Emilia's POV
I'm currently here at the cafe. Waiting for Maddison dahil pupuntahan namin si Lizzy. To be honest halos kami na ang umasikaso sa lahat coz we're really excited for this wedding.
A couple of minutes had pass and when I was about to sip on my coffee, someone tapped my shoulder so I sit properly coz it's Maddison...Finally!
Maddison: Oh god! I'm really sorry, Emilia. Its so traffic. I'm getting pissed off na nga eh kasi sinabihan ko yung driver na wag idaan sa traffic and yet doon pa din niya idinaan (then shook her head)
When Maddison placed her bag down, she took off her blazer.
Emilia: No worries. It's okay (then smile)
Maddison: So ano na? Did you already call the designer?
Emilia: Oh about that, he can't make it coz he's still in New York. Someone invited him daw kasi to attend a fashion show for a week.
Maddison: For a week? Seriously?! (Disappointed)
Emilia: Yeah (nodded) But we can wait for him na— (didn't finish her words coz Maddison speak up)
Maddison: Wait for him? No (sigh) Sayang ang oras, Emilia.
Emilia: Okay? So now what? May kilala ka pa bang ibang designer?
As I asked Maddison, she smirked and smile. When she told me na meron at may kalayuan ito, I've decided to order some lunch na muna dahil ayokong magutom. Mahirap na, wala pa man din si Lucas para utusan ko.
Imee's POV
It's been a month since Rod and I's first out of the country. Hindi na din ako gaanong busy coz we have our new doctors na which results everytime I want to go home or wanna go to places, I'm free to go. In fact, Mom and Tita Emilia will fetch me coz we're going to meet the designer who will design my wedding gown.
To be honest, I'm bored rn coz I already did some rounds. I also checked the records of my patients and yeah, I don't have anything to do na. When I lean my back on my swivel chair, someone knocked the door so I fixed my white coat and sit properly.
Imee: Come in.
A smile automatically formed on my face when I saw who came in. My mood suddenly changed. He's holding a bouquet of roses and smiling towards me so I stood up and gave him a cheek kiss.
Rod: For you, my love (handed the bouquet)
Imee: Thanks, love (then smile)
Rod: Asan na sila mommy? Wala pa ba?
Imee: Wala pa eh (shook her head)
I placed the bouquet on my table and hug him immediately. But after a second, he pulled out so I gave him a confuse look.
Rod: Galing ako sa site, love. Medyo pawis po ako so later na, okay? Pag-uwi nalang po natin. I'll hug you tight (then wink)
Imee: So? The hell I care! Kahit pa ikaw ang gumawa ng buhos sa site niyo o tagaktak pa ang pawis mo, wala akong pakialam.
After telling those words, I rolled my eyes and crossed my arms. Napaka-arte! Yakap lang hinihingi ko eh, ayaw pang ibigay! When I started frowning, he laugh. Tsk!
Rod: How many times do I have to tell you na never ever frown, love? Sige ka, magkaka-wrinkles ka niyan.
When Rod was about to cup my face, I stepped back and immediately turn back.
Rod: Tinawagan ka na ba nila mom?
I just shook my head and sit on my swivel chair while si Rod naman umupo sa upuang nasa harap ko. Tsk! He even start using his phone. Silence hit us until he speak up which made me sigh deeply.
Rod: Nag-lunch ka na, love?
Well, I heard that but I pretend I didn't. I just continue rechecking my patients' charts and when I was about to get another record, he hold my hand so I look at him.
Rod: Nag-lunch ka na po ba, Mrs. Laurel?
Imee: Anong oras na ba? (Then raised her left brow)
Rod: Well, I guess nearly 11am palang— (didn't finish his words coz Imee speak up)
Imee: Sa oras na yan, sa tingin mo kumain na ako?
That question made Rod confuse. Tsk! Agad nagkasalubong ang dalawang kilay niya and slowly let go of my hand.
Imee: Tsk! (Rolled her eyes and stood up to get something)
Rod: Love naman, nagtatanong lang naman ako eh (stood up and followed Imee) Tsaka malay ko ba if you had early lunch with Gab.
Imee: How I wish (whispered)
Rod: What?
Imee: Wala! (Then carry medical supplies)
Rod: I'll help you. Ako na po, okay?
I just let him carry all the supplies besides medyo mabigat din naman. As he placed it down, I told him na balikan niya agad yung ibang mga gamot dahil mamaya kukunin na ito ng mga nurse. When its done, he immediately sit and speak up again.
Rod: Kapag wala ba ako dito, nagbubuhat ka ba ng kung ano-ano?
Imee: No.
Rod: You sure?
Imee: Hindi nga! Bakit ba ang kulit mo? (Look at Rod)
Rod: Wa-wala naman. Nagtatanong lang po besides dapat talaga hindi ka nagbubuhat love, lalo na kapag mabigat. Jusko! Baka makunan ka pa niyan eh.
Rod wink then laugh after telling those words so I took a pen and throw it to him.
Rod: W-why? (Still laughing)
Imee: Ikaw kung ano-anong pinagsasabi mo jan. Could you please shut up? (Frowning)
Rod: Bakit wala namang masama sa sinabi ko love eh.
Imee: Akala mo lang wala pero meron. Mamaya may makarinig pa sayo eh.
Rod: Wala po, okay? Tsaka totoo namang ano eh...
Imee: Ano? (Then raised her left brow)
Rod: Totoong ano...y-you know what I mean, love...L-like ano...Tsaka diba we did that on Paris na— (didn't finish his words coz Imee throw the bouquet of roses on him)
Imee: Wala, okay? Tumigil ka kung ayaw mong lumabas ng luhaan dito sa kwarto na'to (then stare at Rod seriously)
Rod: Sus! Diba nga we're sharing the same bed pa that night tapos you told me to ki— (while fixing the bouquet)
Imee: Ah talaga bang hindi ka titigil? Napakadaldal mo wala namang katotohanan lahat ng pinagsasabi mo.
As I tell those words, I rolled my eyes and shook my head. When Rod notice na I'm really pissed off, he sigh and put the bouquet on the left side of my table.
Rod: Love naman. Napakaseryoso nito, biro lang eh.
Imee: Hindi yun biro, Rod. Pagsisinungaling yun.
Rod's POV
When Lizzy told me na pagsisinungaling yun napalunok ako agad. I immediately change the topic na din dahil baka kung saan pa mapunta ang usapan. After a couple of minutes my phone ring.
Rod: Love, I'll take this call lang ha?
Imee: Okay (nodded)
I was about to stand pero bigla akong nagulat dahil napalakas ata ang pagbagsak ni Lizzy sa mga records ng pasyente niya and by the time she look at me, agad akong kinabahan.
Imee: Oh saan ka pupunta? (Then raised her left brow)
Rod: S-sa labas, love. I'll answer this call lang (stand up)
Imee: Bakit hindi mo ba pwedeng sagutin dito? Hindi ko ba pwedeng marinig ang usapan niyo? Confidential o may tinatago ka? (Serious face)
Rod: Wala (Nervous) Syempre wala, Love.
Imee: Kung wala eh bakit kailangan mo pang lumabas?
The call ended. Jusko! Lagot na naman ako nito kay mommy. Baka ang akala non ini-ignore ko na naman ang tawag niya. Hayst!
Imee: You sit down and if that phone ring again, you answer it here, understood?
Rod: O-okay.
I slowly sit down at agad akong kinabahan ulit. Ewan ko ba! Si mommy naman yun pero baka iba kasi ang iniisip nito. "Hayst! Love naman, alam kong pogi ako at madami kang kaagaw sakin pero hindi ka na dapat magselos pa. Hindi mo na ako dapat bantayan o bakuran pa dahil ikaw lang ang mahal ko, okay? (In his mind)".
When Lizzy notice na nakangiti ako habang tinitignan siya, she speak up.
Imee: What?!
To be honest, pinigilan ko talagang tumawa. I simply shook my head and after a second my phone ring so I immediately answered it coz it's mom. I also press the loud speaker para marinig na din ng mahal ko.
*On call
Rod: Hello, mom.
As I tell those words, Lizzy's facial expression changed. Agad din siyang napabuntong hininga eh.
Emilia: Roderick? Son?
Rod: Yes, mom? We can hear you. Why?
Emilia: Kasama mo ba si Lizzy?
Rod: Yes po. Why?
Emilia: Pakisabi naman sunduin nalang namin siya sa bahay niyo kasi anak sobrang traffic. Besides mas malapit na din, right?
I was about to speak but Tita Maddison immediately speak up from the other line.
Maddison: Rod?
Rod: Yes po tita?
Maddison: Pakisabi naman kay Lizzy I've been calling her kanina pa. Ano bang ginagawa niya at hindi siya sumasagot? Please tell her to check her email ha? I sent something.
That made Lizzy rolled her eyes and immediately grab her phone. As I ended the call, agad din akong tumayo and nilapitan si Lizzy. We'll she's checking the email that Tita Maddison sent her. Actually it's a design of wedding gowns pero wala siyang nagustuhan eh.
We had a quick lunch then after that umuwi na kami sa bahay. This time umuwi kami sa bahay na ginawa ko for us here in Manila. As we enter our house, agad siyang dumiretso sa masters bedroom or in other words in our room. We have clothes na din here so whenever we visit and we decided na dito magpalipas ng gabi eh may pamalit kami.
She took a bath first and by the time natapos na din akong maligo, agad akong napasampal sa mukha ko coz I forgot to bring a bathrobe.
Rod: Love?!
I keep on calling her pero hindi siya sumagot eh. Siguro nasa living room na yun. "Hayst! Puro kapalpakan naman kasi Roderick! So paano ka lalabas ngayon ha? (In his mind)". After a couple of seconds, I heard na parang bumukas ang pinto so I speak up again.
Rod: Love?! Imee, ikaw ba yan?
Imee: Yes, why?
Rod: Love, paabot naman ng bathrobe, please? Nakalimutan kong kunin eh (then slightly open the sliding door)
Imee: Ayoko. Bahala ka jan.
Rod: Love naman! I'm not joking, okay? Pakiabot na sakin, please? Mamaya nandyan na sila, mom.
Imee: So?
Rod: Ivy! Paabot na, please?
Imee: Sus! Alam ko na yang ganyang moves mo, Roderick. For sure may masama kang balak and I'm sorry to tell you pero hindi mo ako mauuto.
I was about to speak but she immediately went out and closed the door. Hayst! I already call her Ivy na diba? Isn't that a sign para ipakita sa kanya na seryoso ako and I'll never do wrong? Jusko! I'm only wearing boxer shorts eh.
I didn't went out of the bathroom until she knocks and speak up.
Imee: Hey! You've been there for a couple of minutes, hindi ka pa ba tapos? Mamaya nandyan na sila mommy.
Rod: Paano ako lalabas eh I'm only wearing boxer shorts. Paabot na kasi ng bathrobe, love!
She didn't speak. This time I've decided to do some kalokohan since yun din naman ang iniisip niya HAHA. When she knocked, I immediately open the door. Agad kong inabot ang bathrobe. I closed the door and immediately wear it.
Rod: Love?!
Imee: Ano?
Rod: Paabot nga ulit ng shaver ko, please?
Imee: Tsk! Bakit ba kasi pumapasok ka jan na kulang-kulang ang gamit mo ha? I'm telling you Laurel, when we got married wala akong balak na maging utusan mo ha! Umayos ka. If this happen again? I'll pack my things at ii—
Lizzy talks a lot and that made me laugh. Only the bathrobe lang naman talaga ang ipapaabot ko eh kaso she gave me an idea kaya sorry ka ngayon, love. After a minute, she knocked the door. As I open it, agad ko siyang hinatak sa loob ng bathroom and pinned her on the wall. The shaver fell kaya tinignan niya ako ng masama.
Imee: What the! What are you doing?
I just smile and move my face closer to her. Halatang kinakabahan eh kasi bigla siyang namula. Parang lahat ata ng dugo niya napunta sa pisngi eh.
Rod: You look beautiful, Mrs. Laurel.
Imee: I-I know right! Matagal na noh.....Tsk! Let me go nga.
My love really want to escape HAHA kaya mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak ko sa mga kamay niya. Rinig ko din ang mga buntong hininga niya. She's really nervous this time. Alam kong gusto na akong sapakin nito but despite of that, I smile and gave her a seductive look. I started smelling the scent of her shampoo down to her neck.
Imee: Ano ba Roderick?! L-let me go. I swear to god, isusumbong kita kay Tita Emi—(didn't finish her words coz Rod cut her)
Rod: Shussshhh! (Bite his lower lip) So noisy, Mrs. Laurel.
Imee: The heck! Let me go!
Rod: Ang bango mo, love.
To be honest I wanna held her face kaso baka makatakas pa eh kaya inilapit ko nalang lalo ang mukha ko and slowly kiss her forehead down to her nose and cheeks
Imee: Roderick please? Stop it. Kinakabahan na ako sa ginagawa mo, for real.
Rod: Why? You are the one who gave me an idea to do this, love (devil smile)......See, pulang-pula ka na, Mrs. Laurel.
Imee: Anong Mrs. Laurel?! Hindi pa!.....Let me go, please?
I don't know pero I'm enjoying seeing her pleasing me HAHA. "Oh nasa'n ang tapang mo ngayon mahal ko? (In his mind)".
Imee: Hindi mo ba talaga ako papakawalan ha? Isusumbong talaga kita kay Tita and Mom once they arrive.
Rod: Anong sasabihin mo? Paano mo sasabihing I pinned you on this expensive wall? Paano mo sasabihin na I smell and kissed you? Hindi ba't nakakahiya yun, Doc? Baka pagtawanan ka lang nila because knowing that you are my fiancée already, normal nalang yun (then smile)
Imee: Aurgh! I'll—
I didn't let Lizzy continue her words coz I immediately kissed her. Hanggang ngayon pilit pa din siyang nagpupumiligwas so I kissed her deeper and more passionate this time. Humahalik ba siya pabalik? Hindi kaya mas lalo kong inilapit ang katawan ko sa katawan niya.
After a couple of seconds, I noticed na hindi na siya nagpupumiligwas. Her hands stopped and as I open my eyes, nakapikit na din siya and that made me laugh secretly. By the time she was about to kiss me back, I let go of her hand and pulled out from the kiss dahil sakto ding may bumusina sa labas. Perhaps sila mom and Tita Maddison na yun.
Imee: What the hell?! (Frowning)
Rod: Baka sila Mom na yun, Doc. Tsaka wag ngayon, pigilan mo muna besides isang buwan nalang naman. Promise, sayong-sayo na ako kapag kinasal na tayo. Hindi na ako kokontra pa.
After telling those words, I smile then leave. Isinara ko din ang bathroom door HAHA Wala lang, pang-asar lang ba.
While fixing my hair, my phone ring. I ask Lizzy if she can answer it but she refuse. As I grab my phone and saw the caller's name, I got confuse coz it's Tita Maddison.
*On call
Maddison: Hello, Roderick?
To be honest I got nervous coz Tita Maddison's voice is shaking. Napansin din ni Lizzy ang pagkunot ng noo ko so she ask but I signaled her to wait.
Rod: Yes po, Tita?
Maddison: Iho, kindly tell my daughter na hindi na muna matutuloy yung lakad namin ha?
Rod: B-Bakit po? (Worried)
Imee: Love! What's happening? (Raised her left brow)
Rod: Tita bakit po?
Maddison: S-si Edward... My husband needs me.
Rod: S-Sige po, tita.
Maddison: I'll hang up na. Pasabi nalang kay Lizzy ha? I'm really sorry. We're on our way home.
Rod: Tita, you want us to come? Su— Hello Tita?
I didn't continue my words coz Tita Maddison immediately ended the call. As I placed my phone on the table, Lizzy look at me and waiting for me to speak up. Damn it! Ito na naman eh! Paano na 'to? Magsisinungaling na naman ba ako?!
Imee: Si Mommy yun, right? Anong sabi? Bakit napakunot ka ng noo kanina?
Yes! I heard all her questions pero wala eh. Parang nilagyan ng tape ang bunganga ko. Hindi ako makapagsalita.
Imee: Roderick tinatanong kita, love. Si mommy yun, diba? Bakit daw?
Rod: H-hindi daw sila makakarating ngayon. Resched nalang daw.
After telling those words, I weakly smile and turned back. Habang inaayos ko ang kwelyo ng polo ko, she hug me from the back and after a second she faced me.
Imee: Are you okay? (Confused)
Rod: Love?
Imee: Hmm?
I hold her hand and was about to speak but her phone suddenly ring. Sa totoo lang when she excuse herself, yung kabang nararamdaman ko lalong nadagdagan.
Minutes had pass bumalik na siya galing sa balcony. She immediately grab her bag. I also noticed na nag-aalala siya. Her hands were shaking at the same time kaya lahat ng nahahawakan niya ay nalalaglag so I walk towards her and hold her hand. When she look at me, I was shock coz she's crying.
Imee: L-love...Si Daddy...Ahm, we need to go home.
Rod: W-why love? (Nervous)
Imee: I-I don't know...Kuya called me a-and sabi niya, umuwi ako...Kailangan daw ako ni Dad...S-sa totoo lang naguguluhan ako coz kuya's voice is different. I-I think he's crying, love.
I wiped her tears and hug her. Sa mga oras nato, sobrang nakokonsensiya at kinakabahan ako. I'm also praying na sana walang masamang nangyari kay Tito coz if there's anything happen to him, masasaktan si Lizzy samantalang ako habang buhay akong makokonsensiya.
Imee's POV
We got home around 4pm. Habang papasok ako ng bahay, hindi ko mapigilan ang pagtulo ng mga luha ko. Even the ambiance of our house is really different. I know something's wrong.
I straightly go to mom and dad's room and as I open the door, I saw kuya standing while crossing his hands. Si mom naman nakaupo lang sa tabi ni Dad.
I look around. I saw all the meds which made me confuse. After a second, Kuya Anthony walk towards me and speak up.
Anthony: Liz, we have something to tell you.
I gave kuya a questioned look which made him look down. Daddy is now laying on the bed at wala siyang malay.
Imee: W-what's happening? I-I thought nasa trabaho si Daddy. Kausap ko lang siya kanina eh. He even remind me to eat lunch.....May hearing lang po ba siya ngayon, Mom, that's why maaga siyang umuwi?
Anthony: Lizzy.....D-Dad is sick.
Imee: Sick? Oh okay (sigh) A-akala ko naman kung ano ng nangyari (wiped her tears). Wait, I think may gamit ako sa bag. Kunin ko lang po — (didn't continue her words coz Maddison speak up)
Maddison: Lizzy, I'm really sorry.
Imee: Sorry for what, mom? Sandali lang mom, kunin ko lang yung gamit ko, okay? I'll be back.
As I turned back, hindi ko natuloy and paglakad palayo coz Kuya Anthony speak up.
Anthony: Dad is dying. Sabi ng Doctor...pwede na siyang mawala anytime (sigh) P-pwede niya tayong iwan anytime.
Kuya Anthony's voice cracked. The words "iwan", "anytime" and "dying" echoed in my mind. Agad akong nakaramdam ng paninikip ng aking dibdib at kusang pagtulo ng akong mga luha.
As I slowly faced them, Kuya Anthony walk closer to me.
Imee: Look, kuya this is not the right time para magbiro ka, okay? (Wiped her tears)
Maddison: Your kuya is right, Lizzy....I-I'm really sorry kasi ngayon lang kami nagkalakas ng loob para sabihin sayo. Look — (didn't finished her words coz Imee speak up)
Imee: Ngayon lang nagkalakas ng loob? So kelan pa po, mom? Kung hindi ba nangyari ito kay Dad ngayon hindi ko pa malalaman?! (Holding back her tears)
Anthony: Lizzy, don't raise your voice —
Imee: And you Kuya, since when did you find out about this huh? Bakit hindi mo sinabi sa akin agad?
Kuya Anthony sigh deeply and look down. To be honest gusto kong magalit sa kanila. I wanna confront them and ask why?! Anak din naman ako! I deserve to know.
Seconds had pass and when there's no answer coming from Kuya, I shook my head and sit on the couch.
Imee: Kaya pala....Kaya pala (her tears continues to fall)
Anthony: We did everything that we can, Liz...Pero wala talaga eh.
While Kuya Anthony keep on talking at sinasabi sa akin kung saan sila nagpagamot at kung sinong mga Doctor ang nilapitan nila, I stood up and walk towards my Dad na hanggang ngayon ay wala pang malay.
Imee: Ano po bang sakit ni Dad, Mom?
Maddison: H-heart disease, anak.
When I hear those words, I immediately look at Mom. I nearly whispered "What?!".
Rod's POV
As I parked my car, agad akong sumunod kay Lizzy. I was about to open the door wherein her Mom and Dad's room (I guess) pero agad akong tinawag ng isa sa mga helper nila.
Manang told me to stay at the pool area muna daw coz they are having serious matters that they needed to talk. Hopefully tungkol na ito kay Tito Edward.
While using my phone just to keep myself busy, I was shock coz there's a cute little voice called me and hug me from the back.
Isabella: Hi there, my Tito Pogi! (then smile sweetly)
Rod: Hello there, my cute little Doctor (wink and pinched Bella's nose)
Isabella: Little Doctor? Hmm, sounds good, Tito Pogi (giggled then sit on Rod's lap)
Rod: So how's school? Sinong kasama mong umuwi, baby?
Isabella: Si Kuya Driver po coz my Mom went to her friend's clinic pa po to get some medicines daw po eh.
Rod: Oh okay. So....Are you hungry na? You want some food, baby?
Isabella: Yes po pero I'm not allowed to eat cake today. I badly wanna eat chocolate cake pa naman po (sad face). Oh, Oh, Oh! Tito Pogi! I got the highest score on our quiz today (then smile)
Rod: Really?! That's good! (Get his phone) Now tell me, what do you want? I'll buy anything for you, baby.
Isabella: For real?!
Rod: Ahuh!
Bella show her sweetest smile at agad hinablot ang cellphone ko check her favourite food. Jusko! Hindi naman ako informed na marunong na palang mag-place ng order 'tong batang 'to.
The food delivered within 15 minutes at habang pinagmamasdan ko ang batang masayang kumakain, someone speak up from behind. It's Ate Ava pala so I stood up and greet her.
While having funny conversations with this two, agad na nabulunan si Bella kaya agad namang kumuha ng tubig si Ate Ava. Jusko! Pati ako kinabahan eh. Phewwww! Akala ko magkakasala na ako dahil ako ang bumili ng pagkain.
It's already 7pm and until nandito pa din ako sa pool area. Mag-isa na nga ako eh coz Ate Ava and Bella excuse themselves an hour ago. Medyo gutom na din ako so I stood up para magpaalam na din muna. Babalik nalang ako bukas.
As I went to their living room, I saw Manang who's currently walking towards me.
Manang: Roderick, kain ka na, anak. Nakahanda na ang dinner.
Rod: H-hindi na po, Manang. Pauwi na din po talaga kasi ako (nodded then smile)
Manang: Ay hindi. Halika na. Saluhan mo si Lizzy dahil sigurado akong walang kasalo kumain ulit yun. Sandali, tawagin ko lang ha?
Manang was about to leave pero I told her na ako na. Actually I insist. While heading to her room, I saw Kuya Anthony. He told me na Lizzy knew about her Dad's condition na. Agad akong kinabahan na natatakot pero at the same time okay na din dahil alam na niya.
Before entering her room, I sigh deeply and act as if I didn't know anything dahil yun ang sinabi ni Tito Edward noon. She's now laying on her bed kaya agad ko siyang nilapitan at pinagmasdan.
She's sleeping pero halatang katatapos lang nitong umiyak. While running my fingers through her hair, she slightly move and slowly open her eyes.
Rod: Did I wake you up? Sorry, love (smile then kissed Imee's forehead)
Nang pagmasdan ko siya ulit, her tears started to fall at agad itong yumakap sa akin.
Rod: Hey, what's wrong?
Imee: Doctor ako eh....I treat other people pero bakit yung sarili kong ama hindi? Bakit hindi ko napansin?
I remained silent. Hindi ko din alam kung anong sasabihin ko just to lessen the pain na nararamdaman niya. Ewan pero kung may magagawa lang ako para mabawasan ang bigat ng nararamdaman niya, I will do it.
Imee: I-I feel useless, Rod.
This time I pulled out from the hug and cupped her face.
Rod: Lizzy, don't ever say that again, okay? For now, you rest. Let's talk about it tomorrow pero I'm sure everything will be okay, love (nodded)....I'm here...I'm always here (then wiped Imee's tears)
Imee: W-wag mo akong iiwan. You stay here, please?
Rod: Of course (nearly whispered then smile)
As I kissed her forehead, she closed her eyes and immediately hold my hand.
___________________________________