Gab's POV
I'm here at my office right now, busy finishing some reports that I'm going to give to Dr. Francisco. To be honest, I'm physically tired na cuz I have a lot of things to do. Kailangan ko talaga tapusin ang mga ito cuz I'm leaving for a Medical Mission which will be held in Pangasinan. Hindi ko naman pwedeng iwan kay Gali kasi nakakahiya tsaka ayoko siyang mahirapan noh!
While heading to Dr. Francisco's office, I saw Dr. Chavez walking towards me. She's looking down habang naglalakad. I'm sure may problema siya cuz she didn't even notice na ako ang nakasalubong niya so I turn around then ginulat ko siya which cause her to face me.
Imee: Ano ba!
Gab: Anong nangyayari sayo? It's currently 4:37pm palang and yet lutang ka na jan (then laugh)
Imee: Tsk! Wala kang pakialam (then rolled her eyes)
Well, I know already na pinatigil na niya si Mr. Laurel sa panliligaw sa kanya but it doesn't matter. Babanggitin ko pa din besides mukhang wala siya sa mood, iinisin ko muna HAHAHAHA.
Gab: Hmm no roses for this past few days or weeks na ata Gali ah.
Imee: Tsk!
Gab: Nasa'n na nga pala si Roderick? I wanna know hi—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Tigilan mo na, Gab. You know naman na kung anong nangyari diba and yet binabanggit mo pa din ang pangalan ng lalaking yun.
As she tell those words, she turn back then naglakad na palayo and that made me laugh kaya sinundan ko siya.
Gab: Ahm, sorry na.
Imee: Sorry mo mukha mo! Nakakainis ka.
Gab: Wait (hold Imee's hand which caused her to faced him again)
Imee: What?! Kung may sasabihin ka pwede bang ayusin mo? Wag mo ng ituloy kung iinisin mo lang ako. Kahit madaming tao dito, sasapakin talaga kita.
Gab: O-oo na. Ito na, aayusin na.
Imee: Ano? (Then crossed her arms)
Gab: Sabay tayong magdinner mamaya ha?
Imee: Bakit?
Gab: Tinatanong pa ba yun? Syempre gusto kitang makasama ulit. Oh isipin mo, when was the last time we had dinner?
Imee: I-I don't remember.
Gab: See! Sa sobrang tagal hindi na natin maalala. In fact, I wanna invite you nga sana to have dinner with me nung dumating ako galing US but I can't kasi nililigawan ka ni Rode—(didn't finish his words gain cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Shh! Don't you ever mention that name again.
Gab: Okay, so let's have dinner mamaya? Sabay tayo?
Imee: Okay.
As Imee agreed, I just smile then nagpaalam na. It took me an hour to talk to Dr. Francisco cuz I have a lot of concerns din with regards to this upcoming Medical Mission. To be honest, I'm a bit worried cuz ang mga sasamang nurses eh hindi ko kilala cuz he did random pick since walang gustong maglista ng pangalan sa announcement board. Si Stephen nga lang ang kakilala ko eh but I'm sure we'll going to conduct this successfully.
After talking to Dr. Francisco, we had this quick meeting with some of the Doctors and Nurses na sasama. Medyo madami din kami (8 nurses and 3 doctors). Habang kausap ko sila natatawa ako sa mga pinagsasabi nila.
N. Marie: Marunong ka palang ngumiti noh Doc?
N. Shyme: Doc, ikaw yung nag-aral sa abroad diba?
N. Joy: Doc, ano po ba kayo ni Dr. Chavez?
Stephen: Jusko! Sunod-sunod ang mga tanong? Pwede isa-isa lang? (Then laugh)
Gab: Let them, Stephen. Ayos lang naman sakin besides gusto ko nga yung ganito eh para at least magkakakilala tayong lahat diba?
Stephen: Well, May point ka naman jan, Doc.
Our conversation goes on until someone interrupt us cuz meron daw pasyenteng naghihintay sakin so I excuse myself na muna then immediately head to my office.
After checking that patient, I did some rounds na din dahil anong oras na din naman. Around 6:30pm, I've decided to check Gali na cuz I'm done with all my works (for today). As I knock the door, sakto namang uupo palang siya sa swivel chair. I guess katatapos lang din niya I-check ang mga paseyente niya so I let her rest na muna. While I'm busy playing games online, I'm observing her at the same time. Hanggang ngayon kasi parang wala pa din siya sa sarili niya. She seems unhappy. Well, I guess it's probably about her and Roderick. As I've said earlier, alam ko ng pintagil niya but the question is why?! What's the reason ba? Ito kasi ang hirap sa kanya eh. Ni ayaw niyang magkwento kaya minsan hindi ko talaga alam kung may problema ba siya o wala.
After a couple of minutes, I ask her if pwede na ba kaming magdinner and surprisingly, she said yes. While heading to the parking area silence hit us so I speak up.
Gab: Saan mo gustong kumain?
Imee: Kahit saan.
Gab: Hmm.......what do you want to eat ba?
Imee: Kahit ano.
Gab: Kahit ano? Magkorean Resto kaya tayo?
Imee: Ayoko ng ramen, Gali.
Gab: Alam ko na, sa fav Resto nalang kaya natin. Ano? What do you think? (Look at Imee then smile)
Imee: Masyadong malayo.
Gab: Gerry's Grill?
Imee: Matagal sila magserve doon, ayoko.
Gab: Kuya J?
Imee: Same, matagal din.
Gab: Jollibee?
Imee: Unhealthy.
Gab: Ah alam ko na, Greenwich?
Imee: Ayoko din.
Gab: Asian Resto kaya? Oh healthy na yun.
Imee: Ayoko din.
Gab: Jusko naman! Eh saan tayo kakain?
Imee: Kahit saan nga.
Gab: Kahit saan?! Eh lahat ng binanggit ko, ayaw mo eh.
Imee: Hmpft! Edi wag nalang tayong kumain.
As she tell those words, she gave me a death glare at binilisan nitong maglakad kaya napabuntong hininga nalang ako then followed her.
Gab: L'Aubergine Resto? Malapit lang yun dito.
Imee: European Cuisine? No, not today.
Gab: Antonio's?
Imee: Hmm...pwede, pwede naman.
Gab: So ano? Doon na tayo?
Imee: Okay.
Gab: Finally!....Jusko, sigurado ako kawawa ang magiging boyfriend mo.....Kawawa si Roderick! (Then laugh)
Imee: Tsk! Sabing wag mong bang—
Gab: Joke lang, Gali. Sige na, una kana. Susundan nalang kita.
She was about to hopped in the car but someone shouted her name and it was Stephen so she open the backseat door muna then placed all her stuffs. Nang makalapit si Stephen, he's panting dahil tumakbo siya papunta sa amin.
Imee: Why?
Stephen: Pinapatanong ni Alice kung anong oras ka daw pupunta.
Imee: Saan? (Confused)
Stephen: My god! Hindi ka na naman ba nagbasa sa GC?
Imee: You think tatanungin ko pa kung nabasa ko? (then raised her eyebrow)
Gab: A-ano ba yun, Stephen?
Stephen: Well, Alice set Imee on a date. Actually dinner date yun at ngayon na mismo.
Imee: Again?! Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa inyo na ayoko? Ang kukulit niyo!
Stephen: Hay naku! Go ka na bakla. Promise, last na toh.
Imee: Ayoko! I-cancel niyo yan.
When Gali refuse, I've decided na kampihan nalang si Stephen besides good idea din naman yun eh.
Gab: Sa-saan ba yan, Stephen?
Stephen: Sa Italian Resto na malapit sa village ni Imee.
Gab: Oh malapit lang pala, go ka na Gali. Ganito nalang, doon nalang din ako kakain para may kasama ka, okay? Don't worry I won't join you. I'll sit on the other table, promise (Raised his right hand then smile)
Imee: A-yo-ko! Besides lahat naman ng nahahanap niyo, ni isa sa kanila walang matino. Kung hindi mayabang, feeling gwapo. Ni hindi pa nga sila umabot sa kalingkingan ni Roderick eh!
Stephen: Ayan tayo eh, paano mo siya makakalimutan niyan if you keep on comparing him to them?
Gab: Actually Stephen has a point. Well, gaya nga ng sabi niya last na ito diba? So you better go at kilalanin mo siya para makalimutan mo na si Rod. Look Gali, kung pupunta ka sa date na ito malay mo naman yung lalaking makikilala mo ngayon eh yun pala ang nakala— (didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Isa ka pa, Gab.
Gab: Eh wala naman kasing mawawala kung pupunta ka diba?
Stephen: It's just a dinner date, Imee.
Gab: Samahan ko nalang siya, Stephen.
Stephen: Okay so ang sabi ni Alice, he's wearing black tux, dark pants and white shirt. Ikaw? Anong sasabihin kong suot mo? Yan na ba o uuwi ka muna para you know, freshen' up (then smile)
Imee: Ewan ko sa inyo. Bahala kayo! Basta hindi ako pupunta sa date na yan.
Stephen: Imee naman nandun na daw siya eh, hinihintay ka niya.
Imee: Wala akong pakialam! Anyways, Gab I'm sorry. Ayoko ng magdinner, ikaw nalang. Nakakawalang gana kayo. Hmpft!
After she tell those words, she immediately hopped in her car then leave. Samantalang kami naman ni Stephen eh naiwang nakatayo dito sa harap ng kotse ko. Tsk! And guess what, he keep on blaming me kung bakit daw hindi pumunta si Imee. Baliw ba tong baklang toh? Kinampihan ko na nga siya eh. Hayst! After a couple seconds,umalis na din ako cuz he keep on talking at wala akong balak galitin ang sarili ko dahil lang sa kanya.
Imee's POV
I got home around 7:55pm. To be honest, wala talaga akong gana kumain so I've decided to take a bath na agad just to relax dahil sobrang nakakapagod ngayong araw na ito.
While lying on the bed, pinipilit kong matulog na pero wala eh. Tsk! Sino ba kasing nakakaalala sakin ng dahil para hindi ako makatulog? After a second, my phone ring so I immediately grab it and this time, a smile automatically formed on my face when I saw the caller's name.
*FaceTime
Isabella: Good evening, Tita Pretty!
Imee: Good evening, baby!
Isabella: Nagdinner ka na po?
Imee: Ahm, hindi pa po.
Isabella: Huh? (Then ask her Dad what time is it) Hmm, It's currently 8:32pm na daw po Tita eh. Bakit hindi ka pa po kumakain?
Imee: Because I'm not hungry.
Isabella: Oh okay.
Imee: Ahuh! So how was your day?
Isabella: Well, it was boring po.
Imee: Boring? Why naman?
Isabella: Because MommyLa help me to understand our lesson na po kanina. There's no trail na po Tita eh so I got bored while listening to Ms. Xandra (her teacher)
Our conversation goes on. Well, Buti nalang at tinawagan ako ng batang to cuz if not, I'm sure hanggang ngayon eh naiinis pa din ako. Im also happy for her kasi nabibigyan siya ng oras ni mommy para turuan unlike me before na halos hindi ko na sila mahagilap sa bahay. To be honest, I'm really hoping na sana hindi niya maranasan yung mga naranasan ko noon.
Around 9pm I ended the call na dahil late na, she needs to sleep na din. I was about turn off my phone but Gali's name popped up on my screen.
From Gab:
Gali, nandito ako sa labas. Can we talk?
As I read his message, napabuntong hininga nalang ako then go downstairs. As I open the gate, he show me 2 paper bag. I got confused so I ask.
Imee: Ano yan?
Gab: Dinner.
Imee: Anong oras na, ngayon ka palang magdidinner?
Gab: Bakit nagdinner ka na ba?
Imee: Hindi pa.
After telling those words, pumasok na ako agad sa bahay. Gab immediately head to the kitchen. I'm sure ihahanda niya yung mga binili niya so I told him na wag na dahil hindi naman ako kakain.
As he walk towards me, he's holding two glass and a bottle of wine.
Imee: Better.
Gab: So, Anong meron?
Imee: Huh?
Gab: Sus! Magkwento ka na. Alam ko namang hindi ka okay eh. Now tell me, anong problema?
Imee: Me? Not okay? Of course not! (laugh then took a sip of wine)
Gab: Sige, itago mo pa. I-deny mo pa.
Imee: Tsk! Okay nga kasi ako, wala akong problema.
After telling those words, I immediately drink all the wine left in my glass then naglagay ulit ako.
Imee: This wine taste good ha. What is it, Gali? (Then drink some wine again)
Gab: Tsk!
Imee: Oh, it's Monfortino! So it's ahm....Italian wine? Sabi ko na nga ba, that's why masarap pala (drink again)
Gab: May problema nga talaga toh (then shook his head) Now spill it out, what's the problem? I'm here to listen, okay? You can tell me everything. Sige na, magkwento ka na.
Imee: Wala!
Gab: Meron! Look, ilang araw ko ng napapansin Gali, you're not okay. You're smiling whenever may nakakasalamuha kang iba but I know deep inside, you're sad, lonely and in pain.
Imee: In pain? (Laugh then sip some wine) Kung nasasaktan man ako Gab that is because of me also. So I deserve this.
Gab: Now tell me, bakit mo pinatigil si Rod? Akala ko this time, magiging kayo na.
Imee: Akala ko din eh (then drink all the wine in her glass)
Gab: So what's the reason?
Imee: He lied, Gali (then pour some wine on her glass again)
Gab: Yun lang? Dahil lang doon, pinatigil mo na yung tao? Grabe ka naman, Gali. Hindi mo man lang pinalampas?
Imee: See! Kaya ayokong magsabi sa inyo eh kasi pare-pareho lang kayo ng mga sinasabi. Puro nalang "yun lang" (then drink all the wine in her glass)
Gab: Ang petty kasi eh.
I was about to pour some wine again but he stop me.
Imee: Ano ba! Anong problema mo? Alam mong umiinom ako diba?
Gab: Stop! Tamana, sabi ko mag-usap tayo hindi maglasing. Dapat nga tig-isang baso lang tayo eh pero ikaw nakailan ka na.
Imee: Hmpft! Ang KJ mo! (Then lean her back on the couch)
Gab: Miss mo na noh?
Imee: Anong sagot ang gusto mong marinig?
Gab: Syempre yung totoo. Yung sagot galing dito (then point his heart) hindi dito (then point his brain)
Imee: Well, my heart says YES....Sobra (her tears started to fall)
Gab: Gusto mo bang bumalik siya?
Imee: Hindi naman lahat ng namimiss kailangan bumalik eh. Sometimes we just need to deal with it nalang. Besides normal lang naman yung mamiss mo ang isang tao kapag malungkot o nag-iisa ka eh.
Gab: Yah but you know what, missing someone even though you're busy isn't normal cuz may tendency nun na mahal mo siya at yan ang napapansin ko sayo this past few days. Hay naku! You failed to keep the right person again, Gali.
Imee: I know but ano pang magagawa ko? Wala na, pinatagil ko na diba?
Gab: Sus! Akala mo lang wala pero sigurado ako meron! Sige na tawagan mo na before it's too late. Baka Ikaw lang ang hinihintay non.
Imee: Tsk! Wag na. Siguro masaya na yun, guguluhin ko pa ba?
Gab: Alam mo sa totoo lang, nakakainis ka na din talaga minsan eh. Sobrang hirap mong kumbinsihin....Ano? Hihintayin mo pa bang makahanap siya ng iba bago ka kumilos? Sa tingin mo ba makakahanap ka pa ng isang tulad niya? Hindi na, wala na, okay? Kaya tawagan mo na.
After Gab tell those words, I didn't utter any words kasi sa totoo lang hindi ko din alam kung anong sasabihin ko eh.
Gab: Look Gali, if time comes na makita mo siyang masaya kasama ng iba? Believe me, sobrang sakit non and the only thing you can do is manghinayang.
Our conversation goes on hanggang sa pinauwi ko na siya dahil sobrang late na din. As he left, I immediately head to my room then lay on the bed. While facing the ceiling, I suddenly remember some the moments that Rod and I had before.
******************* Flashback **********************
Imee: What the heck! Ano ba?! ( then immediately picked up the books)
Rod: I'm sorry Ms. Chavez, hi-hindi ko sinasadya ( then helped Imee)
Imee: Paano mo nalaman ang surname ko? Tsaka anong hindi? Hindi naman siguro malabo ang mata mo para hindi ako makita besides naka all white ako oh! My god! (Then stood up) Give me my books, nakakainis! (Rolled her eyes)
Rod: Alam ko wala ka ng klase so gusto mo ihatid na kita?
__________
Rod: Good morning Ms. Chavez! (Then smile) Sabi ko Good Morning! Mukhang hindi maganda ang umaga natin ah.
Imee: Hindi talaga maganda ang umaga ko kasi Ikaw ang una kong nakita (then rolled her eyes) Tumabi ka nga!
Rod: Let me help you.
Imee: No! Kaya ko.
Rod: I insist Ms. Chavez. Tulungan na kita (then smile)
Imee: Tsk! Ayoko nga, mamaya mahulog mo pa eh. You're such a clumsy guy pa naman (then frown)
Rod: Bakit ba ang init ng ulo mo sakin? Dahil ba nabangga kita? Sorry na, Hindi ko naman sinasadya eh.
Imee: Pwede lubayan mo na ako? Nakakasira ka ng araw eh.
Rod: Sige, see you later Lizzy (then wink)
Imee: Lizzy? Saan nanggaling yun?
Rod: Syempre sakin! May iba ba tayong kasama dito?
Imee: Tabi! (Then walked away)
_________
Rod: Ms. Chavez I just wanna greet you a Happy Birthday lang kaya ako pumunta dito.
Alice: Birthday? Eh hindi naman niya birthday ngayon eh.
Rod: Ay hindi ba? Akala ko kasi pareho kami ng birthday eh.
Imee: So birthday mo pala?
Rod: Yes (then smile)
Imee: Alam ko yang strategy na ganyan Mr. Laurel (then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Strategy?
Imee: Oh c'mon, alam kong sinasabi mo lang yan para malaman ko na birthday mo ngayon noh! Ano para batiin kita? Tsk! No way.
_________
Rod: Kilala mo na ba siya?
Imee: Sino?
Rod: Yung nagbibigay nga sayo ng bulaklak.
Imee: Hindi.
Rod: Bakit?
Imee: Kasi wala akong pakialam sa kanya. Tsaka bakit ko pa kikilalanin? It's just a waste of time.
_________
Rod: Ah okay. So bakit nga wala ka pang boyfriend?
Imee: Dahil wala sa vocabulary ko ang word na boyfriend. Tsk! Ano pasasayahin ka nila, they will make you feel special tapos iiwan ka din pala. No thanks! I'd rather tumandang mag-isa kaysa masaktan at paiyakin ng mga lalaki noh besides Hindi ko naman sila kailangan eh. Kaya kong maging masaya mag-isa.
_________
Imee: Bakit mo pa ako sinundan? Ang kulit mo din eh noh?
Rod: Ms. Chavez, I'm Roderick Lucas Laurel or also known as Mr. R. (Then smile)
Imee: You must be joking. Hindi mo ako maloloko uyy! (Then laugh)
Rod: For you (handed the roses to Imee). Yung isa para kahapon, yung isa ngayon at yung isa pa-thank you ko na dahil nilibre mo ako kanina.
_________
Imee: Ikaw na naman?! Pwede ba lubayan mo ako? Umalis na nga ako doon eh! (Then continue to walk)
Rod: Hindi kita hahayaang maglakad-lakad mag-isa Ms. Chavez.
Imee: Ayaw kitang makasama.
Rod: Okay lang.
_________
Rod: Sorry ha, Wala akong dalang roses ngayon. Hindi ko naman kasi alam na magkikita pala tayo dito.
Imee: Tsk! Let go of my hand.
Rod: Tapos ano tatakbuhan mo ako? Sorry Ms. Chavez, I won't. (Then smile)
Imee: Nang-iinis ka ba talaga? Kapag ako hindi nakapagpigil, susuntukin talaga kita.
Rod: Weww! Sige nga. Mapanakit pala magiging asawa ko (then laugh)
_________
Rod: From now on, liligawan na kita.
Imee: Hindi. Ayoko.
Rod: I'm not asking permission Ms. Chavez so don't refuse. I'm just informing you. (then smile)
Imee: Masasaktan ka Lang Mr. Laurel kaya kung ako sayo, maghahanap nalang ako ng iba.
_________
Rod: With or without a chance, I'm still here to court you. I'll wait until you develop feelings for me out of nowhere Ms. Chavez.
_________
Imee: W-what was that for?
Rod: Pasado ako.
Imee: Saan?
Rod: Sa final defense. Thank you for sending me a message last night. Ang laking tulong non.
_________
Rod: Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, I am your daughter's suitor po.
Edward: S-suitor? H-how come? Wala nama siyang sinasabi sa amin.
Maddison: Yes, sakin din.
Rod: Ah dahil po siguro hindi siya pumayag but still (looked at Imee) liligawan ko pa din po ang anak niyo.
Anthony: Nagpaalam siya sakin mom, dad.
Maddison: If that's the case, okay lang naman sakin. As long as hindi ka sagabal sa pag-aaral ng anak ko iho.
Edward: It's fine with me too but ang alam ko my daughter don't have time for love. Kilala ko yan Mr. Laurel, no time for men yan.
Rod: I'm willing to wait sir. Hihintayin ko po ang anak niyo.
_________
Rod: Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, I love your daughter. I'm willing to take a risk. It doesn't matter if I don't have a chance. Ang importante po mapakita ko at masabi ko sa kanya na mahal ko siya.
_________
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. Yang mga ngiti mo, bawas-bawasan mo nga. Abot hanggang tenga eh.
Rod: You can't blame me, ilang taon ko hinintay to noh!
_________
Rod: Harana number 1, This is for you my Lizzy (then smile)
Cause I have fallen in love
With you, no never have I
I'm never gonna stop falling in love, with you
with you (2x)
Rod: Narinig mo yun? Never Ms. Chavez! Never (then smile)
________
Rod: I love you Ms. Chavez, always remember that.
________
Rod: W-why? Ba-bakit hindi mo sinagot?
Imee: Pipiliin kita ngayon.
_________
Imee: Huli! Takot ka pala (then laugh)
Rod: O-ofcourse not!
Imee: Sus! Then why you cover your face kung hindi ka takot?
________
Rod: W-why? Hindi mo ba nagustuhan?
Imee: No.
Rod: Huh? So-sorry. Ah palitan ko nalang, gagawa nalang ako ulit (smile forcely)
Imee: I love it Mr. Laurel, ang ganda. Thank you. (then faced Rod) Alam mo, you don't have to do this naman eh.......Dahil sa ginagawa mo, feeling ko nagiging sobrang unfair ko na sayo.
Rod: Unfair? Ofcourse not. Wag mong sabihin yan, okay? Kahit kelan hindi ka naging unfair. Mahal kita and I will do everything just to prove to you how much I love you. I know it's been a year and 6 months since I started courting you pero it doesn't matter naman eh. Always remember that this future Architect named Rod Laurel infront of you will always wait for his future Doctor named Imee Chavez, no matter how long it takes (then smile)
________
Imee: You should stop courting me Rod.
Rod: H-huh?
Imee: Stop courting me and iwasan na natin ang isat-isa. Let's just forget everything and be strangers again.
Rod: Why? Is there something wrong? May ginawa ba akong kasalanan? Kung meron, sorry na. Promise, hindi ko na uulitin. Yung mga rules ba? Sorry na Lizzy. This time susunod na ako, pangako (then hold Imee's hand)
________
Rod: You know what Lizzy, I'm like holding a rose that full of thorns right now.
________
Rod: Were like Asymptote Line pala noh?
Imee: Why?
Rod: Kasi we get closer and closer pero in the end wala pa din.......we will never be together pala.
________
Rod: Ang hirap talaga magmahal ng babaeng mas lamang ang isip kaysa sa puso noh?
Imee: Sorry.
Rod: Lizzy, listen to me. I'm not moving on, okay? I'll just let you reach your goals and be the best doctor you want to be. And if you need me? I'm always be here for you. Isang tawag mo lang, darating at darating ako. Kahit hindi kita kausapin, palagi mong tatandaan na ikaw lang ang mahal ko. Katulad nga ng sabi ko, hihintayin kita hanggang sa maging handa ka na.
Imee: God! You set my standards so high Rod.
Rod: Go Doc. I'll be okay
________
Rod: Ang tagal mo magreply, Doc ..... Ayoko ng maghintay ulit ng ilang taon. So, can I court you again? (Teary eye but still manage to smile)
_______
Imee: Lutang ka ba? Tatawag-tawag ka tapos hindi ka naman masyadong nagsasalita (then rolled her eyes) Tsaka sinabihan na kita diba? Ayoko na ng ganito, palagi nalang FaceTime eh.
Rod: Bakit ano bang gusto mo, Lizzy? Gusto mo pumunta ako jan? Gusto mo mag-usap tayo ng harap-harapan? (Then smile)
Imee: What the! Ewan ko sayo.
Rod: Biro lang. Alam mo ka—(didn't finish his words cuz Imee stop him)
Imee: Shhh! Teka nga. Ma-may sasakyan sa labas, Rod. Anong gagawin ko? Hi-hindi ko kilala yung sasakyan na yun! Natatakot nako, nakuha mo pang tumawa jan?!
_________
Imee: Do you need a hug?
Rod: Hu-huh?
Imee: Well, hindi ko na tatanungin kung okay ka lang kasi halata namang hindi. Kitang-kita kaya sa mga mata mo.
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Rod: Ms. Imee Chavez!
Imee: Ano? Wag kang maingay jan.
Rod: Bumaba ka nga dito ulit. Bilis! Bilisan mo! (Kinikilig)
Imee: Ayoko! Umuwi ka na.
Rod: Doc, see you tomorrow (pointed Imee habang nakangiti pa din) Thank you, Lord! Malapit na! Yes!
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Imee: Dr. Imee Laurel ka jan, excited ka? (Then laugh slightly)
Rod: Oo eh (then smile)
Imee: Pero infairness, bagay yung Imee Laurel (whispered while removing her stethoscope)
Rod: A-anong sabi mo?
Imee: Wala.
Rod: Sus! May sinabi ka Lizzy. Pakiulit naman, please?
Imee: Kung may sinabi man ako, kasalanan mo na yun. Bingi ka kasi.
**************** End of Flashback ****************
While remembering those moments, hindi ko mapigilan ang pagbuhos nga mga luha ko kasi kasunod nito ang mga tanong na "What if ginawa ko yung sinabi ni Gab?", " What if hinayaan ko nalang?" and so on. After a couple of minutes, I was shock cuz my phone ring and it was Gab.
*On call
Gab: Gali?
Imee: Yes?
Gab: I know it's late na but I think I left something there. Nakalimutan ko kasi where I pu—( didn't finish her words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Ahm, Gab pwede bang ako nalang ang pumunta sa Medical Mission? I'll use that opportunity nalang para makalimutan ko si Rod besides matagal-tagal din yun diba? Don't worry, ako na ang kakausap kay Dr. Francisco with regards to this.
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