Chapter 2

Six years later…

Maaliwalas ang panahon kaya taimtim na pinagmasdan ni Keos ang kalangitan sa glasswall ng kaniyang opisina. Namamangha pa rin siya sa anyo nitong ganda at dala nitong katiwasayan sa kaniyang puso. Kumatok sa pintuan ang kaniyang secretary at yumuko.

“The meeting will start in 10 minutes, sir,” pag-imporma nito. Nakasuot ito ng pencil skirt paired with pink blouse that compliments her white skin. Itong klase ng secretary ang kailangan niya; malinis at maayos magtrabaho. Hindi iyong bumukaka na lang bigla-bigla sa kaniyang desk.

Keos grabbed his coat and started walking with refinement in the hall way. Compared to who he was, he has changed from a young reckless bachelor into a prominent and competent president of their company. When his father left him the pharmaceutical, he didn’t refuse, instead live with the life his mom tells him to be… even after his mother bought herself a daughter-in-law, he didn’t say no. He became an emotionless man who doesn’t care.

“Hi, honey.” His wife, Andrea, kissed his cheek. Andrea is a known prima in Ballet Industry. Lahat ng recitals niya ay sold-out agad kapag naka-schedule ito. Everyone loves her. “Care to have a lunch with me?”

Keos smiles warmly at her invitation. Bihira lamang si Andrea magyaya sa kaniya at sa tuwing mangyayari ito. It's either may sasabihing importante sa buhay ballerina o may kasalanan. She doesn’t have some issues and he does like people who doesn’t have excess baggage. Both of them knew that they were tied professionally by marriage.

After the meeting of the stakeholders, Keos went to the Italian restaurant he used to eat with Aali. He was alone not like before he was with his guards. Kapag personal ang meeting niya, hindi na niya dinadala ang ibang guards because it will only attract his opponents. And since si Andrea lang naman ang ka-meeting niya, he drives himself.

The place didn’t change. It is still it used to be; dim chandelier and fresh picked flowers each corner. Pagkapasok pa lang niya ay nakita niya si Andrea na may kausap na lalaki at nginitian ito. Sa utak ni Keos, he must be a fan. Andrea spots Keos and she motioned her hand to come.

Umupo si Keos sa tapat nito at nagsimula ng mag-serve ang waiter. Before them is an italian cuisine Andrea has ordered. When she looked at Keos dislikes the food, she scoffed.

“Haven’t you move on yet? Is she still here?” Keos knew what she was talking about. “Did you get marry me because she resembles me somehow, didn’t you?”

Keos commanded the waiter to change his food but Andrea blocked him to do that. She keeps on eating her food without reacting how Keos changed his expression. He leaned on his chair, frustration devouring him.

“You know I love you. It was you who gave up first,” panimula niya. “Look, I’ve been head over heels for you for over a year since our marriage. But, what did I received back?”

Uminom ng tubig si Keos at huminga ng malalim, pinipilan ang sarili na sumigaw. “Let’s just get it over.”

Their marriage wasn’t ideal. Lagi silang nagtatalo sa unang mga taon subalit nang lumaon ay nagustuhan na niya ang babae. Nang ito’y nagkaroon ng nobyo nang palihim sa mga recitals nito, hindi lang isang beses, hindi na niya kinaya at umalis sa bahay nila. That was before he met Aaliya.

“But, thanks to you. I experienced getting the job I was passionate about… even if you crushed it again.” Keos is talking about being a professor after he left Andrea. Teaching is where his heart belongs to. When he had the chance, ‘di na niya pinakawalan pa subalit nanakaw din ito sa kaniya kalaunan.

Nang paalis na si Keos, Andrea reveals a revelation before him. “I’m pregnant.”

“With mine?” Keos asked, laughing. It caused a stir with the diners inside. Lumapit siya kay Andrea at bumulong, “Raise that bastard as if I don’t know who the father is.”

Umalis si  Keos sa restaurant at hinayaan si Andrea na umiiyak. He called his driver but it didn’t pick up so, he crossed the street without looking back. He’s done with her lies and manipulation. But, all of a sudden a loud bang echoed onto his ears which made him stilled. It did startle him, at tiningnan niya ito.

To his horror, he saw Andrea showered with her own blood, eyes shocked open. He remembers she’s pregnant so he runs to her and wake her up. Nagtipon ang mga tao sa paligid nila, naaawa pero walang magawa. Even if Andrea betrays him, she’s his bestfriend still. Kahit anong mangyari, kasangga pa rin nila ang isa’t-isa.

“Sir, mom told to use band aid when someone’s hurt.” A six year-old young girl extended her arm with a band aid she carries every day.

Nagising si Keos mula sa pagkabalisa nang tumingala siya sa batang babae na iniabot ang band aid nito. Tinitigan niya ito sa mata nang may naramdaman siyang kakaiba sa kaniyang puso. And he was lost again, in her amber colored eyes just like his.

He knows emergency medication but when it comes to Andrea, his mind went blank, unable to absorb and release information. Natauhan na lamang siya muli sa ingay ng ambulansya. Inilagay ng batang babae ang band aid sa kamay ni Keos at umalis na ito, kassama ng ibang bystanders, nang pinapaalis sila ng mga medics.

Aali is wearing her doctor gown and is in her 2^nd year residency as a neurosurgeon. Despite what she’ve been through, kinaya niya ang hagupit ng bagyo ng kaniyang buhay sa tulong na rin ni Ria na hindi umalis sa tabi niya. It wasn’t easy for her because she has to sacrifice everything and walked through thorns para maabot kung nasaan man siya ngayon.

“Doc., an emergency patient is coming in any minute. A 27 year-old ballet dancer, hit by a car, and pregnant.” Aali stopped from walking towards the entrance to attend the patient when she hears pregnant. “Ano iyon, doc?”

“Ah, wala. Pregnant, you say? Any medication taken or prior surgery?” tanong ni Aali.

“Nothing in particular,” her 1^st year resident, Alvin, responded.

Ipinangko ni Aaliyah ang kaniyang buhok to form a high ponytail. Her fair neck is exposed which turned everyone’s head to her, especially Alvin.

Tumakbo si Aaliya patungo sa pasyente kasama ang mga medic at biglang tumigil ang kaniyang mundo nang makita niya ang isa pang kasama. His round, amber-colored eyes screamed sorrow and regrets. Ang lalaking matagal na niyang ‘di nakikita, at patuloy na iniiwasan. Sa isip ni Aali, kaanu-ano kaya ni Keos ang babaeng ito? But, she shoved those thoughts and asked questions instead.

“Her vitals…”

“100 over 60. 70 bpm,” the medic answered.

“To the hybrid room.”

Ini-examine ni Aali ang pasyente nang walang pag-alinlangan kasama ang nurses at attendees. Wala silang sinayang na oras upang bigyan ng agarang medication ito. Subalit, bigla na lamang tumunog ang machine sa gilid at bumaba ang blood pressure nito.

“She’s in cardiac arrest!” Aaliyah performed chest compressions and check her pulse. Everyone did well in attending and they breathe relief when Aaliyah said, “ROSC.” Return of spontaneous circulation.

Dumating ang chief doctor na si Lucca and he checked her pupils and informed when both of it are dilated. Ibig sabihin nito ay may problema sa kaniyang utak. Kinontak din ng nurse ang obstetrician to attend the fetus.

Ipinaliwanag ni Lucca ang kalagayan ni Andrea kay Keos. Matiim na nakikinig ito sa doctor at pilit iniintindi ang sitwasyon. Nasa likod lamang ni Lucca si Aali habang nakikinig. Bilang isang resident, you attend the patient without any bias and prejudices. Whoever is lying on the table, it is still a patient.

“Is the baby okay?” tanong ni Keos, na nag-aalala.

Nagsidatingan ang mga guwardiya niya at nag-maintain ito ng enough distance maliban sa dalawa na pinagkakatiwalaan niya; Arnold and Kevin.

“As for that, the obstetrician will explain to you. Now, excuse me.” Lucca left with Aaliya and a nurse. Pero, kahit papaano ay pasimple siyang sumisilip kay Keos sa likuran. Napansin iyon ng nurse at nagtaka ito.

Dumeretso si Aaliya sa joint office ng mga residents at napaupo sa swivel chair. Binuklat niya ang kaniyang libro at nagbasa ng mga cases na makakatulong sa kaniyang thesis. Binuksan din niya ang monitor to read some sa powerpoint presentation. Kahit isa na siyang resident, hindi pa rin puwede na hindi mag-aaral dahil ‘di naman lagi alam ang lahat.

Subalit kahit anong basa niya sa libro, hindi pumapasok sa utak niya dahil iba ang gustong pumasok dito. Si Keos. Kanina pa siya balisa nang makita niya kung gaano nag-mature ang hitsura ng unang lalaki niyang minahal. He’s more of a man now. Hindi na gaya ng dati na napakareckless nito at rebelde sa magulang at sitwasyon.

Isang tawag ang pumukaw sa kaniyang pag-iisip at ngumisi siya ng makita ang naka-register na name: My Nuggets. Agad na sinagot niya ang tawag. “Hello, my nuggets!”

Tumili nang napakalas ang nasa kabilang linya na nandidiri dahil sa “My Nuggets” niya, kaya nailayo niya ang phone sa kaniyang tainga. “Why? Don’t you love me, my nuggets?” pang-aasar pa niya.

“Hello, my dear friend,”panimula ni Ria. “Ayaw na yata makipag-usap nitong anak mo sa ‘yo. H’wag mo kasing inisin. Ako na naman ang pagbuntungan nito. Kapag talaga ito English nang English… naku!”

Napatawa na lamang si Aali sa tinuran ni Ria. Si Ria ang nagbabantay kay Hope Eleanor o mas kilala bilang “Nugggets” dahil sa hilig nito na chicken nuggets na siya ring pinaglihian niya.

She leaned on her swivel chair and asked, “Hindi ba iyan tumakas?”

“Iyon na nga, tumakas na naman kanina. Ayaw ko kasi bigyan ng nuggets kaya naghanap sa labas. You know how independent your daughter is… at kasing tigas ng ulo—“

Hindi na natapos ni Ria ang sasabihin nang may narinig sa background si Aali. “Paging Doctor Lucca Martinez…”

Napatayo si Aali sa kaniyang inupuan at dali-daling sinuot ang sapatos na tinapon niya pagkapasok sa office.

“Ria, nasa hospital kayo?” Naririnig na ni Aali ang lakas ng tibok ng kaniyang d****b, thinking that Elya (Hope Eleanor) might cross with her father.

“Kinukulit ako ng anak mo. Elya, teka—“

Naputol na ang tawag at nagmamadali si Aali na lumabas ng office. Subalit pagbukas niya ng pinto ay nakita niya si Keos na may dalang dalawang coffee cup. Based on his face, parang may narinig siya sa loob dahil parang gulat din ito nang makita siya.

Walang kung anu-ano ay kinaladkad niya si Keos patungong rooftop gamit ang hagdan. Natapon na rin ang kape nang hablutin niya ito sa braso sa takot na magkita ang mag-ama niya. Nang makarating sila sa rooftop, hinahabol nila ang kanilang hininga subalit si Keos ay nagtataka pa rin sa aksyon na pinapakita ni Aali.

“I didn’t know you still like secrets.” Keos smirked. But that offended Aali.

Isang sampal ang nakuha niya mula kay Aali at matang ‘di makapaniwala.

“Akala ko ay nagbago ka na. You’re still a jerk.”