Running After The Wind(Manila Encounter Series 1)

37

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"Wow, you cooked,"

Mom was in awe while gawking at the foods I cooked. It was simple but still surprising. Hindi naman kasi ako mahilig o magaling magluto. Infact, this were just a scramble egg, buffalo wings and buttered shrimp.

"I just tried. Mas masarap pa rin luto mo," I grinned while transferring the buffalo wings into one lunch box.

"Asus! Pero, Bri, para kanino ba 'yang mga iyan?" she asked meaningfully.

"For myself, ofcourse!" I denied but she just laughed and stopped giving more comments to what I said.

Scrambled egg lang ang kinain ko at toasted bread. I took a shower and dressed up. Lumabas na 'ko ng bahay pagkatapos.

Wearing a black turtle neck sleeveless-top, paired with faded flare jeans and beige heels. I let my wavy hair fell til' chest, sideways and combed properly. Dumaan lang ako sandali sa opisina at tumulak din kaagad patungong ospital.

Pagkapasok ko pa lang ay may mga naagaw na agad akong atensiyon. For what? Is it because I am wearing a wayfarer inside this hospital? It's not a problem for me tho. I'll definitely wear what I want to wear.

"Excuse, excuse! May mangangak po! Tabe lang po!"

This was something like of what had happened on my first time in here. The only difference is that, then it was a man suffered an accident, now is a woman on her labor. Nurses pushing the stretcher past me standing slender on the wall.

Lumiko na sila para ipasok sa delivery room ang babae. Dumiretso ako sa office niya bitbit ang ginawa kong lunch para sa kaniya. I was a bit shy because he will know that I am not good at cooking. Pero hindi ako umatras.

When I'm already outside his office, I read the schedule pasted on his door. Mamaya pang 1 pm magsisimula ang pagrarounds niya. Pero by this time, 11 am, nasa loob siya at bukas para sa mga pasiyenteng magpapakonsulta ng kalagayan.

I inhaled deeply.

Stared at the paper bag I am holding, containing foods I made for him. I knocked.

"Ma'am? Magpapacheck-up po kayo kay doc?"

Napatalon ako sa gulat sa biglaan nilang pagsasalita. I faced to see two women sporting their white dresses. Tulad ng nurse na palaging kasama ni Uno, nakapusod din ang kanilang mga buhok at may hair net pa.

"Ah... ahm," I seek reasons. "No, I'm a.. his friend! Yes! Kaibigan ako ni Dr. Argente. Idadaan ko lang sana itong pagkain niya. Is he inside?"

Nagkatanginan sila at nagngitian.

"Gano'n po ba? Talaga palang lapitin ng magaganda si doc!" she giggled. 

I was flushed upon hearing her sort of compliment. I humbly smiled.

"Hindi nakakapagtaka na ganoon din kaganda ang girlfriend niya! Parang artista!" sabi ng isa.

"Girlfriend?" nawala ang ngiti ko sa isang iglap. I asked though I knew who are they talking about.

"Opo, Ma'am! Nasa loob po 'yung girlfriend niya. May dala rin pong pagkain, siguro para sabay silang maglunch!" kilig niyang kuwento na parang nakapanood ng fairytale sa telebisyon.

"Kung makakasabay ko si doc kumain, Jenny. Titigan ko pa lang siya, busog na 'ko!"

Pinabayaan ko silang magusap at matamlay akong naglakad paatras. I should have known that this is possible to happen. Ang sabay silang kumain. Ang palagi silang magkasama. Natural dahil nasa iisang ospital sila nagtatrabaho at magkarelasyon pa.