Healer

Kabanata 24

New

December went so fast. New year is coming for us. It was a quiet christmas eve and everyone is still accepting Mr. Menaid's death. Dumaan ang New Year pero parang walang nangyari. Seunjah is back to the OR, Hecap manage their company, Herod is back to his Judo Club Center, and her friends, Mergrace, Elyana and Juliet are now on their short vacation. Diore already proposed to Juls and they're now engage.

Just a lucky man.

"Doc, pinapatawag ka daw nang VIP patient sa second floor gusto ka daw hong kausapin." This why I reallu hate having VIP patients.

I nodded to the nurse. I left the Nursing station and proceed to second floor. Pumasok kaagad ako sa VIP room. I ts-ked when I know who is it. Bakit nga ba hindi ko kaagad tiningnan ang chart niya?

"Sevirus Alquisada. What a small world. What are you doing here?" I immediately ask with a smirk in my lips.

"We're not that even close, Parkers. Tss, so what's happening to me? You'll treat my heart right? I already have a donor and please I beg you, don't tell aunt Esmeralfa because of this. I don't want to worry her." He became serious. I pressed my lips and pat his shoulders.

"Okay, I will treat you but what's with the VIP room?" Tumaas ang kilay niya.

"I want to keep my reputation, you jackass!"

"Aww. You're being disrespectful to your doctor. Mabuti nalang may kunting bait pa ako sa katawan dahil kung wala, malamang sa malamang ay sa ibang doktor na kita ipapagamot. Avoid stress as much as possible, live here like a king. Damn, look at that fucking techs around you, such a wealthy man."

"Just tell me you're jealous, I'll give you some."

"Hell, no dude! Akala mo nakalimutan ko 'yong ginawa mo sa girlfriend ko? Fuck you, Alquisada. That's really unmanly of you. Isn't cliché? You fancy someone else woman's?"

He just raise his middle finger. "Get out, Parkers. Bumalik kana lang kung kailan mo ako bibigyan nang schedule para sa operasyon ko."

"Noted, Mr. VIP. I will take my leave now. Have a great rest." He just look away as I left his room. Bumaba ako at tumigil saglit sa cafeteria. I saw Seunjah eating her lunch alone. Naglakad ako patungo sa kaniyang lamesa. After his uncle death, nawala lahat nang controversies na nangyari sa pamilya nila. Napalitan ito nang pakikiramay at simpatya nang lahat. Hindi man tumagal ang burol ni Mr. Menaid ay alam kung hirap pa rin sila ngayon dahil sa nangyari nakaraang taon. I celebrated my Christmas and New Year's eve with her family. Simpleng salo-salo iyon na may kunting kwentuhan at tawanan. Nagpapasalamat rin sila mga tumulong para maihatid sa huling hantungan ang isa mga namayapang mahalagang parte nang kanilang pamilya.

Even Aunt Z was there, well, we are all shock because of her apprerance at dahil doon mas lalong umingay ang media. Kuwenikwesyon nang lahat kung bakit nagpakita sa burol nang mga Menaid ang isang Zerah Regus. Their company rival. Pero alam kung hindi negosyo ang sadya ni Aunt Z kundi ang makiramay sa taong minsan niya ring minahal.

"Hey." Bati ko. Matamlay siyang ngumiti bago uminom nang tubig.

"Kumain kana?" Tumango ako.

"Sana ngayong taon ay maayos na ang lahat. You know, last year. I lost two important people around me."

I sigh.

"We need to accept everything in order to move on. Yes, we lost someone we love but it doesn't change the fact that life must go on, iyon nga lang wala na sila sa tabi mo. Even though they're not with you anymore, alive, they will always live in your heart and memories will always be there to keep them alive. Acceptance is a long process, love. So don't get drown with sadness."

"I'm not sad but I'm kinda.. missing them." She smiled and look at me.

"When you feel that someone is so important to you and one day he or she will just leave you.. so sudden. I know, walang imortal sa mundo at hindi naman nag-eexist ang mga iyon pero.. alam mo 'yong pakiramdam na sanay kana nandiyan sila palagi. Always see them smiling and talking to you but when they leave you, you'll just talk to them in this fucking air.." Tumawa siya nang mapakla. Kinuha niya ang tray at tumayo na.

"You're not busy right? Let's take a one week leave.. I think I need fresh air. Somewhere."

I gave her my most sweetest smile.

I can't say no to her. "Kailan ba ang alis natin?"

"Next week kung ayos lang sa'yo?"

"Hmm. Let's see, love. I have a VIP patient to operate, heart transplant."

"Oh, maybe I should extend it for another week?" She pressed her lip and stretch a bit for a small smile. Lumitaw ang cheekbones niya at mas lalong nagbibigay ganda sa malagatas niyang kutis.

"I will tell you kung kailan ako free, I'm done studying his case and he already has a donor."

"That's great, then. Alright, I will be back at ER, may pasyente daw ako. Sorry, I need to go." Before she leave, I give her a short kiss in the cheeks.

"Take your time, always be careful. I love you.." I whisper.

"I will, you too. I love you more.."

We parted ways like usual. Kung hindi kami sa cafeteria nagkikita ay madalas namang sa operating room kung may combine surgery nanagaganap. It's been less than a month since we started seeing each other and we consider it that we're in relationship. I always visit their mansion, palagi akong tinatawagan ni Tita Sorriena tuwing umuuwi si Tito Emadeus. His father stress reliever is seeing me. Matapos ang mahabang panahon na pagkakalayo nang mga magulang niya sa isa't-isa ay hindi pa rin nababawasan ang nararamdaman nila para sa isa't-isa.

I admire her parent's love. Dahil sa kanila mas lalo ko pang minahal ang anak nila. Seunjah is like everything to me. She's my strength, my weakness, well, she is kind hearted and sometimes moody but trust me she is an amazing woman to be with. Fatima is still on metal institution, still recovering..

"Hello?" Kaagad na sagot ko nang may biglang tumawag.

"Siowojen." Sa boses pa lang ay kilala ko na. It's been long years without him, noy even hearing his damn voice at once.

"Who's this?" I asked coldly. I heard him sigh in the other line.

"Boy, don't be like this.. don't act like you do not know me." His voice is soft.

Playing innocent, Dad?

"I'm not your boy anymore, Mr. Parkers. Please tell me why are you calling? I have many patients to attend to." Sabi ko.

"You really became a doctor, huh? You really reach that very dream of yours. I'm glad."

"May sasabihin ka pa ba?"

"Can I talk to you when you have time? I really miss you, son."

I scoff. I smile sarcastically. "I really don't have so much time, Mr. Parkers but I am doing you a big favor. I will text you the address, you have a week to see me. Kahit anong araw, all I need is a goddamn explanation. I will hang up now."

"Thank you, son! Thank you!"

I end the call and put back my phone under my jeans. I let out a big blow, that was fast.. I just talk to my father. My goddman father after so many years. After my mother's death I never heard of him and just now.. he just fucking called. I let my hands runs in my hair.

Damn, this is new thing for me. 

A/N: Uh-oh.