housemates (completed)

housemates 5 -- loosening up

"...Mendoza..." Richard said as they walked from the nurses' station to Ward 11.

"Yes?"

"...uhm...diba day off mo tomorrow?"

"Yes. Birthday leave ko..."

"Oh, happy birthday..."

"Sa Sunday pa birthday ko talaga pero salamat na rin..."

"...anong gagawin mo after rounds?"

"Hmm...usually, dumadaan muna ako ng mall bago umuwi..."

"Saan ka mag-l-lunch?"

"Sa mall na siguro. Teka, bakit ang gentle ng boses mo...may sakit ka? Are you feeling okay?" Nic said as she looked at Richard from head to foot.

"Wala...wala...I'm fine. Uhmm, kung wala kang kasama, I'd like to invite you out for lunch..."

"Huh?"

"...sabi ko, mag-lunch tayo...sa labas ng hospital..."

"Ahh...pwede naman...text ko lang si Belle, yung bestfriend ko...sa Sunday nalang kami magkikita..."

"I-tetext ko rin si Carlo..."

"Carlo?"

"Bestfriend ko...si Dr. Carlo Rosales..."

"Ah, sa Physio..."

"O..o...paano mo alam?" Rj is somehow perplexed.

"Yung bestfriend kong si Belle, sa Orthopedics naman ang station..."

"Ahh...so, lunch? Your choice of resto..."

"Ok, game."

It had been almost three weeks into their team-up work and Richard seems to have mellowed down a little bit. He scowls less and smiles more and the little kids willingly walk up to him and ask to be carried when he offers his hands. Plus, he's come to work a little more casually-dressed. He still wears the occasional shirt and tie but on other days, he's seen wearing more colored and printed shirts. To complete his look, Nic gifted him with a pediatric stethoscope with a tiger on the chestpiece.

"Ano to?"

"Gift ko sa yo..."

"Gift? Eh diba ikaw tong mag-b-birthday?"