Chapter One Part II

"You look..." Panimula ni Dr. Orene nang makarating ako sa restaurant. "... haggard?"

I frowned as I sat down in front of him. Kinuha ko naman ang juice na nasa harapan ko at ininom na lang iyon dahil sa uhaw na nararamdaman ko. "I seriously am."

He warmly smiled. "It means you're doing great in your job."

I also smile and shake my head. "Yeah, I guess so?"

He chuckled as he called a waiter. "May gusto ka bang orderin." Tanong niya sa akin.

"Anything would be okay." Maikling sagot ko at muling uminom ng juice.

He nodded and stated our orders at the waiter. Nang makaalis na ito ay muling humarap sa akin si Dr. Orene na siyang agad kong tinanong.

"So what seems to be the problem? At biglaan po ang pagpunta niyo rito." Panimula ko.

Napabuntong hininga naman siya at pinagsiklop ang sariling mga kamay sa mesa bago tumingin sa akin nang diretso. "I have a work for you."

My eyebrows furrowed together. I tilt my head a little before asking him again. "What kind of work?"

"Tungkol lang din ito sa trabaho mo, kaya siguradong hindi ka naman mahihirapan." Then he paused. "Sana nga hindi." Dugtong niya na nakapagpatawa sa akin.

"Okay?" I hesitantly said. "Can you give me more details about it?"

He nodded then gently lean at the side. May kinuha itong suitcase tsaka ito binuksan. I patiently waited as he pulled out a folder. Nilapag naman niya iyon sa mesa at tinulak iyon papalapit sa akin.

I reluctantly took it and opened it. Buong akala ko ay normal na papeles lang ito o kung ano pa man, ngunit isa itong impormasyon sa isang tao.

"That's your new patient." Rinig kong sabi ng kaharap ko na agad kong ikinatingala.

Tinignan ko lang siya ng ilang segundo bago muling magsalita. "So..." Panimula ko. "Where is he? Kailan siya ililipat sa---"

"Nasa Gordon Mental Hospital siya." Pagputol niya sa akin. "And he won't be leaving there that's for sure. It's too risky to transfer him."

Nilapag ko naman ang folder at sinandal ang magkabilang kamay roon. "And you're saying..."

He nodded. "Yes, ikaw ang pupunta sa kaniya."

I froze and try to process the whole thing. Nang magising na ako sa reyalidad ay doon na ako nakapag-react. "Ha? Pero bakit ako pa? You guys, in your hospital, has a lot of great doctors in there. Nandoon lang din naman siya, kaya bakit lalayo pa kayo para makahanap ng magpapagaling sa kaniya?"

Is not that I'm complaining because of having a new patient, it just doesn't make any sense. Pwede rin naman si Dr. Orene na mismo ang magpagaling sa pasyenteng iyon dahil hindi mo maipagkakaila ang galing nito sa trabaho, kaya bakit kailangang puntahan pa ako rito para ipaalam sa akin ito?

"You know you're the one who I trusted the most when it comes in this situation." He softly said. "At tsaka sinubukan na namin lahat, maraming doctor na ang tumingin sa pasyenteng ito."

"Pero?" Paghingi ko ng katuloy sa sasabihin niya.

"Unfortunately, it didn't end well. He's too strong and uncontrollable. Namomoblema pa kami minsan na kailangan pa ng mga security ang mga doctor niya bago siya kausapin ng kahit ilang minuto lang. He either plays with them or hurt them. And because of that, many of our doctors rejected the offer. Kahit na malaking halaga ang ibibigay sa kanila, pero takot pa rin talaga ang nangunguna." Then he sighed. "I also tried, but same result as everyone."

I shiver. "So... Kung baga, ako naman ipapalapa niyo doon?" Biro ko na may kaunting halo ng katotohanan.

Dr. Orene grimm. "You can put it that way if you want."

I swallowed and I was about to say something again when our food has come. Nang maihanda na ang kakainin namin ay muling umalis ang waiter kaya napabalik kami sa usapan.

"Pupunta ako doon para sa pasyenteng ito? Pero paano mga trabaho ko rito?" Tanong ko sa kaharap.

"I already talked to your head doctor. Nakausap na rin niya ang head ng hospital. And they are willing to send you there. Ang mga trabaho at pasyenteng maiiwan mo ay ibibigay sa ibang mga doctor na kasama mo, so you don't have to worry. Kailangan mo lang ay magfocus sa iisang pasyente lamang."

Iisang pasyente?

For the next days, weeks, months, or even years, my life will cycle with only that patient?

Hindi naman ako umimik at napatingin na lamang ako sa folder na binigay niya sa akin. Kinuha ko muli iyon at binasa ang nilalaman nito. It's mostly about just some basic info about the patient. Too basic that it is enough to be mysterious. Kahit picture nito ay wala.

"Cypher Infierno?" Basa ko sa pangalan ng pasyente. What the---? Hindi ko pa nakikilala 'yong tao pero pangalan pa lang parang alagad na ni Satanas. Who would have a surname Infierno? No offense if you have one though.

Dr. Orene hummed in response. "That's him. As you noticed that our information about him is very limited." I nodded while still looking at the info. "Pero iyan lang talaga ang nakuha namin. You'll get to know him more if you meet him."

I sighed. "What's his illness?" I asked as I gaze the doctor in front of me.

"Schizophrenia." He grimmly answered.

I groaned. "Dr. Orene, are you punishing me or something? Wala pa akong nahahawakang pasyente na ganiyan kalala ang sakit."

He slightly smiled. "Well you have one now."

I groaned exhaustedly again.

Great. A patient with Schizophrenia? It's a very difficult illness. And there's no way how to prevent this except for treatment plans, which will be a challenge for sure.

Hindi na nakakapagtaka kung bakit hirap na hirap sila sa pasyenteng ito. The illness can be unpredictable. Pero bakit ako pa talaga? Wala akong experience sa paghawak ng ganitong klaseng pasyente.

I startled when I felt Dr. Orene held my hand. I looked at him as he soften his features to comfort me. "Pansamantala lang Elli. Hindi kita ipipilit hanggang dulo. Kapag may nangyareng masama o kapag sumuko ka na sa pasyenteng ito, hindi ako magdadalawang isip na pabalikin ka rito. But at least, just try. You're my only hope for this."

I looked at those sincere eyes and I can't help but remember my parents. Kahit na nasa legal na edad na ako nang mawala sila, hindi ko pa rin maiwasan ang mangulila. But this man in front of me, help me achieve what I have right now. Siya rin ang dahilan kung bakit mas naging responsable at disiplina ako pagdating sa trabaho. Siya rin ang tumatayo kong magulang. Now tell me, how I can resist this man who entirely save my insanity. Damn it.

I deeply sighed. "Fine, I accept the offer."

He widely smiled and tightened his grip at my hands one last time before letting it go. "Thank you." Then he gestured the food and we started to have our dinner while still having the same discussion.

"Many people will help you there Elli. Isa na ako doon kaya wala ka dapat masyadong ipag-alala. The hospital also provided you an apartment to stay in habang nandoon ka." Paalala muli niya.

I slowly nodded as I shove a strip of steak in my mouth. I glanced again at the folder. "What does the patient look like?"

Dr. Orene pause for a moment and drink the champagne he ordered before answering. "He might be look like your type." Then he grinned.

I glared at him. "Tito Orene." I say warningly.

Pero tinawanan lamang ako nito sa pinakita kong reaksyon na nakapagpairap sa akin.

"Young man..." Natatawang turan niya sa akin. "It's been awhile since you called me 'Tito Orene'."

I frowned as I ate another sliced steak. Minsan ko lang kasi tawagin si Tito--- argh, Dr. Orene na 'Tito'. I usually just call him that nickname when I'm serious or annoyed by him. Kahit naman may katandaan na ito ay nagfe-feeling bagets ito kung minsan.

At lingid din sa kaalaman ng karamihan na hindi ako straight katulad ng iba regarding sa sexuality ko. Hindi naman ako open tungkol doon at hindi ko rin naman tinatago iyon. I just keep myself low-key and simple.

"But seriously..." Muling sabi ni Dr. Orene kaya napaangat ang tingin ko sa kaniya. "Baka mapalambot mo ang isang iyon katulad ng iba mong mga pasyente." At ngumisi nanaman ito.

I groaned. "Yeah right." I just said which made him chuckled again.

"Kaya nga kinuha kita eh. You usually can tame wild patients, might as well tame the beast."

Isa sa mga nagiging bansag sa akin ng karamihan, kahit sino sa mga pasyente ko ay nagiging maamo pagdating daw sa akin. But I just make sure that my patients trust me. Katulad na lang ni Lolo Luppe dahil sa tiwala nito sa akin. At isa rin daw ang bonus sa pagkakaroon ko ng maamong mukha. I admit it, my features are too feminine, even my body. Hindi rin ako katangkaran, hindi katulad ng ibang mga lalakeng nakakasama ko sa trabaho. Kaya kadalasan ay napagkakamalan akong babae o 'di kaya ay tumatalon na sila sa konklusyon na isa akong binabae.

Kaya sino ba ako na para itanggi iyon? Hindi pa ako nagsusuot ng kung anong pambabae ay napagkakamalan na mismo ako na babae? I have a fairly light skin tone. My whole face is literally small just like a girl. I have a chocolate brown eyes, button nose, and round lips.

Argh. It's mostly an disadvantage to be honest. Lalo na noon ay suki ako ng bullying at harassment sa paaralan. But good thing I survived those kind of stuffs. Nang magsimula na akong magtrabaho at nakita ng mga tao ang sipag ko, I able to gain their respect. But however some were still trying to hook up with me, which I mostly avoid it. It's not that, I don't want to have a happy love life or something, but I believe that it is too early for me?

Yeah right self, you're already 26 years old, and still not ready to be in a relationship?

Well, I guess I just haven't found someone that catches my attention yet. Therefore I'll just concentrate on my work to have a better life.

"You may start packing your stuffs." Sabi ni Dr. Orene nang makasakay na kami sa sasakyan niya. Nagpresinta kasi ito na ihatid ako nang matapos kami kumain. "Sa makalawa ay aalis na rin tayo."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko sa sinabi nito. "Huh? Agad agad?"

He raised an eyebrow to me. "Yes young man. Since the head of the hospital already approved to it, I think there's no more reason to stay here any longer." Then he started the engine of the car and start to drive. "If you're worrying about your work, you still have time for that tomorrow."

I sighed and nodded. Napatingin na lang ako sa labas ng bintana ng sasakyan. Habang tulala ang diwa ko sa daan ay 'di ko maiwasang maalala muli ang pangalan ng bago kong pasyente.

Cypher Infierno

Napasimangot ako nang makaramdam ako ng kilabot sa pangalang iyon. Just by the name itself, he seems scary?

No.

More like dangerous I should say.

Tame the beast huh?