DOCTOR'S FEE INCIDENT 21

THE PLACE WAS far away, so it took him a while to get there so Clyde was admitted to the hospital.
"Fuck doc! What's wrong with you?" Tejie uttered.
Clyde was fast asleep. There is a stitch on his left eyebrow and a crack on his lip. He also had a large cut on his right arm, wounds on his hand, and marks on his neck.
"What happened here again? Fuck!" Tejie groused, as he watched his brother.
Just a moment and...
"Shit! It's--- Daddy!"
Clint is calling.
"Oh fuck! Claudie must've told Dad about this."
Tejie didn't know what to do. He was thinking twice about whether he would answer the call.
But he had no choice but to answer, "Hello, Dad?" He was restless, sitting, standing, or walking.
And after a short talk.
"Shit! They will come tomorrow," he said, shaking his head.
_____
CLYDE SPEND THE night at the hospital. They were waiting for his x-ray to see if there was a broken bone in his chest. He slept almost all day because of the drunkenness, which added to the beating. He woke up earlier to throw up and eat.
"What happened?" Clint asked calmly but with a frown.
He and Chari had just arrived, and Claudie was there with them. They quickly flew to Manila when they found out what happened to Clyde.
"He had it out again; there were four of them," Tejie replied. "He was almost stabbed. That's the scar on his arm."
"What the fuck happened? How much was the fuckin' damage this time?" Clint raised a question.
Chari and Clint looked at each other.
"Two cars," Tejie reacted, face down.

Chari interfered, "Did he and Irene fight? It must have been so serious that Clyde got drunk. It's just now again, so it means Doc has a problem. What's happening to your brother Tejie? You guys are together!" She spoke out, upset.
It wasn't the first time he got into a fight; it was almost the third time. It turns out that Clyde has anger issues and is prone to panic attacks even when he is sane. He is temperate, but when anger starts, no one can stop him.
"Why did you leave him alone?" Chari asked.
"Mom, I thought he came in. I left before him. He was already dressed when I left."
"He's started?"
"Yes, Dad, he punched first," answered Tejie.
"Did you fix it?"
"Yes Dad, those people had money. The car window was even broken because that's where he beat the other guy," Tejie said. "But of course, Dad, will we agree? I paid more to the police, so all is smooth."
Everyone was quiet.
"What's wrong with your brother? Why don't you talk to him and then—explain, Tejie?" Chari asked, nearly crying. "Don't leave Clyde like that. What if it worsens and his condition begins again?"

Clint looked over. Tejie didn't know how to explain it to them because he didn't even know what was going on with Clyde. But he knows and is sure of himself that Laura is the reason for this troublesome mind of his brother.
I guess he's overthinking Irene's cheating, but they're still together, right? Chari asked.
"Uh-huh? Laura, What's up with her and Clyde?" Clint questioned unexpectedly. "Where is Laura? Is he still seeing her?"
_____
AFTER THREE DAYS…
Chari and Clint stayed in Manila. Clyde's condition is not good anymore. Anxiety strikes him again. He doesn't want to talk to them; he doesn't want to eat; he just lies down all the time and keeps on checking his phone. This is one of Clyde's problems, besides his intermittent palpitations when he has asthma.

Everything started when he was depressed by his very first girlfriend while he was studying medicine. Since then, it hasn't gone away. It subsides because he can control it, but when he gets too much, he almost goes crazy with mixed emotions. Just like what's happening to him now, he's like a child who just sulks and doesn't want to talk to anyone anymore. Not even his girlfriend, Irene, can make him speak.

His parents are currently in his room. Clyde was watched as he slept, curled up. Chari moved toward and adjusted the blanket. When she lifted the blanket, she saw Clyde's phone. It didn't have a password because Clyde didn't like to put something like that, so Chari opened it and was surprised by what she saw.
"Clint—look," and handed the phone to her husband.

When Clint looked up, "He didn't receive anything, so it means—Laura isn't answering back to him."
"Clint, do you think she had something to do with it? That's why Clyde is like that." Chari asked.
"Probably. Look, Ma, this one is only 20 minutes old, including his messages. This is the latest!" Chari was shown Clyde's sent messages to Laura.
"Call Tejie!" Chari immediately ordered Clint. "Call Laura! Clyde needs her."
_____
BOTH ARE BUSY. It was their second night at their new job at a big nightclub. Gwen was recommended by her friend, and she brought Laura along to be a waitress.
It's ten o'clock at night, and they are currently both on break.
"Why don't you answer Doc's calls? He misses you! So many messages, Laura! Maybe it's an emergency!" Gwen exclaimed when she saw Laura's cell phone keep on ringing.
"Why take him for granted?" Gwen asked.
"When I answer that call, we will get laid again! I need to make a living, of course," Laura said. "And I want to—let it go so that he and his girlfriend can reconcile." Laura's face suddenly crumpled.
"Why are you sad?" Gwen teased. "I thought you weren't into him," she added while blowing cigarette smoke in Laura's face.
"Nah.. just a little," Laura answered back.
"Real talk is okay! It was impossible for you two to love each other because—because Doc was quite a big fish, I mean—the one he was going to marry was only on his level. Do you get me? That's why it's cool that you just avoid it so that it's less painful." Gwen described. "But that will make you sad, won't you?" Gwen said, seriously.
"It's good that we have a job, so we can move," Laura replied seriously.
"It's too bad. I love that condo. The place is so cozy, so good," Gwen grinned.
Later on,
"Tejie is calling? I think Tejie likes me! Haha!" Gwen laughed.
"Shush! For real? He seems picky. And I'm sure his girls are something, and also sure that he won't be stupid enough to like you!" Laura's words, one after the other.
Gwen gave a sign for her to make no noise. "Huh? Laura, she's here with me. You're at the condo? We're at work," she glanced at Laura. "Ah okay! Alright! But maybe we can get out around 4 a.m.! Ah alright! We're going straight there! Okay, so we'll just take a taxi; no need to pick us up!"
"What's that?" Laura whispered.
Gwen signaled to her again, "Ah okay, yes, we'll be there," and she turned off the voice call.
"What?" Laura asked quickly. "Where are you going, Gwen?"
Gwen said with a frown, "Doc is sick. That's why he keeps calling you. I told you there was an emergency. "
Laura just shrugged.

June_Thirteen