✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 54

Eastwood Pediatric Clinic
10:11 a.m.

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It's still a mystery how an unseen element of nature can cause so much paranoia.

Yet Dr. Almeida already expected that this is how everyone would react. Ilang beses na rin siyang naging saksi ng mga ganitong pangyayari, and more often than not, the authorities will have a hard time "calming" the citizens down.

Sadly, this would only mean more late-night shifts and work on their part in ECDCP.

"Tiff, sinabayan na lang din kita ng drinks. Pakiramdam ko kasi hindi ka na naman... Tiff?"

Napahinto sa may pintuan ng clinic ang virologist. Nang mapansin ng pediatrician ang presensiya niya, pasimple nitong itinago sa isang drawer ang folder na kanina pa nito tinitingnan. Tiffany smiled and acted like nothing was wrong, pero sa ilang taon na nilang magkakilala, Dr. Almeida knew her friend was caught red-handed.

But with what?

"Thanks, Jane. Buti hindi ka na-traffic? Balita ko dinagsa raw 'yong Ye Hua's mula noong na-issue ang may-ari 'non sa UD case," Tiffany casually gestured the plastic bags in her hand.

Dr. Almeida nodded and slowly walked in. "Mabilis akong naka-order ng take-out sa resto. Noong nalaman nilang nagtatrabaho ako sa ECDCP, the staff started prioritizing me. You should've seen the look on their faces when I told them that I knew the detectives."

"Hmm.. Sabagay, kakabukas lang kasi ulit nila. Kaya rin siguro walang delivery. On-going pa rin ang investigation nila dun sa Intsik, 'di ba?"

"I think so...?"

Pinilit na lang niyang isantabi ang kakaiba nitong kilos. Sa pagkalat ng Marburg virus, she really couldn't blame her for acting this way.

Pare-pareho lang siguro silang pagod sa trabaho.

But still, Tiffany told her earlier over the phone that she wasn't feeling well. Ang buong akala niya maabutan niya itong nagpapahinga sa kanyang clinic, lalo't wala naman daw yata siyang naka-schedule for check up ngayong araw.

"Alam mo, masama ring maging workaholic," paalala ni Dr. Almeida sa kanyang kaibigan.

Habang nilalabas ang mga styro ng fried noodles, napangit na lang si Tiffany. "Says the one who's been working abroad for several years. Kumpara sa'kin, mas 'workaholic' ka nga, eh. Buti na lang 'di ako naging virologist."

"Muntikan lang," she reminded.

Natawa si Tiffany, inabot ang chopsticks sa tabi ng fruit bowl at hiniwalay ang mga ito.

"Gaga, 'wag mo nang ipaalala. Hahaha! Masaya na ako sa trabaho ko ngayon."

Lumipas ang sumunod na oras ng pagkain at pakikipagkwentuhan. Really, Dr. Almeida admits that Tiffany is the closest friend she has. When you're at a point in your life where you're surrounded by workmates and bosses, having one close friend that feels like a family is a breath of fresh air.

May ilang beses na naiibsan nito ang kanyang lungkot, knowing that a family is something she, like most people nowadays, doesn't have.

"Nga pala, may updates na raw ba 'yong kaso?"

Dr. Almeida thought back to her last conversation with the detectives, "Nalalaman na yata nila ang locations ng mga susunod na krimen, pero hindi nila matukoy kung paano kinakalat ng killer ang virus. I don't think they're getting any closer to finding out who the Unknown Disease is, but let's just pray for the best..."

"Sana nga mahuli na nila," Tiffany agreed.

Nang paalis na ng clinic si Dr. Almeida para bumalik sa kanyang trabaho, Tiffany called her back.

"Jane?"

"Bakit?"

Sandaling natahimik ang clinic. Sa hindi malamang dahilan, Tiffany's smile reflected an unspoken misery.

"Wala. Next time na lang, alam ko namang busy ka."

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