Austin's Condition ( Completed )

CHAPTER 13:

Austin's P.O.V:

Upon my arrival in UFMC, I instantly saw my mom and Janessa in the emergency room. Fidgety they are so instead of checking on them I double my time and steps toward the nurses so they can brief me about the patient.

"I see. Thank you."

I smile at them although deep inside I'm disappointed. As I enter the first cubicle, I rush towards the patient as he's already trying to get up which is absolutely a no-no because he's supposed to be lying and resting.

"Where do you think you're going old man?"

"Obviously I'm leaving. And I'm not that old."

"No way you're leaving the hospital. You collapsed dad. So whether you like it or not you're going to stay here for a while."

"What? Look Austin, I'm fine now. I have plenty of things to do and staying here is unnecessary."

"Dad, are you a doctor?"

Dad annoyingly looks at me before surrendering and slowly gets back to his bed. I can't help not to smirk 'cause I surely know he's hundred percent pissed right now. Well, I know what he feels since I'm also like that, I'm my father's son anyway. As I do my job and investigate the cause of his collapse, mom and Janessa enter the room and check on us.

"How's your dad, Austin?"

"Dad is fine now but as what I've said to him earlier he'll be staying here for the meantime. Maybe a day or two at least especially that I'm not quite happy with his CBC results."

"Why? What's wrong with dad's results, kuya?"

I show and explain to them the test results and my diagnosis therefore aside from me, I have also contacted another doctor who can help me with dad's condition just to make sure he's fine and will be fine. Of course what I've said caused worry to mom and Janessa but dad remains calm and laughs at us.

"Signs of aging I guess."

"Nakuha mo pa talagang mag biro Clemente. May anemia ka na nga. Sinasabi ko na nga ba, dahil sa kakapuyat mo 'yan."

"Haha! My babe, why do I find you hot when you're mad?"

Janessa and I look at each other as we witness the cheesiness of our parents. Oh good Lord, spare our eyes from these two love birds who need a room. Tsk! Although I grew up seeing them open and vocal with their feelings for each other I just can't really teach myself to get used to it. Speaking of room, after the physical examination and tests conducted on dad, it's time for him to be transferred to his private room. Me and the fam are on our way to the 11th floor when my phone suddenly beeps. When I look at the message, a smile instantly forms on my lips as I silently read her message before texting my reply.

"Mommy, look at kuya oh. Smiling like an idiot."

"Mind your own business Janessa."

"Alam ko ang ganiyang mga ngiti. May nag papatibok na ba ng puso sa panganay ko?"

"Nah. It's my student, mom. Dad met her once so she just wanna wish dad to be well."

"Oh. Kung ganoon pala eh di sabihin mong pwede rin siyang bumisita kay Jonah."

"Huh? Why?"

"Para makilala ko rin. Hindi pwedeng ang dad mo lang ang makakakilala sa babaeng nag papangiti sa'yo ng ganiyan."

"You're being irrational mom. Like what I've said, she's my student and that only means she's off limits."

"Off limits mukha mo! Hindi mo ako maloloko Austin. I've been there so tell me, may boyfriend na ba siya?"

"None. She's single for now unless the dude from the other class I'm teaching continue to pursue her."

Elijah Pangilinan.. What makes he think he's the right guy for my student? I mean.. Elijah is technically my student also but Candice is in a different level. She's already close to me hence I value her as much as she value her goals in life so absolutely now's not the right time for her to be distracted by boys. Damn, did I really say that? Anyway, what I'm saying is that I see potential in Candice, like she's born and destined to to be a healthcare professional. After few circumstances where in she assisted me I witnessed how she handled every situation even though she's not yet familiar with it. She learns fast, act fast, and as early as now I can already tell she'd be a darling of the crowd because of her eagerness and outgoing personality which are another reason for me to be fond of her. I don't know the logic behind of it though but all I can say is that she saved me from getting into trouble. I was in the verge of confronting Dr. Williams when I found out that him and Ate Nadia are already a couple but when I saw Candice in the mall in her stalking mode again my emotion suddenly turned 360 degress. I decided to join her instead and there we had an unusual date. That was fun, she's fun actually and fortunately that day I also found out who's P.M.S, my secret admirer. Although Mabel already denied she's P.M.S, I still believe she's the writer behind the pink love letters. I don't have any problems with it though as long as P.M.S is not Candice.

Few minutes after my reply I receive again a message from Candice so again, I silently read it and restrain myself from smiling so that my sister and mom would stop bothering me about her.

Candice: Unahin niyo po muna talaga ang papa niyo. Mas importante po ang pamilya kesa sa singing contest. Maiintindihan naman po ng team kung hindi po kayo makakasali bukas. Ako pong bahala sainyo. :)

Oh yeah, the singing contest. Hmm.. What should I do? I can't leave dad but I cannot ditch the whole team as well. This may be embarassing but I have to let my family know what unexpected event I got involved in. Besides, this is UFMC. I am 101% sure they will take care of dad for the meantime while I'm out and performing my duty as a professor of Saint Agatha.

"Uhm.. Dad, Mom. Can I ask permission from the two of you?"

"What is it our son?"

"You see, I'm a part timer in Saint Agatha and I have a duty to be fulfilled."

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Candice's P.O.V:

"Amen."

Sabay sabay kaming nag sign of the cross matapos ang opening prayer para sa pang huling event ng intramurals namin. Mula sa backstage ay rinig namin ang iba't ibang team na nag che-cheer para sa'ming mga kalahok sa Saint Agatha's Clash of Talents. Hindi pa nga nag sasalita ang host ay ramdam na rito sa backstage ang energy at excitement ng audiences samantalang kami ay chill lang muna dahil sa libreng pa-ice cream ng student council.

"Let me hear the college of engineering!"

Nagkaroon muna ng attendance check sa kada department at interview ng mga hosts sa mga audiences bago tuluyang nag simula ang competition. Alternate ang singing, dancing, at awarding kung kaya't may panahon pa para makipag chismisan.

"Nakita ko niyo ba si Dr. Clemente?"

Nag aalalang tanong ni Ramona sa'min dahil ang call time naming mga performers ay 11:30AM pero hanggang ngayon ay wala pa rin si doc. Maging ako ay nag aalala na rin hindi dahil sa baka hindi siya mag perform mamaya kundi baka napano na siya sa daan. Kukunin ko na sana ang cellphone ko para itext siya ngunit saktong nag bukas ang pinto sa backstage at lahat kami'y parang natigilan ng makita ang itsura ni Dr. Clemente.

"I'm sorry for being late. The traffic today is worst. So, pang ilan ako?"

Tanong sa'min ng mala prinsipe naming professor habang inaayos ng kaniyang mahahabang daliri ang nagulo niyang buhok. Nang walang sumasagot sakaniya ay ngumiti lamang siya at nahihiyang nag tanong ulit kaya doon lamang sila natauhan. Ako kasi hindi pa natatauhan kaya inilagay ko ang kanang kamay ko sa'king dibdib dahil masyado atang mabilis ang pag yanig ng puso ko ngayon lalo na't nag tama pa ang mga mata namin. Ang pogi, shuta!

"College of health education dance group, kayo na po ang susunod."

Nag sitayuan na kami para pumila sa likod ng floor director. Matapos umawit ng faculty member galing sa college of arts and sciences ay lumabas na kami at nag formation sa stage. Hindi pa man nag sisimula ang performance namin ay kung todo cheer na ang mga ka-department namin lalong lalo na ang dalawa kong kaibigan na nasa harapan with all props pa. Hingang malalim Candice. Isang thumbs up ang ibinigay ko sa floor director hudyat na ready na kami. Kagaya nang sa final rehearsal kagabi ay kaming mga estudyante ang unang humataw sa stage. Kabilin-bilinan ko rin na ilabas ang tinatagong swag sa katawan para lalong maging effective ang audience impact namin pero dahil may mga sexy moves sa sayaw kaya hindi rin maiiwasang magpa sexy kahit nakakahiya.

"Go ma'am."

Nang sila ma'am na ang sumasayaw ay kami naman ang panandaliang nag tago sa backstage habang pinapanuod sila sabay cheer. Sa sobrang pag cheer ko nga hindi ko na namalayang nasa likod ko na pala si Dr. Clemente at nanunuod din.

"Great moves Miss Amorsolo."

"Thank you po doc."

"I bet Mr. Pangilinan is really pleased right now."

Hanoraw? Tumingala ako sakaniya ngunit inirapan niya lamang ako bago siya nag lakad pabalik sa dressing room. Kaloka. Kanina all smile siya tapos ngayon ang suplado niya. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang tanungin ang sarili ko kung may nagawa ba akong mali. Nang bumalik kami sa stage ay hindi ko na magawang ngumiti. Buti nalang at hindi naman affected ang dance steps ko hanggang sa natapos ang performance at bumalik kami ng dressing room. Doon ay naabutan namin si doc na naka earphones at nakapikit. Mukhang ini-internalize niya ata ang kakantahin niya para mamaya kaya imbes na kausapin ay hinayaan ko muna siya.

Tuloy tuloy ang saya, performances at awarding dito sa auditorium ng Saint Agatha hanggang sa dumating na ang pinaka hihintay na moment ng McYummy fans club. Maging ako ay lumipat na rin sa audiences katabi nila Alyson at Cholo sa unahan para mapanood ko ng maayos ang pag awit ni doc.

"..and last but not the least. From College of Health Education, give it up for Dr. Austin Clemente."

Tili kung tili, wala na kaming paki alam kung mawalan kami ng boses bukas nang magpakita na si doc sa stage hawak ang microphone niya. Ilang saglit lang ay narinig na namin ang instrumental ng kakantahin ni doc kaya unti-unti ng humupa ang ingay sa loob ng auditorium.

( B.M: Part of Your World by JonMaxGoh)

Kaya pala para siyang prinsipe ngayon. Hindi ko tuloy maiwasang mangiti. Paborito talaga niya ang Little Mermaid. Lahat ay nanatiling tahimik habang nakatuon lamang ang atensyon kay doc. Para niya kaming dinala sa isang play, sa pagka bata.

"When is my turn? Wouldn't I love, love to explore that shore up above.. "

Masigabong palakpakan ang sumalubong sa pagtatapos ni doc samantalang ako, heto, hindi na naman maka get over lalo na ng sinabi niya ang lyrics na "Wish I could be part of your world" ng hindi pinuputol ang pagkakatingin sa'kin.