Silver Lining (Serendipity: Book 2)

22 | First Session

“Nice to meet you, Mr. Teng.” They shake hands. “I heard a lot of things about you. Wensh would –”

“Shall we start, doc?” Wensh interrupted. “Baka po kasi gabihin tayo kung di pa tayo magsisimula, right?” She grinned widely.

“Yeah, sure. Come in.”

Pagpasok nila sa clinic, pinaupo sila ni Dra. Queng sa sofa at nag-fill up sila ng agreement forms. Nakatingin si Dra. Queng sa dalawa at nagsisimula na silang obserbahan. Jeric would occasionally glance at Wensh. Base sa mga tingin ni Jeric kay Wensh, parang may nagbobother sa kanya pero hindi nya lang matanong. Samantalang si Wensh naman, komportableng nakaupo lang sa sofa habang nagfi-fill up ng form. After filling up the forms, nagsimula na ang session. There was a brief introduction of the method they were about to use. Madali lang naman intindihin ang sinasabi ni Dra. Queng. It’s the most common method where the clients talk and the therapist listens.

“So let’s start,” sabi ni Dra. Queng after the introduction. “Mika told me na you’ve been together for more than four years. Let’s talk about your first year together. Tell me anything you remember. The little things, the good things, the bad things … anything.”

Nakaramdam naman ng tension ang dalawa at nagkatinginan lang. Nilakihan sya ng mata ni Wensh as if to say na sya na muna ang mauna pero ginantihan lang sya ni Jeric by glaring at her.

“Wag na kayong mahiya. Isipin nyo na lang na kaibigan nyo ko. I’m not a doctor. I’m not an observer. I’m just a friend na nakikinig. Nagkukwento lang kayo about your past. No pressure. Just be yourselves.” Hinanda ni Dra. Queng ang isang notebook at tumingin sa dalawa, “So … sinong mauuna?” Walang sumagot sa dalawa kaya sya na ang namili. “Wensh?”

Ang awkward pala nito, sabi na lang ni Wensh sa sarili. “O – okay po.”

“Would the two of you feel better if you lie down or close your eyes? Sobrang tensed kayong dalawa.” Sabi pa ni dok.

Ngumiti si Wensh at pinikit ang mga mata. Meanwhile, tahimik lang si Jeric at nakatingin sa kung saan-saan para makaiwas sa direct eye-contact sa doktor. Minsan ay mapapatingin sya kay Wensh pero hindi matagal.

“Okay, game.”

-

JERIC: So …

WENSH: So … ?

JERIC: So anong plano mo?

WENSH: Saan?

JERIC: Sa buhay mo.

WENSH: Well … I want to graduate and get a job. Then, play volleyball pa rin.

JERIC: Kasama ba ko sa future mo?

WENSH: (hinampas si Jeric) Syempre! Pag nawala ka, humanda ka sakin!

JERIC: Ouch. (hinimas ang braso) Ang sweet mo talaga, babe. :””<

WENSH: Che! Babe ka dyan. (rolls eyes) Eh ikaw anong plano mo?

JERIC: Graduate. PBA. Business.

WENSH: Yun lang? (pouts)

JERIC: Meron pa syempre. Kung papayag ka. ;)

WENSH: Papayag saan?

JERIC: Mahal na mahal kita at gusto ko lang manigurado na pagdating ng tamang panahon, sayo lang ako at sakin ka lang, na tayo pa rin … kaya naman … (kinuha ang singsing sa bulsa at lumuhod) Jeushl Wensh Asumbrado Tiu, will you – please please please – … marry me?