I havent attended any meeting about the rennovation of the ICU, I had to go home to my hometown since Luke had pneumonia.
Luke is my sister's 5 year old son. He was admitted for 3 days, I was his doctor.
Our parents died when my sister was 12 and I was 7. My mom's older brother Papa Rey and His wife mama Mae adopted us they had no children so they treated us like theyre own.
Papa works as the undersecretary of defense, he stays in Manila and goes home during the weekends. Mama and ate stays at our house in the province. Ate Joan is a pharmacist and handles a small pharmacy.
"Buti na lang wala nangyare kay Luke" bati ni papa sabay tapik sa balikat ko "magaling talaga etong doctor natin" and he kissed my forhead.
"Syempre si Elissa ata yan" yakap nman sakin si mama.
Ayaw ko na asa akin ang attention nila. Ngkaroon ng kaunting handaan dito sa bahay sa paguwi ni luke from the hospital.
Si Lito and Glyssa andto rin kakarating lang galing Ilocos. Andito na rin ang ibang mga pinsan ko. Si kuya Marcos at ang girlfriend niyang si michelle.
"Elisse balik ka na sa Ilocos may naghahanap na sayo" sabi ni Glyssa, sabay ngiting pangasar
"Sino naman?" Masungit kong sagot sakanya
"Edi yung congressman" sabay kurot sa akin
" aray! Bakit may problema ba doon sa proposal ko?" Tanung ko saknya habang abala kasama ang mga maids ng aayos ng pagkain.
"Congressman?" Tanung ni papa
"Hay nako tito syempre gandang ganda sila kay elissa, eto naman ubod ng sungit" Etong si Glyssa talaga ipapahamak pa ako
"Wala po yun pa, may project po yung hospital para sa bagong ICU nila" sabi ko saknila
Hindi na ngtanung ulit si papa.
Mayat maya ay dumating na si Jody at Ang asawa niyang si Arkin
"Hello everyone!" Bati ni Jody lahat nman kmi excited makita siya after their wedding hindi na kami masyado nagkita that was almost a year ago.
"Eli, may ngpapabigay sayo" inabot sakin ni Arkin ang Tiffany box, isang bouquet ng flowers.
Huminga ako ng malalim, alam ko kung kanino na toh galing.
Sebastian...
"Ewan ko ba dito kay Arkin sabi ko ibalik niya na yan e" masungit na sabi ni joan
"Ikaw nman love pinaabot lang" hiyang sagot ni arkin
"Okay lang, ibalik mo saknya yung tiffany's yung bulaklak ilagay ko na lang sa groto ni mama"
Pumasok ako sa kwarto at inabot pa ang isang maliit na box laman ang dati kong engagement ring.
"Ibalik mo na rin eto sakanya Arkin"
Nung kinasal si Jody at Arkin wala nman may alam na nakipaghiwalay ako kay Baste. Ayaw ko kami ang aagaw Ng attention sa kasal. We acted as if we were a couple ang hirap kahit galit na galit pa ako sakanya.
"Ikaw nman kasi sinabhin mo sana ako na hiawalay na kayo nung kasal hindi ko na sana kayo pinagpartner" sabi ni Jody na naguguilty
I just shrugged ayaw ko na pagusapan. I caught him making out with his real estate agent at our condo unit.
We had sex in that couch and they were about to do it there. I cringed at the memory of it. He was trying to get back tohether but i wasnt having it. Ayaw ko na. Pagod na ako.
Glyssa and I went back to Ilocos, napa-ka stressful ako ang pinagmaneho. Pagdating na pagdating ko sa hospital ngrounds na ako. 1 week rin ako hindi nkpag-rounds.
In the middle of the day pinatawag ako ng chairman sa office niya
"Dr Martinez, Congressman Marcos wants your input on the plans for ICU there will be a meeting this afternoon, ipapasundo ka na lang daw"
"Uhm okay doc" may magagawa pa ba ako.
"Dr Martinez, please consider extending your contract with us, I have private hospitals already line up for you also"
"I will think about it doc " i headed out alam ko nman na sagot sa snabi nya... ayaw ko na mgextend ng contract dito.. uuwi na ako sa probinsya namin.
It was 4 pm i was waiting in the doctors lounge kasi ipapasundo daw ako for the meeting. I was wearing a flowy top tucked in mom jeans and gucci slides. I tied my hair in a bun.
After a few minutes a man in a polo barong went up to me
"Doctora Martinez?" He asked
"Yes ako po yun" sagot ko
" sunod na po kayo sakin doctora"
I followed him to a black lexus . Mukhang kay congressman or kay governor eto.
"Ano po name niyo sir?" Tanung ko
" bakit po mam? May ayaw po ba kayo?"
Nagtaka ako sa tanung niya pangalan lang naman tanung ko.
"Hindi kuya gusto ko lang tanungin. Ako si dr Elisse"
"Pasensya na kayo mam yung mga pnapasundo kasi dati na gf ni sir, pag tintanung pangalan ko ang dami na sumbong kay sir" nakakaawa nman si kuya, bakit kasi maldita mga gf ng boss niya.
"Hindi niya ako gf may meeting lang kami para sa hospital" yun na lng ang nasabi ko
"Ambo po mam" ngumiti si kuya
"Mang Ambo, sino ang boss mo? Yung governador or yung congressman?"
"Pareho po driver po ako ng pamilya Marcos, magpinsan po yung dalawa, pero mas kasama ko si congressman.. gustong gusto po siguro kayo makausap ni sir, pangatlong balik ko na po toh sa hospital" ngumiti sa akin si Mang Ambo
Hindi na ako sumagot, may problema ba sa proposal ko bakit parang urgent na urgent na pinapapunta ako.
Binaba ako sa isang restaurant mukhang mamahalin fine dining. Dito talaga ang meeting? Mahigit 10 kami nung proposal ang dami papakainin.
I was guided by mang ambo to where our table was it was in a secluded dining area.
When he opened the door, only the congressman was there.
"There are only 2 chairs here and 2 people. Ano toh kala ko ba may meeting??" My arms was crossed. He was smiling at me, if i wasnt annoyed god he looks so good though. Ano ba galit tayo..
"Lets take a seat dr martinez" he gestured for me to sit down.
"Ano po paguusapan natin sir? Do you have questions for me?" A waiter came in to serve us wine
"Wala nman. I just want to get to know you" he simply said
"Well ayaw ko ng ganito, you could have just asked hindi yung iaambush mo ako" sumandal ako sa upuan with my arms crossed
" will you agree if i asked?" He was teasing
"No" i simply said.
"Thats why ambush is better" he raised his wine glass at me.
A waiter came in to take our order. I let him order first he was ordering escargot, lobster, mussels and a bottle of wine. Clearly ngpapaimpress. Wala naman ako makain sa order niya
I sighed. He noticed this
"You dont like the food"
"Allergic ako sa lahat ng-inorder mo" I commented
"Im sorry, order whatever you want"
" ill just have the green salad and salmon steak in vinegrate" yun kasi una ko nakita sana masarap
"Why am I here sir" it was a Straightforward question
"I want to get to know you and please call me Sandro" he smiled at me. Ano ba ang gwapo!
"Theres nothing to know, but okay, you can call me Elisse" i gave him my hand. He took it and kiss my knuckles. I cleared my throat. I was already feeling umcomfortable. He knew what he was doing. Alam niya magpakilig ng babae.
"Do you have a boyfriend? Or a husband?" He asked. I laughed.
"If i was in a relationship with someone you think i would agree to dinner or whatever this is with you?.. i arch my brow, "i dont take relationships lightly Sandro.. so can I ask you the same? How many girls are there? Para alam ko na hindi na sumama sa bilang" i looked at himsarcastically
He laughed.. "just you"
I laughed "maniniwala ba ako sa just you" i rolled my eyes and took a sip on my wine.
"I want to seriously pursue" he added
God this guy is good.. the waiter started to serve our food. We ate in silence. The food here was good too pricey but good, he poured me wine.
"You havent answered my question" he looked at me really curious
I looked up at him with the spoon still in my mouth, "hmm?" Ano ma nga ba ang tabung niya ulit
As if he read my mind he asked me again
" are you single?"
"Yes" i just said,
"Are you seeing someone or dating" why is he persistent
"None, im boring, hospital home hospital home repeat" i placed my elbow and rested my jaw in my hands, this is very amusing,..
"Really? No suitors? But you already had a relationship?" He was really curois. I found this really funny
"hindi ako no bf since birth, i was actually enagaged a year ago" i said it like it was no big deal
"What happended?" He asked
"He cheated on me 4 months before our wedding day" i smiled at him.
"Im sorry to hear that" with a genuine smile
"It wasnt the first time, i guess i tried to put up with him because i really wanted to have a family, i was inlove. happy endings.. eh kaso wala! " i ended my rant, magmukha pa akong bitter.
"You look gorgeous when you smile" he said..
I didnt know how to react, i knew i was turning red my face was burning.
"You havent moved on? so you dont want to date?" Ang dami niyang tanung.
"No, i havent found someone i liked" and continued eating.
"Pwede ba ako" with the most charming face
I couldnt help but grin, this is crazy...bakit ako kinikilig,, i laughed "pagiisipan ko"
"Okay thats good enough for me" we stayed quiet till my phone rang. It was the hospital
"I have an emergency, can you please take me to the hospital?"
He got the bill and he took me back to the hospital.
"This is me, thank you for dinner" i gave him a kiss on the cheek and went on my way
"Can I see you again?" He asked
"May meeting pa tayo sa rennovation diba?"
3 days since I last saw Sandro, hindi nman ako mgsisinungaling sa sarili ko if i say na hindi ko sya hinahanap or gusto ko sya makita ulit. Ayaw ko ako una gagawa ng first move. Maybe hindi nman sya ganun kaseryososo.
I went home to a very toxic duty, got an emergency call at 2 am for a patient in life support who had persistent seizures. Its now 7 am and he is stable, i headed home.. didnt bother for breakfast i just wanted to sleep. It was almost 8 am when I arrived Glyssa was headed out.
"Toxic ka ha, gusto mo kape?" She teased. I waved my hand and went to my room and slept.
I woke up at around 12 noon to someone knocking at our door. Wala nman ako package na inaabangan si Glyssa may susi at wala din nman binilin. I combed my unrully hair and opend the door. To my suprise it was Mang Ambo.
"Good afternoon doctora, gusto po kayo makita ni sir" he smiled widely at me
" asan sya?" He stepped back and sandro went down from his black lexus in a red ralph lauren polo shirt, jeans and black shoes wearing his aviator shades. Shet mukhang yummy!
" you slept in?" He smirked
"I wish i was in the hospital all night, just got home at around 8 am" i couldnt help but smile back.
"Oh im sorry i woke you up, i can go back later" he looked cute apologizing.
"Okay na, nagising na ako, bakit ka andito? Pasok muna kayo sa loob" i gestured for him and mang ambo to go in.
"He gladly stepped in and si mang ambo hindi na pumasok ngtimpla na ako ng kape sa coffee maker..
"Coffee?" I asked.. he said no, i asked mang ambo
"Baka hindi ko na maubos doc"
I got one of my disposable cups with lids, i gave him him some sugar and creamer para matimplahan nya
"Salamat po doc" at kinuha yung kape.
" so bakit ka andto" i sat adjacent to sandro.
"I wanted to see you, i realized i didnt get your number."
"Pano mo pala nahanap bahay namin?"
"Medical director" he smiply said
Omg nakakhiya...
"Gusto mo ba kumain? Hindi pa ako ngbreakfast and its past noon" i smiled
"Okay i know a place" he said
I went to my room to shower and change. I never really wore too much make up just enough to cover my eyebags and liptint. I wore a yellow A-line dress with a V cut and a ribbon on the back and white strappy sandals. I just tired my wet hair in a bun.
I was getting my bag when the doorbell rang, it was a delivery and mang ambo already got the package for me. Nagtataka ako kasi wala nman ako hinhintay.
It was a box of flowers. They were gorgeous. Kinabahan ako kala ko kay Baste galing but he knows im allergic to certain flowers. I looked up at the card inside
Dr. Elisse flowers as beautiful as your smile
Dr. Cervantes.
Oh the surgeon... ive met a month ago.
"You said you are not seeing anyone" his tone accusing
"Ngseselos ka ba congressman marcos?" I raised my brow. "Nagpadala lang ng flowers, ilagay ko lang sa pot" i placed it in a pot with water and placed it near the door.
"Allergic ako sa star gazer, allergic ako sa pollen" i smiled at him. He grabbed my arm and pulled me closer to him making my heart rate faster
"Did i tell you that you look gorgeous when you smile?" Ang lapit ng mukha niya sa akin, kinakabahan ako.
"Tama na pambobola gutom na ako"
He opened the car door for me and we stepped inside his care. We sat there. Nakakabingi yung tahimik.
I saw a lipstick in the open compartment of my door.
"Sabihin mo nga sakin congressman kng seseryosohin kita or hindi" holding the lipstick in my hand waving it in his face
"Oh thats not yours?" He blankly said
I laughed hysterically "nice try" i was still laughing.
"Alam mo i have very singular taste, i own about 10 lipsticks. Lahat sila parepareho ng kulay" i was still laughing.. inabot ko sakanya ang lipstick.. "pati si mang ambo natatawa sa atin" turo ko sa driver niya.
We ended up laughing at each other till we reached the restaurant.
He ordered steak and salad for the both of us.
"Seseryosohin ba kita?"I asked him again
"Or is this something casual?"
" you said you take relationships lightly" he was not looking at me but slicing his steak
"Well yes, i dont..but. Atleast alam ko na una pa lang na maglolokohan na tayo" Sinabi ko lang ng diretso
"Do you have plans this weekend?" Changing the topic..
"Yes i have an online lecture and may outreach program ang pedia department in the afternoon"
"This sunday baka mgrounds ako kasi hindi ako makakapag rounds on saturday"
"Youre busy" he was pouting
"Ikaw hindi? Ikaw ang congressman"
"Im not used to my dates being busy" i laughed at this
"You need to upgrade your taste in women" i smiled at him.
I got a call from the hospital
"Yes? Uhm. Emergency ba yan? Hmm. Okay. Can you start fluids and oxygen support. Update nyo lang ako ulit" i hung up
"Sorry hospital" i smiled at him he was looking at me intently
Before i could even speak there was another phone call
" im having lunch.. with someone.. i have a date.. ill see you later" i hang up
"That was glyssa.. why are you looking at me like that?"
"You amaze me" he said
"Huwag mo ako bobolahin hindi yan effecctive sakin" he chuckled. We were done eating so he led me to the garden of the restaurant. The garden was a field of sunflowers with a path leading to a bench.
"Favorite ko ang sunflowers" i knew i was smiling from ear to ear, theres something about sunflowers that makes me happy.
I looked at Sandro also looking around, i dont want to fall for this man. He screams heartbreak.