𝐷𝑒𝑎𝑟 𝐷𝑖𝑚𝑝𝑙𝑒𝑠 (LeAga)

𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚒𝚝𝚘𝚕𝚘 𝚞𝚗𝚘 : 𝑙𝑎 𝑠𝑢𝑎 𝑣𝑖𝑡𝑎

ɪɴɪᴢɪᴏ ᴅᴇʟ ᴄᴀᴘɪᴛᴏʟᴏ

"Hello, Doctor Salonga."

"Doc. Martinez! Good evening, it's nice to see you here."

The rain is pouring heavily by reason of a hurricane. Lea is wiping her blouse with her handkerchief to somehow dry it. It was soaking wet and she had no choice earlier so she ran in the damp road because she didn't bring her car due to coding. It's past 12am already; she was about to go home but she decided to pass by the coffee shop. There she bumped into Doctor Albert Martinez, her colleague. —and the best Radiologist in the Hospital.

"You're soaking wet. You should dry yourself first." Doc. Martinez advised.

Together, they went to the counter to order their coffees. Albert indicated Lea to take the lead, which Lea immediately understood. She felt the awkward aura between them since it's their first time encountering each other outside the hospital. Although they are good friends since Albert is courting Doctor Alice—Lea's closest colleague.

"Uh, one hot Flat White in Grande." she says, "I'm Lea without an 'H', by the way."

Albert chuckles hearing Lea apprising the Cashier. "Mine is Hot Brewed Coffee, Venti." He was about to take his wallet but Lea stopped him.

"Doc! I'll take it—"

"No, no." Albert handed his card, "It's on me."

"Eh. You sure?" Lea asked hesitantly, "I'll make bawi!"

Albert shakes his head, "Para ka namang others. You're my friend...." He paused, "and Alice's."

Lea covers her mouth as she chortles, "I knew you would add that. Thanks, Doc!"

"Dine in, Sir?" The cashier asked.

"No—"

"Yes." Albert responded, "Have a sit with me, Lea."

She didn't retort. Instead, she just followed him to the table after they got their orders. Lea was uncertain and edgy, she knew that Doctor Martinez will talk to her about Ethereal. She is not prepared; her hands were trembling.

Oh, please Lord.

"How's the thing between you and Alice?" Lea opened the topic to ease the heavy atmosphere, "Oh, sorry. I'm quite tackless."

"No, it's totally fine. Uh—" he heaved a deep puff, "Nothing changed. I hope there will be a change though, but of all people, ikaw ang nakaka-alam na kaya ko siyang hintayin, Lei."

"Of course." Lea replied confidently.

"Ether..." he paused, "How's she?"

Lea sat properly as she sips her cup of coffee, her hand are obviously trembling as she lifts the cup to her lips. Albert noticed that sudden movement so he clears his throat. Doctor Martinez is the Radiologist of Ethereal while Lea is her Oncologist.

"It's fine if you—"

"She's fine, Doc. How's her tests with you?"

Doctor Martinez gulped because of the sudden interrogation. He knows to himself that the results are not that good to sink. He's trying to construct the words in his mind on how he'll inform her. On the other hand, Lea is just facing him, waiting for him to speak. Lea is not naive with these kind of scenarios— she's used to it. But somehow, this is different because Ethereal is not just Lea's best friend. She's her life.