Peru
October 2016
Bea is now checking a patient who has typhoid fever. When you really want to see Bea and her angelic features, you need to see Bea being sweet to her patients.
Her heart will be the heaviest organ she could ever carry right now. Day 2 in Peru and all she could ever feel is sadness, hindi nga lang siya sure if it's because of the health condition of the people in this area or because she misses the people she ghosted.
"Doc De Leon, Doctor Villegas is already here. You can go eat and rest for a few hours," the nurse said with worry in her voice and face.
"I'm okay, Nurse Cath!"
"Doc, you need to eat." Nurse Cathleen is a constant company of Bea when she's on a mission.
Bea just smiled and the nurse stopped nagging her.
After a few more hours, she is checking another patient's record until her stomach aches for food.
"I told you, you need to eat." Cathleen is now rolling her eyes.
She left the desk and went straight to the quarters. She got a sandwich and a coffee from the table.
"This tastes like shit," she whispered.
"Ikaw ba naman magboyfriend ng Chef, aba'y natural masasanay ka sa masarap." Zel is now getting up from sleep.
"You know that I understand what you are saying, right?"
"Yep. I talked slowly for you to understand."
Bea rolled her eyes and the tears she's been holding back for the last 48 hours started to fall.
Zel got something from her paper bag. It's food. Chinese food she ordered from the nearest market.
"Eat this. It's much better to cry when you're full." Bea did what her best friend said. She ate the Chinese rice and dumplings while crying.
"You know you can always go back anytime, right?" Zel reminded her.
"Zel, it's my problem. I've been here for 48 hours and all I think about is going back there and telling him that for the first time, I regret ghosting the people around me, including him."
"Eh, why are you still here?" Zel asked while nakapamewang sa may pinto.
"You know that I'm always scared. Last night, I realized that I am more clingy than him. Fuck that, Zel! I am never clingy to anyone. You know that. You know that I hate to be attached and to be so in love. One fucking week and I'm already like this."
"Maybe you should try to stop limiting yourself, Beatriz," she said, comforting her friend.
"You deserve to be happy and the people you love deserve your presence. Of course, it will not always be rainbows and butterflies but love will always be home. One day, you'll realize that you ghosting everyone will make you homeless," Zel added.
And Bea cried until she fell asleep.
---
Zel is now on the phone. Bea's starting to stand pero Zel told her to wait and humarang ito sa bunk bed nila.
"Yes, Brien! Take care too! I love you and see you soon!" Zel ended the call and put down her phone.
"Sleep more! I told the nurses I'll get your second shift!" Zel said.
"No! I'll work now. I rested already."
"No, Isabel Beatriz! You just took a 45-minute nap."
"I'm fine, Zel! If I stay here, I'll just get sad, then I'll cry and eat all the Chinese food that you are hiding here," Bea said na nagpapaawa.
"Okay, fine. Just eat on time, Beatriz! I feel like you're suffering from malnutrition."
"Shut up! I am not."
And the doctors went to the Emergency Room.
---
While on duty, Bea's phone vibrated. It's Loel. She answered her phone.
"Kuya, I'm on duty."
"Just wanna hear your voice for the last time, Angel," Thirdy said, sounding so drunk.
She's so speechless and she did not know what to feel. She ended the call and there are more tears this time.
Sometimes we think leaving makes it easier to move on, but in reality, the ones who leave may be haunted by the past forever.
Love may taste so bitter, but you are the cook. You have the power to add a little sugar, a little spice, depending on how you want it.
I just hope you won't get tired of cooking and experimenting until you get the perfect taste.
