WHAT ARE WE?

[17]

//Anarisa's POV//

"Order whatever you like. I'll pay," I said smiling. "Naks. Sugar mama!" Leon joked.

We were now inside the restaurant with the menu, we sat on a table I reserved beforehand. Sakto it's past 12 pm na kaya time na talaga for lunch.

Bagong bukas palang ang resto na ito pero sobrang hirap daw makakuha ng seat sabi ng isang nurse sa hospital who ate here. Kaya agad akong nagpa-reserve ng table for two.

When the waiter arrived, we ordered. I ordered fish and chips and caesar salad while Leon ordered pasta bolognese.

We chatted for a while bago sinerve ng waiter ang food namin. "Thank you!" Leon and I said to the waiter after n'yang i-serve ang mga pagkain namin.

We started digging in on our food while talking to each other.

Mga 1:00 pm na kami natapos kumain. Leon insisted on driving me to my condo dahil kailangan ko pang mag-review ng mga files bago pumunta sa hospital.

"Do you want to stay?" I asked her nang makarating na kami sa condo, "I won't be able to stay. I need to go to the firm pa." she answered. I was disappointed but I have to respect that because we both have our own jobs na kailangan naming magampanan.

"I'll stay next time." She said nang mapansin na nalungkot ako, I smiled at her and nodded before removing my seat belt.

Gusto ko siyang yakapin pero nagdadalawang-isip pa ako. Kaya siya nalang ang nag-adjust. She opened her arm letting me in for a hug and I closed the gap between us. I encircled my arms in her shoulders and she did the same.

Mabilis na yakap lang naman iyon pero for me it felt like eternity.

"I'll go now." I said breaking our hug and opened the door hopping out of her car. She waved her hands before driving away.

-

"Doc, andito na po si Mr. Velasquez for his check-up." my assistant told me, I nodded at him "Oh sige, tell him I'll be there in a few. Kasama n'ya ba parents niya?" I asked.

"Opo, Doc." he answered bago lumabas ng office. Sinuot ko na ang white coat ko bago pumunta sa clinic kung nasaan si Mr. Velasquez.

He has been a patient of mine for the past few months na. He was confined here sa hospital 3 months ago at ngayon ay bumabalik pa'rin for follow-up check-ups.

"Good evening, Doc." the older Mr. Velasquez, greeted me, I shook his hands "Good evening po!" I answered and sat on my swivel chair.

"Kumusta ka?" I asked Jackson - his son. "Okay naman po, Doc."

"Oh, okay ka na pala, bakit ka andito?" I joked, and he chuckled before saying "Doc naman."

"I was just joking."

I wore my stethoscope and began the check-up. Sinimulan kong i-examine ang kaan'yang breathing at sunod ay ang kan'yang heart.

Wala naman nang problema sakaniya, at nawala na rin ang ubo niya.

Sinabihan ko nalang ang kaniyang ama na bilhan pa'rin siya ng gamot na ni-reseta ko kay Jackson noon.

"Ah sige po, Doc. Salamat po!" Mr. Velasquez told me, "Welcome po!" I answered.

"Salamat, Doc!" Jackson told me and made a salute before leaving.

They are my last patient for the day kaya umalis na ako sa clinic ko at pumunta na sa office. I took my white coat off and placed it on my swivel chair bago umupo roon.

Nagpalipas muna ako ng ilang minuto sa loob ng opisina habang nagseselpon. Tinatamad pang umuwi.

"Una na ako!" Paalam ng isang Doktor sa akin, ngumiti lang ako sakaniya at kumaway.