Rod's POV
It's been several years since nagpunta ako dito sa Barcelona. Well, inulit ko ang apprenticeship ko for 2 years cuz it's not credited daw ang 1 year apprenticeship sa Pilipinas. Sayang noh?! HAHAHA But it's okay. I also took Architect Licensure Exam here and sa awa ng diyos, pumasa naman ako agad. I have inspiration eh, guess who?!
Since I am an Architect na, I am the one who manage Tito's firm here in Barcelona when they have important matters or event to attend. To be honest, I really enjoy being here. Like! Hallooo! Who wouldn't naman diba?! HAHAHA Halos lahat ng inaral ko dati, nandito eh. Sabi nga nila, when we talk about Architecture and Designs, unang papasok sa isip mo ang Barcelona.
Nandito ako ngayon sa condo, busy packing some stuffs. Nandito din sila Tito Jake at Tita Tracy, they helping me na mag-ayos dito sa condo bago man lang ako umalis. Sa totoo lang, hindi ko alam kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman ko kasi half of it feels happy but the other half feels sad. Hayst! Ewan! bahala na. After a couple of minutes, Tito and Tita entered my room.
Jake: Okay na ba lahat?
Rod: Okay na tito.
Tracy: Let's go.
Imee's POV
It's been 10 years and isa na ako ngayong ganap na Doctor (Cardiologists). Well, I have my own house right now. Bumili na ako kasi malayo ang bahay nila dad dito sa hospital and I don't wanna drive 2-3 hrs everyday! Ano gigising ako ng 4am araw-araw? No way! Umuuwi lang ako doon kapag may occasion or kapag hinahanap ako ni Isabella.
Isabella is my 5 year old niece, kuya Anthony's daughter. Well, he's married now. Buti nga nag-asawa na eh HAHAHAH Akala ko magiging matandang binata na siya kasi naman he's an entrepreneur. Wala talagang time sa lovelife.
I am now here in my office, nagpapahinga dahil kakatapos ko lang bisitahin ang mga pasyente ko. I grab my phone then open my IG Account. Una kong nakita ang post ni Kuya with his wife, Ate Ava. Ngayon nga pala yung anniversary nila. I was about to turned off my phone but Kuya called me through FaceTime so I answered it right away. A smile automatically formed on my face kasi si Isabella ang una kong nakita.
Isabella: Hi Tita Pretty (then smile)
Imee: Hello baby! I'm really happy you called Tita. You know what I'm really tired right now. I wanna go home and sleep (Sad face)
Isabella: Don't be sad na po Tita Pretty. I love you po (then smile)
Imee: Awww, I love you too!
Isabella: Tita Pretty, I have something to tell (pabulong)
Imee: What is it baby?
Isabella was about to speak pero sumingit si Kuya and took the phone. Hayst! Kahit kelan talaga, panira toh! Alam niyang kausap ko yung anak niya eh.
Anthony: Lizzy, be home before 7pm mamaya ha?
Imee: Huh? Maaga surgery ko bukas kuya eh.
Anthony: Lizzy, bukas pa yun (then rolled his eyes)
Imee: I know pero kasi kapag uuwi ako jan, maaga akong gigising kuya. Ang layo pa naman ng bahay mula dito. Pwede next time nalang?
Anthony: Palagi nalang Ivy (serious face)
Imee: Sorry na. Promise, babawi ako (then gave her sweetest smile)
Anthony: Yan ka na naman sa mga pangiti-ngiti mo eh. Oo na! Sige na! Basta bumawi ka ha? Nandito ang Ate Ava mo (came closer to Ava para makita ito ni Imee)
Imee: Hi Ate! Happy Anniversary sa inyo ni Kuya (then smile)
Ava: Thank you Lizzy! (Smile back) Sayang wala ka dito.
Imee: Why ate?
Ava: Eh paano tong kuya mo, hindi man lang ako tulungan magluto. Napakadami pa namang pinapaluto (then gave Anthony a death glare)
Imee: Ganyan talaga yan ate. Nakakainis right? Alam mo kung anong dapat mong gawin? Kumu— (didn't finish her words cuz Anthony speak up)
Anthony: Doc! Naku, may sasabihin pa daw si Isabella sayo. Teka, ibibigay ko lang ha?
While kuya tell those words, I laugh. Ayaw niya talagang malaman ni Ate kung ano kinatatakutan niya eh HAHAHA. After a second, Isabella speak up.
Isabella: I'm back Tita Pretty!
Imee: So, you were saying kanina right? Ano yun?
Isabella: Tita I saw a teddy bear kanina sa Blue Magic po but Daddy didn't buy it. It's so maganda pa naman po (naiiyak)
Imee: Aww, kawawa naman ang baby ko. Don't worry, Tita Pretty will buy it nalang. Perhaps tomorrow if a have time (then wink)
Isabella: Really Tita? Awiiehhh! Thank you so much! I love you po (then smile)
Imee: I love you too (smile back)
Isabella: Tita?
Imee: Hmm?
Isabella: You look really tired na po. You should go and have some rest.
Imee: Later na baby besides I have to check my patients pa.
Isabella: Oh okay po.
Imee: Yep. So, I'll hang up na okay? Bye baby (then smile)
Isabella: Bye tita. I'll call you later po ulit ha?
Imee: Okay (then laugh slightly)
After telling that word, I immediately ended the call then lean my back while sitting on the swivel chair. I checked the clock and it's already 3:30pm. After a couple of minutes someone knocked the door kaya napaayos ako agad ng upo.
Imee: Come in.
As the door opens, I was surprise cuz it's Gab! Awww! Namiss ko tong lalaking toh kaya I stood up then gave him a tight hug right away but after a second, I pulled out.
Gab: Doc Chavez, kamusta na?
Imee: Ikaw talaga! Umuwi ka na pala, bakit hindi ka man lang nagpasabi? (then crossed her arms)
Gab: I wanna surprise my Gali nga kasi.
Imee: Hmmpft!
Gab: I miss you Doc! Can I get a hug again?
After Gab ask me, I didn't bother to answer him na. I just smile then hug him tight. It took us 11 years din bago ulit kami magkita ha! I know we've been talking naman but through the screen naman yun eh. Iba pa rin yung nandito na siya at kasama ko na ulit.
Gab: I have something for you (handed Imee a small box)
Imee: Ano to?
Gab: Basta! Just open it.
As I open the box, napangiti ako agad cuz he really know kung ano talaga ang gusto ko. Pero nagtaka ako, bakit dalawa so I ask him.
Imee: Bakit dalawa Gali? (Confused)
Gab: Gali naman, syempre sakin yung isa noh!
After he tell those words, I remember when Rod gave me a wristwatch. Silver din yun and pareho din kami.
**********************Flashback**********************
Rod: Nga pala here (handed his gift)
Imee: Ano to?
Rod: Basta! Open it.
Imee: Wait, Is this a sign para umuwi na ako? Late na ba masyado? (Then laugh)
Rod: Hindi.
Imee: Eh ano?
Rod: Ms. Chavez?
Imee: Hmm?
Rod: Kapag sinuot mo yan ....... ibig sabihin okay na sayo na nililigawan kita.
Imee: If that's the case, sorry hindi ko matatanggap toh.
Rod: Lizzy naman! Kung hindi mo tatanggapin yan, itatapon ko yan.
Imee: Same tayo?
Rod: Yah (then smile)
Imee: Anyways, Thank you (then smile)
Rod: Oh basta ha kapag sinuot mo yan ibig sabihin okay na sayo. Look Lizzy, hindi kita pinipilit o minamadali. Kagaya ng sinabi ko, handa akong maghintay kahit gaano pa katagal yan.
Imee: Ikaw ba talagang seryoso sakin ha? (Look at Rod)
Rod: Ms. Chavez you think haharap ako sa mga magulang mo kung hindi? Halos pagpawisan nga ako eh. Jusko! Kung alam mo lang, sobra akong kinakabahan kanina noh!
Imee: Okay. So .......... Ikaw na magsuot sakin.
Rod: H-huh? (Stood up and lumapit kay Imee)
Totoo ba?! So ibig sabihin okay na sayo? Okay na?!
Imee: Isuot mo na. Ay bahala ka, mamaya magbago pa isip ko.
After telling those words, kinuha niya agad ang relo then isinuot sakin.
Imee: Yang mga ngiti mo, bawas-bawasan mo nga. Abot hanggang tenga eh.
Rod: You can't blame me, ilang taon ko hinintay to noh!
Imee: Umupo ka na, kumain ka na ulit.
Rod: Pwede payakap?
Imee: Yakap ka jan. Umupo ka na!
Rod: Hayst! Oo na, Ito na po.
*******************End of Flashback******************
Habang inaalala ko yun, I didn't notice na I was smiling the whole time na pala. I didn't even notice na nagsasalita pala si Gab. Nagulat nalang ako when he snap his finger.
Gab: Gali! Okay ka lang? Nakikinig ka ba?
Imee: Sorry, ano yun?
Gab just gave me a serious face then changed the topic.
Gab: Nevermind na nga.
After he tell those words, I just smile and didn't utter any words so kinuha na niya ang relo then isinuot sakin.
Gab: See! sabi ko na nga ba, bagay sayo (then smile)
Imee: Thanks (smile back)
Gab was about to speak but Nurse Jenny entered knocked the door at pumasok agad-agad.
N. Jenny: Sorry to interrupt you Doc pero kailangan po ng Doctor sa Room 28.
Imee: 28? Where's Doc Salazar? Diba pasyente niya yun?
N. Jenny: Lumabas po kasi siya Doc, sabi niya may importante daw siyang gagawin.
Imee: Okay. Sige, sunod nalang ako.
N. Jenny: Sige po Doc (then smile)
As the nurse left, I faced Gab again.
Imee: Sorry Gali, I have to go.
Gab: Yah, sure. Hintayin nalang kita dito ha? Let's have dinner.
Imee: Okay.
Before leaving, I just smile then gave him a cheek kiss. Hayst! Nakakainis naman kasi tong si Sam! May importanteng gagawin ba talaga o makikipagkita na naman siya sa fiancé niyang walang Insurance, SSS, PhilHealth, Pag-ibig, Savings and so on? In other words, unemployed, walang trabaho! Jusko! Why would she settle for a man like that? Hayst!
It took me 15 minutes to check her patient then after that I've decided to check my patients na din para pagbalik ko sa office, pwede na akong umuwi and have dinner with Gali.
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Enjoy reading this chapter guys!❤️