Teach Me

Chapter 5

Chapter 5

Sierina

“OH-MY-GOD!” those were the words which came out first ng makalapag kami ng lugar.

“All is green isn’t it?” including my mind? I didn’t answer him.

“Meron pa palang ganitong lugar?” I suddenly blurted out when I took my first step in this native land.

“Away from pollution, tall towers, heavy traffic, fortunately yes!” Brenan answered me.

You cannot blame me not to be shocked, I have been to different parts of the world, been to different places where tourists prefer to visit pero... masasabi mong those places were developed na at some were artificially made for tourism industry… pero ito… all are natural! Literal na natural!

The fresh air, the green trees, plants, grass, the chirping bird, the farm animals and a farm… a real farm… ngayon lang ako nakakita nito in person!

“Carabao?” I muttered.

“Yap, first time?” he asked me again, I nodded.

“I’ll guess you’ll enjoy staying here.” he smiled at me, it was a little different smile he used to give me. I looked away because I can’t stand it. He always smile to everyone. May makakasalubong lang siya or makakausap or may makikilala sa daan, he always give them his smile. Nakakairita!

“A-Ah!” I shook my head para bumalik sa pagkatao ko, why am I being irritated? Does that mean he can affect me? No way! All these greens have some weir effect on me!

“You know what, isa ito sa mga reasons kung bakit I’m enjoying this kind of work…” he said “Provinces…”

“Doc, naibaba na po namin lahat ng gamit, yung ibang chopper bumalik na ng Manila para balikan yung mga hindi pa nadalang gamit…” sabi ng isang babaeng naka white shirt at jeans lang.

“Sige Nurse Jane, just inform me for any updates.” and Brenan smiled at her, at nurse pala siya, I looked at that Nurse, and I had a feeling na she had a crush on Brenan the Doctor, may nagkakagusto rin pala sa boring na lalaking ito? It makes me laugh! Ha.ha.ha!

“Hmm. Sie…” he handed me a bottled water “look at that nipa hut” and he pointed it “you can fix yourself there” he winked at saka nakihalubiro sa mga kasamahan niyang Doktor.

Pumasok ako sa loob ng Nipa Hut, ang cool! Medyo maliit pero cute, ngayon lang talaga ako nakapasok sa ganitong nipa hut, ibang-iba ito sa mga cottages sa beach resorts “May second floor.” binuksan ko ang pinto nun “Walang lock?” I murmured matapos mapansin iyon, humanap ako ng door knob pero wala, tuluyan akong pumasok sa loob, I saw some blankets at pillows na nakaayos sa may gilid.

“They always prepare comfortable shelters para sa mga nag co-conduct ng medical mission sa lugar nila.” I turned my back para kakita kung sino yung biglang sumulpot “It’s their way of saying thank you daw…” Brenan beamed. Hindi ba na ngangawit ang bibig niya?

I just nodded “So, we’re going to stay here? Sleep here?” I asked him “Just t-two of us?”

“Kung kukulangin ang mga nipa hut para sa mga kasamahan natin, there’s a possibility na madagdagan pa tayo ng kasama…” he gave me a questioning look “Why? Is there any problem with that?”

“NO! NO! NO!” I shook my head “That’s fine with me!” actually ok na ok, tignan ko lang kung hanggang kailan mo ako kayang baliwalain, I know bukas o makalawa, you will be the one who will supplicate in front of me para lang masilayan ang kahali-halina kong katawan! Evil laugh.

“What’s with that smile?” he asked me with curiosity. Kumunot din ang noo niya.

“H-huh?” Did I smile? “W-wala…”

“Fix yourself…” sabi niya sa akin “I have tons of tissues… just get it in my bag… labas ka na kung okay na huh?”

“Why are you insisting ba na to fix myself?” I scowled at him, I know naman na laging akong fresh kahit ilang oras mo pa akong ibabad sa tirik ng araw! He looked down saka narinig ko ang mahina niyang tawa.

I grabbed my pocket mirror para tignan ang sarili ko, tignan mo lang Doktor ka- “OH-MY-GOD! THIS IS NOT ME!!!!!” I screamed after I saw my reflection on my mirror “WHAT HAPPENED TO MY HAIR?” I almost cried, wala na sa ayos ang soft-curled hair ko.

“Dahil siguro kanina sa pagbaba natin ng helicopter…” pinipigilan niyang tumawa, pero naiinsulto na talaga ako!

“What happened to my make up? OH MY GOD!!!” sobrang haggard ko na, nagkalat na rin yung iba dahil ata sa pawis, “THIS IS NOT HAPPENING TO ME!” I can’t believe it, it’s a major turned off!

“Shhh!” he hold my shoulders “Calm down. I have soaps, meron ding tubig sa kusina nitong kubo, wash your face…” saka siya ngumisi, hinampas ko ang dibdib niya.

“And you knew it all along na ganito na ang ayos ko tapos hindi mo man lang sinabi sa akin ng maaga?” I really hate him!

“W-wait, I told you to fix yourself kanina ah…” sagot niya sa akin

“URGH!” sigaw ko sa mukha niya at saka pumunta sa kusina ng kubo, meron ngang jar of hearts este water dun.

I did comb my hair muna saka pinusod iyon “Nagmukha akong haggard sa harap ng maraming tao… nakakahiya…” I murmured.

I took the soap and started to clean my face, ang sarap ng tubig, cold siya at refreshing. I don’t smell any chlorine.

“Here you go!” rinig kong sabi ng lalaki sa likuran ko “Dry yourself…” saka siya ngumiti “I’m sorry about kanina, pero swear, I did try to tell you about sa condition ng mukha mo. I’m just finding a good way to tell it to you na hindi ka masasaktan…” and he flashed his smile, again.

Flashback

“Sie. Brenan is the kindest person I’ve ever met!” Sophie told me after sipping her hot choco “So please… please behave… One hit ka na nga eh… Job and your mission, remember the contract with your dad?” We are in a coffee shop just few blocks away from Brenan’s Condo.

“I know and why are you keep on telling me na please behave? Nakakasakit ka na ah!” and I took a sip of my hot tea.

“I know you better!” Sophie scowled at me.

I laughed “Fine…fine…” I took a deep breath “but seriously, I want to end this soon… ang hirap Sof…”

End of Flashback

Hindi ko inabot ang towel na hawak niya kaya naman he started to wipe my face “Believe me…” he said my wiping my face carefully “I’m sorry.”

“Ako na!” agaw ko sa kanya ng towel, mabait? Yeah, sa sobrang bait pwede na siyang magpari, hindi parin matanggap ng pagkatao ko ang ginagawa niyang pag resist sa akin!

He suddenly smiled at me “Bakit?” saka ko siya tinaasan ng kilay.

“You look more beautiful without your make up!” natigilan ako dahil sa sinabi niya, I looked at his face, he looked sincere. This man in front of me just casually said those things while looking directly at my eyes. He got some balls!

“W-well… that’s given!” saka ko siya tinalikuran “Maganda na ako kahit noon pang sperm palang ako!” I heard him chuckled.