Emilia's POV
It's been 3 weeks since Edward died. Nakakalungkot ang nangyari sa pamilya ni Lizzy pero bilib ako kay Maddison coz she manage not to show weakness sa harap ng mga anak niya kaya minsan sinasamahan ko. We have lunch or minsan naman we do shoppings.
I am now preparing lunch coz Lucas told me na maagang natapos ang meeting niya with his client. When I placed the bowl on the dining table, our helper handed the phone. Sabi niya si Roderick daw so I immediately get it and head to the living room since wala pa naman si Lucas.
*On call
Emilia: Yes anak?
Rod: Mom, what are the things that makes you happy whenever you're sad?
Emilia: Huh?! (Confuse)
Rod: Ganto nalang po, noong nawala po si Lolo at Lola, ano pong ginawa niyo just to accept what happen and be happy again?
Emilia: Well, I keep myself busy, go to places where reminds me of beautiful memories, eat a lot and of course ahm, I was able to accept and be happy again with the help of your Dad.
As I tell those words, Roderick didn't speak from the other line kaya agad na kumunot ang noo ko and look at the screen of the phone. Akala ko pinatayan ako eh but he didn't. He just remain silent.
Emilia: Son, are you still there?
Rod: Oh ahm, y-yes mom. Sorry.
Emilia: Nga pala anak, kumusta na si Lizzy? Saturday ngayon ah, hindi ba siya uuwi sa bahay nila?
Rod: Ayun nilulugmok na naman po niya ang sarili niya sa trabaho. Hay! Ni hindi nga mapakali whenever nasa bahay na siya eh. Gusto niya kapag hindi pa siya inaantok, dapat may ginagawa po siya.
Emilia: Intindihin mo nalang siya, anak. Hindi madali ang pinagdadaanan niya (sigh). Roderick, hindi madaling mawalan ng mahal sa buhay lalo na't sabi mo nga, she's blaming herself dahil hindi niya man lang naagapan ang sakit ng Daddy niya diba?
Rod: You're right, Mom. Thank you.
Emilia: Nga pala anak, I'll send the address nung venue ng reception niyo, okay? The organiser told me that on going pa daw ang pag-aayos nila so most probably around 3pm or 4pm kayo pumunta para makita niyo yung saktong ayos ng tables, flowers and so on. Tsaka baka meron pang gusto idagdag si Lizzy, she can suggest anytime and anything anak.
Rod: Sige, mom. Thank you. Actually I'm on my way na po to fetch Lizzy. Will going to have lunch pa and after that mamimili pa po kami ng iba pang gamit sa bahay. Siguro po before 3pm, nasa venue na po kami.
Emilia: Oh okay. You guys take care ha? Wag masyadong mabilis sa pagmamaneho.
Rod: Opo (chuckled) Ahm, I'll hang up na, mom. Nandito na po ako sa parking area eh. Bye!
Emilia: Bye, son.
As Roderick ended the call, I immediately head back to the dining room and continue setting up the table coz in a couple of minutes darating na si Lucas.
Rod's POV
Medyo nahirapan ako sa paghahanap ng parking area ngayon. Halos puno kasi ang parking lot eh. As I turn off the engine of my car, I immediately took off my polo and changed it into light one.
Pinagpawisan kasi ako sa University kanina. Napakainit tapos ang tagal pa ni Architect Guevara so I don't have a choice kundi hintayin siya sa labas ng room niya.
When I finished buttoned my polo, I look at my wristwatch. Gezzz! Anong oras na pala so I hurriedly grab my perfume and immediately spray it all over my polo.
As the elevator opens, I saw Nurse Jen kaya agad akong lumabas and follow her.
Rod: Nurse Jen!
When she turn back, agad siyang napatingin sa bouquet of roses na hawak ko so that gave her a sign na Lizzy ang itatanong ko.
N. Jenny: Nag-rounds lang po si Dr. Chavez, Architect (look at her wristwatch) Siguro po pabalik na din po yun.
Rod: Ganon ba? Sige, salamat (then smile)
N. Jenny: Diretso na po kayo sa office ni Doc, Architect. Doon niyo nalang po siya hintayin (smile back)
Rod: Sige. Salamat ulit.
N. Jenny: Sige po. Ahm, maiwan ko na po muna kayo. Kailangan ko pa po kasing puntahan yung mga pasyente.
Rod: O-of course. Ahm, go and do your stuff. Bye.
After telling those words, Nurse Jenny simply nodded then walk away. Nakita ko din sina Stephen and Sam, they are on their way papunta sa cafeteria and told me to join but I refuse.
Medyo madaming tao ngayon but when I reach Lizzy's office, walang tao so I placed the bouquet on her table and sit for a while. I also grab my phone to send her a message.
To Love:
Nandito na ako sa office mo, Doc.
Nasa'n ka na po?
✅Message Sent.
I was about to type another message again but the door opens. Well, a smile automatically formed on my face when Lizzy came in kasama si Gab.
Gab: Hi, Rod (smile)
Imee: Hi, Love (walk towards Rod and gave him a cheek kiss) Kanina ka pa?
Rod: Hindi naman, love. Kadarating ko lang (held Imee's waist)
Imee: Good, akala ko kanina ka pa eh.
I was about to speak but Gab did a fake cough kaya sabay kaming napatingin ni Lizzy sa kanya.
Gab: Ahm, kasama mo ba si Franky, Rod?
Rod: Hindi eh.
Gab: Nasa'n siya?
Rod: Hindi ko alam eh. Pasensiya na.
Gab: It's okay, tatawagan ko nalang siya. So I'll go ahead. Bye!
Lizzy and I nodded. When Gab left, agad namang umupo si Lizzy sa swivel chair niya and lean her back. She closed her eyes and sigh deeply.
Rod: Tired?
Imee: Super tired (open her eyes and look at Rod)
Rod: So saan mo gustong maglunch, love?
Imee: Dito nalang (sit properly). Hindi kasi ako pwedeng umalis eh. I need to observe patient 34. Tsaka pwede bang next time nalang tayo bumili ng mga gamit sa bahay, love? Perhaps Tuesday next week or I-I don't know. Sabihan nalang kita ha?
That literally disappoints me. Hindi ako nakapagsalita agad. A lot of questions comes into my mind like "Hindi pwedeng umalis?" , "Paano yung venue?", "Did I mention about the venue last night? Yes, I did!", and so on.
Imee: Okay fine, bukas nalang ha? I'm really sorry, love. Hindi talaga ako pwede ngayon.
Rod: Love, ngayon natin pupuntahan yung venue diba?
Imee: Venue? (Confused)
Rod: Yung reception ng kasal natin, love.
It took Lizzy a couple of minutes to speak and that gave me a sign na nakalimutan niya nga ang tungkol dito.
Imee: N-ngayon na ba yun? Roderick, h-hindi pwede.
Rod: Love, we need to go. Nandoon sa venue yung mga organizers, nag-aayos sila. Diba you suggested na gusto mo munang makita just to be sure that everything is perfect?
Imee: I-I know, it's just that nakalimutan ko eh (sigh). Ganto nalang love, ikaw nalang ang pumunta, okay? Ahm, you check everything besides napag-usapan naman na natin lahat diba?
Rod: Yes pero mas maganda kung tayong dalawa yung pumunta, love.
While telling those words, I look directly into her eyes which made her breathe heavily and shook her head. I was about to speak again but someone knocked the door kaya agad akong napaayos ng upo and so as Lizzy.
Imee: Yes? Come in.
She immediately stood up when Dr. Francisco came in. Perhaps it's really important kaya kinailangan nilang umalis. As soon as they leave, I immediately call mom and ask if pwedeng siya nalang ang pumunta sa venue coz Lizzy and I can't make it. Ayoko din namang pumunta doon ng mag-isa dahil wala naman akong alam sa mga ganon.
Minutes had pass Lizzy came in. She didn't sit on her swivel chair. Hence, she sit on my lap and wrapped her hands around my nape which made me confuse.
Imee: Anong oras po tayo pupunta?
Rod: S-saan?
Imee: Sa venue.
Rod: Huh? A-akala ko ba hindi ka sasama?
When I ask her, she smile and immediately stood up.
Imee: Well, Dr. Francisco told me kasi to go in a hospital near at Mom's house. Meron daw kasi siyang seminar doon but then he's busy kaya ako nalang ang pupunta besides isang buwan na din naman ang nakakalipas eh since umuwi ako. Maybe it's time to go home? Tsaka I wanna visit Dad kung may oras pa or maagang matapos yung seminar.
When Lizzy mentioned her Dad, bigla siyang nalungkot. She smile weakly so I immediately stood up and hold her hand. I tried my best para mapangiti siya ulit.
Imee's POV
We had quick lunch and we're now heading to the Hospital. Even though Dr. Francisco told me na siya muna ang bahala sa mga pasyente ko, ibinilin ko ulit ito kay Gali dahil nakakahiya namang si Dr. Francisco pa mismo ang sumalo sa mga trabaho ko.
Since we arrived early, Rod and I decided na puntahan muna ang venue. To be honest, I was surprised coz Tita Emilia and Tito Lucas was there. Medyo nahiya pa nga ako eh coz Rod forgot to inform them na pupunta kami.
Well, the venue is really beautiful. It's the venue that I've been dreaming for my wedding pero bakit ganon? Parang may kulang pa din and I can't figure out kung ano ito. While rechecking the table set ups, my phone ring so I immediately excuse myself and answer the call.
*On call
Imee: Hello, Doc?
Dr. Francisco: Dr. Chavez, are you in the hospital already?
Imee: No. Not yet, Doc.
Dr. Francisco: Oh okay. Kaya pala Dr. Punzalan ask if there's any representative from our hospital—but anyway, please attend the seminar okay? Kahit na hindi ka muna pumasok bukas dahil sigurado akong gabi na matatapos yun.
Imee: Okay, Doc.
As I tell those words, Dr. Francisco immediately ended the call. When I saw what time is it, agad ko nang tinawag si Rod coz it's already 4:30pm. Gezzz! I'm half an hour late for the seminar na pala.
When I reach the hospital, I told Rod na balikan nalang muna sila Tita Emilia at Tito Lucas sa venue dahil hindi din naman niya ako masasamahan sa loob. Only Doctors are allowed to enter so instead na nakaupo at hinihintay niya ako sa labas, mas magandang balikan nalang muna niya sina Tita or perhaps have some meryenda with them muna.
Sa totoo lang ito ang ayaw ko whenever I attend seminars eh. It's so boring. Wala akong kilala ni isa kaya ayan tuloy, wala akong makausap.
When the seminar is done, agad akong nakahinga ng maluwag coz finally after a couple of hours natapos na din. I am now walking palabas ng hospital and while sending a message to Rod, someone called me so I turned back and gave him a questioned look.
Dr. Punzalan: Dr. Chavez! (Running towards Imee)
Imee: Y-yes?
Dr. Punzalan: You left something. This is yours, right? (Handed a pen that has engraved "Imee Chavez, MD." )
Imee: Oh y-yah. Thanks!
Dr. Punzalan: Naiwan mo kasi yan sa table mo kanina buti nalang naabutan kita. Anyway, I'm Floyd Punzalan (offer his hand for a hand shake and smile)
Imee: Imee Chavez (smile back)
Dr. Punzalan: Imee....Such a beautiful name. Bagay sayo.
Agad akong bumitaw sa pagkakahawak niya sa kamay ko when he look directly into my eyes. I don't know but I fell uncomfortable the way he look at me.
He was about to speak but good thing someone speak up from behind. Boses palang kilala ko na so I immediately look back and smile. When Rod stop beside me, I immediately gave him a kiss which made Dr. Punzalan look down for a second and then look at Rod like as if kilala niya ito. To be honest, I got confuse dahil parang nagulat si Rod.
Dr. Punzalan: Architect Laurel? R-Roderick Laurel, right?
Rod: Y-yes...And y-you are?
Dr. Punzalan: I'm Floyd Punzalan! Ako yung nagpagawa sayo ng bahay, remember? God! Nice to see you again. Naku! Mukhang makakalimutin ka na Architect. Diba nagkita na tayo ulit before? May kasama ka pa nga eh.
Rod: H-huh? No. Ahm, you must be mistaken (nervous but still manage to smile)
Dr. Punzalan: No, I'm not. Kasama mo pa nga yung Lawyer na pasyente ko noon eh. He's your father-in-law, right?
Imee: Father-in-law? (Confuse and slowly look at Rod)
Rod: No (shook his head) Ahm sorry Doc, but we have to go. Let's go, love (then hold Imee's hand)
Those words "Father-in-law", "Lawyer", "Pasyente" and "before" echoed in my mind. I don't know but suddenly felt different. As if someone tells me not leave and talk to this Doctor in front of me. Agad akong bumalik sa realidad nang hawakan ni Rod ang kamay ko.
Dr. Punzalan: O-oka—(didn't finish his words coz Imee speak up)
Imee: Dr. Punzalan, sino yung naging pasyente mo na kasama niya? Sabi mo Lawyer siya diba?
Rod: Love, let's go.
Imee: Sandali (then let go of Rod's hand)
Dr. Punzalan: Y-yes (nodded at the same time really confuse as well)
Imee: When? Is it a month ago?
Dr. Punzalan: Hindi naman (shook his head) Actually ilang buwan na din ang nakakalipas.
When Dr. Punzalan tell those words, I simply nodded and smile forcedly. Sa totoo lang napakadaming tanong ang nasa isip ko like "Did I hear it right?" , "Ilang buwan na ang nakakalipas?", "Si Daddy ba ang tinutukoy niya?", "Does Rod know about Dad's illness?" and so on.
Rod's POV
Habang nasa byahe kami pauwi, silence hit us. Ni hindi kumibo si Lizzy hanggang sa makarating kami sa bahay nila. I also ask her if saan niya gustong magdinner but she simply shook her head and look through the window. Sa totoo lang sobrang kinakabahan ako because of what happen earlier.
As I stopped the car, I immediately turned off the engine. I was about to hopped out and open the car door for her but she did it by herself. Their driver open the gate and by the time na papasok na kami, she stopped and faced me.
Imee: Magpapahatid nalang ako kay Manong bukas so kung pupunta ka sa rented house mo, mauna ka na.
She smile forcedly and by the time she was about to leave, I hold her hand which cause her to face me again. God! It feels like...something's wrong.
Imee: Gabi na, umuwi ka na (cold tone of voice)
Rod: Sabay na tayong umuwi bukas, love. Wala naman akong trabaho eh.
Imee: Wala kang trabaho? Then spend time with your parents.
Rod: I already did, love. Y-you know what, I have an idea. Since pareho tayong walang trabaho bukas, why don't we go out? Watch some movies, mamasyal sa park or pwede din namang mamili nalang tayo ng mga kulang na gamit sa bahay. What do you think? Pwede diba?
Lizzy sigh at kasabay din nito ang pagbitaw niya sa kamay ko. I was about to reach for her hand again but she crossed her arms.
Rod: Or you wanna go sa bahay? You wanna see my secret room again? Kasi alam mo love, gusto kong gumawa ng isang masterpiece na nasa harap ko mismo yung subject.
Imee: Roderick just go home. I'm really tired. Gusto ko nang magpahinga.
She's now giving me her naiinis at naiirita face. Nakakunot na naman ang noo niya kaya mas lalo akong kinabahan. I didn't speak for a second and by the time I was about to speak, she shook her head.
Imee: Y-you know what, hindi ko alam kung bakit pero I have this feeling na....p-parang (sigh) Aurgh! Nevermind. Just go Rod and don't.....Tsk! J-just leave.
When she tell those words, she immediately turn back and walk away. As much as I want to pull her back and face me, hindi ko magawa kasi inis na inis siya sa akin. This time parang alam ko na kung bakit. Oh god! Please sana naman hindi.
Sa totoo lang nahiya talaga ako sa driver nila coz he saw and heard everything.
Driver: Mukhang LQ kayo ni Imee, iho.
Rod: Pagod lang po yun. Ahm, Oh siya sige po, uwi na po ako (then smile)
Driver: Sige, mag-ingat ka (smile back and closed the gate)
_______________________________________