Busy being Yours

36. Who Took the Hardest Blow

I've never really considered my condo unit as my home since most of the time, I'm at the hospital. Umuuwi lang ako kapag day off ko, at ang madalas ko lang ginagawa 'dun ay ang matulog. Simula ata 'nang lumipat ako dito after Davao ay hindi pa ako nakakapagluto ni isang beses, because instead of cooking, I'd rather watch a movie or study.

It's really not a home if I'm gonna be honest. It's more of a shell for when I feel like I have to be someone aside from being a doctor which is pretty ironic because I would never ever see myself being anyone aside from being one. But it's nice to have a place to go to when I'm off at work- ayoko namang mang-istorbo sa mga magulang ko sa bahay nila since it's been years since they were apart. Kailangan nilang ma-enjoy ang retirement nila with each other. And besides, I can't also crash to my brothers' places since may kanya-kanya na rin naman silang mga pamilya.

"Ai told me that you live in a condo unit, but I wasn't expecting for it to be-"

"Here?" Tawa ko sabay tanggal ng seatbelt. Bahagyang natawa rin si PJ sa tabi ko. "I know. Madalas na mga nakatira dito ay people from the showbusiness, in which my younger self would pretty much die for, pero kasi sina Kuya Landon ang nag-regalo nito sa 'kin. It was one of Kaia's old units, how can I say no to that?"

I ended the sentence with an eyeroll to which made him laugh even more.

"Hindi ka parin talaga nagbabago 'no?"

Sinamaan ko ito ng tingin bago inayos ang pagkakasuot ko ng bag ko. I gave him a look. "Thanks for the ride, Peej! 'Wag mo masyadong dalasan, baka i-uninstall ko na 'yung Grab ko."

"Kumuha ka na kasi ng kotse. Ang laki-laki ng sahod-" irap nito.

"Nah," iling ko. "Hard pass. And besides, lagi akong pagod. I can't be trusted with a car,"

"Daming sinabi." He hissed before gesturing me to get out of the car already, "Ito na nga... Bababa na!"

Sabay kaming nagtawanan.

Nang makalabas na ako, muli ko itong hinarap saka kinawayan. "Thank you for today, Peej. Congrats sa SOUL."

"Thanks, June. Take care,"

I nodded. Pagsasarhan ko na sana ito ng pinto nang muli na naman niya akong tinawag. Muli akong yumuko para silipin ito. I saw him holding the steering wheel so tightly. Nakatingin lang ito sa harapan habang kagat-kagat ang labi.

"Ano?" I asked, now a bit irritated. Medyo inaantok na ako since kakagaling ko lang sa 24-hour duty.

"Jason..." He cleared his throat, "He always comes at the bar 8 to 9 PM, Fridays."

Unti-unting kumunot ang noo ko 'dun. But I get what he meant. Ever since our great divide, maging 'yung mga kaibigan namin ay kailangang paghatiin ang mga oras nila sa aming dalawa. I hate that we ended up this way, but it can't be helped.

Ginusto ko 'to and that's alright.

I composed myself and gave him a small smile. Mukha pa itong nagulat sa reaksiyon ko pero hindi ko na ito pinansin pa.

"Then I'll try to come by every Saturday. Although I can't promise anything since I'm practically living in the OR."

Unti-unti na ring guminhawa ang reaksiyon nito. He lets out a small laugh before nodding, "Of course. I'll always make sure that the tallest stool by the bar is available when you come by."

"Bastos ka talaga Pierre Jose." I groaned as he waved me goodbye.

I stepped back and watched him go.

I waved.

Saturday. SOUL Bar. I mentally noted it on my planner. Avoid Fridays. I added.