Over Each Ruins (Virago Series #2)

through gentle caresses

"Napagod ako ro'n, ah? Mababali 'ata balakang ko. Baka rito pa ako mamatay. Grabe energy ng mga batang 'to!" Hingal ni Tita sa mikropono.

"Ay! Huwag muna, Ma'am! Hindi niyo pa ako nababayaran!" The emcee panicked, making us laugh from what he just said.

Hinampas siya ni Tita hanggang sa nagkulitan silang dalawa. Doon ay napansin kong inaayos naman ng mga cameraman sa gilid ang stand ng kani-kanilang airing equipment. Mukhang malapit na nila i-broadcast ang kung anumang iaanunsyo ni Tita Selene.

"Malapit na matapos 'tong event. Hindi talaga kita babayaran, hukluban ka." Tita joked, confirming my thoughts.

Ngunit hindi na natuon sakanya ang atensyon ko. Nalipat 'yun sa tila amerikanang naglakad sa gilid ng lamesa namin na sinusundan ng camera man.

"Is the camera ready?" She asked.

Tumango ang lalaking may kamera, pagkatapos ay mabilis silang pumagitna pero hindi nila tinakpan ang mga bisita. Pasimple lang nilang tinutok ang kamera sa direksyon ng maliit na entamblado.

"And of course, ladies and gents, as much as we don't want to end the event nga, our very special lady here is now going to publicly announce a crucial message to everyone," Panimula ng emcee na nakaangkla pa rin ang braso kay Tita.

"Beside me is the one who made all of this happen. The successful woman of Canzars and the foundation of Vitre. She's also known as the Medical Doctor of an international mental health hospital abroad. And today, she will announce a very important message for her peers. Let's give a round of applause for Dr. Selene Canzar, please."

As the emcee gave the whole stage to Tita, the flashes of camera started minimally. Pumalakpak kaming lahat habang nakatingin sakanya na naglabas muna ng buntong-hininga bago hinarap ang mga tao.

"Grabe. Introduce yourself ba 'to?" Tita joked, making everyone laugh aside from me.

She looks... extremely uneasy. She seemed nervous but determined. It was the first time I saw her with that expression. Na parang nababahala siya sa gagawin pero gusto niya.

I watched as she heaved a breath and then, a glint of determination appeared in her eyes. And it made me remember just who I am staring at.

Before I met Novan, I remember the times where I was looking at his Mom, wondering how I could be her.

How can I treat my patients accordingly like her? How can I provide a good therapy for them like her? How can I heal those people whose paths are strayed... just like her?

All of my determination once rooted from the fact that I looked up to Tita Selene. The very woman who earned my respect ever since I entered IMI. That looking at her all nervous right now made me wonder if there's something wrong.

"Good evening, everyone. First off, I would like to formally start this by inviting the father of my sons, Monova Tallov Vitre." Tita smiled and glanced at our table.

Naputol ang admirasyon ko dahil do'n. Lumakas din ang flash ng mga camera pagkatapos niyang magsalita. Even the woman who passed by our table a while ago gaped at Tita. Mukhang nagulat siya sa sinabi nito. I wonder why.

I mean, don't the reporters know? O nandito lang ba talaga sila para isumete rin itong anunsyo ni Tita?

"Goodness. I should go first, boys. Your mom loves these, you know that."

Napatingin ako kay Sir Monova na mahinang tumawa bago tumayo at matikas na nilapitan si Tita Selene. He smiled as he neared himself to her. Hinalikan niya ito sa pisngi bago hinarap ang nanonood kasama ng sinisinta.