My curiosity piqued, I was about to open the door to Dr. Mendez's clinic when I heard a man behind me. He wore a dark blue long-sleeved shirt that fit him perfectly, the sleeves rolled up to his elbows and tucked into his black slacks. He also wore square glasses, an expensive silver wristwatch, shiny black shoes, and a coat hung over his arm.
"What are you doing there?" His deep voice sent a shiver down my spine.
"Dr. Malunes? Um... nothing, Doctor. I was just passing by," I explained carefully.
"Really? Valerie Vin? Just passing by? But you were holding the doorknob?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
(There he goes, Lucas Santiago Malunes. Hayts!)
"Y-yes, Doctor. Excuse me, Doctor. I have to go now," I said, taking my leave.
*****
"Cheers! To our soon-to-be bride! Sarah!" Jia shouts and drinks a glass of tequila.
We arrived at the venue at exactly 10 p.m. After work, I went home to change into a simple yet elegant dress. The dress, a luxurious and daring deep crimson almost bordering on burgundy, felt like a second skin. The silk charmeuse fabric and classic bias-cut silhouette flattered my figure. The back was truly stunning - a daring plunge balanced by delicate spaghetti straps and sheer lace that trailed to the hem. The front neckline was a demure scoop, accentuating my collarbone. The dress was undeniably sexy, yet the elegance of the cut and richness of the fabric prevented it from being vulgar.
My accessories were minimal but impactful. I wore delicate, dangling crimson earrings that echoed the dress's color without being matchy-matchy. A thin gold necklace with a small pendant rested subtly against my skin, adding understated elegance. A simple gold bracelet delicately linked to a watch with a thin leather strap on my wrist. Nude strappy heels allowed the dress to take center stage while elongating my legs. Finally, a small crimson clutch, matching the dress's undertones, held my essentials and added a touch of sophistication. The overall effect was understated glamour, allowing the dress's inherent beauty to shine.
"Opss.. sorry." Sabi ng babaeng hindi sinasadya na mabangga ako.
"Oh, it's okay," I said while holding her wrist.
"Yeah, I'm okay, Thanks."
After assisting a young woman, I began searching for Sarah and Jia. The condo buzzed with chaotic energy; a maelstrom of noise and half-formed conversations swirled around the makeshift bridal shower. Empty champagne flutes and half-eaten canapés littered the coffee table, evidence of the festivities' less-than-graceful descent into revelry. Once pristine, confetti now lay scattered like fallen snow, trampled underfoot by increasingly unsteady guests. Then, I accidentally bumped into someone.
"Oh! Sorry, I -
Akmang lilingon na sana ako para tingnan kung sino ang nabangga ko nang may biglang humawak at humila sa akin palabas ng unit. To my surprise it was Doctor Malunes.
"D-doc.? A-ano po meron?" utal-utal 'kong tanong sa kaniya.
"NIlalayo ka sa kapahamakan." He said.
"W-what do you mean Doc.?" Kunot noo ko na tanong.
"It doesn't matter. Ang importante ligtas ka na."
Then he gave me his coat before walking away. Pagkawala niya sa paningin ko, sinuot ko ang coat na pinahiram niya. Nang mga oras na iyon, hindi ko maiwasang maisip ang mga titig niya. Ramdam ko ang pag-aalala niya sa akin at kita ko din mismo sa mga mata niya. Pero bago niya ako iwan, sinabi niyang kahit anong ingay ang marinig ko, huwag na huwag akong papasok sa unit ulit. Idinagdag pa niya na kung maaari, sa ibang floor na lang ako mag-book ng kuwarto kung sakaling doon kami magpalipas ng gabi ni Jacob.
After booking a room for us to spend the night, I showered to freshen up and waited for Jacob. Before coming to the room, however, I went back to the fifth floor, where the party was being held. I had been asked by Sarah's fiancé to bring Jacob to our room once the party ended. Pagkatapos kong maligo, may grupo ng mga kalalakihan akong narinig na nagtatawanan habang naglalakad sa hallway. Maya-maya pa, may kumatok sa pinto ng kuwarto.
"Babe," Jacob said, hugging me. "Bango mo ah?" He smelled my neck and then kissed it.
"Napadami siya ng inom kaya nagkaganoon," nahihiyang sabi ng isa. "Kinuwento rin pala niya kanina kung gaano siya kaswerte sa'yo," dagdag niya pa.
"Salamat sa paghatid. Nasaan si William?" tanong ko habang pinapalibot ang tingin sa kanila.
"Hinatid nila ni Ethan kwarto nila ni Sarah sa fifth floor."
"Buti naman. Mag-ingat kayo pauwi. Goodnight." Habang nakahawak sa bewang ni Jacob ng sa ganun ay hindi kami matumba.
After closing the door, I laid Jacob on the bed so I could get dressed. Then I went to the bathroom to get a small bucket and a face towel to clean him up. He was talking while I wiped him down with the towel.
"Please, stay. Don't leave me." He said.
I simply smiled, kissed his forehead, and reassured him that I wouldn't leave him; I'd always be by his side. After I finished wiping him down, I returned the small basin to the bathroom and lay down beside him to sleep. Kinabukasan, I woke up early to order our food. After ordering, naligo agad ako para makapag-ayos na dahil sa mamasyal kaming dalawa ngayong araw, since day-off ko naman ang Friday and Saturday. Pagkatapos kong maligo, dumating na agad ang inorder kong pagkain para sa aming dalawa. After getting dressed, I opened the curtains to let in the sunlight, then placed the food on the table, and finally brewed coffee to start our day.
"Rise and shine, my love," I said as I hugged him from behind and kissed his cheek.
"What time is it?" he asked, still closing his eyes.
"6:45 in the morning," I said, fixing his messy hair.
"Ummmm! Later na po love, it's too early pa po," he mumbled, hugging me and burying his face in my neck.
"Love, hindi pwede, may lakad tayo ngayon."
"Umm, please, love, just thirty more minutes," he pleaded, kissing my neck.
"Okay, okay just stop kissing my neck, baka saan pa tayo dalhin ng kakahalik mo at di tayo matuloy sa lakas natin ngayon. Sayang naman." I said
*****
It was already dusk when we finished the fun activities I had planned. We were both exhausted, but the fun didn't end there. On our way home, no one dared to talk. I was about to talk when suddenly his phone beeped. When he realized that it was his phone, he looked at me, then he picked up his phone and then he dialed the number that text him.
"Hello?" he greets on the other line.
Hindi malinaw sa akin kung ano ang pinag-uusapan nila ng kausap niya sa telepono.
"Yeah, okay, okay. See you tomorrow?" a sudden change in his voice.
(It's strange, isn't it? He doesn't speak to others on the phone like that. His voice is usually deep and cold, but it's different when he calls me.)
He said, "I'm going out with my girlfriend right now," then added, "Okay, see you tomorrow. Bye." He hung up.
"Love? Who was that?" I asked, looking into his eyes.
"It was Mom," he replied, holding my hand with his right hand while his left hand remained on the steering wheel.
"Okay," I said. "Love, aren't you hungry?"
"Already starving, love?"
"Sort of. Hehehe." I smiled like a kid.
"May restaurant ka ba na gustong puntahan at kainan nating dalawa?" he asked while his attention was on the road.
I borrowed his phone, opened his Google Maps, and typed in the location. Habang nasa byahe, hindi ko maiwasang mainis sa boyfriend ko. Paano ba naman, nagmamaneho nagtetelepono? Nakailang lingon na ako sa kanya para ipahiwatig na huwag magtelepono habang nagmamaneho, pero parang hindi niya alam na kanina pa ako nakatingin sa kanya.
"Sino ba kasi yan Love? Kanina pakita tinitingnan huh pero para di mo lang na papansin." Sabi ko sa kaniya na kanina pa ang noong nakatingin sa kaniya na palit-palit ang tingin sa daan at sa telepono.
"Umm? Ah, sino 'yun? Ano lang, Love." Saka niya pinatay at binaba ang telepono. "Iyong staff natin sa café ang nag-text sa akin, sinasabi nilang paubos na raw ang stocks natin ng plastic cups, at pati na rin ang ibang flavor ng drinks."
"Diba kakabili lang natin last month?" Pagtataka ko.
"Yes Love, but know naman diba na in one day nakakaubos tayo ng isang pack ng 16 oz. diba? Lalo na nasa gitna ng city ang café natin."
"Patingin nga ng text niya sila sayo." Akmang hahawakan ko na ang telepono niya.
Laking gulat ko ng kuhain niya agad ang telepono niya dahilan para magtaka ako dahil dati pagsinabi ko na gagamitin ko or may message ako na gusting basahin sa telelopono niya ay hinahayaan niya ako for di naman kaya pa nag-aabot sa akin.
"A-ako magbubukas for you."
"Okay, po."
Maya-maya pa, inabot niya na sa akin ang telepono para basahin ang message ng staff.