✔ 03 | Point Of Exposure

CAPITULUM 62

Humanity is just a virus with shoes.

Nico never thought the words of a comedian held any weight until now. Sa kanyang tabi, kanina pa siya sinusulyapan ni Nova, probably sensing that he finally discovered something.

Nico ignored her, focusing his attention on the Unknown Disease.

Bumagal ang takbo ng oras.

Napuno ng tensyon ang silid.

"Mukhang normal naman ang lahat," Tiffany said in a gentle tone after assessing the kid. Katulad ng bilin nila kanina kay Nirvana, masaya nitong pinasalamatan at kinuwentuhan ang pediatrician.

And since it was her job to appease and entertain children, wala nang nagawa si Tiffany kundi magkunwaring interesado siya sa mga ikinukwento nito. Base sa kanyang mga kilos, mukhang wala siyang amor sa mga bata.

'Is that the reason why you've been targeting these families?'

Dumako ang mga mata ni Nico sa kalapit na trash bin kung saan nagkalat ang mga papel. His trained eyes narrowed when he think saw a familiar name.

*
Minnesota Gervacio had been busy the entire morning. Sa kasamaang-palad, medyo understaffed sila ngayon dahil biglang nagkasakit ang ilan sa kanyang mga kasama. Although they suspect these as a common cold, hindi pa rin nila maiwasang matakot at kabahan.

'Kung patuloy lang 'tong lalala, baka dito na rin kami sa ospital magpa-Pasko,' Min thought in dismay, although she knew it can't be helped.

Hindi lang basta isang trabaho ang pagiging nurse. Much like any other profession, it's a life-long commitment and passion.

"Min, pwede bang ikaw na muna mag-check nito? May emergency lang kasi," mabilis na sabi ni Fe nang bigla na lang itong sumulpot sa kanyang gilid.

Umaga pa lang pero haggard na agad ang hitsura nito. And it seems like she didn't even put an effort to wear make-up today.

'Anong meron?'

"---balik na lang ako mamaya, I just need to call someone."

Fe handed her the folders and quickly vanished into another hallway, leaving Min confused. Napailing na lang ang nurse, hindi sanay sa mga ikinikilos nito. In that instance, Min knew...

"She's not telling me something."

*

"---nasa pedia kami ngayon... Can't it wait? Baka magalit sa'kin misis ko... Damn it," Nico silently cursed into the phone and pretended to look at Nova apologetically. Sa gilid ng kanyang mga mata, alam niyang pasimpleng nakikinig si Tiffany kahit pa kinakausap siya 'nong bata.

"I can make it in 15 minutes... Sige, sir. Opo, pupunta ako agad diyan."

Iyon ang mga huling salitang lumabas sa bibig ng detective bago niya "pinatay" ang tawag. Nova didn't need any orientation to figure out that he faked that phone call for a purpose. In fact, agad pa itong naging "in character"...

"Aalis ka naman?" Napasimangot siya. "At ano, maiiwan kami ng anak mo rito? Puro ka na lang trabaho!"