“Ako aamin? How? Nakita mo naman, i am not her type.” Jreydon said.
“Hindi importante kung may gusto siya sa'yo or wala. The thing is, mas mabuting nasabi mo than magpakaduwag, right? Seriously? Si Jreydon torpe? Bawas points. Ekis. Do not wait na si Tricia pa makaalam na ikaw nagbibigay,” Kez gave an advice.
“Okay. Thanks. Imma go.” Jreydon bid his goodbye. Maka-bid his goodbye naman 'to hahahahah kala mo talaga maglalaho na.
“Hey, Tricia, can we talk?” Patuloy na umiiwas si Tricia at patuloy din sa paghabol si Jreydon.
“Ano na naman ba?” As usual, nainip na naman si Tricia.
“May sasabihin lang akong importante. Just give me time, 5 minutes lang.” Jreydon begs Tricia.
“Oh ano? Sabihin mo na,” Tricia's very atat while si Jreydon naman, kinakabahan.
“Tagal-tagal ng 5 mins, Jrey, ano ba? Jusko, napakaba—” pinutol ni Jreydon ang sinasabi ni Tricia.
“Okay, fine. Gusto kita. Ako 'yong nagsesend ng chocolate cakes and such sa 'yo. Ayos na?” Sumabog bigla si Jreydon.
“What? Y-you? Are you serious? Huwag mong sabihin iyan kung gusto mo lang na magustuhan din kita, Jrey. You doesn't even know na favorite ko ang chocolate cakes, right? How come?” Tricia laughed.
“Yeah, i have no idea that your favorite cake is chocolate. I love chocolate cakes and i want to share it with you, gusto kong matikman mo rin ang paborito kong cake and i am expecting na magugustuhan mo. That was coincidence.” Napahawak na lamang si Jrey sa bewang.
“I'm sorry. And btw, thank you for your effort. I appreciate it a lot,” Tricia smiled genuinely.
“So paano iyan? Do i have any chance?” Tanong ni Jreydon.
“Uhm. Not now, Jrey. Is it okay if friends na lang muna? That's what i can offer for now,” She said.
“Yes. I am willing to wait, Tricia. Thank you for giving me a chance. I will never waste it.” Napatalon si Jreydon sa sinabi ni Tricia.
His day's full of joy. His stomachs were full of butterflies. He can't explain what he feels.
“Kez, i have a good news!” Jreydon shouted cheerfully.
“Hey, working hours natin. Don't shout. What is it?” Napakamot noo si Kez.
“We're friends na. Napakasaya ko.” Bakat na bakat sa mukha ni Jreydon ang saya.
“That's it? Masaya ka na sa pagkakaibigan? Anlayo pa sa lovers, Jrey HAHAHAHA,” Kez teases Jreydon.
“Shut up. Atleast now, i can be closer to her. Kung malayo pa sa lovers ang friends, mas malayo 'yong strangers to lovers, right? Ayos na 'yong paunti-unti atleast i can earn her trust,” Jreydon's very sincere.
“Ano pa nga bang ikokontra ko? Do what you want. Basta, don't hurt Tricia's feeling, do not broke her heart or else.” Pagbabanta ni Kez.
“Or else, what?” Jreydon chuckles.
“Ako makakalaban mo, Jrey. I know Trician than you do, hindi siya mabilis mag-offer ng friendship sa boys. Be kind and respectful.” Kez really cares for Tricia.
“Yes, i know. I won't hurt her, i swear. I love her so damn much and you know that, Kez. If ever na maging kami, if ever lang, i promise hindi ko siya sasaktan.” I hope Jreydon's promise is genuine.
“Oh siya, i have to go, Jrey. Mahahalata tayo na naguusap kung magkasama tayong magchecheck at magkadikit,” labis ang takot ni Kez na mahuli.
“Okay. Thank you sa pagtulong sa 'kin kay Tricia.” Umalis na rin si Jreydon after niyang sabihin iyon.
“Hi, Tricia, kamusta ka na? You look so stressed but you're beautiful pa rin,” sumabay si Jreydon sa paglalakad ni Tricia.
“Grabe naman iyang pamumuri ha. Anw, thank you. Usap na lang tayo later if may time. Marami kasing pinasok sa atin na covid patients dahil hindi kinakaya ng ibang Hospitals,” ani ni Tricia.
“Okay, sige. Take care. Alagaan ang sarili ha? Especially we're taking care covid patients. Mahirap na't baka mahawa tayo,” Jreydon winks.
Napakibit balikat na lamang si Tricia. Hindi niya kinakaya ang kakulitan nitong si Jreydon. They're currently eating their Lunch— Tricia and Kez; when Jreydon came.
“Can i join these two beautiful girls? I have something for the two of you,” Jreydon brought fries for them.
“Hoy, saan galing 'to? Bawal tayong lumabas hindi ba? Malalagot ka,” Tricia's shocked.
“Hayaan mo na, Tricia. Gutom na ako 'no, umay na umay na rin ako sa pagkain natin dito.” Ani ni Kez.
“Ayan, konsintehin mo pa iyang kaibigan mo, Kez.” Nanermon na naman si Aleng Tricia, mga beh.
“Don't worry, Tricia. Inutos ko lang iyan sa kaibigan ko. He said kasi na dadaan din siya rito that's why i decided na magpabili ng foods for us,” Jreydon smiled.
“Taray. Oh 'yon naman pala, Cia. Tara na, kain na tayo't gutom na ako,” biglang tumunog ang tiyan ni Kez.
“Opx” Kez added.
“Ubusin na natin 'to. May work pa tayo. Thank you sa pagkain, Jreydon. You don't have to treat us everyday. Thank you!” Inubos na ni Tricia ang pagkain at naglakad papaalis.
“Ayan, she left us na HAHAHA. Galing talaga ng kaibigan mo, Jreydon,” tumawa si Kez.
“She's also your friend though,” Jreydon smirked.
“Ligawan mo na kaya? Para kayong mga shunga. Pinatatagal pa.” Mas atat pa ata si Kez HAHAHA.
“That's why walang nanliligaw sa'yo, Kez. Napakabilis mo. I won't rush her. I'll wait her,” Jreydon smiled.
“Yuck. Mga lason kayo HAHAHA! May nanliligaw din sa akin, marami! Kaso i rejected them, lahat sila.” Pagmamayabang ni Kez which made Jreydon laughed.
“Are you serious? Gusto mo ngang mabilisang panliligaw kahit kakakilala pa lang hindi ba? Are you joking? Do you think i am dumb to think that hindi ka talaga papayag na ligawan? Kez, just drink your medicines, okay? Goodbye, daydreamer.” Pang-iinis pa ni Jreydon sabay takbo. Inaapoy naman sa galit si Kez.
Kez went to Tricia and talks about Jreydon.
“Cia, how's your relationship with each other?” Kez asked.
“Relationship? Kanino?” Biglang kumunot ang noo ni Tricia.
“Kayo ni Jreydon, duh. Patay malisya ka pa. So, how are you na nga?” Kez rolled her eyes.
“We're okay naman. We're friends. You know that naman 'no,” Tricia smiles teasingly.
“What the fck? That smile of yours, huwag mo na uulitin. Kadiri, beh.” Kez got pissed off na naman which made Tricia laughs also.
“Nakakairita kayo pareho. Bagay nga kayong dalawa jusko. I have to go.” Nagdabog pa itong si Kez.
“Ano kaya problema nun? HAHAHA. Sarap asarin,” The last line na sinabi ni Tricia before magfocus muli sa patients.
Naging alerto ang lahat nang mag-announce ang Head ng Hospital.
“Okay, nurses and doctors, we have to double our time and be more focus sa patients natin. Paparami nang paparami ang nagkakaroon ng Covid 19 virus kaya habang dumadami sila, kailangan din nating damihan ang effort natin. Naiintindihan niyo ba ako?” Seryoso ang lahat sa mga oras na ito.
“Yes, Doc.” All of them answered.
“Sige. Go na! Asikasuhin niyo rin new patients. Some of them ay nahihirapan na. I am rooting for you all!” Hospital's Head shouted.
Nataranta ang lahat at halos wholeday nag-asikaso.
“Cia, can we talk?” Pangungulit ni Jreydon. Nangulit pa si Jreydon kahit natataranta na ang lahat.
“Kapag may free time na, puwede? Our patients needs our care, needs us. Can we set aside that kind of matter muna?” Tricia's busy checking patients.
“Kahit 1 minute lang, please.” Jreydon keeps insisting.
“Gosh, Jrey. Can't you see? Can't you hear me? Hindi ka nakinig sa sinabi ni Head? Dumadami ang cases that's why we need to be more focused. We have to focus. We have to save lives.” Naurat si Tricia kaya't umalis ito. Sumabog sa galit si Tricia kaya i don't know if madali niyang mapapatawad si Jreydon.
Nang may papalit na kay Tricia sa pagmomonitor ay kaagad itong nagpahinga at nagkuwento kay Kez.
“Alam mo ba? That Jreydon, your friend, kinulit na naman ako. Alam mo, talagang nakakainis siya buwe—” natameme si Tricia nang biglang dumating si Jrey.
“Jrey, what are you doing here?” tanong ni Kez while umiiwas naman ng tingin si Tricia.
“I just want to say sorry kay Cia. I know naging makulit ako kanina. I promise i won't do it again,” Jreydon sincerely promised.
“Kez, ano kasi, i have to go. I want to rest na. I feel like i'm tired. May duty na naman ata ako mamaya, pahinga lang ako saglit.” She's very obvious. Galit siya kay Jrey kaya umiiwas siya.
“Hey, Cia,” Jreydon called her but she literally ignored it.
Naglakad lang si Tricia and Jreydon decided to chase her.
“Hey, Cia. Just listen.” He took Tricia's hand. Napalingon naman si Tricia.
“Bakit ka nakaluhod? Stand up, Jrey!” Uminit na naman ang ulo ni Tricia.
“Just listen. I will not do it again. I promise, i'll wait for your free time na lang. Please, forgive me,” nakaluhod pa rin siya begging for Tricia's forgiveness.
“Anak ng tokwa ka kasi. Napakakulit mo. What if our Head caught us? Edi pareho pa tayong napagalitan.” Tinaasan ni Tricia ng kilay si Jreydon. Jreydon smiled.
“Oh, why are you smiling?” Tricia added.
“Nothing. You're so cute everytime you get mad,” tumayo na si Jreydon.
“Who said na tumayo ka? Luhod ka ulit,” Tricia teases him, again and again and again.
“What? Seriously?” Nanlaki naman ang mata ni Jreydon.
“Kidding. I'll go na. Magpapahinga muna ako. I have to restore my energy,” pagpapaalam ni Tricia.
“Samahan na kita,” Jreydon offered her na samahan siya but she insisted na she's okay.
“No, it's okay. Akala mo naman pagkalayo-layo. Nandiyan lang naman sa corner ng Hospital. Go rest too. Don't waste your precious time.” Ngumiti si Tricia at tumalikod na.
“Am i wasting my time? Being with you, hindi iyon pagsasayang ng oras. It's like gumagawa tayo ng oras to get to know each other more.” Grabe talaga bumanat itong si Jreydon. His banat never fails!
“Sira. Aalis na nga ako at magpapahinga. Magpahinga ka na rin, take a rest, okay? Kakakatol mo, ayan napapala mo. Pati utak mo naapektuhan na HAHAHHAA. Cheesy boy, Jreydon!” Again and again and again and again, nang-asar na naman si Tricia.
“Cheesy? Ngumiti ka nga eh. Is that what you call cheesy? Damn, do not deny it, Cia. I saw you smiling.” Jreydon teases him back.
“How thick you face is. Don't assume, Jrey. Hindi ako ngumingiti. That was my normal expression. Look.” Ngumiti-ngiti si Tricia para ijustify ang kaniyang palusot.
“Ayaw talagang magpatalo. Aminin mo na lang kasi. I know you're smiling kapag bumabanat ako and it's normal, i guess? Kasi pogi 'yong bumabanat,” tumawa nang malakas si Jreydon.
“HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA. Siguro noong umulan ng kakapalan ng mukha, sinalo mo lahat 'no? If you think na you can get me using your face, you're wrong. I am more attracted sa personality.” Tricia laughs.
“Wait, what? You mean gwapo ako?” Nakahanap ng maipangaasar si Jreydon.
“Wala akong sinabi? What are you saying, Jrey? Imbento yern?” Bigla na namang kumunot ang noo ni Tricia.
“You said, if i think na i can get you using my face, i am wrong. Ibig sabihin aminado ka talagang pogi ako? Damn it. Thank you, Cia. Makakatulog ako nang mahimbing,” Jreydon left Tricia. He can't help but to smile, thinking na he had the chance to talk to Tricia that long.