OVER AND OVER AGAIN (LBS#1)

Chapter 6

Hindi na ako nagkaroon ng tamang oras para pag-isipan kung saan ako magla-lunch ngayong araw.

I got a busy schedule now and it's already two in the afternoon. I didn't even noticed the time. Maybe because I'm too busy to take a glance at the wall clock.

Kahit na hindi ako 'yong tipo na kumakain sa cafeteria ng hospital ay wala na akong nagawa kundi ang pumasok dito at agad na tiningnan ang mga iniluto nila para sa lunch. And when I looked at the people here in the cafeteria, everyone's almost busy doing their own works.

I glanced at the friendly girl in front of me and it's like she's too young to work here.
"Hi. Are you the new doctor? Uhm, I mean, the soon-to-be-wife of Dr. Nathaniel Lancaster?" She doesn't sound like she's being nosy, but more on curious and just trying to prove something to herself.

I smiled at her in the most friendly way.

"Yes." I answered. "I am the new doctor, but I'm not really sure if I'm gonna pass Doctor Nathaniel's standards." I added jokingly.

"Oh, I'm pretty sure that you are beyond his standards." Nakangiti niyang sabi.
Damn. I'm flattered.

"Does that mean I'm not the one for him?" I asked her.

She chuckled at my question.
"No, Doc. Ang ibig sabihin lang po noon ay siya pa po ang hahabol sa standards mo, hindi po ikaw. He'll do everything to get you...to pass your standards." Oh, wow!

She's talking about the impossible.

I want to laugh so hard, but that would be rude...or I may appear or look crazy.

So...whatever, Cres. Just let this one go. I'll bet I'm gonna dream about this kind of impossible tonight.

"Kung alam mo lang..." naiiling kong sabi habang may malungkot na ngiti sa aking labi. Nang mapansin kong kuryoso na ang tingin niya sa akin ay ngumiti ako ng napakalapad. "Itong salad nalang akin." Sabi ko at agad naman akong kumuha nito saka inilagay sa isang tray. "And a 1000 ml of bottled water please," I told her and then she handed it to me in a very soft way.

"Thank you po." She told me.

Napangiti naman ako.
"Welcome." Sabi ko at agad na siyang tinalikuran. Habang dala-dala ko ang tray at naghahanap ako ng mauupuan ay agad naman akong nakarinig ng pagtawag sa aking pangalan at agad kong nakita sa isang long white table si Paul Wyatt Lancaster.

Ano'ng ginagawa niya dito? Alam kong kumakain pero grabe naman...ngayon pa talaga? Well, I guess I need to talk to him instead.
"Dra. Montevista, have a seat here." he invited me using his loud, but manly voice. Talagang nilakihan niya ang kanyang boses para marinig ko.

"Hey, what's up?" I asked him.

Napangisi naman siya sa aking tanong. Yeah. What a creepy playboy.
"Fine. How about you? And oh, what's that?" He asked, pointing at the salad I brought here.

Napatingin pa ako sa kanyang itinuro bago ko siya tiningnan sa kanyang pagmumukha.
"I'm fine, by the way." Sabay ngiti ko sa kanya. "Ngayon lang kasi ako nagka vacant time, kaya ngayon lang ako magla-lunch." Sabi ko sa kanya. "And this is salad..." I trailed off.

He then laughed at what I said.
"I know, Doc. Alam kong salad 'yan. I'm not that dumb," he acted like I'm  hurting him right now.

"But you look like a dumb person right now." I said, straightforward.

"You're so mean, Montevista." He tsked at me and I can't help but to roll my eyes at him.
"Ayaw mo talaga sa'kin, noh? Pansin ko lang." He pointed out.