It's Not Working

Chapter 1: A Familiar Glance

Third Person POV

Ashley Kate H. Medrano, Ph.D

Hindi niya maiwasan na kiligin sa tuwing makikita niya ang pangalan niya na kadugtong ang tatlong letra na yun sa hulihan. After a year from graduating college she already took her master's degree then after completing it for 3 years, she rested for another year and immediately pursue her doctorate degree.

Kaya naman hindi kataka-taka na at the age of 28 ay natapos na niya ito.

Her friends are always teasing her, she had lots of time for work and study yet she forgot to have time for her love life.

May mga manliligaw naman siya but being single for four years and more makes her feel that this is the freedom that she want.

Ayaw niya ng may nagmamando sa bawat galaw niya well, except for her parents. But a man? It is out of her priority.

As of now, wala muna. But unknown to everyone, he is still waiting for her first love to come back.

Her phone rings, and it was Architect Denise Cruz, one of her favorite student back then.

"Yes, hello Architect Cruz. Napatawag ka?" Napatawa siya, ayaw kasi nito na tawagin siya na architect dahil masyado daw pormal.

"Hala ma'am, yan ka na naman. Wag na nga architect diba?" Ramdam niya na umikot na naman ang mata nito, gaya nung high school pa ito.

"So bakit ka napatawag?"

"Wow ma'am, are you that busy? You have forgot our dinner date later?"

"Dinner date?" Naalala na niya, inaya nga pala siya nito magdinner, but the reason why, yun ang di na niya matandaan.

"Yes ma'am, di'ba kadarating ni Jane from Canada? Hala si ma'am oh.."

Ahh, yes. She already remembered.

Jane Lacsamana, isa itong medical student sa Canada, best friend ni Denise at syempre she is also one of her favorite student.

"Oh yes naalala ko na, saan na nga yung restaurant na sinasabi mo last week?"

"Sa Grandma's Diner, yung favorite natin na Korean Restaurant near the tutorial center of ma'am Kay. I have already made a reservation for three kaya no need to worry. We'll see you there at 7pm."

"Yes architect, noted! See yah!"

Binaba na niya ang phone niya.

Haaayy, it's been 5 years since they graduated senior high then here they are treating her as a sister or a friend rather.

She glance at her watch, it is almost 5 in the afternoon and classes will end, and since it's Friday she will be leading the faculty for a weekly meeting. This will take 1 to 1 and a half hour, sa tantsa niya hindi naman siya malelate sa dinner meeting niya with Denise and Jane.

6:50 pm, Grandma's Diner

Ipinarada niya ang kotse niya sa parking lot ng restaurant. Bumaba siya at dumiretso sa entrance ng restaurant.

"Annyeonghaseyo!! Do you have any reservations ma'am?"

Magalang na tanong ng receptionist, all smile ito while wearing a hanbok (a traditional Korean attire).

"Yes, it is under Ms. Denise Cruz's name."

May tinignan ito sa computer.

"Table 24 ma'am, it is on the second floor."

She was guided by another lady, she thanked her before she leaves.

Napaaga siya, well, lagi naman late ang dalawa na yun at sanay na siya, umorder muna siya ng iced tea and a serving of kimchi para may kainin siya habang naghihintay.

While he was waiting for her order, she have felt that someone is staring at her. Di siya mapakali dahil pamilyar ang mga tingin na yun.

Nag-angat siya ng tingin, she was right, someone is staring at her.

Medyo dim ang ilaw kaya di niya makilala ito. Pero sigurado siya na kilalang kilala niya kung sino man ang tao na iyon.

She was about to stand up para lapitan ang lalaki na yon but a lady comes to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek and he lend her a seat.

Sakto naman na dumating ang order niya kaya nabaling ang atensyon niya.

Habang umiinom siya ng iced tea, pilit niya na sinilip ang mukha ng lalaki na natatakpan ng babae na nakaupo ng patalikod sa kanya.

Nang makita niya ang mukha into, napatakip siya ng bibig. Gumuhit ang magkakahalong pagkasabik, pagkagulat, pagkatakot at kalungkutan sa mga mukha niya.

Matagal na panahon na hinintay niya ito, pero di pa siya sugurado kung kaya na niya ito harapin.

Dahil sa nangyari, di niya namalayan na dumating na pala ang dalawa.

Jane was waving her hands in front of her.

"Ma'am, are you ok? Masama ba pakiramdam mo?"

Umiling siya.

"Hay salamat, akala ko i will be needing to practice my medical skills." Sabay papay ng kamay niya sa mukha nito.

"Let us order, this is my treat."
Sabi ni Denise with a smile.

After the waiter took their order, umalis ito at as she expected maraming kwento ang dalawa na ito.

"So, kwentuhan niyo naman ako. Denise, how's your work? And Jane, how's your study?"

Sumilay ang ngiti sa labi ni Denise.
"Ma'am, do you remember the project that we are working at sa Cebu?"

"Yes, ano na nga pala nangyari dun?"

"The project manager was promoted as area manager and I was promoted to do the job as project manager."

"Wow, that was great. I have always never doubted your potentials even when your a student. I am so proud of you. Congratulations!"

"Thanks ma'am."

Binalingan niya si Jane, "And how about you?"

"I was working on  a research, it's aim is to introduce new techniques on dealing with neurosurgery especially on removing blood clots. We want to find new ways that lessen the risk of death of the patient. And you know what, may potential daw na suportahan ng health department ng Canadian government yung research ko because they found it interesting and really helpful."

Inakap niya ang dalawa.

"That is also a wow. I can't help but admire you two."

Dumating ang order nila. Marami pa sila napag-usapan but hindi nawala sa isip niya ang pamilyar na tingin ng lalaki na 'yon, lalo na at sumulyap pa ito sa kinaroroonan niya bago ito umalis.

Why is he looking like that?

~~~~~~~~~~ To be continued

Author's Note:
Chapter 1, updated!! Watch out for more.

Disclaimer lang po, kinuha ko po yung name na "Grandma's Diner" sa kdrama na "Doctors". Watch it, ang ganda nun. 😁😁