Annika
"Annika?"
Matagal tagal din kaming hindi nagkita. Matagal din mula nung huli kong narinig ang boses nya ng ganitong kalapit.
"Kilala mo sya Gino?" tanong nung isa sa nangulit sa akin.
He nodded. Oo nga naman, sobrang sikat na artista nga pala naman nitong si Gino Locsin. Ang multi-awarded superstar ng new generation. Ngayon ay naririto sa ospital.
"Haii, dapat pala ikaw na lang nakipagusap kay Doc, kilala mo naman pala sya ayaw nya umalis dito sa ospital kaya dinala ka namin dito. Ayan Doc, sigurado naman akong kilala mo Gino. Sya ang pasyente."
Kilala? Magkakilala pa ba kami? 15 years have passed and a lot of things have changed.
I have not expected that we will meet again at this time, in this place, in this situation.
"Nagdoctor ka pala."
I sighed. Isn't it obvious??
"Yeah. So what can I do for you?"
He smiled.
"Yung puso ko kasi."
I wanna walk out on him but I remember that I am a doctor and I take an oath to save the lives of whoever needs saving.
I took a deep breath before seating beside him. I tried hearing his heartbeat then checked his pulse. I also check his BP.
"The bp's high. 160/100. Are you taking any medicine?"
He shook his head.
"This is my first time to see a doctor."
He looks pale. I know there's something wrong even with those beautiful eyes and pretty face. Kahit gaano kasakit ang ginawa nya, I just can't throw the fact that I was once trapped in the curse of his charms and looks, that he was my first love and he will never be removed in that spot.
"What are you feeling?"
"I am happy I saw you again!"
I rolled my eyes.
"I mean why did you want this checkup? What do you feel?"
"Ah, aside from the overflowing happiness of seeing you today, I felt pain in my chest. Tsaka mas madalas ako hinahapo. Tapos nahihilo din."
"Saang banda nagmumula ang sakit?"
"Dito." turo sa dibdib nya
"You looked pale. Your pulse is a bit slow. You take deep breaths. I would recommend you to take several tests. For now, I'll ask someone to take blood samples from you. But please be sure to take some rest first. You look really tired. I am suspecting you to have a heart problem."
"I do have."
"Have you been assessed prior to this?"
"Ah hindi ang ibig kong sabihin, I am heart broken."
I rolled my eyes again. Just days ago, I saw him on TV with his girlfriend and now he's telling me he's heartbroken? Tsk.
"Maganda ka pa ring talaga even after 15 years."
Masisira na ang mata ko kakairap sa kanya.
"Hindi mali ako, mas gumanda ka pa after 15 years."
Umirit yung dalawa sa labas ng kurtina. I cannot have a conversation with him like this. He needs to stick as a patient. Just a patient.
"Who's your guardian? "
"Ikaw dapat."
I stand up from the seat and ask the two guys with him. Hindi talaga ako dapat nakikipag usap ng ganito sa kanya, maraming tuksong salita ang gusto makawala sa bibig ko. Ayaw ko nang magalit, ayaw ko nang balikan ang lahat. I have forgiven them all and I am already halfway to forgetting everything.
