HomeAfter Israel, I jump from country to country. Another 2 years had passed but still feels like it was just yesterday.Now I am staring at the letter that informing of my transfer from Tangems LA to Philippines as new assistant cardiologist. I got promoted!2 years it is…and my dreams is in my hands right now.Pinunasan ko ang tumulong luha. Hindi ako makapaniwala parang kailan lang.I called Chimuel for the good news.Finally…Finally…I’m going home for good.“Hey beauty!”.Napaintad ako ng may pumasok sa kwarto. My roommate. Haru Sandro Manalo a pediatrician. Isang pinoy din na nakipagsapalaran abroad. We became friends when he transfers from US branch to ours.“Hindi ako makapaniwala, uuwi na ako sa wakas”. Nakangiti kung sabi dito.“That’s good, I won’t have to give you a travel ticket for my wedding”. He said nonchalantly.My eyes grows widen.“YOU WHAT???”. Gulat kung tanong dito.“I’m getting married, beauty”. Nakangiti naman nitong baling sa akin.“No way!”. Saad ko na may
Unexpected turn of EventsAfter completing all the papers that I needed to turn over and saying good byes to my colleagues, I am finally boarding to Philippines although tatlong araw lang akong mamalagi muna bago tuluyang manirahan at ma assign sa Pilipinas. Uuwi lang muna ako dahil nakapangako ako kina Jano na aattend sa kanilang aniversary at sa isang exhibit o charity para sa mga bata. I didn't got a chance last time noong kami pa ni... Argh! Scrath that! Bakit nitong nagdaang mga araw ay lagi itong sumasagi sa isip ko. Kahit ang mga kaibigan namin ay bukang bibig din ito. Kung dati ay nag aalangan pa silang banggitin o iparinig sa akin ang kanilang usapan tungkol dito ngayon ay iba na. Malimit kahit nasa video call kami ay madalas nilang banggitin si Elijah. The news didn't help too. Lagi itong laman ng balita dahil sa kabi-kabilang launch ng The Ford ngayong taon.Rose and I chatted about their upcoming event in Sulu and she want me to be one of the speakers. I tell her that I’l
Elijah’s POV (a gleams)“Isn’t it too dangerous there, Rose?”.“Medyo, but gladly Elijah sent men for our team safety. Too much explosive mine hidden underground and one of the residents got into accident earlier”.“Died?”. Tanong ulit ni Lino.We were having our video meeting as well as checking Rose status who is in Israel for our foundation helping children who are affected cause of the war.“Yeah! at madaming nadamay, karamihan kabataan. Mabuti nalang may mga doctor nang nauna dito–Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata nito habang nakatakip ang kamay sa nakangangang bibig. Napailing ako. Yuhan and Namu chuckle.“Wha-what is it?”. Tarantang tanong ni Lino.“Guys! Speaking of doctor–You won’t believe who I saw today”. Rose is so excited. Parang kanina lang nalulungkot ito sa nangyari.“Alam naming yung crush mo noong high school! Arabo yun, iyong transferee”. Tawang saad ni Yuhan.“The hell!”.We laugh with her remarks.“It’s Dr. Verde dumb ass! Siya…siya yung tumulong kanina sa mga nasuga
Levy’s POV1 month later“Tito Levy!”. Bahagya akong yumuko para salubungin ng yakap si Farah.“Hi! Dear! Happy birthday!”. Masaya kung bati dito at hinalikan ito sa pisnge.“I’m so happy that you came”. Nakangiting sabi nito.“God! Levy! 72 hours of duty really?? Buhay kapa??”. Medyo hysterical na sigaw ni Chimuel. Napalingon ang mga taong nasa living room nina Jano, umirap ako ng mag tama ang mga mata namin ni Yuhan. Tumawa ako sa salubong nito sa akin, tiningnan niya ako ng masama. Kumaway ako kay Farah na nagmamadaling lumabas. Nasa pool area ang party nito.“Alive and fresh!” Pabiro kung sagot pero inirapan lang ako nito.“Ikaw lang ba ang doctor ng hospital ha?”. Masungit paring sabi nito habang nakapamaywang. “Abah!“Oo nga naman Levy”. Sigunda naman ni Jano na kakalabas lang mula sa kusina.Umiling lang ako sa mga ito at sumunod kay Jano para bumalik sa kusina.“Normal lang yan pag doctor ka”.“Bakit pag doctor kaba hindi ka na magkakasakit? Tao ka rin baka nakakalimutan mo!”
“That was intense”. Bulong ni Happy ng nasa sasakyan na kami pauwi. I don’t know how we get out on that topic. All I know it was totally awkward. Hanggang sa pag-uwi ay patingin-tingin ang lola nito sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Baka pagbabawalan nanaman niya akong lumapit sa apo niya. Well…ginagawa ko ang lahat para makaiwas.Itatanong ba niya kung bakit ako bumalik? O kung bakit pa ako bumalik?Hindi na ako sumagot. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. I feel so tired. Tired of everything. Simula ng bumalik ako ay inabala ko ang sarili sa trabaho. I am getting and switching schedules with the doctors on duty. Ayaw kung mag-isa sa bahay, masyadong tahimik, nakakabingi. Busy din si Chimuel maging si Happy na ilang buwan nang naka stay dito sa Pilipinas. He has morning shows and field interviews kaya naman madalas din namin siyang kasama. Pinipilit ko ngang sa bahay na tumira but his comapany got him penthouse near their studio, pero minsan kina Chimuel din kami namamalagi.Dahan-daha
The Talk “May I dance with the most beautiful man in the crowd?” “No way!”. Bulalas ni Jano ng naka irap sa amin. Sabay kaming tumawa ni Sandro. I reached for his hands and grab me towards the dance floor. Ngayong weekend na ang kasal nito kaya naman lumuwas itong Manila para sa birthday party ng kanyang kapatid, which is Gonzales business partner. Kaya nandito kami ngayong lahat. He slowly cares my waist and lead my arms into his shoulder. “Beauty and the Beast, really?”. I giggle. He let out a soft laugh. “Yeah! I’m the beast..No..the Best and you are the beauty”. Mabulong nitong saad. Bahagya ko siyang tinampal sa braso. He’s hands is on my waist and I clung my hands on his neck. Our cheeks touching each other. His lips in my ears. “Don’t move”. Bulong nito. “Huh?”. Takang tanong ko. Iaangat ko na sana ang mukha ko ngunit hinawakan nito ang likod ko. “Your ex is looking at us. Sigurado kabang naka move on na yan? Mukhang aabanagan atah ako sa kanto niyan mamaya”. Tumawa
Home Nagising ako dahil sa malakas na tunog ng cellphone. Bahagya kung minulat ang mga mata ko, mataas na ang sikat ng araw. Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng yakap ni Elijah. “I think it’s your phone”. mahina kung tapik dito. “Answer it”. sagot naman nito habang lalong sumisik sa leeg ko. Mabilis ko namang inabot ito. Yuhan is calling. “Yuhan?”. Sagot ko dito. “Levy? You're with Eli?”. “Um- I heard him chuckle. “Yes, of course, you are. Please tell him we have online conference at 9am and it is 8 in the morning, he need to read some papers before that. Gisingin mo na siya at pumunta ka na din dito sa hotel o kami nalang ang pupunta dyan sa bahay niyo.” “I’ll tell him. Tell them I’m okay. We’re okay now”. “That’s good. Inaasahan ko naman talaga yan Lev. Chimuel and I... were happy”. “Thank you”. saad ko bago pinatay ang tawag. Ngunit bago ko pa man mailapag ang cellphone ay tumunog ulit ito. It’s a video call this time. Elijah groans. Lalong sumiksik lang. Home is calling… W
The MeetingMalakas ang kabog ng dibdib ko habang paakyat kami ni Elijah. I am clinging to him.“Don’t worry to much, baby. He’ll understand”. Masuyo nitong bulong. He senses my remorse.I take a deep breath when we reached.Dinig ko ang mabilis na takbo nito mula sa taas.“Papa!”.Agad akong kumalas mula sa pagkakahawak ni Elijah at sinalubong ito. Feels so unreal. I can't believe I am experiencing happiness this much.He embarced me tightly, like I would be gone once he loses his embrace. Ilang minuto din ang dumaan at walang nag salita sa amin. I heard him snift. My eyes watered too. Maya-maya ay kumalas ito ng bahagya para tingalain ako. His doe eyes fild with amusement.“Wow! Papa you look like an angel." Namamanghang saad nito. I just chuckle. Hindi ko alam kung anong pwedeng isagot dito. We both look up to Elijah."Daddy why do you keep papa from me?”. tila nagtatampong saad naman nito.“Woahhh! I thought you know that papa is working abroad.”. Elijah said in his amusement. Bei