Lucas' POV
It's a new day and I'm currently having a zoom meeting. Nandito ako ngayon sa bahay coz my wife told me not to go to work. Yes! Emilia told me not to go to work kaya bilang masunurin na asawa, susundin ko siya. Look, I'm not under or what ha. I just want my wife to be happy, yun lang.
While other BODs are sharing ideas, my wife entered. She didn't even knock and now standing infront of me as if napakalaki na naman ng kasalanan ko.
Emilia: Hindi pa ba tapos yan, Lucas?
She said that while crossing her arms. Good thing naka-mute ako coz if not, they might laugh at me. Nakakunot din ang noo niya so I turned off my camera and speak up.
Lucas: Hon, this is an important meeting. Hi-hindi ako pwedeng mag-leave dito—(didn't continue his words coz Emilia speak up)
Emilia: Mas importante pa kesa sa akin?
That made me sigh. Alam ko na naman kasi kung saan patungo 'tong usapan na'to eh pero hindi ko pwedeng iwan ang meeting na'to coz again, this is very important.
Emilia: Mas importante pa ba yan kesa sa anak mo at kay Lizzy?
Lucas: Hon, hindi ganon, okay? Gi-give me another 10 minutes. Promise I'll go downstairs na.
Emilia: Tsk! Kapag ikaw hindi pa tumayo jan sa kinauupuan mo, hindi ka na makakatayo habang buhay pa. Sisiguraduhin ko din na hindi mo maihahatid sa altar yung anak mo, Lucas (giving Lucas a death stare)
Lucas: Hon—
Emilia: No more buts! Turn off that laptop now, naintindihan mo?
When my wife tell those words, she immediately turned back and went out of the room. She even slam the door which gave me a sign na galit siya. "T***-***! Oo na!"
I fixed my tux then open my camera again. By the time one of the BODs done sharing plan B, I speak up.
*Zoom meeting
Lucas: Do you guys mind if I just jump in here for a moment? Sorry for interrupting, I-I just have something to say.
BOD 1: Sure, Architect Laurel.
BOD 2: Of course, sir.
Lucas: Thanks!...Well, you guys are all aware how little time I have to join this meeting, right? So if you don't mind, can we just resched this meeting around 8 in the evening?
Other BODs: Sure (then smile)
Lucas: Great! My secretary will just send a new link before 8pm so that we can start at exactly 8.
BOD 4: Okay.
I end the meeting in a polite and formal way. Jusko! Pagpatay ko palang ng laptop ko, one of our helper came in and inform me na tawag daw ako ni Emilia. Hay! To be honest, that made me pissed off so I take off my tux and immediately go downstairs.
*Kitchen
Emilia: Napakabagal!
Lucas: Ano bang gagawin ko, hon? (Frowning)
Emilia: Ano pa ba? Edi tulungan mo'kong magluto dine (then rolled her eyes)
I saw our helpers na pasimpleng tumawa. "Tsk! Tatawa-tawa! Kung kaltasan ko kaya o i-delay ko mga sweldo niyo? Tignan ko kung makakatawa pa kayo (in his mind)". Agad naman akong bumalik sa reyalidad when my wife placed onions and garlic infront of me.
Lucas: Na naman?!
Emilia: Anong na naman? Chop all of that ha? Tsaka pwede bang bilisan mo? Ang bagal mo kasing kumilos, Hon.
Lucas: Oo na! (Get the knife)
Emilia: Aba! sinisigawan mo'ko?
Lucas: Hindi, Hon.
Emilia: Tsk! Siguraduhin mo lang, Lucas.
I didn't speak. Hindi nalang ako nagsalita basta sinimulan ko nalang balatan ang mga sibuyas at bawang na nasa harap ko. My son and Lizzy were on their way na kasi coz they are having lunch here kaya heto na naman ang asawa ko. Super busy na naman sa pagluluto ng kung ano-ano.
Rod's POV
While focusing on the road, I glanced at Lizzy. Nauuhaw kasi ako, magpapasuyo sana but she seems sleeping kaya hindi na ako nagsalita pa.
When I grab the bottled water, I was shock coz she immediately speak up.
Imee: Pwede mo naman kasing ipaabot eh! (Sit properly and remove her glasses) Kapag tayo nadisgrasya, ipagdasal mong ma-amnesia ako para hindi kita masapak at tuluyang hiwalayan.
To be honest I wanna laugh pero buti nalang napigilan ko. When I glanced at her again, tinignan niya din ako pero yun nga lang naiinis. I was about to open the bottle pero agad niya itong kinuha and open it for me.
Imee: Here!
Rod: Thanks.
I checked my wristwatch, maaga pa pala. Kaya we still have time to eat meryenda.
Rod: Saan mo gustong magmeryenda, Love?
Imee: Tsk! Dapat kanina mo pa tinanong—Bahala ka nga jan! (Then look through the window)
Rod: Love naman (held Imee's hand) Wag na po masungit, please? Tsaka sinabi ko naman sayo diba na if you are hungry, just tell me.
Imee: (look at Rod) Sinabi ko din naman po sayo diba na dapat makiramdam ka?
Rod: Love, I'm driving po.
When I glanced at Lizzy, nakakunot pa din ang noo niya so I kissed her hand then smile. Seconds had pass, tinanong ko ulit kung saan niya gustong kumain and good thing she replied in a calm way.
Lizzy told me na gusto niya sa McDo pero napakahaba ng pila sa drive thru so we don't have a choice kundi sa Jollibee nalang.
Crew: Good morning, sir.
Rod: Good morning.
Crew: Ano pong order niyo, sir?
Rod: (look at Imee) Love, anong gusto mo po?
Imee: Burger McDo and fries, love (then smile)
Rod: (Nodded) Ahm, I'll have one burger McDo and fries, please—(didn't continue his words coz the crew speak up)
Crew: You mean one Yumburger and fries po, sir?
When the crew correct my order, agad akong nahiya and look at Lizzy who's now laughing at me. "The hell! Napagtripan na naman ako (in his mind)".
Rod: Ahm, y-yeah (fake laugh) Sorry.
Crew: May additional pa po, sir?
Rod: Yah. I'll add 2 large mango pie, 1 bucket of fries and a chicken joy box solo.
Crew: Okay...What about your drinks, sir?
Rod: (Look at Lizzy) Anong gusto mong drinks, love? Please naman sumagot ka ng maayos, Lizzy. Nakakahiya (said that in a low voice)
Imee: (still laughing) McFloat
I was about to say that but I realised na McDo menu na naman pala yun so I seriously look at her again. Jusko! Namumula pa nga sa kakatawa.
Imee: Cokefloat and add one mango graham fudge.
I use my card to pay coz I don't have cash. To be honest halos pinagpawisan ako mag-order doon ha. Nakakahiya kasi!....It took us 10 minutes to wait for our order. While giving Lizzy her food, tinitignan niya ang ordered food ko HAHAHAHA
Rod: You want? (Offering the fries)
Imee: Nah (shook her head) I want the chicken and mango pie po.
Rod: Sure, my love (handed his food)
Imee: Pero paano ka, love?
Rod: Share perhaps? (Smile forcedly)
That made Lizzy smile and nodded. Binilisan ko na ang pagkain dahil ayokong abutan kami ng traffic and knowing mom, baka kung ano na namang isipin non kapag late kami nakarating sa bahay.
We reach Mom and Dad's house pass 12nn. As I stopped my car, agad namang naglakad papalapit kay Lizzy ang nanay ko which made me shook my head but still smile at the same time. Minsan talaga nagpapasalamat din ako na wala akong kapatid eh coz if that happens at babae pa? Jusko! Baka buong buhay ko namamalimos ako ng atensyon mula sa nanay ko HAHAHA
*While eating
Emilia: Nga pala, Maddison and I choose July 8 na mga anak ha? Kasi sa araw nalang na yun available ang simbahan.
Imee: Thank you so much po, Tita. Rod and I really appreciate your efforts po (then smile)
Emilia: Not a big deal, anak. Tsaka please stop calling me tita...Call me Mom.
Lizzy look at me which gave me sign kung okay lang daw ba sa akin so I immediately nodded then smile. Jusko! All my life, matagal ko ng gustong tawagin niyang mom si mommy noh! Aarte pa ba ako? No way!
Imee: Okay, mom (then smile)
That made mom smile. Jusko! Aabot na nga ata hanggang tenga yung ngiti eh. After a second, she immediately stood up and hug us from the back nang dahilan para magkalapit kami ng mahal ko.
Lucas: Anyway, kumusta naman yung bahay niyo, Lizzy? I mean the designs, do you like it?
Imee: Of course, Dad. Thank you po (then smile)
Lucas: Great! (Smile back) Yung bahay niyo naman sa province, maluwang pa sa front diba? Pwede na'ting i-landscape yun...What do you think?
Imee: Pwede naman po. Actually Rod and I thinking about it po.
Lucas: (nodded) If you need help? Don't hesitate to call me, okay? Lalong-lalo ka na, Rod. Kapag may naisip ka na, sketch it then pakita mo agad sa akin.
Rod: Opo.
I just continue eating at hinayaan ko nalang ulit silang mag-usap. Hayst! I don't know but I feel a bit pissed off dahil sa sinabi ni Dad. Ang dating tuloy sa akin parang hindi ako ganon kagaling mag-design. Why? Dahil kailangan ko pang ipakita sa kanya. In other words, kailangan ko pa ng approval niya. Paano naman yung gusto ko diba? Tsaka bahay ko yun noh! Ako dapat ang masusunod.
It's already 2pm and I'm currently in my secret room. Oh! Let me correct that, art room na pala dahil simula noong ipinakita ko ang kwartong ito kay Lizzy, palagi nang nakabukas ang pinto nito. Our helpers are also allowed to enter this room coz they are the one who clean na din.
Minutes had pass someone hug me behind which made me smile so I turned back.
Imee: Love?
Rod: Hmm?
Imee: Can I ask a favor?
Rod: What is it? (Confuse)
Imee: Gusto ko (look around)...Gusto ko ilipat mo ang mga masterpiece na'to sa bahay natin....Please?
Rod: Why? (Cupped Imee's face)
Imee: Eh gusto kong makita ang mga 'to everytime I wake up eh. Tsaka these masterpiece belong in our house, love.
Rod: Ilipat natin sa bahay? Saang bahay, love?
Imee: Sa province (then smile)
As Lizzy tell those words, she immediately kiss my cheek down to my neck then rest her head on my chest. Aurgh! Finally, clingy Lizzy is in.
Rod: Love?
Imee: Hmm?
Rod: Pwedeng ano?
Imee: Ano? (Pulled out from the hug and look at Rod)
Rod: Wait, isara ko lang yung pinto— (didn't continue his words coz Imee slap his chest)
Imee: Tigilan mo, Roderick (shook her head at the same time smiling)
Rod: Oh bakit? Isa lang eh (chuckled)
Imee: No!
Rod: Napakadamot naman, love. Isang halik lang eh.
Imee: Shut up!...Tigilan mo yang kalandian mo Laurel ha. Nandito tayo sa bahay ng Nanay at Tatay mo. Manahimik ka.
That made me burst into laughters dahil nakakatakot na naman tumingin ang mahal ko. Seconds had has, I hugged her again. She even closed her eyes which made me smile. This time, I know she feels home again.
Dr. Francisco's POV
I am now our hospital at katatapos ko lang magperform ng surgery kasama ng ibang Doctor. I am still wearing scrubs. To be honest I missed wearing this coz the last time atang nagsuot pa ako nito was 2 months ago. I-I don't remember.
While sipping coffee, I saw a boy na inaalalayang maglakad ang kanyang lola (I guess) which made me sad. Agad ko kasing naalala yung lola ko eh. Actually lola ko ang nagpaaral sa akin noon. My Mom and Dad passed away when I was little because of car accident.
While remembering how my lola take care of me before, agad akong bumalik sa reyalidad coz Nurse Stephen told me na kailangan daw ng Doctor sa room 30.
While hurriedly heading to that room, agad namang ipinakita sa akin ni Nurse Stephen ang charts ng pasyente.
Dr. Franchesca: Where's Dr. Chavez?
Stephen: Rest day niya po ngayon, Doc. S-she's not around po.
Dr. Francisco: What about Dr. Del Valle?
Stephen: He's having early dinner, Doc.
Dr. Francisco: Early dinner?! Naghihingalo na ang pasyente, nakuha niya pang magdinner? Call him!
Stephen: N-noted, Doc.
When we enter the elevator, I immediately ask Nurse Stephen kung natawagan na ba niya or even informed him but he answered no. Cannot be reach daw! The hell! This is what I hate eh.
Stephen: P-pero Doc, may mga bagong Doctor naman po ta—(didn't continue his words coz Dr. Francisco speak up)
Dr. Francisco: Baguhan palang ang mga yun, Nurse Stephen. Wala pa nga silang 3 buwan dito eh! You think they can handle this kind of situation na? God! Use your brain kung meron ka pa non.
Yes! I said that coz everytime I'm mad, hindi ko na ma-control kung anong lumalabas sa bibig ko. Tsaka common sense naman diba? Hayst! As I enter the patient's room, he looks pale. Flat line na din ang nag-aappear sa EKG so I quickly revived the patient. Good thing he survived.
As I went out the room, I inform Nurse Stephen to monitor the patient from time to time. By the time I enter my office, I immediately call Dr. Chavez but she's not picking up which made me so pissed.
Imee's POV
I woke up around 7pm. To be honest nagulat nga din ako eh coz I am now laying on my bed. Minutes had pass, bumangon na din ako coz I wanna take a bath and do my night routine.
I wore sleeveless dress dahil sobrang init. While combing my hair, someone knocked. Jusko! Sigurado akong si Roderick ulit yan so I told him to come in.
Rod: Love, let's have dinner na.
Imee: Okay. Ahm, wait for me downstairs na. I'll just dry my hair.
Rod: Okay (nodded)
When Rod closed the door, I heard something that keep on vibrating. I got confused so agad kong hinanap kung ano ito and I was shock when I found out na phone ko pala. As soon as I answer the call, it ends. My eyes widen when I saw 15 missed calls from Dr. Francisco, 7 missed calls from Stephen and 6 missed calls from Nurse Jen.
Sa sobrang kaba ko my hands were now shaking. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang unang tatawagan ko sa kanila. Seconds had pass, Dr. Francisco's name popped on my screen again so I immediately answer it.
*On Call
Imee: Good evening, Doc.
Dr. Francisco: I know it's already late but please come to the hospital right now, Dr. Chavez...Your patient in room 30 needs you.
Imee: R-room 30?! (Worried)
Dr. Francisco: Do I have to repeat it again? Bingi ka ba, Dr. Chavez?
Imee: S-sorry, Doc. Yeah, I'll be there in an hour po.
Dr. Francisco didn't utter any words. He just ended the call. Kilala ko yun, for sure he shook her head and pissed off because of me. Sana lang makauwi pa ako mamaya HUHU. As I put down my phone, I immediately head to my closet room and get changed. Nagulat nga din si Rod nang bumaba akong nakabihis while holding my white coat eh.
As we reach the hospital, Rod immediately hopped out and open the door for me. He also gave the key para ang guard na mismo ang humanap ng parking area.
While walking agad ko namang nakasalubong si Stephen and informed me na kanina pa daw ako hinahanap ni Dr. Francisco. And guess what, galit daw kanina pa.
When I entered room 30, nadatnan kong nakatulog ang pasyente. Her mom immediately stood up and walk towards me.
Patient's Mom: Maraming salamat po dahil dumating kayo, Doc (smile and look at her son again)
Imee: Don't worry, your son is okay. We just have to do some tests again tomorrow para malaman po natin kung bakit nangyari yun kanina.
Patient's Mom: Alam ko naman Doc eh....Alam ko namang kahit anong oras, iiwan na ako ng anak ko (her tears started to fall) Alam ko namang gamot nalang ang bumubuhay sa kanya, Doc.
To be honest, she's right. Ilang buwan na din kasi ang batang 'to dito sa hospital. In fact, this room become his home na nga eh.
Patients Mom: You know what Doc last night, my son ask me na gusto niyang makita yung tatay niya. P-pero hindi ko mapagbigyan kasi hindi naman kami ang totoong pamilya ng tatay niya eh.
When she tell those words, I move closer and held her arm. That's the only thing I know na kaya kong gawin dahil hindi ko din alam kung anong sasabihin ko to make her feel okay.
Patient's Mom: Hindi ko man lang naiparanas sa anak ko yung kompletong pamilya, Doc....Napakasama at napakaselfish kong ina (her tears continues to fall)
Imee: Don't say that, Ma'am. In fact, napakatapang mo nga po eh coz you raised him on your own. I'm sure yun din po ang nasa isip ng anak niyo (then smile)
Patient's Mom: Kung maibabalik ko lang po talaga Doc, I will fight for his Dad....Sana inisip ko na kailangan niya din ng ama noon...Sana mas naging matapang ako noon.
When she tell those words, agad ko naman siyang niyakap. To be honest, naiiyak na din ako but I control myself not to cry. I shouldn't let my patients know that I'm affected or what coz if that happens, they might think that I'm weak.
Minutes had pass, Nurse Stephen came in and check the patient. Nagpaalam na din ako and as I enter my office, I saw Rod sitting on the chair so I remove my white coat and stethoscope then sit as well (on my swivel chair).
Rod: Kumusta yung pasyente mo, love?
Imee: He's getting worse (Then lean her back) Napakabata pa non, Rod. Ang dami pa sana niyang dapat gawin.
Rod: (handed Imee's hand) Love, remember the rules, okay? Don't get attach to your patients.
Imee: I know pero nakakapanghinayang lang eh.
Rod: Well, ganon talaga, love. Hindi natin alam kung anong pwedeng mangyari sa atin. May nabubuhay, may namamatay. That's life.
I just gave him a stare and sigh deeply. Half an hour had pass pinauwi ko na din siya dahil hindi ako pwedeng umuwi. I need to monitor my patient from time to time and just to keep myself busy, I recheck his charts.
From Rod:
I'm home, love.
Miss you already🥺
After reading his message, I shook my head pero napangiti din naman. "Ano bang nagawa ko para bigyan ako ng gantong klaseng mapapangasawa? Aurgh!"
To Rod:
Tsk! Ang drama mo! Matulog ka na🙄
✅Message Sent.
From Rod:
Wavyou, Dr. Laurel❤️
From Rod:
Mahal kita, Doc Laurel❤️
From Rod:
Te quiero, Dr. Laurel❤️
To Rod:
Sinong nagsabi na I'll change my surname once we got married ha? No way! Still Dr. Chavez pa din po. Sorry😜
✅Message Sent.
From Rod:
What? Love, wala tayong pinag-usapan na ganyan🥺
📞You missed a call from Rod
📞You missed a call from Rod
📞You missed a call from Rod
📞You missed a call from Rod
From Rod:
Love, answer my call🥺
To Rod:
You sleep na.
Goodnight! I love you❤️😘
✅Message Sent.
Seconds had pass, I heard my phone vibrate twice but I didn't bother to check it na coz Nurse Jen inform me na gising na daw ang patient sa room 30 so I immediately went out of my office and check him.
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