Imee's POV
I woke up and I saw Roderick na nakatulog sa upuan. "God! Bakit ba hindi bumalik sa kwarto niya 'tong lalaking toh? (In her mind)" I grab my phone and it's currently 5 in the morning palang pala. I was about to sleep again but I notice na parang nilalamig siya so I get up then look for some extra blanket.
As I place the blanket, his eyes slowly open and smile at me so lumayo ako agad.
Rod: Good morning, Doc.
Imee: Ba-bakit hindi ka bumalik sa kwarto mo? (Then raised her eyebrow)
Rod: Eh naisip ko kasi baka bigla kang — (didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Lumabas ka na (then crossed her arms)
Rod: A-are you okay na ba?
I didn't speak, I just gave him a serious look so he immediately stood up. He even check what time is it and got confused.
Rod: Ang aga palang ah. Matulog ka muna.
Imee: Lumabas ka na.
Rod: Babalik ka sa baryo nila Aling Dolores mamaya diba?
I didn't bother to speak again. Hindi ko talaga alam kung hirap makaintindi o bingi o sadyang makulit lang 'tong lalaking toh.
Rod: Anong oras ka pupunta?
Imee: Bakit ba?
Rod: Sasamahan nalang kita ulit.
Imee: Hindi, may sasakyan na ako. In fact, susunduin ako dito ng maaga kaya please, lumabas ka na.
Rod: Kasama mo ba sila Sam?
Imee: Hindi.
Rod: So mag-isa mo?
Imee: As I said earlier, may susundo sakin diba? So sa tingin mo ba mag-isa ako?
Rod: Sino bang susundo sayo?
Imee: Tsk! (rolled her eyes)
Rod: Hindi mo kasama sila Sam tapos sasama ka sa hindi mo kilala? Okay, sige. Ikaw ang bahala.
After Rod tell those words, I gave him a confused look.
Rod: Look, kahit pa staff ng mayor ang kasama mo mamaya hindi tayo nakakasigurado kung mabuting tao yun, Imee. So you better think, mas gugustuhin mo bang kasama yung taong hindi mo kilala o ako na sinasabihan mo ng sinungaling at manloloko but despite of that atleast kilalang-kilala at nakasama mo na?
When Rod ask me, he immediately went out of my room while ako naman napaisip sa tanong niya. "Hayst! Aalis ka na nga mag-iiwan ka pa ng iisipin ko?! Kainis ka talaga!" After a couple of minutes, naramdaman kong parang sumakit ulit ang ulo ko I lay on the bed muna besides maaga pa naman.
At exactly 6 am I get up then took a bath. I chose simple sleeves and black jeans then paired with white shoes. To be honest hanggang ngayon eh nilalamig pa din ako at hindi pa ganon kaganda ang pakiramdam ko pero I need to go there and give their meds. It can't be wait. Those meds must be delivered on time.
(Imee's Outfit)
While drying my hair someone knock the door so I turned it off muna then open it.
Boy: Good morning, Doc (smile)
Imee: Good morning din (smile back)
Boy: Doc, ito na po yung breakfast niyo. Saan po namin ilalagay?
Imee: Oh sorry but I didn't order breakfast. Nagkamali ata kayo.
Boy: Hindi po, Doc.
I was about to speak but someone speak up and as I saw who is it? Aurgh! This man again.
Rod: Actually I was the one who ordered it.
As he tell those words, kinuha niya ang tray sa resort staff then smile at me. After a second, the staff left na din.
Rod: So let's eat?
Imee: Tsk!
I just rolled my eyes then closed the door. Did I feel bad of what I need? Definitely no! Napakakulit eh.
While walking I saw Sam and Stephen, they are eating breakfast na pala. Sa totoo lang lalapitan ko na sana sila but then again, I remember what they did yesterday so I turn back then head to the parking area.
I checked my wristwatch and it's already 7:30am pero bakit wala pa yung sasakyan? Tsk! Don't tell me nasiraan o nauna na naman yun ha? Because if that happens, saan na naman ako sasakay? Kay Roderick na naman? Tsk! After a couple of seconds, I was shocked cuz someone speak from behind.
Rod: Tara na.
When he tell those words, hindi ko siya nilingon. I simply wore my black shades.
Rod: Wag mo ng hintayin, Doc. Hindi na darating yung sasakyan mo.
Imee: Tsk!
Rod: Alam mo kung bakit?
Imee: Tumigil ka nga, nakakarindi ka.
As I tell those words, he hold my arm at pinaharap niya ako sa kanya. Tsk! When I faced him, napatingin ako sa suot niya. Hayst! Kahit kelan talaga 'tong lalaking toh oh.
(Rod's Outfit)
Rod: Nasa sasakyan ko na yung mga gamot, Doc. Kaya wala ka ng choice dahil ako na talaga ang makakasama mo (then wink)
After Rod tell those words, I didn't bother to speak up.
Rod: Bagay ba? Buti nalang may nadala din akong gantong sleeves (then smile)
Imee: Hindi! Ang pangit mo tignan. Nasa'n ba yung sasakyan mo? Tara na nga! Nang makauwi tayo ng maaga (then walk away)
Rod: Sus! Kung alam mo lang gwapong-gwapo ka sakin di mo lang alam (then laugh)
While he tell those words, naglalakad na ako papunta sa sasakyan niya. Tsk! Kung ano-anong pinagsasabi! Kung alam mo lang tapos hindi mo lang alam? Seriously? Jusko! Sira ulo na ata talaga 'tong lalaking toh.
Rod's POV
While driving Imee is so quiet. Ni hindi siya nagsasalita simula ng makaalis kami sa resort hanggang ngayong malapit na kami sa baryo. Hayst!
Rod: Imee dalawang box la— (didn't finish his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Alam ko and since nagpumilit kang ikaw ang kasama ko? Ikaw ang magdadala ng dalawang box na yan.
Rod: Ano?!
Imee: Oh bakit? Alangan namang ako?
Rod: Wala bang naghihintay sa atin sa tulay? Baka naman pwede mo silang sabihan oh.
Imee: Tsk! Magaan lang naman yun eh. Why? Don't tell me you can't carry those box ha! Bakit wala ka na bang abs? (Then check Roderick's abs) Oh meron naman eh.
I was shocked because of what Imee did so I've decided to speak up.
Rod: Ikaw Doc ha! (Then laugh)
Imee: Why? (Confuse)
Rod: Wala (still laughing)
Imee: Sus! Wag kang feeling. Madami na akong nakita at nahawakang ganyan. And sorry to tell you pero walang panama yang abs mo sa kanila noh!
After she tell those words, natahimik ako agad. Tsk! So does she mean may nakasama na siyang ibang lalaki maliban sakin? Hayst! Ay sandali, baka naman dahil sa trabaho niya syempre Doctor siya eh. Baka during check up lang.
We reach the baryo around 9am. Well, she's right hindi nga mabigat yung mga box HAHAHA. While she's busy distributing some medicines, ako naman nakaupo lang sa tabi niya. Well, gusto ko naman talagang tumulong eh kaso ayaw niya. Ipipilit ko pa ba? Wag na baka magalit pa besides maayos naman ang pila.
It's already 1pm and katatapos lang namin kumain kasama ng kapitan dito. Nagpahinga lang kami for a couple of minutes then nagpaalam na din. Habang naglalakad kami, there's a kid keep on calling her so we turn back.
Imee: Bakit? (Kneel down)
Kid: Doc, uuwi na po kayo?
Imee: Yah. I-I mean Oo (then smile)
Kid: Pwede po bang wag muna?
Imee: Why? (Confused)
When Imee ask, the kid confused so I speak up.
Rod: Bakit?
Kid: Pwede niyo po bang puntahan ang Nanay ko?
Imee: Ba-bakit?
Kid: Hindi po kasi maganda ang pakiramdam niya, Doc.
Imee: Yah, sure. Nasa'n ba ang nanay mo?
Kapitan: Ahm Doc, sa kabilang baryo na po nakatira ang batang yan hindi na po dito.
Imee: Nah, it's okay. Malayo ba yun?
Kapitan: Hindi naman, Doc.
Kid: Malapit lang po, Doc.
Imee: Okay. Pupuntahan natin ang nanay mo ha? (Held the kid's face then smile)
Kid: Salamat po.
After a second, Imee stood up then faced me.
Imee: Sasamahan mo naman ako ulit diba?
Rod: Oo naman (then smile)
When I tell those words, she smile back. Well, tama ang bata cuz it's only 5 minutes away lang naman ang bahay nila sa baryo nila Aling Dolores. While she check the old lady, kitang-kita ko kung gaano kahirap ang buhay nila dahil napakaliit lamang ng bahay and I think this baryo needs help too. Halos lahat kasi ng residente dito eh mukhang kawawa din.
It took Imee half an hour to check the old lady and paglabas namin ng bahay nila nakita niya ang ibang mga residente na mukhang hindi din maayos base on their physical appearance palang so she decided to check all of them na din. She also teach them on how to do proper hygiene especially the kids dahil mas madaling dapuan ng sakit ang bata. She even promised na babalik siya dito whenever she's free. Tsk! Imee naman, tayo kasi hindi lang ikaw, okay? Around 4:20pm nagpaalam na din kami cuz it's getting late.
While walking silence hit us so I speak na. Alam ko naman kasing hindi siya magsasalita eh.
Rod: Nakita mo yung isang batang babae?
Imee: Yah. Actually bigla ko ngang naalala si Bella eh (look at Rod then smile)
Rod: I miss that little girl too.
Imee: Nakakatampo nga eh kasi hindi niya ako tinatawagan samantalang nung nasa Manila ako halos araw-araw.
Rod: Sus! Sigurado ako tinatawagan ka non, hindi mo lang narereceive kasi walang signal dito.
Imee: Madami namang paraan eh. She can send me a message on IG naman.....Pati sila mom, hindi man lang ako kamustahin o alamin man lang kung buhay pa ako.
Rod: Alam mo kung bakit hindi ka nila tinatawagan?
She didn't speak. She just gave me a confuse look.
Rod: Kasi kasama mo ako (then laugh)
Imee: Tsk! (shook her head)
We already pass the bridge and nandito na kami ngayon sa sasakyan. I was about to open the door but she told me na sandali lang daw dahil nataong may signal dito. Habang kausap niya si Bella, sinabihan niya akong wag magpapakita o magsalita man lang. Hayst! Nakakatampo pero wala naman akong magagawa eh.
While waiting for her nakaupo lang ako dito sa sasakyan. I checked my wristwatch and it's already 5pm na pala. To be honest, I'm a bit hungry rn kasi naman pancake lang kinain ko kaninang umaga tapos hindi pa masarap yung ulam na hinanda nila for our lunch. Hayst! So I went out and good thing may nagtitinda sa gilid so I've decided to check kung anong pwedeng bilhin.
Guess what, a smile automatically formed on my face when I saw different kinds of viand so I immediately run towards Imee. I was about to speak but she gave me a death stare kaya tumahimik muna ako. After a couple of seconds, she speak up.
Imee: Bakit? (Then put her phone inside her pocket)
Rod: May nakita akong nagtitinda ng ulam at kanin. You wanna eat?
Imee: Really? Saan? Tara!
I knew it. Alam kong gutom din siya dahil napansin ko din na halos hindi niya nagalaw yung lunch niya kanina HAHAH. It took us half an hour to finish our food then after that bumalik na kami ulit sa sasakyan.
Rod: Ano? Busog?
Imee: Yah. Thank you! (Then smile)
Rod: Always welcome basta ikaw (smile back) so ano? Gusto mong maglakad-lakad muna?
Imee: Late na!
Rod: Oh eh ano naman? May sasakyan naman tayo pauwi eh.
Imee: Hmpft! Mapapagod lang tayo, Rod. Tara na uwi na tayo.
Rod: Gusto mo pumunta sa view point?
Imee: View point?! You mean yung pinuntahan natin dati? Malapit na yun dito diba? G! I wanna go.
As she tell those words, I immediately lock the car then leave. We also notice na parang mas dumami ngayon ang nagcacamping compared nung last na pumunta kami dito.
Imee: Ang ganda talaga dito.
Rod: If you are given a chance to choose anong pipiliin mo, tumira dito sa province or sa Manila?
Imee: Well sa ngayon? I'll choose Manila but when I get old, I want to live here. Gusto ko kasi ng peaceful na environment eh. Ikaw?
Rod: Of course same with you.
Imee: Gaya-gaya ka naman eh! Yung totoo kasi.
Rod: Totoo naman eh. Sa tingin mo ba may choice pa ako kung yan ang gusto mo? Wala na, right? Kasi sigurado akong ikaw ang masusunod pagtanda natin.
As I tell those words, she look at me and so confuse rn so I speak up again.
Rod: Kailangan ko na palang bumili ng lupa dito ah so I could start building our rest house na. Now tell me, anong design ang gusto mo? (faced Imee then crossed his arms)
Imee: Alam mo ikaw, mapilit ka talaga eh noh? Wala na nga diba?
Rod: I'm still full of hope, Imee. Hinding-hindi kita susukuan.
Imee: Ayan na naman tayo eh. Ano to? Iyakan na naman?
Rod: Siguro.....ewan......pwede...Alam mo tuwing natataon na sunset at magkasama tayo, sa tuwing tinitignan kita...Hindi ko mapigilang umiyak. Kagaya ngayon habang pinagmamasdan kita wala akong ibang nararamdaman kundi sakit at panghihinayang (holding back his tears)
After telling those words, she look away then try to change the topic.
Imee: Tara na? Umuwi na tayo kasi sigurado ako nasa resort na sila Sam (fake smile)
Rod: Kung hindi ba kita pinilit na kausapin ako nung gabing yun, pinatigil mo kaya ako? I mean if I give you what you want during that night, is there a chance na nililigawan pa din kita hanggang ngayon?
When I ask her, she slowly look at me and took her a couple of seconds to speak up.
Imee: Hindi ko alam (then sigh)
Rod: Bakit hindi mo alam? So ibig sabihin non may chance?
Imee: Pwede ba wag mo na akong tanungin tungkol jan? Tamana. A-alam mo sa ginagawa mong yan? Lalo mo lang pinapahirapan yang sarili mo.
Rod: I wanna know the answer, Imee.
As I tell those words, she shook her head and was about to leave but I stop her.
Rod: Answer me, please....Is there a chance na hindi mo ako pinatigil?
Imee: Siguro....Yah, siguro hindi.
Rod: Pu*********
Imee: If only you give me time to think? Siguro hindi ko sinabi yung mga nasabi ko nung gabing yun. Siguro nakapag-isip ako kung anong dapat gawin.
To be honest, I feel so stupid rn. A lot of what if's coming on my mind. Knowing that there's a chance? Lalo akong nanghinayang at nainis sa sarili ko.
Imee: Pero hindi naman kita masisisi kung ginusto mo akong kausapin eh. Naiintindihan kita.
Rod: Naiintindihan mo pero walang kwenta yung paliwanag ko, right?
Imee: Yes (nodded)
When she tell that word, sabay kaming napatingin sa isat-isa ulit.
Rod: Pwede ba turuan mo naman ako kung paano kita makakalimutan kagaya ng paglimot mo sakin? Hindi ko kasi magawa eh. Ni pagpapanggap nga hindi ko kayang gawin kasi everytime you are around, sayo nalang ako palagi nakatingin.(his tears started to fall)
Aurgh! This is what I hate everytime kausap ko siya. I can't control myself dahil kusang tumutulo ang mga luha ko.
Rod: Imee let me ask you one last time, please bigyan mo naman ako ng isa pang pagkakataon oh. I promise, I won't lie to you again. Hi-hindi na kita pipilitin kung ayaw mo just please give me another chance. Hayaan mo naman akong patunayan 'tong sarili ko ulit.
To be honest while telling those words, I'm hoping na sana this time magbago na ang isip niya. Hopefully she could learn on how to give another chance pero wala eh dahil wala akong narinig ni isang salita mula sa kanya.
Rod: So wala na ba talaga?
Still no words coming from her so I sigh deeply then speak up again.
Rod: Sa totoo lang gusto kong mapagod kahihintay sayo pero wala eh kasi kahit anong gawin ko ikaw pa rin ang gusto nito (point his heart) Ano? Still no words coming from you? Please magsalita ka naman, Imee. Kung wala na edi sabihin mo hindi yung para akong tanga dito. Kasi sa totoo lang it's really hard when someone I love keeps on ignoring me so please, speak up (Then wipe his tears)
Imee: Nah, it's harder to pretend that I don't care, Rod (her tears started to fall)
Rod: W-what do you mean?
Imee: Nung araw na may nangyari sayo sa site? Nung naaksidente ka doon ko naramdaman kung gaano ka kaimportante sakin, Rod. Doon ko din naisip na ikaw lang ang nakapag-alala sakin ng ganun.....A-and doon ko din narealize na mahal pala talaga kita.
Rod: Y-you love me? (Came closer to Imee and hold her hand)
Imee: Yes.
As she tell that word, niyakap ko siya agad. Hindi ko maipaliwanag kung anong nararamdaman ko ngayon knowing that she loves me too. Para akong nanalo sa lotto na hindi ko maintindihan. After a second, she pulled out from the hug so I look directly into her eyes.
Rod: So is that mean bibigyan mo na ako ng chance? P-pwede na kitang ligawan ulit?
Imee: Tsk! F*ck courting stage. F*ck dating (wipe her tears and rolled her eyes)
Rod: Huh?
Imee: What's the date today?
Rod: Huh?
She gave me a death glare so I immediately get my phone then check what's the date.
Rod: M-March 8.
Imee: 8? Infinity? Okay, why not.
Rod: Wait, Imee wh—
Imee: Skip 1-99% jump to 100% na agad (look at Rod then smile)
Rod: What? So is that mean tayo na?
Imee: Sabi mo dati sa susunod na magkikita tayo sana mas matimbang na yung puso ko diba? Kaya sige na, Oo na.
As she tell those words, hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. I couldn't even process everything. God! Did she said 100%? Oo na? Sige? Sa totoo lang gusto kong sumigaw pero hindi ko magawa.
Imee: Hey! Are you okay? A-ayaw mo ba? Okay, sige. Wag na.
She was about to leave but I hold her hand and pulled her closer so that I could cup her face.
Rod: Thank you! (His tears were continues to fall)
Imee: No, thank you for waiting and not giving up on me, my Architect (then wipe Rod's tears)
When I heard "My Architect", I immediately hug her. My god! Thank you for giving this sunset a new definition for us. Tama sila, sunset can end beautifully talaga. After a second, I pulled out from the hug and caressed her hair.
Rod: I love you.
Imee: I love you too......love.
Rod: Ang tagal kong hinintay sabihin mo yan, love.
Imee: I know. Don't worry, from now on araw-araw mo ng maririnig yan.
She gave me her sweetest smile so I smile back then kissed her forehead. I was about to kiss her nose pero yumakap siya ulit and that made me laugh.
Rod: Love?
Imee: Hmm?
Rod: Ayoko ng yakap.
After a second, she pulled out then gave me a confuse look.
Imee: Huh?
Rod: Ayoko ng yakap.
Imee: Eh ano?
When she ask me, I simply point her lips using my lips so she slightly pushed me.
Imee: Ang bilis naman!
Rod: Wala ka ng kawala, Doc.
Imee: Bakit may halik agad? Ilang minuto pa nga lang ang nakakalipas eh....Bawiin ko na kaya.
Rod: Nah, you can't do that. Tsaka ganon talaga, pinaghintay mo kaya ako ng napakaraming taon so stop making excuses love just give me a kiss. Ngayon na!
As I tell those words, she frown pero wala akong pakialam. I just came closer and held her face.
Rod: Close your eyes.
Imee: Teka! Punasan mo nga muna yang labi mo.
Rod: Bakit?
Imee: Hinalikan mo si Steffie dati diba?
Rod: Jusko naman love, wala na yun.
Imee: Eh basta punasan mo!
I just sigh deeply and get my hanky inside my pocket. Habang pinupunasan ko ito, nakatingin lang siya sa akin. After a second, I speak up na.
Rod: Oh tapos na, boss. So ano? Pwede na?
She didn't utter any words. As she close her eyes, I move closer again then slowly kiss her lips. After a second, she immediately pulled out. Jusko! Smack nga lang ata yun eh. As I open my eyes, I saw her cover her face HAHAHAH so cute my love.
Rod: Why?
Imee: That was my first kiss (said that in a very shy way)
Rod: Seriously?
Imee: Yes.
When she tell that word, I hug her again. God! Finally! After so many years, hindi din nasayang ang paghihintay ko and I must say, it's all worth it.
Rod: I love you, Dr. Chavez
Imee: I love you too, Arch. Laurel.
________________________________________
Alam kong ito ang hinihintay niyo😂
So enjoy reading this chapter!❤️
Good evening guys!🤗