Chapter 7

I put on my shades to shield my eyes from the glaring sun and climbed out of my white sports car. Naningkit ang mga mata ko habang nakatanaw sa labas ng ospital, looking for that familiar, slim figure. Inayos ko ang strap ng bag ko at tuluyan nang naglakad papasok.

The entire place smelled of alcohol and disinfectant. Doctors and nurses are talking in hushed voices. It's already 11 in the morning but they all look so tired. Lahat ba sila graveyard shift?

"Savia!"

I turned and saw her, glowing in her white lab coat as she ran towards me. She's wearing their baby blue uniform and a pair of crocs. As soon as she neared me, I pulled her into a hug.

"Tina!"

We both squealed in the middle of the emergency room, getting the attention of many. Some doctors are already glaring at us kasi kami lang dalawa ang nag-iingay dito. Tina quickly composed herself and cleared her throat.

"Miss De la Rua, let's go to my office." She said and bit her lower lip, looking away.

Pinigilan ko ang pag-ngisi ko at sinundan siya. I followed her to the staff room while we were talking.

"OMG. How long has it been? Five? Six years?"

"Five years." I rolled my eyes. "You've completed your residency."

"Yes." She grinned. "I'm specializing CS."

There are some doctors lounging around the staff room, obviously tired. But Tina isn't like them. She's so full of energy. Her makeup is still fresh and her hair is tied in a ponytail, with her soft curls bouncing every time she walks.

"Coffee?" she asked. I shook my head and smiled. "Pasensiya ka na. Parang nagiging tubig na ang kape dito. I think I developed tolerance for caffeine. Hindi na um-epekto sa akin," she chuckled, leaning against her small desk. I could see piles of medical books and papers scattered around. Some doctors are sleeping on their desks, obviously tired.

"Ayos lang ba na dito tayo mag-usap?" bulong ko sa kaniya.

She waved her hands in dismissal. "Ayos lang, no! There was a bus accident last night. 20 patients were rushed into the hospital so the ER staff is just..." she gestured to the sleeping doctors. "tired."

I gave her a rueful smile. Naaawa ako sa kanila at the same time, malaki rin ang respeto ko sa mga doktor. Grandma is a retired doctor. She's an anesthesiologist. Ang alam ko, balak din sana ni Mama na ipagpatuloy ang yapak niya kung hindi lang siya nabuntis nang dahil sa akin.

"So, when are you going back?" she asked, tracing the rim of her paper cup.

My conversation with Atty. de Guzman rang earlier inside of my head. Until now, I still can't believe what I heard from him. It was hard for me to differentiate illusion from reality.

"By the end of the week. I started packing my things already." Sagot ko sa kaniya.

She nodded and took a sip. Inilapag niya ang kape sa tabi niya at pinagmasdan ako.

"And you said you're going to need me?"

My eyes gleamed and I nodded. Then I proceeded to tell her about the entire situation.

Tina's eyes widened as I detailed what happened and what's going to happen. She gasped in horror.

"If you're not gonna slap her in the face, Karma will..." she said out loud, still dazed.

"That's why I need your help. Can you come with me this weekend? I heard she's throwing a party for her birthday."

Tina reached for me and squeezed my arms. She nodded. "Of course, I'm going with you. Hindi kita pababayaan dun."

"Thanks, Tina."

"Valentina!"

We both jumped in surprise when a deep, angry voice sounded inside the room. Pati ang mga natutulog na doktor ay nabulabog din. A tall, young doctor entered the staff room. At first glance, you will know that he came from an aristocratic family with his foreign and sophisticated features. His eyes are sharp and his mouth unsmiling. Katulad ni Tina ay nakasuot din siya ng white lab gown. Kaso lang, it looks like he's modelling in his lab coat. It's hard to believe someone as good-looking as him is a doctor.

"Kanina pa kita pina-page, hindi ka sumasagot!" may diin na bawat salita niya. He turned sharply to me, so I stood straighter. Iniwasan ko ang mapang-akusa niyang mga mata. "Bawal kang magdala ng kung sinu-sino dito sa staff room, alam mo ba yun?"

"Yes, doctor." Tina bowed her head a little, but I could see her fists clenching. Napatingin ulit ako sa doktor na lalaki. I stared at his embroidered name on his lab coat.

Everett Alonzo S. Ciervo, M. S.

"Prepare for an operation in 20 minutes. You're going to be my assistant." He said briskly.

Umawang ang mga labi ni Tina sa gulat. "Pero tapos na ang shift ko, doc—"

"Umaayaw ka sa akin?" his jaw clenched as his eyes challenged Tina's soft orbs.

Defeated, my cousin shook her head. "No. Of course not. I'll be there right away."

"Good."

Tumalikod siya at lumabas ng staff room. Nagkumahog naman ang ibang doktor at sumunod sa kaniya. I turned to Tina.

"Sino yun...?"

She sighed. "He's my senior."

"Bakit parang intern kung tratuhin ka niya?"

Tina shrugged, and then chuckled. "Ewan ko sa kaniya. Bitter yun, e."

"Ex mo?"

Natigilan siya at nanigas. For a moment, I could see her contemplating. She sighed.

"Ex mo nga," I smiled.

"Don't mention it to him. He'll go wild if anyone in this hospital knows that we have history."

"Don't worry. Hindi naman siguro kami magkikita ulit." Ani ko at kinuha ang bag. "Yun lang ang pinunta ko dito. Susunduin kita sa—"

"Ay, huwag na! Magkita nalang tayo..." she chuckled nervously. "H-Huwag mo na akong sunduin."

Kumunot ang noo ko, naguguluhan sa inaasal ng pinsan.

"Are you sure?"

She nodded repeatedly.

"Okay, then. Just call me."

After we said our goodbyes, I went out of the staff room and headed to the lobby while Tina rushed to the locker room, probably to change clothes. I pulled out my phone to contact attorney while walking when I saw a familiar figure.

Bilog na bilog ang tiyan niya at tila nahihirapan pang maglakad. Nanigas ako sa kinatatayuan ko at hindi alam ang gagawin. I wanted to confirm if that was really her. I walked towards her.

"Jess?"

She turned, and her eyes widened in recognition. I could feel my heart pounding. Tinitigan ko siya. She's changed a lot! She gained some weight due to her pregnancy and it made her look healthier!

"Oh my God, Anna..."

"Jessica!" I pulled her into a hug and was very careful not to touch her tummy. I blinked back the tears from my eyes when she hugged me back. Nagtatalon pa ang buntis.

"Kumusta ka na? Bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita? San ka galing?"

"Jess..." I wiped the tears from my eyes.

"Anna naman eh!" pabiro niyang sinuntok ang braso ko. "Alam mo bang alalang-alala ako sa iyo? Wala akong narinig mula sa iyo sa loob ng limang taon!"

"I'm sorry..." I cried. Nahihiya kong pinunasan ang mga luha at suminghot. "You're having a baby." I pointed at her tummy. Siguro ay sa buwan na ito na siya manganganak sa hitsura niya. "Sinong tatay?"

"Jessica—"

We both turned and I was even shocked to see another familiar face. Blake!

"Blake?!"

Nagulat din siya nang makita ako. I turned to Jessica again. Tapos binalingan ko si Blake.

"Ikaw ang nakabuntis sa kaniya?!"

"Hindi, teka lang—"

"Hayop ka pala eh!" pinaghahampas ko siya ng bag ko. "How dare you come into my life again when you're about to become a father? Anong pumasok sa utak mo, ha?"

"Anna, calm down, please..."

"Anong calm down?!"

Valentina saw me getting upset in the middle of the lobby. Nagulat siya. Akala niya siguro ay umalis na ako. I chuckled bitterly. Well, akala ko rin. Before she could go near me, the male doctor from earlier grabbed her arm and dragged her to the operating room. Nakikita ko pa silang nagtatalo pero mukhang walang pakialam ang lalaking doktor sa sinasabi ng pinsan ko.

"Let me explain."

"Let me explain, my ass!" tears spilled from my eyes. I am so frustrated and angry right now. "Get lost! I don't ever want to see your face again!"

"Anna?"

"Ano na naman?!" galit akong lumingon at nakita si Baste. I couldn't hide my surprise despite being so upset. Parang sasabog na ata ang ulo ko nang makita silang tatlo na magkasama. "What the hell is going on?"

"Anna, si Baste ang ama ng dinadala ko..." Jessica said, biting her lower lip. "Tinutulungan lang kaming dalawa ni Blake."

My mouth hang open. I turned to Blake, and he looked at me seriously. Kaagad kong binawi ang kamay ko sa kaniya.

"R-Really?" I sniffed.

Jessica smiled gently. "Oo, Anna. Matagal na kaming kasal ni Sebastian. Gusto lang naman kaming tulungan ni Blake kasi may kakilala siya dito sa ospital. Maselan kasi ang pagbubuntis ko."

"I..." I was lost for words! I looked down at my bag and saw the metal lock. I immediately felt guilty. Ito ba ang pinanghampas ko sa kaniya kanina? "I.. I didn't know."

"Nalaman na namin kay Blake na nandito ka sa Pilipinas. Gusto ka sana naming surpresahin pagkalabas na ng bata..." she shrugged. "Pero kami ata ang na-surpresa."

I quickly wiped my tears away and pretended I didn't cause a scene just a while ago. Composing myself, I went near Jessica.

"Anong sinabi mong maselan ang pagbubuntis mo? May problema ba? Ayos lang ba ang bata?"

She smiled sadly. "Dalawang beses na akong nakuna. This is our third attempt of having a child..." aniya sa durog na boses. "Kaya nag-iingat ako. Naghahanap kami ng magaling na doktor na makakatulong sa amin kaya lumuwas kaming Maynila."

"Oh my god..."

I turned to Blake when I heard him talking to someone at the phone. Ngayon ko lang napansin na hawak niya pa rin ang braso ko. He's holding my arm like a little girl while his other hand is busy with the phone.

"Ganun ba? Sige, sige. Anong oras kami pwedeng bumalik?"

I scoffed and looked away. Hindi ko man lang mabawi ang kamay ko sa kaniya! I was busy studying Jessica and Sebastian together. They looked really in love and I am happy for them. I know Baste is going to be a good father to their child. Given the fact that it is almost a "miracle" child, this couple would be really happy.

Blake turned to them, still holding my hand.

"May operasyon pa ngayon si Dr. Ciervo. Mga tatlong oras ata sila sa loob. Balik nalang tayo mamaya."

"Sige. Salamat talaga, pare, ah?" ani Baste. I stared at the two of them with wide eyes. Parang kahapon lang, nagsusuntukan sila. Tapos ngayon, pare na silang dalawa!

"Walang anuman," he waved his hand. "Iuuwi ko muna si Anna. I'll contact you later."

"Iuuwi?! Anong iuuwi pinagsasabi mo!" protesta ko pero hindi niya ako pinakinggan. Blake dragged me to the parking lot while talking to someone in his phone. It irritated me more!

"Yes. Please cancel my meetings this afternoon. I can't make it. Just tell them I have to do something..." he turned to me and I glared at him. "important."

Ibinulsa ni Blake ang phone niya at binuksan ang pinto ng kotse para sa akin. Tinitigan ko lang iyon at nagmamatigas.

"What were you doing in the hospital? Are you okay? You're not sick, aren't you?"

"I'm not sick!"

"Then, what are you doing there?"

"I have a cousin who's working in the hospital. She's a doctor."

"May pupuntahan ka pa ba? Ihahatid na kita."

"Yes. Pupuntahan ko ang kotse ko at magda-drive ako nang mag-isa kasi kaya ko naman. So, Blake, kung hindi mo mamasamain, gusto ko sanang makuha ulit ang kamay ko."

"I just cancelled my meetings for you. San ka ba pupunta?"

I rolled my eyes. "It's none of your business."

Natahimik si Blake at unti-unting binitawan ang kamay ko. I scoffed and rubbed my sore arm. Even when I'm wearing a thick jacket, bakas pa rin ang kamay niya. He's that strong!

"Will you text me when you're home so I know you're okay?"

Nagtaas ako ng kilay sa kaniya.

"Kahit yun na lang. Hindi na kita ihahatid."

"Fine, fine." I scowled. "I'll text you."

He nodded and escorted me to my car. Tiningnan ko lang siya at walang imik na pumasok sa loob bago ko ipinaharurot ang kotse at umalis na. I contacted attorney again while I was driving and we agreed to meet in a nearby coffee shop.

I parked my car and went inside, looking for the two of them. Mabilis ko silang nakita. Salvador is a giant. He's so bulky and tall that he felt uncomfortable sitting in a thin wooden chair. Pinagtitinginan din siya ng mga tao. Pati ang lalaking barista na nag-serve sa kaniya ay mukha pang kinakabahan.

I smiled and placed my shades atop my head as I neared the two of them.

"Attorney!" I called and waved. Lumingon silang dalawa sa akin. Salvador's eyes widened. "Salvador." I acknowledged with a smile.

"Ganda—este, Ma'am Anna?!" gulat na gulat siya nang makita ako.

"Kanina pa niya ayaw maniwala na ikaw ang gustong makipagkita sa kaniya," Atty. de Guzman said, sipping on his coffee. He's not even bothered by Salvador's intimidating presence.

"Akala ko kasi nagti-trip lang 'tong si attorney, eh..." napakamot siya ng ulo. "Nagbabasa naman ako ng balita kahit papaano at nabalitaan ko na... na..."

"Na patay na ako?" I continued, sitting down in front of him. I chuckled. "I'm here, alive and kicking."

He heaved a huge sigh of relief. "Ma'am, alam mo bang alalang-alala ako sa iyo noon? Akala ko talaga may nangyari na sa iyo, eh. Pasensiya ka na at hanggang doon lang ang naitulong ko."

I waved my hand and gestured for the menu. Dali-daling lumapit ang server sa amin at inilapag ito sa table.

"Thanks," I said and dismissed her. I flipped through the pages and decided I want to have iced coffee.

"I'm okay, Salvador. Pinahanap kita kay attorney kasi may gusto sana akong ialok sa iyo."

"Ano po yun, Ma'am?"

I turned to attorney and he pulled out the contract we drafted. He slid it over the table until it reached Salvador. Kumunot ang noo niya at tinitigan ang kontrata.

"Ano po 'to, Ma'am? Pasensiya na po kayo, Grade 5 lang po kasi ang natapos ko. Hindi ko po alam kung anong ibig sabihin ng mga salitang ito..." he chuckled apologetically.

"It means I want to hire you as my bodyguard," I smiled. "Nakalagay d'yan ang kontrata, terms and conditions, sweldo mo, at iba pang mahahalagang impormasyon."

He nodded, and then carefully placed the papers inside the brown envelope.

"Huwag kang mag-alala, ipapaliwanag naman yan ni attorney sa iyo. Kapag pumayag ka, saka ka pa magsisimulang magtrabaho para sa akin. Pero sana, by the end of the week, makapag-desisyon ka na. May importanteng gagawin kasi ako sa La Union at kailangan kita doon."

"Wala pong problema, Ma'am! Si attorney na po ang bahala sa akin! Diba attorney?"

He nodded patiently. We had a hard time tracing him down because he's using different names. Hindi kaagad namin nalaman ang tunay niyang pangalan. Good thing attorney is such a resilient worker. He had connections everywhere.

"Mangingibang-bansa din tayo. Hindi ako pwedeng magtagal dito sa Pilipinas."

"Talaga, Ma'am? Makakakita na ako ng snow?! Pucha, ipagyayabang ko talaga 'to kina Dodong at Lito!" tuwang-tuwa na wika niya.

I smiled. His energy is so contagious. "Yes. At mag-aalaga ka din ng isang puma."

"Ano po yung puma, Ma'am?"

"Uhm... nakita mo na yun, eh. Pusa lang yun... na malaki."

"Pusa lang naman pala, Ma'am. Kayang-kaya yan!"

I chuckled and ordered my iced coffee. We talked some more before I bid goodbye to the two of them. Our conversation earlier in attorney's office with his wife is much heavier than this. Gumagaan ang loob ko kay Salvador.

I went home that night feeling tired. Sobrang dami ng nangyari ngayong araw. I stripped off my clothes and took a shower. Pinakain ko na din si Barin. I'm not in the mood to eat anything, so I just watched some movies in the living room hoping it would make me sleepy.

In the middle of the movie, my phone started ringing. Napatigin ako at nakitang tumatawag si Blake. Shoot! I forgot to text him. Kaagad kong sinagot ang tawag.

"Are you home?"

"Y-Yes..." napakamot ako. "I'm sorry, nakalimutan kitang i-text. I was so tired."

"Ayos lang. Basta't alam kong nakauwi ka na pala."

I sighed.

"How about dinner?"

"I'll just... heat up some leftover here. I'm not in the mood to eat a proper dinner."

"Anna." he said in a warning tone.

"I'm okay! I'm on a ketogenic diet!" depensa ko naman.

"I hope that's healthy."

"It is." Diin ko sa kaniya.

"Alright. By the way, I met your cousin earlier."

"Really? Si Valentina?"

"Mm-hmm. Uuwi ka pala ng La Union?"

"Yes."

"Kailan?"

"By the end of the week. I have something to do, Blake."

"Pagkatapos mo doon?"

"I hired a bodyguard. After I settle things here..." I bit my lower lip. "I-I'm going back to Russia."

Tumahimik si Blake sa kabilang linya. I stared at the window in front of me. I don't know why I feel so bothered telling him that I am going to leave but I do.

"You're going back?"

"Yes..."

"At wala kang planong sabihin sa akin?" he said, sounded very hurt. Basag ang dulo ng boses niya na para bang pinipilit ayusin ang tono para hindi mahalata. But he failed.

I closed my eyes. "Matagal ko na 'tong plano, Blake. May iniwan ako doon. Kailangan ko silang balikan."

"Alam ko... pero wala kang planong sabihin sa akin? Iiwan mo ulit ako, Anna?"

Pinisil-pisil ko ang dulo ng mga daliri. I hate that I am feeling so torn right now.

"Blake..."

He chuckled bitterly. Nasaktan lang ata ako sa attempt niyang paniwalain ako na okay lang siya. I could hear his broken laugh, dammit!

"Ayos lang, Anna. I guess I'm not good enough for you to stay, huh? Ang akin lang, sana kahit sabihin mo man lang sa akin. Para naman alam ko kung may hihintayin pa ako o wala."

"Blake, hindi naman sa ganun—"

"Sorry, I'm just so upset right now. Mag-iingat ka sa La Union at sa... Russia. Kung gusto mong ihatid kita, tawagan mo lang ako. But I'm not going there by my own... because I know I'll get hurt."