eva na kakaupo lang sa maliit naming dining space. Even the provided portable dining and kitchen area was kind of heaven sent for us dahil kompleto ang gamit lalo na ang malaking ref na punong-puno lagi ng stocks.

"Goodmorning Shin-ji, Victoria." She looked tired but her smile had always been so refreshing for me.

Ganito siguro ang aura ng mga fulfilled na, ng mga happy na...kaya naman ay nilagay ko iyon sa Happy List ko, pero kabilang sa nakaspecial bullet points. To have that kind of fulfilment someday would be a sweet bonus.

"Goodmorning, hot doctor!" Trevor chirped as he helped her take her lab coat off and gave her a glass of coffee.

"Oh thank you Trev, you are too sweet."

"Okay ka lang tita?" I asked, pero alam ko na ang kailangan niya kaya tumayo ulit ako at pumwesto sa likod niya to massage her shoulders.

"Oo hija, salamat, medyo puyat lang ako. Mayroon kasing bagong rescue na dumating and they were badly burned by the wildfire. Ayoko pa sana umuwi but your tito Geoff insisted I go get some sleep." Malumanay pero halata ang labis na pag -aalala niyang paliwanag.

"Oh no, how are the survivors? Dapat po ay isinama ninyo kami, and tama po si tito, you need to rest. How I wish we have another doctor on board para may katulong po kayo. What can we do po?" I continued on masagging parts of her shoulders kung saan ay lagi niyang idinadaing na masakit. I admired her and her husband's dedication when it comes to their patients kahit minsan ay may dinaramdam din sila.