How Do We Live?

Chapter 4: Hydrolysis

"What is going on here?" We both freeze by the voice of Nikkolo's mother. Agad kong inilihis ang tingin ko kay Rahim at umusod palayo sa kanya bago pekeng umubo at tumingin kay Chief Valecia.

"We have our appointment today, Chief Valencia." I heard Rahim said in his professional tone bago ibalik kay Chief ang mga mata niya. I saw the woman raise her eyebrow on me bago lumingon kay Rahim at bahagya pang ngumiti along with her soften expression.

Wow, favoritism.

"The president wants to meet you, attorney." Her voice is sweet and girly. Ngayon ko lamang siya narinig na gamitin ang tono na iyon. Sa tuwing kakausapin niya ako ay lagi siyang nagmamaldita sa akin, aside from the fact that she doesn't like her son for me, though she doesn't have to worry I don't like her son for me either.

I want to suddenly puke on how demure she is in front of Rahim. Talaga naman siya at ang epekto niya sa lahat ng kababaihan.

"Okay, Chief. I'll just finish this with Dr. Roque and meet him at his office." Walang emosyong sabi ni Rahim at nilingon ako. I look at Chief Valencia and the smile from her face faded at napalitan iyon ng isang masungit na mukha galing sa kanya.

She looks lowly at me at nagmartsa na paalis ng conference room. I take a peep on Rahim at bahagya na niyang hinihilot ang sentido niya.

I suddenly feel guilty at our outburst a while ago at parang hindi pa nag-sisink-in sa akin ang mga sinabi niya kanina.

When he gazes back at me he pursed his lips as his twilight eyes is studying me. Sinusuri niya ang reaksyon ko dahil sa malalim niyang titig sa akin.

"We will talk again later after your duty. Eat, Monique. Please don't make me beg just for you to eat." I was left hanging when he marched out the door after uttering those words before stepping out. 

Pakiramdam ko ay nanlalamig ako dahil sa mga nangyari.

Is he telling me that he accepted the suit case because I'm part of the hospital?

I know he's an excellent lawyer. The news is flocking to him like a wild fire every time he slams a case shut and win it. I couldn't even run away from the fact that he's one of the best in his league. Hindi ako magtataka kung bakit lumuluhod ang ospital sa kanya para lang hawakan niya ang kaso.

Nikkolo's case is sensitive because our hospital is known for being one of the best. One lawsuit can end it all our triumph years in the making at mahirap ng pagkatiwalaan ulit.

Isang pagkakamali lamang ng doktor ay guguho na ang career na halos sampung taon niyang pinaghirapan. Our job is always at risk because it is prone to disasters or mistakes and we are the only one taken accountable if someone's life is in line.

If someone dies on the surgery bed, that's almost consider half-heartily our fault because we couldn't do everything to save them.

Bumaba na ako ng ward para makapagsimula ng morning rounds sa mga patients. I even saw Rissa looking malicious at me kaya hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at sinimulan na ang trabaho.

"Dok, okay na po tayo today. Tapos na 'rin po ung test na sinabi niyo para kay Mr. Kim. Send ko na lang po sa office niyo." I nod at Rissa ng sabihin niya iyon. Napahugot pa ako ng malalim na hininga dahil tapos na kami for today. Wala naman 'din major operation today at tanging rounds at iilang check-up sa mga regular na client ng ospital ang ginawa ko.
​
"Monika!" Hindi ko man napigilan ay halos umikot ang mata ko ng marinig ang matinis na boses ni Nikkolo.

Nang tumabi siya sa akin ay nag-gloglow siya sa saya ng mukha niya. The radiating jollity in his face makes his whole aura shut rays of joy on the hall way. I confusedly look at him at tinaasan pa siya ng kilay.