Hoax (VBoys Series #1)

017

EUNICE

"Back to work, everyone!" I told everyone in the clinic as I smiled.

"Thank you po, Doktora." bati nilang lahat at bumalik sa kaniya-kaniyang stations.

I just finished announcing that I'd let them leave work earlier than the end of their shift. Sabi kasi ni Doctor Bautista ay maaga kong isara ang clinic dahil igagala niya raw rito ang pamilya ng mapapangasawa niya. Siyempre, all the staffs were delighted to hear that.

I went back to my office after I told what had to be told. Aayusin ko na dapat ang mga gamit kong naiwan doon, when someone suddenly knocked on the office door, making me raise my gaze.

"Doc, may naghahanap po sa inyo sa reception." one of the VA's told me politely.

Kumunot ang noo ko, wondering who it could be. I dismissed the woman who told me that and fixed some of my stuff first before I went out the room, heading straight to the clinic's waiting area. I was shocked to see who was there, looking for me.

"Gio? What are you doing here?" tanong ko kay Gio na prenteng naka-upo sa mga upuan doon.

"Wow, wala man lang 'hi' or 'hello'? Nasaan ang hospitality mo? Sa hospital ka pa naman nagtratrabaho." walang kuwentang banat niya.

"I work in a clinic, not in a hospital, genius," I mocked sarcastically.

"Ay, gano'n?" he said, pouting.

I crossed my arms as I stood in front of him. "Bakit ka nga narito? Well, oo, given na 'yung fact na hayop ka, pero hindi ka pa rin dapat sa vet nagpapa-check up. Masyado mo namang sinapuso 'yung pagiging animal mo."

"Ka-offend, ah!" bulalas niya, clutching his chest dramatically.

I giggled. "Kidding."

He then rolled his eyes. "General inspection ng site ngayon. Sabay na tayong pumunta."

"Ha?" I blurted out, absentmindedly. Hearing the word 'site' already made me think of many thoughts, and that included one person. "Kailangan pa ba ako roon? Can't I ditch?"

"Ano ka, college student? Cutting classes lang, gano'n?" bara niya. "Um-attend ka. Ang tagal mo nang hindi dumadalaw sa site. Minsan lang naman 'to. Saka, project mo 'to, ikaw dapat ang nag-i-inspect."

I puffed my cheeks, looking away. Ilang linggo ko nang sinasadya na huwag dumaan sa site. The clinic is almost done, a few finishes then furnishing na lang, so I thought it'd be okay to not check on it for a while. Besides, may... iniiwasan ako.

"Kailangan ba talaga?" I whined, puckering my lips at Gio.

"Oo, huwag ka nang maarte. Tara," ani Gio at tumayo, pulling my wrist with him. Hindi ako nagpahila, so he turned and glared at me. "Ay 'sus, parang bata! Tara na!"

And I had no choice. I sighed before letting myself get dragged by Gio. He led me to my car as he went and got into his. Pinanood niya pa akong sumakay ng kotse dahil baka raw takbuhan ko siya. We drove for a few minutes before we finally arrived at the site.

My heart was racing as we got there. I was uncomfortable around Jaiden ever since that incident. I was back to avoiding him now, and I plan to do it for good. We're not healthy for each other, I know that. Kaya nga maganda nang hindi na ulit kami magka-usap pa.

"Good afternoon po, Doktora!" Engineer Travis Gonzales greeted me. Nginitian ko lang siya pabalik.

"Pakitawag ang buong team. Surprise inspection tayo ngayon." Gio ordered them.