Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

08

"What's wrong? Are you okay?"

Pumikit ako at sinandal ang ulo sa may bintana ng sasakyan, feeling dizzy. Naramdaman ko ang kamay ni Marco sa ulo ko.

"I don't like car refreshers. It makes me dizzy and nauseous," I told him the truth.

"Hindi ka naman nagsabi." Nawala ang kamay niya sa ulo ko tapos nakarinig ako ng kalikot kaya alam kong tinatanggal niya ang refresher na nakakabit sa may AC.

Nagmulat ako ng mga mata noong biglang may malakas na hangin sa loob ng sasakyan. I saw that the windows were open now, except the one on my side since I was leaning on it.

Ngumiti ako kay Marco bilang pasalamat. I felt a little better with the fresh air instead of the AC. Malapit lang ang tapsilugan place pero mabuti ngang nag kotse kami dahil ang daming taong nagjojogging.

There were countable people inside the tapsilugan place, making me breathe properly because I didn't need to hide myself. I just want to eat in peace with Marco.

"Oh my gosh! Are you okay?" I helped the little girl who suddenly tripped in front of me. The glass that she was holding fell on the floor, making the water scatter.

"Yes po!" Tumayo kaagad siya at pinagpagan ang tuhod bago kinuha ang baso. "Hala, nabuhos!" Late na niya na-realize iyon.

"Come on, we'll get you a new one." Iginiya ko siya sa counter kaya magkatabi na kami ni Marco dahil nago-order siya para sa amin. "Excuse me. Pwede pong manghingi ng tubig?" magalang na sabi ko roon sa tindera.

"Ilan?" Tinaasan niya ako ng kilay, nagsusungit.

"Isa lang," I politely replied and elbowed Marco because he was undeniably stifling a laugh. Gago 'to! Ano'ng nakakatawa? Feeling ko, palagi itong may inside joke dahil tumatawa siya mag-isa!

"Thank you po, Ate!" The girl smiled brightly at me, getting the glass from my hand.

"Don't run. You might trip again." I tapped her head with a small smile plastered on my lips. Tumango siya at naglakad papunta sa isang lamesa kung saan may matanda, mas maingat na ngayon.

"You're good with kids." Napatingin ako kay Marco. He slid his hand on my waist and guided me to a table, done ordering. Pinaghila pa niya ako ng bangko. "You're planning to have one?"

"Are you going to give me one?" I carelessly joked, taking a seat.

Natawa siya at tinulak ang bangko ko palapit sa lamesa bago naupo sa tapat ko. "Hindi. Ayaw ko ng anak. Sorry," pabirong sabi niya pero alam kong seryoso siya roon.

"Talaga?"

"I like kids, pero magdo-doctor ako," he said as if that was already a reason to not have kids.

Tumango ako, hindi siya kinekwestyon tungkol doon dahil choice naman niya iyon. When a person says they don't want a child, I believe no one should question it, or try to change their minds. No one should be pressured into having a child. Hindi naman required sa life iyon.

"Madami ba talaga kayong ginagawa? Ano ba plano mong... specialization... Specialty?" Bumagal ang pagsalita ko dahil hindi alam ang tamang term. "Ah, basta! Gets mo na iyon!"

"Neurosurgery." He leaned his arms on the table, some strands of his hair falling down his forehead.

"Iyong sa utak?"

"Oo. Pag naging doctor na ako, sagot ko na ang pagpapaayos mo." Nagsimula na naman mang gago si hayop, nakaturo pa sa sentido niya.

"Hindi ka talaga makasalita nang maayos, 'no? Lagi talagang may pambabara, Marquenzo?" Inirapan ko siya bago sinimangutan.