1 week later

"Nakakapagod na." Marahas kong ibinagsak ang libro sa mesa kung saan nakaupo si Reika na nanonood na naman ng netflix.

"So you're gonna quit now?" she asked with a menacing grin.

"Never. I'll whine and cry non-stop but I won't quit. Hayaan mo lang akong magreklamo ngayon, magiging nurse din ako," giit ko.

"That's the spirit!" She clapped her hands and added, "yes there's pun intended."

"Just shut up." I rolled my eyes and began reading.

As we busy doing our thing, the doorbell suddenly rang. Nagkatinginan agad kami ni Reika.

"Food delivery?" She asked so I shook my head.

"Ang mga unggoy?" I asked.

"Baka? Pero ang sabi nasa ospital sila," she uttered in confusion. Still, she stood up and headed outside to see.

Reika told me she doesn't like hospitals kaya naman minsan lang siya kung sumama sa mga unggoy sa tuwing bumibisita kay Jethro. Technically hindi rin naman kami magkaibigan ni Jethro kaya hindi rin ako bumisita. Besides, I'm worried he'd feel uncomfortable once he sees me. After all, I witnessed his most vulnerable moment — If tables were turned, I would feel uncomfortable seeing him again knowing he saw me cry and beg for my life.

"Tita, this is Silver."

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at napatanga ako sa gulat nang makita ang isang may-edad na babae na ginigiya ni Reika papasok. She looked so neat and formal with her dress and pearl necklace. 

"This is Tita Janice. She's Jethro's mom," pakilala ni Reika kaya naman tumayo ako.

Before I could even reach for a handshake, she suddenly walked towards me and pulled me into a big hug. Gulat na gulat akong napatingin kay Reika at kahit ito ay napatanga rin sa nangyari.

"You are Godsend! Thank you, Hija! Thank you so much helping my son! God, I can't even imagine what would've happened if I lost him!" she said and I could even hear her cry a little.

She let go of me and cupped my face with one hand. It was even trembling a little. "Thank you, hija. Sabihin mo sa akin paano ako makakabawi."

I freaked out a little kaya naman napahakbang ako nang isang beses paatras. I tried my best to sound friendly and gentle as I spoke, "Ma'am wala po akong hinihinging kapalit. I got there by chance and just decided to help."

"Tita, Silver is a nursing student. Perhaps it was a call of duty?" Reika chimed in with a smile but I was sure she was only smiling because she was proud to sneak in a video game reference.

"Where are you studying? I can help you with your professors!" she said with a big eager smile on her crying face.

"No need po." I quickly shook my head. The least I want is for someone else to do the hard work for me. 

"If there's anything you need. Please, just call me," she said and handed me a calling card, even pressing it on my palm.

I understand where she's coming from so I smiled at her and politely said, "thank you po but masaya na po ako na nakatulong ako kahit papaano."

"Thank you," she said reaching out to touch my cheek again while smiling through her tears.

"Masaya na po ako na nakatulong? How cheesy! You could've just asked her for a scholarship or cash!" pabirong bulalas  ni Reika nang tuluyan itong makaalis.

"Shh, mamaya may makarinig sa'yo." I rolled my eyes and sat once again to the couch to continue studying.

Patalon na naupo si Reika sa tabi ko, humarap siya sa akin na para na namang kiti-kiting emo girl. "I can't believe I'd ever see Tita Janice like that! Alam mo bang kinatatakutan namin siya noong bata pa kami?"

"She seems nice." I shrugged.

"Pwede na bang maging in-law?" she grinned.

"Nope." I shook my head. 

"'Wag kang magsalita--"

"Seriously, Reika. Stop playing cupid. Your friends are a bunch of idiots," I said firmly.

She squinted and looked at me with a mischievous grin. "Kasi may Rukawa ka na?"

I shrugged. Pwede rin.

"Kapag nalaman ko talaga sino ang Rukawa na 'yan--"

"Kapag nalaman mo, hindi na magiging kayo ng crush mong bakla. Mark my words, Rei." I warned him at sa isang iglap ay naglaho ang ngiti sa mukha niya. Natakot ata ang siraulo.

"Oo na, I'll mind my own business na." She rolled her eyes and sighed in defeat.

When midnight struck, I decided to close my books and head to bed. When I entered our room, nadatnan ko si Reika na natutulog na. Mas nauna na kasi siyang matulog dahil inantok sa kakanood ng movies.

Nang mahiga, sinilip ko ang cellphone sa huling pagkakataon bago matulog. Nakita ko agad ang isang mensahe mula kay Tres.

Tres:

Good night :)

baka tulog ka na hahaha

Silver:

Night

Tres:

uy bat gising ka pa? haha

Silver:

study

ikaw?

Tres:

Duty haha

Silver:

bummer

Tres:

ganito ka rin kapag nasa 2nd year ka na hahaha

sana dito ka rin sa filimon general para may mapagt-tripan ako

Silver:

siraulo

Tres:

hahahaah

teka joke lang yon di ba? hahahaha

Silver:

di bawal phone?

Tres:

Ninja moves lang hahaha

Silver:

congrats

Tres:

on what? hahaha

Silver:

you're basically a doctor

Tres: 

Di pa, mahaba pa ang byahe hahahaha

Silver:

happy trip

Tres:

hahahahaha

matulog ka na

Silver:

ok

night

Tres:

Duty ka ulit bukas sa club?

Silver:

oo

Tres:

Daan ako

libre mo ako hahaha

Silver:

kay cohen ka palibre

Tres:

libre na lang kita hahaha i know this nice restaurant downtown

Silver:

busy ako sorry

Tres:

ah hahaha

nga pala malapit na ma-discharge si jethro

punta ka sa celebration ha?

Silver:

busy sorry

Tres:

siguro antok na antok ka na

good night na talaga :)

Napangiwi na lamang ako dahil sa naging takbo ng usapan namin. I didn't want to seem rude pero malay ko ba paano sagutin ang mga sinasabi niya. Ang hirap maging tao.

| End of 11 - Thank you |