The Doctor Is In

Chapter Seventeen

Sam

     “Hija, go ahead and mingle. You’re still young and single!” Pang-aasar ni Pres.

     “Pres. Naman!” Saway ko sa kanya. Wala nama akong magagawa kundi sumunod na lang at makipagmingle.

     I just went over to the buffet to get some drinks. I don’t know anyone so mahirap makimingle.

     “Welcome! Ladies and Gents!” opening nung host. He was wearing a mask. He must be ‘Anonymous’.

     “Tonight, we celebrate again the evening of matchmaking. I have invited the countries best of the best. Their the best at their careers but not with their love life. This is another year of a successful dating event so please enjoy it. And later on we will have game coming up.” He announced excitedly. Wow! So this is the famous matchmaking event that happens every year. Pero wait lang…. best at their careers but not with their love life?! Excuse me!

     “Ms. Rose?” A woman in her uniform tapped me.

     “Yes?” I turned to her.

     “Pick one then pakidikit sa left ng damit niyo po.” She instructed me. It’s like a label pero it says ‘The Doctor is in’. Hmm… Does it have to do with our profession?

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Julius

     “Sir please pick one and then pakidikit sa left side ng damit niyo po.” A guy in his uniform instructed me. I insisted to come here para lang malayo kay Dana. I didn’t tell her where this was kasi ayoko talaga siyang makita o maka-usap.

     “Ladies and Gents! Let us start our game. Those who have labels that has similar meanings or are connected to each other, please be together.” The host announced.

     Ok, ano ba yung label ko. ‘The Doctor is out’… Well I must find someone right away. The opposite of my label must be… Hmmm… The Doctor is in? Hmmm…. I doesn’t hurt trying to find that kind of label…

     President… Nope…. Oh! Ayun yung kapartner niya… And ang labe… Secretary.

     Wow! I must say, searching for my partner was both pleasurable and challenging. And dami kong nakikita kasing plunging neckline. Hehehe.

     Aha! The Doctor is in! And who this lucky girl might b–……

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Sam

     The Doctor is out… AH! Siya na nga yung partner k–

     “Julius?” I can’t believe it. What’s he doing here? Last time I heard about him is that his parents had an arranged marriage for him, pero how can he be here, in this party?

     “I’m sorry, I have to go.” I said quickly. I walked fast away. I need to go home now, I can’t see him. Mas lalong magiging komplikado ang buhay namin kung pipilitin pa namin lalo. All I can think of when I see him again is what will his parents do to us if ever malaman nila na we’re in a relation– Affair pala. I almost forgot he was engaged.

     “Wait! Wait! Sam!” He chased me until he got a hold of my wrist. I pulled my wrist away, effortlessly, since I know Self-defense.

     “Please Sam! Ayokong makipaghabulan. I need you.” He stopped on following me and just pleaded. Ano ba naman ang magagawa ko, after a month of not seeing each other, malambot pa rin ang puso ko pagdating sa kanya. I stopped walking and slowly face him.

     “You need me? You need me? Really? Pero bakit nawala kung kailan kailangan kita?” I asked him. I still love him pero I don’t think he loves me as much as I think. Iniwan niya ako kung kailan kailangan ko siya sa tabi ko. Oo, he saved me from being sued pero hindi pa rin yun sapat.

     “Sam, naman! Mahirap kasi! Alam mo naman yung sitwasyon ko sa parents ko diba?” He complained.

     “I knew it. Hindi mo ko mahal tulad ng pagmamahal ko sayo. The Hell! You can’t fight for me! You can’t for us! Kung ganun lang rin naman, let’s just stop this. Let’s meeting at places like this.” I reasoned. It’s the only way. Pushing him is the only way para mapabuti ang buhay namin.

     “Pero Sam! I did what I could do para hindi ka masaktan! Kung tinuloy natin yung meron tayo non, nakakulong ka sana. And I don’t want that to happen kaya sinunod ko yung kundisyon ni Mommy para lang hindi yun mangyari.” He said.

     “I’m sorry… pero, the situation’s different now. You have choice of coming back, yet you didn’t.” I said and finally turned around once more to leave.

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Julius

     No, I can’t let her go away! I can’t let her leave me like this! I know she still loves me, nasaktan lang siya sa nangyari, kaya!

     “No, no, no, no.” I said and hugged her from behind.

     “There’s no point, Julius. We both have problems and lives now. Please, masasaktan lang tayo pareho.” She murmured. I could feel tears run down from her face to my arms.

     “Mas masasaktan lang tayo kung hindi natin itatry ipaglaban to. I know you’ve been suffering these past few days… So am I. We’re both not happy. Please. Let’s, at least, try to fight for us.” I pleaded.