Two truths, One lie (CHAPTER THIRTEEN)

*Knock knock*

I heard the noise near the door and I opened my one eye.

"SAAN AKO?!" Paano ba naman kasi? This place is new for my eyes and I think this isn't my room. Wait, hotel ba 'to?!

*Knock knock*

SHIIIT! WHAT AM I DOING IN HERE?!

"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!" I screamed so loud.

"Ma'am, okay lang po ba kayo diyan?"

Wait. Parang may kaboses 'yon. Napasampal nalang ako sa sarili ko. Oo, pala. Dito pala ako pinatulog ni Kielle sa hotel niya for free.

"Ma'am? Ma'am? Uy, Sasha! Pakuha naman 'yung keys sa --"

"No, no! Yeah, I'm fine."

I went near the door and I finally opened it.

"Good morning, Ma'am. Breakfast is ready!" Pag gregreet sa akin ng employee rito though I can see on her facial expression na naweweirdohan pa rin siya sa sigaw ko kanina.

"About sa pagsigaw ko. I'm sorry uhm.. I was just confused a while ago eh."

"It's fine, Ma'am. Alright, I gotta go. Enjoy your breakfast!"

"Thank you." And I closed the door.

Pagkatingin ko may mini envelope sa may gilid. I opened it and it says there; 'Enjoy your meal! ~ Ezekiel' woooow! The note made me smile.

*Phone beeps*

Wait. Asan phone ko?

*Phone beeps again*

Where's my phone? Asaan na 'yun? Wala rito sa kama ko. Sinilip ko ilalim ng bed and boom.

"Hayz, Aisha! Naghyhysterical ka kasi kanina eh!" I said to myself.

Finally, binasa ko na 'yung message. Aside from the note, may text message rin akong nareceive from Kielle.

[From Ezekiel: I hope you'll like the baked macaroni and the pizza I prepared for you. Have a good day ahead!]

"Wow. So thoughtful naman dis guy." I muttered.

[Reply: Thanks, Kielle! But where are you now?]

"Press se-- shiiit! Wait!" Tinignan ko uli 'yung tinype ko and damn. I edited my reply.

[Reply: Good morning. Thanks for the food, Kyle! But where are you right now? Why didn't you give the food yourself?]

After approximately 5 seconds, nagreply agad siya.

[From Ezekiel: Hmm may business matters lang kaming pinag uusapan ni Tita malapit dito sa hotel. Andito lang kami sa Starbucks sa kabilang street. Want me to bring a coffee for you?]

[Reply: Oh, I see. Yeah, I would love to. But I'll pay you. ☺]

[From Ezekiel: No, no. No need to pay me. I insist 😉.]

[Reply: And I insist, too. 😛]

[From Ezekiel: Okay, alright. If that will make you happy. You eat your breakfast na.]

At napansin ko namang natigil na ako sa pagkain ko. Nagreply lang ako sandali at sinilent ko na 'yung phone ko after.

3PM to 11 PM uli ang duty ko today. And as far as I can remember from last night, Kielle told me that he'll wait for me later after my duty.

By the way, today's Friday and off ko tomorrow, Saturday. Wala rin akong duty sa Sunday and holiday sa Monday tas 11PM to 7AM sched ko sa Tuesday. Ang saya! Ngayon lang 'to. Ngayon lang kami magkakaroon ng long break. Ang saya. Pero don't get me wrong, masaya rin naman ako sa hospital na nagseserve sa patients, but I need a rest, too. Iyong totoong rest, 'yung medyo mahaba haba naman, ganun.

After ko maligo, magbihis at mag ayos ng gamit, I checked the time and maaga pa. 11Am palang. And good thing meron akong dalang extra clothes, inulit ko nga lang itong pants ko, amoy downy pa rin naman, okay pa hehehe. And buti rin kasi may scrub suit ako sa locker ko sa hospital so mamayang after duty nalang ako uuwi. I miss my bed already.

*Knock knock*

Oh, may kumakatok na naman who could this be?

"Wait lang."

Then I opened the door and it showed Kielle.

"Good morning, Aisha! Ohh may extra clothes ka pala. Mag ooffer sana ako na ihatid kita sa bahay niyo eh."

"Nako, kung sakali man I'll refuse."

"Of course, as expected you definitely will."

"Pinatulog mo na nga kasi ako rito for free eh."

"Shh it's fine fine. Hmm tara lunch?"

"Where?"

"Where do you want to eat?"

Nag-isip ako sandali.

"Hmm wait." Kasi kinuha ko na mga gamit ko.

Hinila ko na siya papalabas ng hotel. Andito na kami sa lobby ngayon. Bibilinan niya lang employees niya saglit.

The moment we stepped out from his hotel..

"Oh saan nga tayo?"

"Akala ko ba walang tayo?"

"Ay ikaw ha. 'Di mo pa nakalimutan 'yon? Hmm I smell somet--"

"Shh! Don't talk nonsense. Basta sunod ka nalang. Treat ko." And I winked.

"Okay, I'm not pabebe like you. 'Di na ako tatanggi."

"I expected na sasabihin mo sa akin mga bulok na linyahan ng mga lalaki eh. No, I'm the man and I won't let a lady to pay for me. Like duhh asan gender equality and equity!?"

"Yeah, I agree with you. So paano ako magdradrive papunta run if I don't know kung saan naman ako at ikaw pupunta?" He asked habang tinatap niya 'yung manebela.

"Ako at ikaw.." I whispered

"What?" HALLA!

"Basta turo ko nalang."

"Okay." He said that while smirking and shrugging his shoulders. Still cute hahahaha.

"Pwe sabaw ka na, Aish."

"Huh? Ano na naman binubulong mo diyan?"

"Sabaw.." he arched his one eyebrow. "You like? Sa resto na may sabaw?" Lumusot ka, lumusot ka! Pinanliitan ko siya ng mata.

"Ohh. Anywhere you like. It's fine for me." He smiled and I smiled, too. 'Yung ngiting aso.

-------

After our lunch, hinatid na niya ako sa hospital. Madami ang nadischarged na patients today at wala masyadong madaming nagpapacheckup.

Andito ako ngayon sa information desk at gumagawa ng NCP, nursing care plan para sa patient kong may dehydration. Andito na ako sa part ng goals. Sa NCP kasi, dalawang category ng goals ang ginagawa namin. One is long-term goal and the other one is short-term goal tapos may mga subgoals under ng main goal. May interventions din na nagmamatch sa mga goals like kung anong action ang gagawin ko para mameet ko ang goal ko sa patient ko. Tip lang sa pag gawa ng goal, hindi kaming nurse ang subject. Kumbaga our sentence shout start with "the patient.." and not with "nurse.." and of course we should always take in mind na dapat realistic ang goal. Ang pro tip ko sa pag gawa ng nursing goals is we should think 'SMART' meaning Specific, Measurable, Attainable, R and Time bounded.

After kong gawin ang NCP, sinunod ko naman ang plotting of vital signs.

After that, vinisit ko naman ang isa ko pang patient.

....

Out ko na. Finally! Long break! Paglabas na paglabas ko, nakita ko agad si Kielle na nakasandal sa kotse niya.

"Huy!"

"What the heck!? Ginulat mo ako."

"Malamang, ginulat talaga kita."

He rolled his eyes.

"Vaklang two!"

"Bakit ka ba nanggugulat, Aish?"

"Wala lang, tkl."

"Tkl? Aaaah."

"Oo."

"Oh? Type mo ako? Tkl? Type kita lang?"

"Trip ko lang, 'wag hangal."

"Daldal mo na, Aish. Lika na sakay."

At 'di niya ako pinagbuksan ng kotse. Aba. Pero actually, I like his ways. Gusto ko 'yung hindi pagentleman kunware tapos manloloko rin pala. Gusto. ko 'yung ganito lang kay Kielle na totoo lang. Parang gusto ko na ata 'yung siya ngayon. Parang mas gusto ko na 'yung Ezekiel na kilala ko ngayon kaysa sa Elijah na nakilala ko rati.

"Oh daan 'to papunta sa amin ha?"

"Yeah."

"Akala ko may puntahan tayo? Nagbago decision mo?"

"Kukuha ka lang gamit. Tara beach?"

"What? Saan banda?"

"Kung saan man tayo mapadpad. 'Wag ka mag alala, nakapagpaalam na ako sa Ate mo. Naprepare niya na rin daw gamit mo. Excited siya para sa'yo, sweet talaga ng Ate mo."

I just stared at him in disbelief.

'Di naman siya masyadong prepared ano?

He chuckled softly. "And I also told her if she wants to come together with her boyfriend, then she can, they can. I said."

"Then what did she say?"

"She told me that she would love to, but they already have plans. And maybe some other time they'll come with us in some amusement parks out there."

"Yeah. Yeah. Besides, Ako at si Ate, we have different day offs. Bale 2 days off lang ang meron siya, Sunday and Monday and as far as I can remember umaga ang duty niya sa Tuesday kaya rin siguro she hesitated to come. Maybe some other time. Miss ko na rin si Kuya Dan eh, 'di ko na nakakabondng 'yun.." I said habang tinitigan ko ang outside view sa window.

"Ops. Magkapatid, magkaribal?" Napalingon ako sa kanya.

"Huh? What did you just say?"

"I'm just cracking a joke." He said while laughing at his own joke.

"And you think it's funny?"

"I'm sorry, I don't.. I-I'm sorry, Aisha."

"It's fine." He holds my left shoulder. "I'm fine. Let's not make it any biggie. Let's get over it. It's not that I'm oversensitive. I was just trying to pull a joke, too. But seems like you took my joke seriously. I'm sorry."

"AaAAAaaaa tinakot mo ako! I really thought you were pissed off." He took his shoulder off of me.

"Ezekiel Banner, again, I'm not that over sensitive about those things. It's freakin' fine, man."

"Good to know. Oh, andito na pala tayo."

---------

"Ingat kayo ha! Andiyan na lahat lahat! 'Wag mo na icheck. Nilagay ko rin diyan first aid kit mo, your steth, BP app, and such if ever may mangyari, but I hope wala. I'll pray for you. Have a safe trip! Enjoy!" I smiled at her.

"Uy, Aisha Banner, basbas muna bago isuko ang bataan ha?"

"Ate?! Do you really need to tell these things in front of him?!" Bulong ko kay Ate.

"Sorry na. Sige na. Ingat kayo. Ezekiel, pakiingatan itong kapatid ko ha? Pagpasensyahan mo nalang kapag magiging masungit. You know, PMS."

"PMS?" Kielle innocently asked.

"Pre, May Sayad si Ate. Kaya tara na." Sabat ko.

We all laughed.

"Sira!" Binatukan ako ni Ate. AAARGH! "Post Menoposal Syndrome."

And we all laughed again.

"Oh sige na, Ate. Alis na kami, napakadaldal mo. Bye na nga. Ikaw na bahala kina Tita ha?" I kissed her on the cheeks.

"Sus excited much? Geh, geh. Ako na bahala. Leave them on me, they'll be on good hands. Doncha worry, sissy. Sige, ingat kayo ha? Contact me if nakarating na kayo ha? Always pray and ask for His guidance!"

-------

"Tulog ka muna if nabobored ka." Sabay on niya ng stereo.

"Paano ako matutulog? Eh inon mo 'yung radio? Pero it's fine. Mas calming makinig ng music sa byahe habang natutulog. Basta pakihinaan lang volume, thanks."

"Oh, you surprised me again. I didn't expect that it's your thing, too." He said while inaadjust niya volume ng radio.

"I always surprise you, don't I?"

"Yes, you do."

I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. After minutes of silence, I opened my eyes kasi 'di talaga ako makatulog.

"Hey?"

"Yeah? 'Di ka makatulog?"

"How'd you know na 'di ako tulog?"

"Hmm, I just.. know."

"Ako naman magdrive."

"You drive?"

"Yeah, I know how to. Can you let me? So you can rest, too."

"Nope. I'm totally fine with this. I love driving, I love long drives, long rides, I love the road. Don't worry about me, I love this."

"Ohh okay, wala akong magawa eh."

"Do you want to play a game?"

"Eh? Nagdradrive ka eh."

He laughed. "Of course mga simple games lang, like the truth game or anything? May alam ka ba?"

"I don't like games."

"As expected. Hmm.. ah! I know na! Do you want to play the two truths, one lie?"

"Two truths, one lie?"

"Uhm.. yeah. If it's your turn to guess, I''ll tell you three statements and you should guess which one is the lie."

"Oh.. I get it na. Hmm.. game?"

"Oh, sige. Trial muna. Ako muna mauna magpapahula. Oy, ano pala consequence kapag mali ang hula?"

"I don't know. Pwede bang wala nalang consequence? Let's just play the game to know each other better? You agree?"

"Yeah, yeah. I agree. Sige."

"Okay your turn."

"Aisha, I have a brother. I hate seafoods. I have someone whom I like. Now, which one is the lie?"

"Hmm wait. Give me a minute. Yes, you're allergic to seafoods, but that doesn't mean that you hate seafoods, right?"

"I don't know. So what's your answer?"

"Wait, you have a brother? I don't think so. That's the lie."

"Oh, no."

"I'm right, right?"

"You're wrong. You're not listening to me! When you put a shrimp on my plate, I told you 'bout that! Yes, I do have a brother and we're twins."

"WHAT?!"

"Shh don't be too loud."

"I don't know about that."

"I'm sorry, I didn't tell you. Because actually we're not that close. We have this feud and it's all because of a girl. And that's the reason bakit ako napadpad dito sa Philippines." Mabuti nga at bumalik ka eh.

"What's your brother's name?"

"He's Eunho Janvier, Eunho Janvier Banner."

"And what about the girl?"

"There's this girl whom I really like. We're close, like we're so so close. We're friends since high school nung nagmigrate kami sa States."

"Nagmigrate kayo sa States?"

"Yeah. Hindi naman kami nahirapan magmigrate kasi may visa na kami. I already forgot how, basta it was like that. Nung nagtransfer kami ni Eunho, nagkaroon kami ng different circle of friends. Actually, siya lang, kasi ako noon parang ang tindi ng galit ko sa mundo. Loner ako sa school namin. Sinasamahan naman ako ni Eunho minsan at nung friends niya kaso ayaw ko. Akong kusa ang lumalayo kasi ayaw ko sa tao noon. I prefer to be all myself. I walk alone. I eat alone. I study alone. I was always alone and I'm used to it. I love being alone not until Meredith came into my life. Siya 'yung type ng girl na sobrang cheerful, kind, friendly and everything nice. Alam mo 'yung almost perfect? Siya na 'yun. At first, I don't wanna be with her. Distant kasi akong tao. Pero she pursued me. She said that she wants to be friends with me. Sobrang kulit niya. Tinatabuhan ko pa siya nung una, pero nung tumagal nasanay na rin ako sa presence niya. Na kapag wala siya, hinahanap hanap ko siya. Fast forward, months after nahulog kami sa isa't isa and fast forward again. Nung nagcollege na, Meredith and my brother entered the same university in France. Ako, naiwan sa States and took my degree in there. At first, panatag ang loob ko kasi 'yung taong mahal ko kasama ng brother ko. I even told Eunho na pakibantayan si Meredith, na iiwas siya sa ibang lalaki na aaligid sa kanya. Pero I didn't know na sobra naman 'yung pagbabantay niya. Habang magkalayo kami ni Meredith, we still talk. Pero naging cold siya sa chat at naintindihan ko nalang kung bakit gano'n nung dumating na ako sa France, kasi sila na pala."

"So your ex cheated on you? She cheated on you with your twin brother?"

"It's not actually cheating kasi 'di naman kami comitted sa isa't isa, wala naman kaming label. Pero ang sakit lang kasi alam ni Eunho na may something sa amin pero he stole my girl. Naging sila 1 year."

"At naghiwalay din sila?"

"Yeah. At itong gagong kapatid ko ang dahilan. He didn't cheat on her, pero ang reason is in love siya sa kaibigan niya,in love siya sa childhood friend niya. I tried to win Meredith back, pero si Eunho talaga ang gusto niya."

"Wait. So 'yung twin brother mo 'di pa nakamove on sa childhood friend niya gano'n?"

"Yeah. Matagal na silang 'di nagkikita, pero ewan, gano'n talaga siguro. Hindi madidiktahan ang puso kung sino talaga ang gusto nito."

"Wow. Napakagaling mo nang magtagalog."

"Huh? Matagal naman na akong fluent magtagalog, even when we met 2 years ago, hello?"

Shit huy.

"Ahm I mean mas gumaling ka lalo."

"Oh, by the way. My brother's coming here in Philippines this December. Do you want to meet him?"

"Akala ko may feud kayo?"

"Yeah. Pero hindi naman na gano'n kalala. We're better now. And he's sorry. At nakamoveon na rin naman na ako kay Meredith. I have this new one that I like."

"And who is it?"

"It's for you to find out."

"Ay hindi na pala natuloy game natin."

"Nagkuwento kasi ako eh. Tuloy pa ba natin? Or you want to sleep na? 1AM na rin oh."

I closed my eyes.

"Three months from now, makikilala mo na brother ko. Goodnight, Aisha."

"Goodnight." I said with my eyes still closed.