DOCTOR
I haven't been feeling okay since yesterday. My head hurts, runny nose, and body aches. Masyado ko na yata pinapagod ang sarili ko kaya nagkasakit ako. Luckily, Manang is there to take care of me...And Joaquin who happens to be surprisingly here in my place.
Hindi ko naman inaasahan ang pagbisita niya sa akin. Nagulat pa nga ako dahil alam niya ang address ko gayong hindi ko naman ibinibigay sa kung sino lang ang tirahan ko. Except for those two ladies at the clinic.
"Here we go..." I sit up straight when Joaquin opened the door carrying a food tray. He is smiling. He really does cook? That's cool.
"What's that?" I asked. He put carefully the tray in front of me.
"Mushroom soup? Perfect for the sick. Sabi ko kay Manang baka wala kang gana kumain dahil nga nilalagnat ka. Kaya ito nalang ang naisip ko," he utters. Tinitigan ko muna siya saglit bago tumingin sa pagkaing hinain niya. "Kain ka na.."
"Thank you." sabi ko nalang tsaka sinimulan ang pagkain. It feels awkward to me that he's her watching me. "Can you make talikod?"
"Huh?" he asked. I signaled him to turned around dahil nga hindi ako sanay na pinapanood ako kumain. Lalo na at siya. Nakaka-distract. "Tatalikod ako?"
"Yes." I answered, faking a smile.
"Why? Okay." naguguluhang tanong ni Joaquin. Pero tumalikod naman na rin siya kaya binilisan ko na ang pagkain para mabilis na ring matapos.
In a few seconds, "I'm done." So he turn around to face me. He's looking at me, confused. Joaquin was about to get the tray but I stopped him, "No. Si Manang na ang kukuha niyan. Just let it there "
He sat beside me again, "Here's your medicine. Take it so you can easily recover. Your fur patients misses you already.." then he handed me medicines which I took afterwards.
"How are you?" I asked. Joaquin just let out a chuckle that's why I playfully slap his broad shoulder. "Why are you laughing?"
"I should be the one asking you that—but, thanks. I'm good, I'm fine. A little bit tired."
"Oh..hindi ka na sana nag-abala pa na pumunta dito. Dapat nagpapahinga ka na,"
"Have I ever told you that you are my rest after a long day?"
And I was caught off guard. I turned my head to the side to avert his gaze, but the sudden rosiness of my cheeks gave me away. Dang.
But I still managed to tell him, "You haven't." And a smile formed on his lips again.
"Eh 'di ngayon, alam mo na." Joaquin murmured. After that, tumayo siya para kunin ang remote tapos ay bumalik sa aking tabi.
"Manonood ka?" tanong ko. Tumango naman siya tapos ay nagsimulang maghanap ng movies sa Netflix.
"Anong ako lang? Tayong dalawa. Ang boring boring ng kwarto mo. Dim ang lights, pati ang curtains mo dark. Nagmumukha kang aswang, alam mo ba 'yun? Kaya manonood tayo," sabi niya before taking a glance at me. Wala naman na akong nagawa kung 'di sumang ayon sa kaniya.
