“Salamat Doc Ge” an old woman said handing Gerald a bag of potatoes.
“Naku. Wag na po kayong mag-abala. Sa inyo na lang po yan.” Gerald answered shaking his head.
The old woman insisted and placed the bag on his chest “Pagpasensyahan niyo na po at wala na akong ibang pangbayad sa inyo. Tanggapin na po ninyo Doc.” She begged. Gerald smiled, took the bag from her and hugged her. “Sige po. Pero ipangako po ninyong hindi na kayo magpapakapagod ha? Pang limang dalaw na po ninyo, baka sa susunod hindi na talaga makayanan ng katawan ninyo.” He reminded her.
The old woman smiled when she pulled back from his embrace and patted his shoulder “Napakaswerte ng magiging asawa mo iho. Napakaswerte.” She said and left his clinic.
Gerald stared at the old woman who was walking out and noticed a familiar lady avoiding her and was even closing her mouth when she walked pass by her. “eeeeww” she shrieked when she got in front of Gerald. She immediately went for the sanitizer placed on Gerald’s desk. “Did you see that? Did you see that old person? Kadiri!” she irked as she rubbed sanitizer everywhere on her body. “Wala namang pangbayad yun sigurado ko. Did you kick her out? Don’t tell me…” she stopped talking and saw the bag of potatoes he was holding. “Tumanggap ka nanaman ng charity case? Ge! You’re not earning anything, alam kong bago ka palang dito sa hospital ni Tito Chen pero kung ganyan ka ng ganyan baka masisante ka!”
Gerald closed his eyes, the serenity and the peacefulness in his office was long gone when she entered. “Ikaw ang nagsabing magtrabaho ako dito. Hindi ko naman gusto dito eh! So please Kim, just let me be.” He pleaded. Kim rolled her eyes at him and pounded his desk. “Ikaw na nga itong tinutulungan, ayaw mo pa? Kung makareklamo ka. Bakit? Madali bang maghanap ng trabaho? Buti nga tinanggap ka dito eh! At dahil yun sa akin! Sa akin Ge! Hindi ka qualified pero you’re here at one of the top hospitals in the Philippines. The least you can do is show a little gratitude.” She irritatingly scolded.
“Did I ask you to tell your uncle to let me have this job? What did you call it? Your surprise? Too late to even say NO at that time, did you give me a choice? Daig mo pa si mama kung manipulahin mo buhay ko. I told you I’d work as a volunteer doctor, but what did you tell me? That it wouldn’t fit your plans? Bakit? Kasi gusto mo mag-artista?” and then he puffed “I’m tired of this. If you have nothing else to say to me, just go.” He continued. He needed to stop himself before he could tell her more hurtful things.
Kim then approached him and touched his chest, playing with the buttons of his shirt. “Sorry na Hon…” she sweetly said. “Dinner na lang tayo? I’ll make it up to you.” She told him and planted a kiss on his neck.
“Napapagod na ko Kim. Hindi na nagiging maganda tong relasyon natin.”
