"Eli anak matagal ka pa ba? Your mom is here, kanina pa naghihintay" greggy said to Eli when she answered his call.
"Wait Dad, I'll just wash my face last na. Give me 10 minutes" she said and ended the call.
Greggy heaved a deep sigh as he looked at Irene who is comfortably sitting down on the sofa
Today is Friday and Irene's going to fetch Eli dahil schedule niya na sakanya si Eli ng Friday and Saturday.
"10 more minutes daw 'rene, you can eat snacks first. What do you want?" He said.
"Im fine Greg, I'll just wait for Eli here" she said, tumango naman si Greggy.
Tumungo si Greggy sa kusina para sana ipagtimpla si Irene ng juice pero pagdating niya dun ay nakaprepara na ang juice, ginawan na pala ito ni Nanay Rose ng maiinom at makakain
"Thanks Nay, ako nalang po magpupunta dun" wika ni Greggy kay Nanay Rose sabay buhat sa baso at plato na may laman na sandwich.
"Nanay Rose made you a juice and sandwich. You eat that while waiting for Eli" wika ni Greggy at inilapag sa center table ang baso at plato.
"Nanay Rose talaga nag-abala pa, thanks greg" wika naman ni Irene
Naupo si Greggy sa isang sofa, he looked at Irene who is now sipping on her juice
"So, How's you Irene?" He tried to have a conversation
Ibinaba ni Irene ang baso sa mesa at tumingin kay Greggy, "Nothing New Greg, same as the usual. Always busy at work but nakakahanap naman ng time for other priorities" simpleng sagot niya
"What about you?" Dagdag ni Irene
"Had a bit hectic schedule last week but medyo maluwag na ngayon, we just finished constructing our branch in pampanga so that's why" sagot niya
"Oh wow, that's good. Nagpapayaman ka na ng nagpapayaman" biro ni Irene and chuckles.
"Wow, look who's talking. Ang laki ng salary ng doctor kaya" this time nakangiti na sila habang naguusap
"Its not that big rin, 20 percent of my salary goes to charity and orphanages"
"Generous mo Doc" biro ni Greggy
"But really Irene kidding aside, just want you to know that despite what happened to us I can say that I am so proud of you because you reached all your dreams and now look at you, you are doing the things you planned before to help those in need" seryosong wika ni Greggy.
Napangiti naman si Irene at parang may humaplos sa puso niya.
Sa kabila ng mga nangyari sakanila hindi na inaasahan ni Irene na marinig niya kahit kanino mas lalo kay Greggy ang salitang 'Im so proud of you' dahil kahit siya may pagsisisi na inabot niya ang pangarap niya pero may iniwan naman siyang tao.
She's not that even proud of herself and because of Greggy she started to feel na kahit papaano hindi man maganda lahat ng nangyari ay pwede pa palang may maging proud sakanya.
"Hey you're so annoying, you're making me cry" emotional na wika niya habang pinupunasan ang ilang butil ng luha niya
"Still a crybaby, here get this" he said and handed her a handkerchief
"Thank you Greg, that means a lot to me" Irene said, Greggy just nod his head and sakto dumating na si Eli holding a not so large bag and a school bag.
"Are you guys okay?" She asked
"Ofcourse, we're just talking anak and your mom still a crybaby so that's why medyo teary eyed" her dad answered
"Let's go na po? Dad have a rest at iwas muna sa work okay? I'll update you always, huwag mo akong mamiss masyado" wika ni Eli kaya natawa ang dalawa
"Aba, baka ako ang mamiss mo" biro naman ni Greggy sabay pisil sa pisngi ni Eli
"Aray Daddy masakit" reklamo niya
Pinagmasdan lang ni Irene ang dalawa na nagkukulitan
"Oh give me my allowance na so we can go na"
"Kukuha ka pa allowance? Ang yaman ng mommy mo sagot ka na niyan kaya di mo na need allowance sa akin, diba Doc?" Birong tanong ni Greggy sabay nakakalokong nagtataaas ng kilay kay Irene
Natawa naman si Irene, "just to clear I am not rich El huwag kang maniwala sa daddy mo but ako na bahala sa allowance mo anak" she said. Nakita niya namang natawa ang mag-ama niya.
"Mayaman ka daw Doc eh, penge nga ako 1Million" biro ni Eli na nagpahalakhak kay Greggy.
"I'll just give you 1 million pag ikakasal ka na" biro naman ni Irene
"Hoy hoy doc, anong kasal kasal na yan ha? Baby pa itong Eli ko noh" agad na sumbat na greggy kaya si Irene naman ang mas natawa
"Im just kidding, oh siya Let's go na. Nagpaalam ka na ba kila Nanay Rose anak?" Irene asked.
"Opo, dumaan po ako sa kwarto nila bago pumunta rito"
"Let's go then, Greg we're going na" wika ni Irene at kinuha kay Eli ang bag na dala nito.
"Ako na magbuhat Irene, ihatid ko na kayo sa labas" wika ni Greg kaya naman sabay sabay silang naglakad palabas.
Sumakay na ng sasakyan sila Eli at nanatiling nakatayo at nakatingin si Greg sakanila
"Behave El, don't give your mom a headache" bilin ni Greggy tumango naman si Eli
"Drive Safely Doc, ingat!" Tumango si Irene and waved her hand before started the engine.
______
"El the pasta is ready, Let's eat na anak" aya ni Irene kay Eli habang nagttv ito sa sala ng condo niya.
Its already 6pm, kararating lang nila kaninang ala singko sa condo niya dahil galing ng school si Eli sinundo niya.
"Mukhang masarap Doc" natutuwang wika ni Eli pagkalapit sa dining
"Let's eat maupo ka na" wika naman ni Irene at pinagsilbihan si Eli
"We have some rice and fried chicken too if you want"
"Baka tumaba naman ako dito Doc pag palagi ako rito" biro niya habang kumakain nung pasta
"Naku walang diet diet anak, kumain ka lang"
"You have work tomorrow po?"
"I took a rest day for tomorrow so we can have a bonding"
Napangiti si Eli
"But what about your patients po? Diba po every saturday lang yung free checkup sa mga bata?"
"Yup, may mga bagong dating na doctor sa hospital. One of them is also a Pedia so she can takeover on that" tumango si Eli
"How's tita Paula? Nakikita mo po siya sa hospital?" Eli asked
"Yup, she's nice naman. Halos kilala na ata niya lahat kasi friendly rin siya"
"Hindi kayo close?" Napatingin si Eli sa anak niya
"We're talking naman, hindi lang nagkakaroon ng time to have a longer conversation because were both busy" sagot ni Irene.
"Is it okay with you na sa Hospital niyo siya nagwwork?"
"Hay naku El, you do have a lot of questions" she said para maiwasan ang usapan nila about Paula
"Hmmm I think alam ko na ang sagot mo Doc"
"Not really El, Honestly Im shocked to see her there. Gusto ko man o hindi na nandun siya wala akong magagawa dahil hindi ko naman hawak ang hospital, they can hire whoever they want and as long as she's doing well in her work its fine for me"
"Dad told me that you guys had a talked last month about your relationship and about Tita Paula"
Tumango tango si Irene. Sa halos dalawang buwan nang natapos ang usapan nila ni Greggy ay ngayon lang sila ni Eli nagkaroon ng chance na pagusapan ito
Mahbe they are both avoiding this topic
"Yup, your dad told me everything about Paula"
"Sorry" Eli said
"Hey, why are you saying sorry anak?"
"Because I can't do anything to convince dad na ikaw nalang. Honestly I want us to be a complete family again but I already accepted the fact na hindi na mangyayari iyon. Sorry because I know that you suffer heartache after that talk. Sorry kasi as much as I want to be on your side hindi ko magawang maging antagonist sakanila ni Tita Paula" she said in a low tone.
"I want to tell you this weeks ago but I am shy, alam ko rin na sensitive ka pa when it comes to dad kaya iniwasan ko rin muna. But now na nakikita kong okay ka na pwede na sigurong magexplain"
"El anak you don't have to explain anything. Whatever happened to us with your dad wala kang kinalaman doon. And in fact Malaki ang kasalanan ko sa daddy mo. I may still love him but hindi ko siya pwedeng pigilan sa mga bagay na makakapagpasaya sakanya. I already accepted the fact na may iba ng mahal ang daddy mo so I need to move forward on that"
"Im just telling you these baka kasi masama loob mo sa akin, baka mafeel mo na I choose Tita Paula's side. I love you both Doc, I can't choose---"
"Anak hindi mo kailangang mamili, I will never put you in a situation where you have to choose if its Paula or Me. Hindi masama ang loob ni Mommy okay, I got hurt pero hindi dahil sayo nor about your dad or tita paula. I got hurt because of my own expectations. Akala ko kasi pwede pa"
Tumango tango si Eli. Tears are starting to flow down to her cheeks
"Stop crying, wala kang kasalanan. Don't worry your dad and I decided na magiging okay kami para di ka mahirapan. Okay naman kami as you can see kanina diba?"
"Thank you for understanding our situation Doc"
"No anak, thank you for understanding us. For your unending patience lalo na sa akin" ngumiti si Eli, Irene wiped Eli's tears and pinched her cheeks.
"Oh let's continue eating. No more crying okay? You sleep on my room El ha? Maaga tayo bukas dahil papasyal tayo"
"Really? Where?"
"Secret basta you will love it but dadaan muna tayo sa hospital saglit at ichecheck ko lang sila Hannah"
______
"We'll just stay here around half an hour, sasamahan ko lang saglit si Doc Hannah" tumango si Eli at bumaba na rin ng kotse nila
Hawak niya ang iced coffee nila habang naglalakad sila papasok ng hospital. Panay ang bati ng mga nurse na nakakasalubong nila sakanila, bumabati pabalik si Irene at si Eli naman ay ngumingiti lang.
"Irene!" Rinig nilang boses kaya sabay silang lumingon
Nakita ni Eli ang isang lalaki na Doctor dito dahil may white coat itong suot
"Henry! Good Morning, maaga pala duty mo?" Irene said, lumapit ang lalaki sakanila at bumeso kay Irene.
"Good Morning, pumasok ako ng 7 kasabay ko si Hannah. Akala ko rest day mo?"
"Yup, I just went here to check on Hannah siya kasi sumalo dun sa free check up eh"
Nakatingin lang si Eli sa dalawa na naguusap, mukha silang malapit sa isa't isa. Ito siguro yung bagong doctor na kaibigan ng nanay niya
"Btw Henry This is Eli my daughter, and Eli this is Doc Henry a friend of mine. He's new here, kasama niya yung iba naming kaibigan ipapakilala ko sayo mamaya anak" pagpapakilala ni Irene sakanilang dalawa.
"Hi there young lady, I am Doctor Henry. nice meeting you. You looked like your mom" helend her hand for a shake hand
"Hello po Doc, I am Eli po nice to meet you also" sagot naman ni Eli sabay abot sa kamay para makipagshake hands.
"Osiya Henry mauna na kami kay Hannah. See you around" Wika ni Irene nagpaala na rin si Eli sa lalaki at naglakad na sila patungo sa office.
"Doc Good Morning! Bakit po pumasok kayo?" Micah asked, kahit wala si Irene ay pinapasok niya si Micah para may tumulong kay Hannah
"Ichecheck ko lang kayo rito, aalis din ako agad Mic. Good Morning"
"Good Morning ate Micah" bati ni Eli, binati rin naman siya pabalik ni Micah bago asikasuhin ang mga nakapilang patiente.
"Hey Doc Hannah, Good Morning. How's work?" Bungad na bati ni Irene sa babaeng maputi na nakaupo sa harap ng desk
"Oh Doc Irene why are you here? Missed me already?" Biro niya
"Silly, I just went here to check on you. Nagguilty naman ako na kadarating mo palang sinalo mo na agad work ko"
"Its fine, I liked this kind of work naman. I have the chance to get to know the patients" sabay ngiti.
"I still owe you one so I bought you a drink and a food for snacks. Kay Micah yang isa" she said at nilapag sa isang mesa ang dala nilang pagkain.
"Thanks Irene. Who's this young lady with you? Is this Eli? Omg, she's so beautiful" wika ni Doc hannah. Napangiti naman si Eli.
"Eli po, Doc Irene's daughter" pagpapakilala niya sa sarili niya at nag abot ng kamay para sa shake hands.
"So beautiful, Doc Irene ang ganda pala talaga niya"
"Ofcourse, kanino pa ba magmamana?" Confident na sagot ni Irene
"Wow, I'm flattered to get a compliment from a beautiful girl also"
"Ay irene na irene nga, bolera rin" natawa si Eli.
After that Hannah went back on checking patients while Irene is Helping her and Eli is just sitting on the couch waiting for her mom.
"Irene you can go now, Eli might get bored na. I can do this na, don't worry andyan naman si Micah eh" hannah said after Irene was helping her for more than 20 minutes
"You sure?"
"Yup, go na at baka bored na ang beautiful Eli"
"Okay okay, we will go then. See you tomorrow Hannah. Thanks again" paalam niyw
Nagpaalam na rin si Eli kay Doc Hannsg at kay Micah bago sila maglakad paalis.
"Lawrence!" Biglang tawag ni Irene sa lalaking makakasalubong nila sa Hallway.
"Doc Irene" bati naman nung lalaki at ang lawak ng ngiti.
Lumapit si Irene rito at bumeso sa lalaki. As usual pinakilala na naman siya rito
"Hello po Doc, nice meeting you po"
"Nice meeting you also beautiful young lady"
"Aalis na kayo?" He asked. Irene nod ger head
"Oh mabuti pala at nakasalubong ko kayo. I bought this for you and for Eli, Henry mentioned na you were here so I bought you guys a snack"
"Salamat Lawrence di ka na sana nag-abala. Babawi ako bukas"
"Thank you po Doc" wika naman ni Eli.
"Mag-iingat kayo Irene, drive safely ha? I gotta go and give this snack to Hannah and Ara also" paalam nung lalaki kaya nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad sila Irene
"I think he's the sweetest Doc. So thoughtful naman your friend" wika ni Eli
"You think so?" Eli nods
"He didn't even know me yet personally but he made me sama sa bibilhan niya ng snacks" natawa si Irene
"Generous talaga yun, mayaman eh" biro ni Irene at nagpatuloy na sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating sila ng parking
While Irene was driving napansin niya na unti unting napapapikit si Eli kaya mahina siyang natawa.
"You took a nap first anak, I'll just wake you up once na makarating na tayo" wika ni Irene, hindi na nakasagot si Eli at agad na nitong pinikit ang mata. Isinandal niya ang ulo sa backrest ng passenger seat at nakatulog agad.
An hour had passed and they arrived in front of a big house. Agad na ginising ni Irene si Eli.
"Where are we? Who's house is this?" She asked.
"We're here at Manang Imee's house" sagot naman ni Irene.
"Wow, Ang yaman naman ni Gov. Ang laki ng bahay niya, may Fountain pa"
Irene chuckles.
"Let's go inside? She's there kauuwi lang kahapon" tumango si Eli.
Bumaba na sila ng sasakyan at laglag ang panga niyagn pinagmasdan ang paligid.
Malawak na bakuran na sa gitna'y may fountain at sa gilid may swimming pool. Punong puno ito ng halaman at maraming upuan sa garden.
"Oh nandito na pala kayo, pumasok na kayo" rinig niyang wika kaya napalingon siya.
She saw Imee kissed Irene's cheeks and then went to her para magbeso rin
"Hi Tita, nice to see you again"
"Pumasok na tayo, bakit di pa kayo pumasok?"
"Ang ganda kasi rito, para kang nasa ibang bansa" Eli said.
"Akala ko sasabihin mo na para kang nasa gubat sa dami ng halaman" biro ni Imee
"Yaman mo daw manang sabi ni Eli" biro naman ni Irene
"Mas mayaman mommy mo trust me" sabay kindat niya kay Eli at hinila na sila papasok sa bahay.
"Hala Gov ang yaman mo nga talaga, paambon naman ng kayamanan diyan oh" biro pa ni Eli pagkapasok nila sa bahay.
Tumawa lang ang dalawa at dumiretso sila sa Dining na napakaraming pagkain ang nakahain.
Agad na silang kumain pagkatapos naman ay tumambay sila sa sala at nagkwentuhan buong araw
______
"Are you expecting a visitor tonight doc?" Eli asked while sitting at the high chair on the kitchen while Irene is reheating the food that Imee gave to them
"Wala naman anak, can you check who's ringing the door bell please?" Tumango si Eli at naglakad patungo sa Main door ng condo ni Irene.
Nagulat ito nang makarinig nang malalakas na tili galing sa mga doctor na kaibigan ni Irene.
"Ay hala Eli sorry, akala namin si Irene" wika ni Doc Ara nang mapahinto sila sa malakas na pagbati.
Eli chuckles and just nod her head.
"Your mom is there?" Doc Hannah asked her.
"Yes po, she's in the kitchen. Come in po" magalang na bati niya tumango naman ang mga ito at isa isang pumasok.
Bawat isa sakanila ay may bitbit na paper bag na sa tingin ni Eli ay naglalaman ng mga pagkain at ilang inumin.
"Eli anak sino ang mga iyan?" Rinig nilang boses ni Irene na nanggagaling si Kusina.
Naglakad na sila Ara patungo sa kusina at malalakas na boses nilang binati si Irene.
Halata naman ang gulat sa mukha ni Irene nang makita ang mga kaibigan na nasa condo niya.
"W-what are you guys doing here? Wala na kayong duty?" She asked
"Nag early out ako para makasama at alam ko naman na hindi sila makakarating ng tama kung wala ako" confident na wika ni Ara.
Isa isang lumapit si Eli sa mga kaibigan niya at bumeso.
"Are you guys having a bonding? Did we disturb you?" Hannah asked
"No naman po, mas masaya nga na nandito kayo. I can sagap chikas" biro naman ni Eli kaya natawa sila.
"Kumain na ba kayo? You guys want bagnet? My manang gave me some bagnet from Ilocos"
"Sure sure, may dala rin kaming food and syempre di mawawala ang nomnom" wika ni Ara sabay taas nung bote ng alak na dala nila
"Mga baliw, we can't be wasted--"
"Oh c'mon Irene, iinom lang tayo di tayo maglalasing" Hannah said.
Nagpresenta na si Lawrence and Hannah na tutulungan si Irene sa kusina habang si Ara at Henry naman ay kasama si Eli sa Sala na inaayos rin ang mga dala nilang pagkain pati ang mga bote.
"Is this your usual bonding doc? Parang night out niyo na itong ganito?" Eli trief to have a small conversation.
"Yup but this is not the super nightout, in San Francisco we used to go to a bar and nightout there but when we just want a chill night ganito ang ginagawa namin" sagot ni Ara.
"Really nagbbar kayo?" Di makapaniwalang tanong ni Eli.
Well, si Irene lalo na si Hannah ay mukhang inosente. Parang di makabasag pinggan kaya mahirap paniwalaan na nagbbar sila.
"Yup, pero we have rules na pag nagbar kami dapat walang hihiwalay---"
"But si Doc Ara, siya palagi ang pasaway at hindi na mahanap kung saan" singit naman ni Doc Henry kaya natawa si Eli
"Ang hirap takasan ng mga security guard namin pag nag bar kami"
"May security guard po kayo?" Tanong niya nanaman
"Yup, si Henry and Lawrence" natatawang sagot ni Ara
"Daig pa tatay kung magbantay mga yan" pabirong dagdag niya.
Natawa naman si Eli, minutes had passed at dumating na sila Irene dala ang ibang pagkain pati na ang mga pinggan
"What are you guys talking about?" Hannah asked as she sat on the couch
"Eli was asking if what is our usual hangout back then" kwento ni Henry
"I told her na sometimes nagbbar tayo at may security guard tayo named henry and lawrence"
"Gosh Ara, pati ba naman yung about bar ikkwento mo sa anak ko?" Irene said.
"Ofcoursw anong masama sa pagbbar, we are just having fun lang naman Doc. Wag kang kj diyan, right El?" Tumango si Eli
"Pag nasa right age ka na isasama ka namin, we'll try to go to a bar"
"Malalagot tayo sa tatay niyan Ara---"
"Really? Can I join you guys? I just want to experience it" excited na wika ni Eli, tumango tango sila Hannah at nagkwento ng mga nakaraan nila kaya napailing nalang si Irene.
"El here's your drink, juice lang anak you can't try the alcohol" wika ni Irene and handed El the glass with juice.
"Strict mommy naman pala ang Irene natin eh" biro ni Henry.
"Well you can see naman na dati pa. She's the most strict sa atin, she's like out mother" pang-asar ni Ara, agad naman siyang nakatanggap ng pambabato ng junkfoods galing kay Irene
"Ouch doc mapanakit" reklamo ni Ara, kaya tumawa ang ibang mga kaibigan nito.
Eli just looked at them and smiled. Mukhang ang saya saya nilang magkakasama. Maybe they really missed each other, yung ganitong scenario na complete sila. Ang cute lang nilang tignan na kahit lahat sila ay successful Doctor na ay hindi parin nila nakakalimutan na gawin ang mga bagay na ginagawa nila dati.
"El kung magbboyfriend ang mommy mo payag ka?" Hannah suddenly asked in the middle of their chitchats.
"Are you drunk? Why are you asking that?" Ara asked hannah.
"Wala Im just curious, since Irene told us na Eli's dad is Doc Paula's boyfriend. If she allow her dad to have a girlfriend Im sure she is open naman for her mom to have a boyfriend" nagkibit balikat na wika nito.
"Hannah you're drunk" irene told her
"Ofcourse not Irene, Im just asking. Sayang ang mga manliligaw ang ggwapo at ang yayaman" pabiro nitong wika.
"Pardon her for acting like that, siya ang may pinakamababang alcohol tolerance sa aming lahat" Lawrence whispered to her. Tumango lang naman si Eli
"I don't have a problem with that naman po, basta kung saan siya masaya I will support her" sagot ni Eli, she saw her mom smiled at her.
"Si Doc Lawrence, ano ang tingin mo sakanya?" Hannah asked again, tumawa ng malakas si Ara na para bang nagugustuhan na kung saan papunta ang usapan
"Si Doc Lawrence? Well, he's handsome and looked kind naman po. Why? Doc is he courting you?" Tanong ni Eli kay Irene.
"Naku, they are not lovers but they are more than just a friend. Let's just say special friend?" Natatawang wika ni Hannah
"Crush mo mommy ko Doc noh" pang-aasar ni Eli kay Lawrence.
Nakiasar naman na sila Henry at Ara, namumula na si Irene di mo alam kung natatamaan sa iniinom o kinikilig.
"Hey stop it, ano ba" suway niya
"Ako kaya ang crush ng mommy mo" Lawrence said.
"Wow really? Kapal mo Lawrence" natatawang sagot ni Irene
"Aminin mo na Irene, crush mo yan dati pa" Ara said.
"Pero nung niligawan they remained as a friends, baka ngayon may second chance" henry added and laughed.
Napailing nalang si Lawrence and Irene habang inaasar sila ng mga kaibigan at ni Eli na patawa tawa.
-----
Happy Friday!