Ivana
Huminga ako ng malalim bago lumabas ng sasaktan ni Luigi. Jed is already home dahil nakapark na sa labas ng bahay ang sasakyan niya. I told him not to wait for me since I'm scheduled to do a surgery with Dr. Ibarra which I didn't know was also changed prior. He might have seen also my traveling bag without me telling him about my travel to Dubai with Dr. Montenegro.
" Samahan na kita" Luigi presented. Umiling ako.
" If you wanted me to respect all your decisions regarding this situation we have, atleast try to respect mine." Huminga siya ng malalim.
" Hihintayin kita dito. Take care" Bulong niya bago niya ako hinapit at marubdob na hinalikan.
His kisses are so so addicting. Na para bang umiba bigla ang ihip ng hangin at gustong gusto ko ang mga halik niya. Ultimo iyung amoy niya sobrang hinahanap ng pang amoy ko.
Saglit akong natigilan sa ginawa niya.
Anak bakit ba ganyan ka? Bakit si daddy mo nalang ang gusto mo?
This is very frustrating.
Lumabas na ako ng kotse. I can feel how Luigi wants to accompany me.
" Can I atleast shaddow you then? Sa likod mo lang ako. I won't interfere I promise unless your safety is compromised" He assured me. Huminga ako ng malalim bago tumango. Knowing Luigi, mapilit din siya.
Nang bumaba na ako ng sasakyan ay bumaba na rin ito. He followed me. Pakiramdam ko tuloy parang may stalker ako, literal.
When I reached the condo, naaubutan ko si Jed na nanonood ng soccer.
" Hello Love!" Bati niya sa akin. His smile faded when he saw my serious face. I tried to smile but it was replaced immediately by my prior facial expression.
It seems that he didn't see my travelling bag yet. We have separate rooms that's why.
" Tapos na iyung operation niyo ni Doc Ibarra?" He asked. I feel guilty. I feel so guilty.
" Uhm, hindi ako natuloy na iassist si Doc Montenegro." I told him honestly.
" Dr. Montenegro?" He started
" Bakit? May nangyari ba?" Tanong niyang muli.
" May emergency si Doc Ibarra kaya si Doc Luigi ang sumalang sa OR" I explained.
" And you did not accompany him?" He questioned once more.
" I didn't feel good. Kaya naghanap muna si Doc Montenegro ng magsusub sa akin." Tumango ito sa sinabi ko.
Lumapit ito sa akin.
" I'm fine Jed. It wasn't anything serious" Huminga ako ng malalim. Why is it so hard to tell him.
" I- I need to fly to Dubai. Dr. Ibarra mandated me to attend a three day seminar for neurosurgery." Simula ko.
He nodded silently.
" Mag-isa mo lang?" He questioned.
Umiling ako
" I'm going with Dr. Montenegro" I saw his shoulder drop. He breathed in.
" Pumayag ka? And you tell me just now?" His voice was painted with seriousness.
" I cannot refuse Dr. Ibarra. You know I cannot." I defended
" You know you can, Ivana. Sana sinabi mo sa akin ng masmaaga para nagawan ko ng paraan. Atleast I could speak with Dr. Ibarra for that matter." He said. Pumasok ito sa kuwarto niya at sinundan ko naman siya. He took out his traveling bag ang started packing his clothes.
" Anong ginagawa mo Jed?" I questioned.
" I'll go instead. I won't risk you going with him, Ivana. I'll call Dr. Ibarra and inform him that you wish for me to go instead due to health reasons. You're not feeling well Ivana and yet you still want to go with that doctor" Baling niya sa akin. He also took his phone and dialed someone. I'm sure it's Dr. Ibarra
At his fifth ring, Dr. Ibarra answered.
" Dr. Alfonso" Umpisa ni Ibarra. I can hear Ibarra's voice.
" I was notified by Dra. Fajardo about the Dubai seminar, Ivana is not feeling well. I will go instead." Untag niya.
" No, Dr. Alfonso. Let Dra. Fajardo go" Rinig kong sagot ni Dr. Ibarra. Nakita ko kung paano kumuyom ang kamao niya sa sinabi ni Ibarra.
Napapikit si Jed at tumingin sa akin.
" Do you really want to go, Ivana? Because I don't want you to" He whispered.
Napaupo siya sa kama. I knelt infront of him. My heart is beating fast and strong. He deserves to know the truth. Ayokong patagalin pa dahil masmasasaktan lang siya kung patatagalin ko pa.
" Jed, I'm sorry" I started. His eyes showed sadness.
" I vomited few hours ago. That's the reason why I wasn't able to assist Dr. Montenegro with his OR. And I. And I had undergone a doppler ultrasound to confirm-" Hindi ko na matuluy dahil nakita ko kung paano isa isang pumatak ang mga luha mula sa mga mata ni Jed.
" I'm pregnant Jed. I'm sorry" I told him. Umiling siya.
" No Ivana. Please. Tell me you're joking" His voice was broken.
I've realized how much pain I've already caused him. But I cannot prolong his suffering anymore. I have chosen to tell him the truth.
" Si Luigi na naman ba? It was him then all this time. Nagawa mo ngang ibigay sa kaniya ng paulit ulit ang bagay na ni minsan ay di mo sa akin pinagkaloob. But I have respected you so much that loving you made me this broken. Ang sakit sakit na Ivana. Akala ko may laban ako. Akala ko kahit konti lang, I'll start with that small hope. But I guess I cannot bridge that gap already when a child is involved. I'd still accept the baby, Ivana but I know I'm speaking words that would eventually fall deaf on your own ears. Dr. Montenegro won't allow someone to father his own child. Pero gusto ko paring tumaya sa huling pagkakataon, Ivana. Choose me please. I'll still fight for you no matter what. I'd still fight for the both of you, just choose me" His voice was so serious. No humor at all.
Pinunasan ko ang mga luha mula sa kaniyang mga mata.
" I'm sorry Jed." I whispered. Napayuko siya. Tuluyan ko na siyang niyakap ng mahigpit.
" I'm sorry for all the pain I've caused you. God knows how much I've tried to give my all. But I cannot lie to myself anymore. Kahit anong gawin ko, kahit anong limot ko, I cannot love you fully because my heart has been with Luigi the whole time. Pero huwag mo sanang isipin na hindi kita minahal. I love you Jed. But my love for Luigi had always been alive inside me. You deserve better. You don't deserve a woman like me who did nothing but to hurt your feelings." I told him.
" Is Dr. Montenegro with you?" He then asked. Mabagal akong tumango.
" I thought so." Lumabas na ito and true to what I've said, Luigi is already on the couch sitting like a boss. Nakikinig pala ito. He knows I did not lock the door.
" How dare you enter my house." Umpisa ni Jed but Luigi just smirked at him.
" I'm not here for you. I'm here for Ivana." He still possesses that serious vibe.
" Well then panalo ka na. Ang gago mo e no. Binuntis mo. You never respected our relationship Dr. Montenegro. Ginago mo ako. You took my weakness for granted and you forced yourself on her" Jed blamed him but Luigi just smirked
" I have never forced myself on her Dr. Alfonso." Malamig na untag sa kaniya ni Luigi.
" Get the fuck out of my house, Dr. Montenegro" Sumbat sa kaniya ni Jed. Napapikit na lamang ako sa ginawa nilang dalawa.
" We'll be leaving then" Untag naman ni Luigi. Luigi looked at his wrist watch, we only have less than an hour to get ready already and this is happening.
" I'll be waiting for you outside" Luigi looked at me.
" You don't get to steal my woman and walk out like that Dr. Montenegro. Kailanman ay hindi ko ipinaubaya sa 'yo ang babaeng mahal ko" Alam kong natigilan si Luigi sa sinabi sa kaniya ni Jed.
" I never stole her from you Dr. Alfonso. I don't need to explain the anatomy and physiology of that matter. Pinili niya ako. That's it." Luigi muttered.
" And you think I would give her up just because you got her pregnant? Ang babaw naman ng tingin mo sa pagmamahal ko sa kaniya, Dr. Montenegro. You don't know how much I love her because you never loved her the way I did" Nakita kong kumuyom ang mga kamao ni Luigi sa sinabi sa kaniya ni Jed.
" I'm willing to ask for forgiveness from you. But you have to understand and accept where I stand in her life. You have to let go of Ivana, Dr. Alfonso. I'm speaking in front of you not as a doctor but as a man. You cannot be blind by what you just want to see. I broke her heart once and I'm willing to take the blame for that but that doesn't mean I'm too proud to disregard the fact that I'd never been able to win her heart the easy way. Because right now, I wouldn't do the same mistake again. I have lost myself along the way. Ang hirap ng wala si Ivana. I had planted hatred from you because she was always with you during the days you needed her which I didn't have the chance to experience. She cared for you. Minahal ka ng babaeng mahal ko. But right now, I want to ask for forgiveness. I'm sorry for this and I want you to understand it. I need you to let go of the woman I love." Luigi had spoken with so much emotions. Pati ako ay nagugulat sa nangyayari ngayon. I thought he would act heartless again this time.
Jed looked at him straight and had spoken. Their eyes are filled with so much emotions that I can no longer identify.
" Makakaasa ba akong mamahalin mo ng buong buo si Ivana at hindi na sasaktan pang muli? Because if you hurt her again, I swear I will fracture you at level of C4" Jed threatened. Cervical 4, If he does that kind of spinal cord injury, that will leave the patient good as dead.
Luigi smiled.
" Then you have my work, Dr. Alfonso. I'd gladly do the honor of signing my own death sentence if I hurt Ivana." Luigi said.
Nakahinga ako ng maluwag. The two seems to have that kind of imaginary connection.
" Get your things, Ivana. Let's leave already" He said the last words like a boss which Jed did not respond to. Ako naman ay tumingin kay Jed. He nodded at me. I automatically hugged him tightly.
" I'm sorry Jed" I whispered
" Take care, Ivana. I will always be right here whenever you need me. Kung sasaktan ka ulit ng lalaking iyan, sabihan mo lang ako. I will gladly perform the procedure with or without his consent." He said. I can feel how serious his words are.
" Luigi won't do that." Sagot ko na lamang.
Sa wakas ay sinamahan na ako ni Luigi sa loob ng kuwarto at siya na mismo ang kumuha nung traveling bag ko.
I looked at Jed one last time before we left.
Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa dibdib nang mapagtanto ko ang lahat ng nangyari.
Luigi held my hand and kissed it.
" I love you" He whispered and looked at me in the eyes before he started the car's engine.
——
A/N : Updated April 24, 2022 10:20 PM