Borrowed Time (completed)

8. appointments

"What's my schedule like today, Marie?"

"Rounds at 9. Consultations until 12. Mr. Sam Reyes asked to have a lunch meeting with you."

"Sam Reyes?"

"Yes, Doc."

"Samantha?" Doc Miguel whispered to himself.

---

"Wala ba talagang nakakita kay Ikki-boy nung araw na yun?" Mama asked. Over a month had passed since Rj's 'disappearance'.

"...yun din ang pinagtatakhan ko" Papa said. "Walang footage sa CCTV sa harap nung office pero ang sabi ni Manding, hinatid nya si Ricky sa office. Nagtaka din sya kung bakit parang ang laki at bigat nung backpack na dala."

"...kelan nya iniwan sa desk nya yung mga cards at cellphone nya?"

"Ewan...di naman natin mabuksan kasi naka-fingerprint lock."

"Sabi din ni Sabel sa bangko, wala daw nagalaw masyado dun sa mga accounts nya. Papa, mag-t-two months nang di umuuwi si Ikki-boy. Wala syang pera. Yung puso nya..."

"...okay naman na yung puso nya. Diba yun ang binalita ni Miguel sa atin."

"Eh paano kung niloloko lang tayo ni Miguel?"

"I don't think gagawin nya yun. Duktor sya ni Ricky simula nung pagkabata."

"Eh sina Boboy? Anong sinabi nila?"

"Wala rin silang alam. Matagal na daw sinasabi ni Ricky na gusto nyang lumayo sa hacienda...."

---

"Pare..."

"Ri..."

"Shhh! Gumamit ka ng ibang pangalan. Lumabas ka ng office sandali."

"Ahh...Mario..."

"Yan. Kamusta na kayo dyan? Sina Mama at Papa?"

"Ah okay...okay...uhmm...ayos naman yung mga papeles...oo...nagkaroon lang ng konti aberya sa paghahanap nung dating files pero okay naman na..."

"Ah. Wag kayong mag-alala. Okay ako dito. Nagttrabaho ako at nakikitira kay..."

A tricycle passed so Ariel couldn't quite hear what Rj was saying.

"...ahhh..."

"O sige, tawag nalang ako ulit. Ingat kayo dyan..."

---

"Sam?"

"Migs!" Sam turned and greeted Dr. Miguel with a bear hug. "You haven't aged!"

"Neither have you. How are you?"

"Eto, beauty pa rin. Ikaw?"

"I married Charlie..."

"Ows?"

"Yeah. We've been married for the last 5 years. Eh ikaw?"

"Gordon and I are set to get married next year..."

"Nice!"

"Yeah. We're going to New York and will most likely settle there na rin. He's been offered a job kasi upstate..."

"Wow! Congratulations!"

"Thanks! Neither of us are getting any younger, you know..."

"Oh yes. My wrinkles are already showing..."