I'm Into My Nurse (On Going)

Chapter 1

Wow...

Paris is such a beautiful city. I couldn't even say a word the moment I step out of the bus. It's so... amazing? Is amazing the right word to describe? I don't really know. All I know is that this is my dream! I'm living my dream for a moment and I couldn't be more excited.

A bellboy came near me to assist for my luggage and so I let him help me.

“Hi!” I heard a man coming near me. He's wearing a sports jacket with a dress shirt over his clean jeans and leather shoes. He also got this mustache.

“I’m Gael. And Welcome to Paris! I'm the tour guide Mrs. Parker requested.” He said with a big smile. I think his in his early 40s.

“Oh! Hi.. Hi! I didn't know my mother prepared a tour guide for me.” I said, surprised.

“Oh, is that so? It's okay. It's okay. Let's go inside the hotel.” Gael said with energy. Halatang Parisiano. From his features down to his accent.

Sumunod ako kay Gael. Ang bellboy raw ay nauna nang inilagay ang mga gamit ko sa kwarto ng hotel. Gael also told me that he can only guide me here for only one day and half. Kaibigan ni mommy si Gael pala at nang hingi lang ng pabor upang samahan ako. Alam ng mommy na hindi ko gusto ang may tour guide dahil gusto kung e explore mag-isa ang mga lugar na gusto kong puntahan.
Nag-alala na naman 'yon kaya may pa ganito. Hinayaan ko nalang dahil isang araw at kalahati lang naman ako may kasama.

After Gael and I discussed some things ay pumasok na agad ako sa kwarto upang makapagpahinga sandali dahil 6:00 am pa lang naman at pagod pa ako galing sa byahe.
Even the rooms are beautiful. It's so welcoming and aesthetic. Hmm... and the view from my window! Sobrang ganda kaya na excite talaga ako.

It's already 8:00 am nang bumaba ako. Gael is waiting for me at the hotel's resto kaya nag madali na ako. I told him that I love my breakfast with coffee and pancakes kaya 'yon daw ang hinanda niya para sa akin.

Gael and I ate together for the breakfast. Na e kwento niya ring hindi pala siya mahilig kumain sa umaga, minsan lang. He usually goes with light meal only. Bread and tea.

“You studied law?” He asked. I told him about my college life kasi.

“Yeah. But I didn't had the guts to finish it. Plus, I got diagnosed with cancer.” Ani ko at nag kibit balikat.

Gael's just more than like a tour guide. He's more like my friend na kasama kong pumunta rito. He would prepare our foods, guide me to places, take my photos, talk with me about our lives, and laugh with me.

Napagalaman ko rin na ang kanyang nakakatandang kapatid pala ay ka klase ni mommy sa kolehiyo. At katulad nila, isa ring doktor itong si Gael. Si mommy talaga. Nang hingi pa ng pabor para lang gawing tour guide itong doktor niyang kaibigan. Alam ko namang nagalala lang siya baka sa gitna ng pamamasyal ko rito ay bigla nalang akong hindi maka hinga. Minsan kasi, may mga ganong oras na bigla nalang akong nahihirapang huminga.

Gael and I then went to Place du Trocadero. An elevated open space with a stellar view of Paris' most iconic landmark. Kung saan makikita mo na ang view nito ay ang Eiffel Tower. Pagkarating namin roon ay nag pose agad kami for pictures. Halata sa mukha ko ang pag ka-excited. Natawa na nga lamang itong si Gael.

The day ended smoothly. For the next day naman ay gumising ako ng maaga at nang maagang masimulan ang aming lakad. For our breakfast, we went to this elegant hotel to have some coffee. Nag order din ako ng isang slice ng cake para pangpares sa inumin.

I'm wearing my faded mom jeans and white turtle neck long-sleeved with Gael in front of me with his almost the same outfit from yesterday but different color of jeans and shirt.

On this day, we went to this bridge where it connects the left and right bank of Paris. It's a super nice place to take some photos. With all those gold statues and river views, the selfie urge is real!

Since for this day Gael will only stay for the half of the day, we went to his favorite spot here in Paris. It's a restaurant best known for its famous wine.

“You always go here?” I asked him after taking a sip from my wine. But before he could respond, my eyes went wide and the questioning look is visible on his face.

“This is hella good!” I told him. Raising the glass wine a bit with a smile on my face.

“I told you. That's why it's my paborito place.”
He told me with a smile. Natawa naman ako ng bahagya sa pag tagalog niya.

After we went there ay hinatid na ako ni Gael pabalik sa hotel.

“It's better for you to rest first. Continue exploring the next day.” He told me. Sounding really like a doctor now.

“Yes, doc.” I jokingly said which made him smile.

“I will be missing this trip with you, Odella.” He said with genuine smile.

“Me too. Hope to see you soon.” He's just a good company. Hindi man lang kami naubosan ng paguusapan.

“Rest well. Don't give Athena a headache, 'kay? Magpagaling ka. It's just a cancer, you are Odella.” He told me with full of hope.

After Gael left, hindi na mawala sa isip ko ang kanyang sinabi. May pag asa pa nga ba talaga?

At the end, I just sighed at nahiga na lang sa kama. Hindi ako pwedeng mapagod masyado.

Nang dumapo sa mukha ko ang liwanag ng araw na nanggagaling sa bintana ng kwarto ay bumangon na ako. Another day! Thank you, God.

Today, I'm gonna be alone. There will be no more Gael.

I'll admit it. Nawala talaga ang kaba ko nang napag-alamang isang doktor ang aking makakasama sa lakad. Pero ngayon? Wala na. Kaya'y bahagya na naman akong nakaramdam ng kaba.

Kahit malaki ang parte na tanggap ko na ang aking kamatayan, natatakot parin ako. Paano na lamang kung may mangyaring masama sa akin sa gitna ng aking paglalakbay? Paano si mommy? I swore to her to do my best to live longer. Hangga't hindi pa kukunin ang buhay ko, I'm going to stay alive. Kaya ko siya napapayag dito.

I went down for my breakfast. It's my last day for today. Uuwi ako ng Pilipinas dahil iyon ang usapan namin ni mommy. Magpapahinga muna ako para sa susunod na distinasyon. Ani niya'y iyong sa malapit lang daw muna at nasa loob ng Pilipinas. Kaya sa Baguio ang sunod kung pupuntahan.

Nakaupo na ako ngayon habang kumakain ng aking umagahan.

I surveyed the area. This hotel really has a nice view. Some people are sitting in front of their foods just like me. Some are standing in a railing, facing the beauty of Paris. Nasa itaas kasi ang floor na ito kaya'y kitang kita mo ang mga buildings ng Paris.

My attention got caught when I met this familiar eyes watching me. Nakaupo ang may ari ng mga matang ito sa kabilang row.
Pero naisip ko ring baka hindi naman siya iyon.

He couldn't be here. He's just so... workaholic. I mean, yes. He could be here. Pero paano 'yong mga pasyente?

Sa pagkaalam ko kay mommy, wala pa namang nag take ng leave ngayon na mga hospital staff. Marami raw kasing pasyente kaya busy. Tumaas kasi ang rate ng mga nag ka dengue fever sa Pinas.

At siya? Hindi siya ganyan. Sobrang passionate niyan. Hanggang sa may nangangailangan ng tulong niya, magseserbisyo talaga 'yan! Lalo na ngayong madami ang mga nangangailangan ng tulong.

O baka naman wala talaga siya sa bakasyon ngayon? Baka importante lang ang kailangan niyan dito? Wala talaga akong ideya. Hindi naman kami close.

I stayed still, looking at him. But suddenly his eyes met mine. Mabilis itong nag iwas ng tingin at tumayo.

Paano 'yong pagkain niya? Kunti palang iyong nakain niya ah. At siya talaga iyon! Walang duda. Nang tumayo siya ay nakumpirma ko.

Tss, typical Archer Koa. Hindi talaga namamansin. Gwapo pa naman sana. Gwapong nurse.