Napansin ni Gerald ang tinginan ng mommy niya at ni Ashley.
"What now? I am not allowed?" Halos magsalubong ang kilay na tanong ni Gerald sa dalawa.
"You are not allowed. Magpahinga ka na lang." mabilis na sagot ni Ashley.
"Why do I have a feeling na ayaw mo talaga akong makasama sa kahit anong lakad mo. Bakit ba? Napipikon na ako ha." umupo sa tabi ni Ashley na nahinto sa pagkain .
"Ok will talk about this later. Hindi pa naman sigurado kung matutuloy si Ashley, Colin has to make an appointment muna. Will know tomorrow morning. Bye iha, o Gerald ikaw na muna bahala kay Ashley."
"Yes, mommy , ako na ang balaha sa kanya." Sabay kindat kay Ashley .
"Sira ka talaga." Natatawang sabi ni Ashley kay Gerald.
Lumabas si Gerald ng kwarto ni Ashley, ila lock na sana niya ang pinto ng maisipang sumilip sa labas. Hindi niya nagustuhan ang nakita. Ang mommy niya , masinsinang nakikipag usap kay Colin. Mukhang napaka importante ng pinag uusapan nila.
Nakita pa niyang magiliw na hinalikan ng mommy niya pisngi ni Colin. "Talagang may ganoon? Ganoon na sila ka close?"
Pagkaalis ng mommy ni Gerald ay isasara na sana ni Colin ang pinto ng mapatingin siya sa pinto ng unit ni Ashley. Nagkatitigan sila ni Gerald ng ilang segundo.
"Hey Gerald, how are you? It's good you are there." Bati ni Colin kay Gerald.
Gusto mang hindi pansinin ni Gerald si Colin ay hindi niya magawa. Hindi niya magawang mambastos ng taong maganda naman ang pakikitungo sa kanya. Binati din niya ito.
"Hey man, I am good thank you. sagot nito sa bati ni Colin. You?"
"I am great man,is Ashley awake?"
"Yes." Maikling sagot ni Gerald.
Tuluyan ng lumapit si Colin . Wala na ring nagawa si Gerald kung hindi papasukin si Colin.
Tuloy tuloy ito sa kwarto ni Ashley. Napasunod na lang si Gerald.
"How's my favourite patient?" Narinig ni Gerald na bati nito kay Ashley .
Nakaramdam na naman ng matinding selos ang binata ng makita ang pagliliwanag ng mukha ni Ashley pagkakita kay Colin.
"How you feeling? Did the soup help you feel better?" Biro ni Colin kay Ashley.
"Surprisingly it did!" All smiles na sagot naman ni Ashley. Thank you , that was delicious."
"Listen, I may or may not be able to book an appointment tomorrow . It looks like, you just needed a complete rest. Don't sleep too late again. Don't forget to take your medicines ok? "
"Yes doctor."
Nangiti si Colin. "Good. I will call you tomorrow as soon as I know." Hinalikan sa noo si Ashley at nagpaalam na rin kay Gerald.
"See you around man," kinamayan ni Colin si Gerald.
Gerald locked the door and went back to Ashley's room.
Nakaupo si Ashley , nakasandal sa headboard ng bed niya. Mukhang nag iisip. Nakatingin sa bulaklak na nasa dresser niya. She sighed and closed her eyes. What is she going to do with Gerald? She knows she still loves him, she can't forget the memory of who he'd been and what he'd meant to her. As she can see and feel he is still that same man and looks like he is even better now. Tears of frustration bit at her.
The bed dipped and her eyes flew open. She'd been lost in her thoughts and hadn't even realized Gerald had returned. He is sitting on the edge of her bed.
