Stephen's POV
I just went out of the VIP room. Kaloka! Napakasungit naman ng matandang yun. No wonder walang bumibisita sa kanya. Sabi nga ng helper niya pati daw mga anak niya eh ayaw siyang bisitahin dahil palagi niya silang sinisigawan at pinagagalitan. The old woman thinks daw kasi na pera lang ang habol nila sa kanya. Well, on that part hindi na ako pwedeng magsalita coz I really don't know anything about them.
It's pass 12 already. Time for lunch and pagdating ko sa nurse's area, sakto namang may pumalit na sakin. Finally!!! Makaka-kain na din ako!
While heading to the canteen, my phone vibrates. As I checked the sender's name, I immediately rolled my eyes and turned it off. Yung ex-boyfriend ko kasi yun. Humihingi na naman ng pang-tuition. Jusko! Wala na nga kami eh tsaka medyo gipit din ako ngayon coz I bought a car for my parents.
Naisip ko kasi na simula noong nagtrabaho ako eh wala pa akong nabibigay na regalo sa kanila. Bumabawi lang ang bakla kaya titigilan ko muna ang kalandian ko. I'll focus providing the needs of my parentals muna coz they getting old na din.
As I reach the canteen, nakita ko agad si Sam. Tsk! Nandito na pala 'tong babaeng 'to hindi man lang nagtawag. Medyo natawa din ako dahil mag-isa niya so as soon as I order my food agad na akong tumabi sa kanya.
Stephen: Hoy!
Samantha: Ano?! (Frowning)
Stephen: Ay wow! Bakit hindi mapinta yang mukha mo, aber? Hindi ka ba nadiligan? Tengga ka ba ng isang gabi?
After telling those words, the waiter gave my order. Pogi naman pero deadma! Masyadong akong maganda para makipag-relasyon sa isang waiter noh!
Stephen: Hoy! Bakit ba ang tahimik mo? Magsalita ka naman! (Then start eating his food)
Samantha: Hayst! Kumain ka nalang (then rolled her eyes)
Stephen: Asus! Let me guess, siguro hindi lang isang gabi noh?
Samantha: Tsk! Shut up, Stephen.
Stephen: 3? 4? 5? OMG! Don't tell me isang linggo na?!
Samantha: Baliw! Hindi noh. Tsaka pwede bang hinaan mo yang boses mo? Nakakahiya! Hindi lang tayo ang tao dito.
Stephen: Jusko! Mga Doctor at nurses ang mga yan! Hindi na bago sa kanila ang gantong usapan. Tsaka kung meron mang pa-inosente pa diyan? Pepektusan ko sila sa fallopian tube at tutusuan ko ng formalin (look around which made Sam laugh)
Samantha: Baliw ka talaga eh noh?
Stephen: Ayun! Tumawa din...So ano na? Bakit malungkot ka jan?
Samantha: Wala.
That made me sigh and rolled my eyes. Kaloka! Sa tinagal-tagal naming magkaibigan sa tingin niya hindi ko alam kung may problema siya o wala?! Like duh! Kahit ganto ako napapansin ko pa din noh.
Stephen: Sabihin mo na, Sam. I'm here to listen (said that in a very calm way)
Samantha: (sigh) Okay fine!
Stephen: Okay? (Put down the utensils and look at Sam)
Samantha: We're trying naman eh kaso.... K-kaso hanggang ngayon wala pa.
Stephen: What do you mean wala pa? (Raised his brow)
Samantha: Hindi pa kami nakakabuo (whispered)
When Sam tell those words, I immediately frown. Akala ko naman kung ano na! Yun lang pala.
Samantha: I tried PT earlier coz I'm hoping that I'll become a mom na pero wala pa din eh.
Stephen: G*ga! Ilang buwan ka palang kasal diba?! Tsaka sa tingin mo ba once na bumukaka ka, magkakaroon na agad ng bata jan sa sinapupunan mo? (then shook his head and lean his back on the chair)
Samantha: You don't get it— (didn't continue her words coz Stephen sit properly and speak up again)
Stephen: Look Sam, Alam kong sabik ka ng maging nanay pero there's always a perfect time for that, okay?
Samantha: You sure? Natatakot kasi ako eh. W-what if hindi din ako magka-anak kagaya ng pinsan ko? Ayokong iwan ako ng asawa ko, Stephen.
Stephen: Mabigyan mo man ng anak o hindi yang asawa mong unemployed, walang SSS, Pag-ibig, Philhealth and so on, if he really loves you? Hindi ka niya iiwan. Always remember that.
As I tell those words, I hold Sam's hand. She's overreacting na naman kasi eh. Seconds had pass, I told her to continue eating so I could finish my food as well. I also tell jokes just to keep her laugh and it works kaya I stayed muna instead of going home early.
While we're having laughtrip conversation, Gab caught my attention. He's talking over the phone while choosing his lunch. Ngumingiti pa nga eh kaya sinabihan ko si Sam na tignan niya din ito. When he passed by, we were shock coz he said "Babe".
Stephen: Did I hear it right, Sam?
Samantha: Babe?! Is Dr. Del Valle have a girlfriend already?
Stephen: Since when?
We look at him again hanggang sa makahanap ito ng table. Sa totoo lang naguguluhan na ako. Bakit? Eh crush ko yang Doctor na yan eh! HUHU. Taken na nga ata. Di naman masakit. Parang kagat lang ng dinosaur HUHU. Habang nag-inisip kami ni Sam kung paano namin malalaman kung may girlfriend na nga talaga si Gab, bigla naming naalala si Imee so we immediately went out of the canteen.
While walking papunta sa office ni Imee, we saw Rod while holding a bouquet. Nagkatinginan pa nga kami ni Sam eh coz he's waiting outside. Yes! Sa labas ng office ni Imee. We're getting confuse rn kasi everytime pumupunta siya dito eh diretso na siya agad sa office pero ngayon, hindi.
Stephen: Architect (then smile)
Rod: Oh hi, Stephen (look at Stephen) Hi there, Sam (and look at Sam)
Samantha: What are you doing here, Architect?
Rod: W-well, visiting my fiancée.
Samantha: Funny ha! What I mean is bakit nandito ka sa labas? Bakit hindi ka pumasok?
Rod: She's not in her office daw eh. She's doing some rounds tsaka...s-sinabihan ako ni Nurse Jen na wag daw pumasok eh (then smile forcedly)
Stephen: Nurse Jen?! At sino naman siya, aber? Wait, I'll call Imee nga. Kaloka yang Nurse na yan ha! Totoo nga ang sabi ng iba nurses dito. Pala-desisyon din talaga yang babaeng yan.
I was about to call Imee but Rod stop me.
Rod: W-wag na, Stephen. Okay lang naman eh tsaka—(didn't finish his words coz Sam speak up)
Samantha: Anong okay lang? Hindi noh! May-ari nga ng office na yan pinapa-pasok ka agad, siya pa kaya? Call Imee na Stephen.
Rod: Actually Imee was the one who tell Nurse Jen na wag daw akong papasukin.
Stephen: What?!
We're really confuse right now. May problema ba silang dalawa? If yes? Since when? Wala namang nakukwento sa amin sa Imee with regards to this eh. Nang tumingin ako kay Sam, she already got what I wanna tell her so we excuse ourselves muna and look for Imee.
Gab's POV
I'm having lunch right now. Actually sabay nga kami dapat ni Franky eh but she's busy. Hayst! Kahit na magkausap kami kanina, I still miss her. The way she smile, her laugh, her cute face, the strands of her hair—In other words, I miss being with her.
As I put down the utensils, I saw Gali and she's alone. Akala ko nga kumakain eh coz she's looking down pero yun pala hindi so I sit beside her which made her a little shock I guess HAHAHA.
Gab: Did you eat lunch already?
Imee: Not yet but I'm still full.
Gab: Why? Did you had late breakfast?
Imee: Yah (Nodded)
The way Gali talk, I know she's not okay. Matagal ko na din namang alam eh. Napapansin ko naman yun. Hindi ko lang tinatanong coz I'm waiting for her to open up.
Since iilan nalang ang tao dito sa canteen, I move the chair closer to her. I know she got confuse coz she looked at me while giving me a questioned look. To be honest, that made me laugh so I crossed my arm and told her to rest her head on my shoulder. Sa totoo lang ayaw niya kaya ako na mismo ang gumawa. Well, I missed this kind of moments.
Gab: You and Roderick are not okay, right?
Imee: Pa'no mo alam?
Gab: Binulong sakin ng kaibigan mo eh.
Imee: Sino? (Look at Gab)
Gab: Si Satanas.
After telling those words, she hit my arm which made me laugh.
Gab: Joke lang, Gali. You are so serious again ha! Hindi ka na naman mabiro.
Imee: Umayos ka kasi. Nakakawalang gana ka naman kausap eh (rolled her eyes and lean her back on the chair)
Gab: Nah seriously, what happen?
Gali didn't speak. She just look at me without uttering any words so I arranged my chair and faced her. Parang one on one ba HAHAH. I wait for seconds pero wala, hindi talaga siya nagsalita so I speak up again.
Gab: Minsan lang tayo hindi maging busy, Gali. So you better tell me na. Promise (raised his right arm), hindi ko kakampihan si Roderick. I'll be in the middle.
Imee: You sure?
Gab: Ahuh! So tell me, what just happen?
Imee: Well, you're right. We're not okay right now.
Gab: Let me correct that Gali, you mean you guys still not okay, diba?
Gali didn't speak. She just nodded and sigh deeply.
Gab: Bakit?
Imee: Naglihim sa akin eh.
Gab: I already know about that, Gali. Kaya nga hindi niyo pa tinuloy ang kasal diba? What I'm asking right now is bakit hindi pa? Ano bang nangyari ulit? You haven't forgive him aren't you?
Imee: Ang hirap eh....Ang hirap magpatawad. Alam mo Gali, this is not the first time na nag-away kami while being in a relationship. I admit, yung iba is petty talaga pero ngayon? Hindi eh.
As Gali tell those words, agad akong napaisip kung ano nga bang pinakamalalang nagawa ni Rod. Pero ang alam ko puro hindi pagsasabi lang naman ng totoo eh.
Gab: Kung noon puro pagsisinungaling lang ang naging kasalanan ni Rod, ngayon paglilihim. I know it's different pero diba naipit lang siya dito? Kasi sabi nga ni Tita Maddison, Si Tito Edward mismo ang naki-usap sa kanya.
Imee: I know pero dapat sinabi niya pa din sa akin coz I deserve to know about it. Naiintindihan mo naman ako Gab diba?
Gab: Yes (Nodded) Of course I am...Well, I don't have the right naman to force you para patawarin siya eh kasi I don't know how you really feel...Pero diba may pinangako ka kay Tito?
Imee: Oo...I promised him na no matter what happen I'll end up with Rod.
Gab: Naman pala eh. Then do it. If you think you don't have the courage to forgive Rod, at least isipin mo nalang yung pangako mo kay Tito. Kasi that will help you forgive Roderick. Hindi naman kailangang patawarin mo agad eh. Pwede namang paunti-unti hanggang sa tuluyan mo na siyang mapatawad diba?
Imee: Actually he gave me space.
Gab: And?
Imee: Well, nabawasan naman yung bigat na nararamdaman ko pero during those days, natiis ko siya...Natiis ko siyang hindi makita. Parang mas peaceful if he's not around.
Gab: That's because your mad at him, Gali. Pero sabihin mo sakin yung totoo, you miss him diba?
Imee: Oo pero kagaya nga ng sabi ko, okay lang na hindi ko siya makita.
When Gali tell those words, I immediately shook my head kasi kahit hindi niya sabihin sa akin, sigurado akong natatalo na naman ng isip niya ang puso niya eh.
Gab: Tell me you didn't tell that to Rod, Gali.
Imee: I did.
Gab: Seriously?! Why? You shouldn't tell that (disappointed) Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit marinig yan lalo na kapag galing sa taong mahal mo? That really sucks, Gali! Oh god! I can't imagine what he feels right now.
Gali was about to speak but her phone ring. As I saw the callers name, its Rod. Lalo akong naawa kay Roderick coz she cancelled the call and turned off her phone.After a second, someone called her and when we turn back, its Stephen and Sam.
Stephen: Nandito ka lang pala! Baklang to! (Referring to Imee)
Imee: Why? Wala naman akong regular check up ngayon ah. Wait, don't tell me may emergency (worried)
Samantha: Wala.
Gab: Then why are you guys here?
Samantha: Rod is waiting outside your office kasi, Imee. Sabi nila kanina pa daw siya doon. Hindi mo ba pupuntahan?
Imee: Nah. Tell him umuwi na siya.
When Gali tell those words, I immediately frown. Alam kong galit siya pero it doesn't mean na dapat niyang balewalain si Rod lalo na't naghintay yung tao nang napakatagal. Stephen and Sam keep on convincing her to go and see Rod pero Gali remain silent and act as if wala itong naririnig. I got a little pissed but by the time I was about to speak someone speak up again. Agad kaming napatingin except Gali. When Rod walk towards us, he placed the bouquet infront of Gali. To be honest I feel bad coz Gali didn't even bother to look at him nor utter any words.
Gab: Ahm, I think kailangan niyong mag-usap, Rod.
Samantha: True! Kasi Imee kahit hindi ka magsabi sa amin alam naming hindi kayo okay ni Architect.
Stephen: Mag-usap na kasi kayo. Gusto ko na masuot yung damit ko sa kasal niyo noh! Pinagawa ko pa man din yun. Mahal di— Outch! (didn't continue his words coz Sam pinched his arm)
Imee: Wala kaming dapat pag-usapan. At Ikaw (referring to Rod) bumalik ka na sa trabaho mo.
As Gali tell those words, she immediately stood up and walk away. Rod immediately followed him and grab her arms which cause her to face him. Kitang-kita din ang pagkadismaya nila Stephen and Sam sa sinabi Gali. For sure naaawa na sila kay Rod ngayon and so am I.
Imee: What?
Rod: Mag-usap na tayo, please?
Imee: Oh god, Rod! Kung gusto mong mag-usap tayo, wag dito. Wag dito sa trabaho ko. Hintayin mo nalang ako sa bahay, understood?
Rod: Bahay? Eh hindi din naman kita makakausap doon love eh. I know, the last time we talk may mga nasabi akong hindi maganda. And I'm sorry, okay? Kahit saglit lang, mag-usap tayo, please?
Imee: Not now! Hindi ka ba nakakaintindi?
I look around. Kaunti nalang ang tao dito sa canteen ngayon pero halos lahat ng nandito eh pinagtitinginan na sila. They are talking not that loud pero makikita pa din na galit si Gali eh. After a second, agad akong napatayo coz Gali pushed Rod then walked away. Susundan nga dapat siya ni Rod eh but I told him na ako na.
Gali walking too fast. I also saw na she wiped something on her face and by the time naabutan ko na siya, I hold her hand and stop her.
Gab: Dr. Chavez, what was that?
Imee: It's none of your business, Dr. Del Valle, so leave me alone.
Gab: Anong it's none of my business eh napahiya yung tao doon.
Imee: Kung napahiya man siya, kasalanan niya yun!
Gab: He's trying everything he can to ask for your forgiveness, Gali. Pero bakit hindi mo makita yun? Kung ayaw mo siyang kausapin, then tell him hindi yung pinapahiya mo siya. Sabihin mo ng maayos. Be professional naman.
Imee: I did, Gab. Pero talagang makulit siya eh.
Gab: You did? Talaga ba? Ganon ba ang maayos na pakikipag-usap? Hindi! Alam mo Gali, dahil sa ginagawa mo lalo mo lang pinapalala yang problema niyo eh coz you're letting your mind defeat your heart again.
Imee: What?! Of course not!
Gab: Really?
Imee: Yes!
Gab: Then prove it! Prove to me na mas matimbang pa din yang puso mo kesa sa isip mo. Gali naman, alam kong kasalanan niya pero this is too much. Ibaba mo naman yang pride mo kahit ngayon lang.
After telling those words, I leave her right away. I know she's my bestfriend. I love her so much pero sa nakikita ko, mali na siya eh. I feel really bad for Architect Laurel.
Imee's POV
I am now in my office, currently sitting on my swivel. Hanggang ngayon iniisip ko pa din yung mga sinabi sa akin ni Gab coz those words echoed in my mind. "Am I letting my mind defeat my heart again? Hindi naman eh (her tears started to fall)".
Minutes had pass, I was shock coz Stephen and Sam immediately entered my office. Ni hindi man lang sila kumatok pero buti nalang napunasan ko agad ang mga luha ko.
Stephen: Here! Naiwan mo sa canteen kanina (then placed the bouquet on the side table)
Imee: Thanks.
Stephen: Ay wag kang magpasalamat sa amin, kay Architect ka magpasalamat coz he was the one who gave that roses, not us.
Samantha: True! (Sad)
Stephen: Bakla, mukhang napasobra naman tayo kanina ano? (Referring to Imee)
Samantha: I agree. Pero alam mo Imee, maswerte ka pa din kasi kahit na hindi kayo okay ni Architect, binibigyan ka pa din niya ng ganyan (then point the bouquet) Jusko! Kahit ako masasabi ko na he really loves you.
Imee: Pumunta ba kayo dito para konsensiyahin ako? (Then raised her left brow)
Stephen: Bakit nakokonsensiya ka na ba? (Then raised his left brow as well)
Imee: Tsk! Umalis na nga kayo. May gagawin pa ako, ang gugulo niyo.
Samantha: Payong kaibigan lang ha, kung alam mong nagkamali ka ngayon, puntahan mo. Say sorry, Imee.
Stephen: Nandyan pa siya, puntahan mo na!...Coz if not baka ikaw na ang maghabol dzaiii and if that happens, sorry ka....Naku! Tignan natin kung saang lupalop ka pa ng mundo makakahanap ng kagaya niya.
Those words hit me. Bigla din akong napaisip. "What if ako na nga ang maghabol after this? What if I've done too much this time? Ayokong mawala siya! He's my life. Galit lang ako pero mahal na mahal ko siya. Oh god! Dad if you hear me, please give me a sign...Give me a sign kung dapat ko ba siyang puntahan, please?! (In her mind)". I closed my eyes and second had pass, someone knocked the door.
Imee: That's it!
I immediately stood up that made Stephen and Samantha shock. Nurse Jen was about to hand a paper pero hindi ko ito pinansin. I just went out of my office and head to the canteen but sadly, Rod is no longer there.
While searching for him, sobrang kinakabahan ako. I took the elevator at humihinto ako per floors coz I'm hoping na makita ko si Rod. But as I reach the ground floor, hindi ko na siya nakita. I also ask the guard kung nakita niyang lumabas si Roderick and he replied yes. Ang sabi niya lumabas na daw.
To be honest, I feel sad right now. Sana kasi kinausap ko nalang siya kanina. As the elevator opens, I immediately went out. Some nurses greet me pero deadma. Basta tuloy-tuloy nalang ako sa paglalakad until someone speak up behind which made me turned back. Halos maiyak ako nang makita ko si Rod so I run and hug him.
Imee: I'm sorry.
I hug Rod even tighter. Hindi ko din mapigilan ang pag-iyak ko. I know all eyes were on us but I don't care.
Imee: I'm really sorry, love.
Rod: Shush! It's okay, love....It's okay.
His voice cracked kaya mas lalo akong naiyak. I feel guilty because of what I did. Seconds had pass, I pulled out from the hug and gave him a cheek kiss. He even wipe my tears and show his sweetest smile. Oh god! I am still the luckiest, indeed.
As Rod open the door, Stephen and Sam shock. They keep on asking me pero hindi ko sila sinagot. Hence, pinagtulakan ko pa sila palabas ng office ko. As I closed the door, I was shock coz Rod hugged me from the back. That made me smile so I faced him and hug him back.
Rod: Love, about Tito—(didn't continue his words coz Imee pulled out from the hug and cut him)
Imee: Shush! It's done. You are forgiven, love.
Rod: Thank you (cupped Imee's face)
Imee: Always.
Rod wiped my tears again and bring her face closer to mine. Halos ipikit ko ang aking mga mata when he kissed my forehead. Oh god! I missed this man so much. As I open my eyes, he smile but by the time he was about to kiss me, someone speak up and its Nurse Jen.
N. Jenny: Anak ng! (Dropped the meds) S-sorry, Doc. Jusko! Pasensiya na po. Hindi ko po sinasadya, Doc, Architect....Ahm, aalis na po ako. O-Oo, aalis na ako....P-pasensiya na po ulit.
Nurse Jenny hurriedly went out of my office which made Rod and I laugh.
Rod: So, where we're we, Mrs. Laurel? (Seductive voice)
Rod bite his lower lip while staring at my lips. Agad din niyang hinawi patalikod ang aking buhok and bring his body closer to mine. Am I getting nervous? No coz I badly miss him. When I wrapped my hands around his nape, he immediately kiss me... Gezzzzz! That was passionate.
Rod: It's been a while, love.
Imee: I know.
Rod: Uwi na po tayo, please? (pa-cute face)
Imee: Okay po (wink then smile)
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