After returning to his office, Zick sat on his chair with tremendous force that could be heard even outside nearly up to his assistant's station. His assistant was guessed that her head doctor was not in a good mood and would probably last until later that afternoon. He had been like this for a couple of months. His polite, cool and approachable aura had changed overnight after their annual physician conference. Ever since then, she was frightened to knock on his door to inform him about consultation and visitation.
Zick's face was like a crumpled paper; his mood swings were like a roller coaster ride as if he was experiencing PMS that every woman would have on their menstrual periods; he didn't know when he'll be mad or happy or sad; he could not describe it as well. All he knew was that after hearing Eya telling him about her date, his blood rose up to his head and he suddenly wanted to strangle someone.
Actually, he didn't mind being used as an excuse by Eya. It was okay for him as she had been doing this since high school, at least her parents would be assured of her whereabouts when she used his name, but at this time, he didn't want to be implicated with her and to be used for the sake of someone else especially for that Dennis.
He was scribbling illustration of a man with horns and fangs on his pad when he heard a knock; he turned his head idly and asked who it was. His assistant was softly speaking, "Dr. Alcantara your mother is on the phone, should I transfer it to you or should I ask her to call again later as you have a surgery going on?"
His assistant was accustomed to his behavior ever since she started working under his supervision; although he was considered a filial son to his parents, he didn't want to talk to them during office hours as his mom was like a story-telling machine, she wouldn't stop until her throat hurt. "Transfer it." He commands. "Yes, doctor."
Mrs. Alcantara had called to inform her son about a party organized by her Amiga. Her Amiga's daughter's birthday party would be held soon and she had requested her family to attend it. As for her daughter, Zoey, she already said yes to her mom as didn't have any plan for that day, aside from that, she used to go to church with her. The party was on the 8th of December.
"Son, your Tita Clara organized a birthday party for Amila and as one of their closest family friend, she was hoping for us to attend her daughter's birthday party. Would you be free on that day?"
Zick had initially planned to stay at home and catch up some sleep as he was working the night shift at the hospital. As a surgeon, his working hours depended on the urgency of the case. His sister once complained to him, "I didn't imagine you working on call. Didn't you say a while ago that you're dead tired but after receiving a call you suddenly rushed to the hospital?" Zoey was an accountant that is why her working hours were from 8 am to 5 pm on weekdays, with the exception of the month-end week as they needed to finish every report before retreating home. She actually had brought her sleep bag in her office in case of emergency.
"This is what doctors do, you little monster."
"When is it??" He asked his mom on the other line.
"This Saturday. Oh! By the way, if you wish to bring Eya with you, it's alright. Just tell me beforehand so I would reserve her a seat with us."
"No need to bother mom, she's busy." He dismissed his mom's offer of inviting Eya along with them.
"Is that so? If that's the case then, will it be alright for you to be Amila's escort then? Your Tita Clara asked for you to attend and be her daughter's escort but I thought you will bring Eya too so I dismissed her right away."
"Do whatever you want mom. Anyway, I have to go." Zick said as he remembered his mom's strategy when conversing with him through the phone.
"Okay son, see you later. I'll cook your favorite dish tonight."