PATRICIA’S POV Pagkatapos ng ilang buwan na pagiging stress sa mga lessons, laboratories, exams at recitations, finally! Our class ended! I maintained my high grades. It was so fulfilling for me because I’ve no longer be able to think about those exams and difficult recitations. Sobrang saya ni Jess dahil bakasyon na raw pero hindi niya rin maiwasang malungkot dahil hindi niya na ako kasama sa susunod na enrollment. I will really enjoy this vacation because I’ll start to buy some stuffs for my baby. Walang hindi magandang nangyari sa’kin noong nakaraan. About my birthday, it was awesome! I still can’t believe that they pull out a birthday treat for me. Also, I still can’t move on about Mrs. Velasquez gift for me. It was a diamond earrings and necklace that obviously cost a million. Since mine and Callum’s birthday is just a week apart, it’s already his birthday tomorrow! I took Jess with me to help me buy a gift. “Hindi mo alam ang ireregalo sa asawa mo?” tanong ni Jess nang mak
PATRICIA’S POV “What time is your check up?” Sinagot ko ang tawag ni Callum at ‘yon ang una niya’ng sinabi. Today is my check up and he will be with me. Siya na mismo ang nag pilit na isama ko siya kahit nasa kompanya siya ngayon. “I woke up late so maybe…1 pm. Ayos lang ba sayo?” Napasarap kasi ang panonood ko kagabi ng movie kaya tanghali na ako nagising at wala na si Callum. “Of course. Let’s just meet there later, then?” “Okay!” I ended the call and go downstairs to eat. Hindi ko alam pero bigla ako’ng na-excite mamaya sa check-up ko dahil kasama si Callum. This will be his first time. I’m also planning to buy some personal hygiene for my baby. Dalawang beses pa ulit ako’ng kumain dahil hindi ko mapigilan bago ako maligo. Pinili kong isuot ang isang white puff dress. Mahaba ito at presko kaya hindi gaano halata ang laki ng tiyan ko. Nakangiti ako’ng sumakay sa sasakyan papunta sa ospital. Nag text na rin ako kay Callum na nakaalis na kami. Sinabi ko sa driver na tumigil
PATRICIA’S POV The bitterness of my tears won’t stop bursting until we reach the house. My whole body continuously trembling while still holding those pictures. I went straight to our room and immediately sat on the bed. “H-How…” I whispered. Nakawaang ang bibig ko habang patuloy na naiyak. Mariin ang titig ko sa mga litrato at si Callum nga ito! There’s no doubt! Even though his angle was side viewed, his face is clearly revealed! Kahit masakit ay tinignan ko pa ang ibang litrato. May kuha si Zara at Callum na nag-uusap sa isang restaurant. Nakangiti si Zara habang seryoso lang ang mata ni Callum. Ang sumunod ay may ibinubulong si Zara sa kanya, ang lapit ng katawan nila sa isa’t isa, parang sinasakal ako habang tinitignan ito. Sobrang nanginig ang mga kamay ko kaya bumagsak sa sahig ang mga pictures. Lumuhod ako para pulutin ang mga ito. Mas lalo kong nakita lahat ng kuha nila dahil nag kalat ito lahat. Hindi ko inaasahan na ganito ito karami. May mga litrato sa labas ng sasa
PATRICIA’S POV Hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal natulog. Nagising na lang ako’ng mahapdi ang mga mata ko at kumakalam ang sikmura. Shit! I didn’t eat the whole day. My baby is surely hungry. I caressed my tummy. “I’m sorry, nadamay ka pa,” I whispered. Napabaling ang mata ko sa side table kung nasaan ang cellphone ko. Binuksan ko ito at nakita ang 96 messages at 54 missed calls galing kay Callum. Hindi ko ‘yon binasa. He doesn't need to explain. It's obvious that his purpose is to fool me! Wala na rin ako’ng ibang maisip na idadahilan niya sa mga larawan nila ni Zara. He’s a cheater, that’s it! Bumaba na lang ako para kumain. Naalala kong ilang beses ako’ng pinilit nila mommy at Jordan na kumain kahapon pero tumanggi ako kaya ngayon…hindi lang ako ang nagugutom, pati ang baby ko. “Nasaan po sila mommy?” tanong ko sa maid dahil tahimik sa ibaba. “Sa room po nila, Mam. Kain na po kayo,” Tumango ako bago umupo sa lamesa. Lahat na ‘yata ng putahe na niluto ngayon ay tinikman
PATRICIA’S POV “How are you?” Nag angat ako ng tingin kay Mrs. Velasquez na ngayon ko lang nakita na seryoso. Kaming dalawa lang rito sa sala matapos kong pumayag sa kagustuhan niya na kausapin ako. “I’m good, Madam,” malamig kong sagot. Hindi ko inaasahan na mag-uusap kami ng ganito kaseryoso. She laughed. “What’s with Madam? I told you to call me, mom right?” I don’t know if she’s just pretending or what. I’m sure she already know what his son did and she’s here to talk to me about that. Why she need to insist that though? “I-I’m still not used to it,” I said. Nakatingin lang ako sa sahig, ayaw ko siya matitigan. At some point, she’s really intimidating. She cleared her throat. “I already know why you and Callum were separate now. I saw those pictures and I also got mad,” I flinched when she mentioned that. “There’s no perfect relationship and partners, Patricia” she said seriously. “Lahat dumaraan sa problema at pagsubok. All we need to do is to talk about it and think if
PATRICIA’S POV I didn’t sleep well the whole night. I was pre occupied by dad’s revelation. Callum's softness to me can't get rid of my anger towards him. What he did was inexplicable so last night, I thought to myself that why don't I take time to listen to his sides? I decided to talk to him as he wanted and of course, with Jess's advice. “Are you ready?” Isang tango ang sagot ko kay Jess nang makasakay ako sa sasakyan niya. Sasamahan niya ako’ng makipag-usap kay Callum ngayon. “Handa ka na ba sa mga sasabihin mo?” tanong niya ulit. Umiling ako bago huminga ng malalim. I’m a bit nervous. “Bakit ba kasi kailangan pa na gawin niya ’yon,” galit niya’ng sabi. “He better have a nice and acceptable reason! Dahil kung walang kwenta lang ang sasabihin niya, baka ako pa mismo ang sumampal sa kanila ni Zara!” Salubong ang kilay niya at padabog na pinaandar ang sasakyan. Sinabi ko sa kanya lahat ng sinabi sa’kin ni daddy kagabi. Hindi ako mapalagay. "You’re not mad at your daddy anym
PATRICIA’S POV “Anak, may bisita ka sa ibaba…” Nag pantig ang tenga ko sa sinabi ni mommy. I just woke up and I just want to coop here in my room the whole day. After what happened yesterday, I felt so weak. I can’t even eat properly. “If it’s Callum, make him leave-“ “Not him, his parents…” sabi ni mommy na nakapagpalaglag ng panga ko. “Bakit sila nandito?” taranta kong tanong at napatayo sa kama. “Mom, I can’t face them-“ “Nasabi ko na yan pero mapilit sila,” sumandal siya sa hamba ng pintuan. “It’s better if you’ll talk to them. I think it’s about Callum again?” Lumihis akong tingin. Pansin ko na mariin ang titig ni mommy sa mukha ko siguro dahil namamaga ang mata ko sa pag iyak buong gabi. “Hindi mo parin kasi sinasabi sa’kin ang nangyari kahapon sa usapan niyo ni Callum,” aniya sa tonong nagtatampo. “Kahit si Jess ay tikom din ang bibig. You got home last night crying. What happened?” I shook my head and smiled bitterly. “It was…nonsense,” “I’m sure it’s not good. Tell m
PATRICIA’S POV “Umuwi na naman daw na lasing si Callum kahapon,” Ibinagsak ko ang kutsara sa plato at mariin na tumitig kay Jess sa harap ko. Nagising na lang ako na narito na siya sa bahay. Halos marindi na ako sa boses niya. She keeps talking about how drunk Callum is last night. “I said, I don’t care about him,” mariin kong sabi at inirapan siya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ngayon ay nag bago ang pananaw niya. Noong una ay galit na galit din siya kay Callum pero ngayon, parang gusto niya na kaawaan ko ito. “Hindi ka ba naaawa sa sinabi ko sayo noong isang araw? Sinampahan na raw siya ng kaso!” Sa tono niya ay parang dapat ako’ng mag-alala. “He can get out with that mess easily,” Kahit ang totoo, grabe ang kaba ko tuwing naiisip ’yon. I was worried for his life. Kung totoong mga Laurier nga ang nag tangka sa buhay ko noon, maaaring gawin din nila ’yon kay Callum! I should not be affected or felt worried about him but at some point, I can’t help it. Gusto ko siya’ng kagalitan
CALLUM’S POV “How’s life of being a married man again?” I sip to my coffee before looking at Austine in front of me. “I can’t explain the feeling, Austine…” I answered. “Still reminiscing how we started,” It’s been what? A year now, since Patricia and I got married. Our relationship flowed so well. I’m still managing the company while Patricia is on her clinic. Ngayon, nagulat ako sa biglaang pag bisita ni Austine at kapatid kong si Ram sa’kin. Narito kami sa garden. Patricia was not at home, she was just going out to buy something. Austine is sharing some of his and Jess misunderstanding. “She’s asking for a break up?” I asked in surprise. “Why?” Lumihis ng tingin si Austine. “She wants to settle down already and you know I’m still not ready…” Natahimik kami Ram. Kaibigan ko siya at mahalaga si Jess kay Pat, hindi magandang mag hiwalay sila. “Bakit ba hindi ka pa ready?” ani Ram. “You two not getting younger anymore. Syempre, naiinggit ‘yon at naiisip na magpakasal-“ “Ayaw
CALLUM’S POV“Finally, you got her again. We’re happy for you,”I smiled at Austine, who were my best man again beside me while we were waiting for the big and elegant door to open. I roamed my eyes around and can’t help but to smile seeing our families together.“Thank you, bro…” bumuga ako ng hangin at pinagdaop ang palad. “Kinakabahan ako,”Natawa si Austine. “Ngayon ka pa ba kakabahan? Totoo na ang nararamdaman niyo ngayon. Unlike on the first wedding, you two look so stiffed,”Yeah, I remember that. How the beautiful Patricia glared at me while we’re exchanging vows. How we pretend that we love each other but today? There’s no pretending anymore.Today is our wedding day. Today will be one of the best day of my life for sure.“Dalawang beses na kayo ikakasal,” biglang sabi ni Austine. “Ngayon, naiinggit na si Jess. Sana walang pangatlo, ha”“Why don’t you marry her, then?” I asked confused.I frowned when I saw a hesitation in his face. “Alam mo naman na hindi pa ako ready. My bu
CALLUM’S POV“Callum, I swear, this is a silly idea!”Hindi ko pinansin si Austine na nakasimangot sa tabi ko. Nandito kami ngayon sa parking malapit lang sa clinic ni Patricia.“Come on, go outside. Do it!” pag pilit ko kay Austine na lumabas ng sasakyan ko.I pointed to him Patricia’s car just in front of us.“Damn, bakit ba kasi ako sumama sayo!” he gasped dramatically. “I can’t believe you come up with this corny idea-““Just shut up and do my favor,”I pushed him until he opened the door irritatingly.“Sa lahat ng humihingi ng pabor, ikaw ang makapal ang mukha!” usal niya. “Fuck, I don’t know you anymore. Ganito ka pala ka-corny pagdating sa pag-ibig. You’re whipped!”Natawa ako dahil nakasimangot siya’ng lumapit sa sasakyan ni Patricia. Tumingin muna siya sa paligid bago binutas ang gulong ng sasakyan. I smiled secretly. Perfect!Austine is still frowning when he returns.“Damn, I’m done! Wag mo na ulit ako idadawit sa ganitong bagay!”I tapped his shoulder before he left me her
CALLUM’S POV“Callum, I’m really sorry. I didn’t want to make that happen…”Umalingawngaw ang pag iyak ni Zara habang nakayuko sa harap ko. I didn’t expect her to be my visitor this morning.“Patricia’s right, I was too desperate. To get you, to snatch you from her,” she continuously sobbed. “The loss of your child makes me so guilty to what I did. I can't sleep at the thought of you both grieving,”Nag tiim bagang ako habang pinanonood siya.“What will I do with your sorry if she leaves? She left me and you can’t do anything about it,” malamig kong sabi.I saw her shoulder shaking. Hindi ako naaawa sa kanya.“Why are you here, anyway?” I asked harshly. “I don’t want to see you! I fucking hate you, Zara!”“I’m here to apologize, C-Callum-““I don’t need that,”In the middle of crying, she took something from her bag. She’s trembling and handed it to me, I didn't accept it so she just put it on the table.It was the supposed evidence against the Mr. Laurier. The recordings and some pic
PATRICIA’S POV“Doc, ano po ang update kay Miss Bella? Banned na po siya rito di ‘ba?I nodded to Nurse Aubrey as I studied my patient's urine test results this morning.“Yeah, I’m sorry about last week. Nakita niyo pa,”Hindi ko masyadong iniisip si Bella dahil sabi ni Callum, si Mrs. Velasquez mismo ang kumausap dito para tigilan na kami.So far, my interactions with Callum was good. Last week, we go out for a dinner. He still gives me flowers, we even visited Agatha. What we’re doing are so far to what I was thinking before. Akala ko...hindi na ‘yon mauulit. Akala ko mananatili na lang kaming iwas sa isa’t isa.“Ayos lang, doc. Mukhang okay na kayo ng asawa niyo,”I smiled with her term. Hindi na ako sanay na kilalanin si Callum bilang asawa dahil ilang taon kaming nagkahiwalay. Pero ngayon, pinararamdam niya sa’kin lahat ng bagay na hindi ko naranasan dahil lumayo ako.He also went to our house and talked to my parents.He asked permission to pursue me again. Knowing my parents ar
PATRICIA’S POVSeven years ago, I told myself to focus on my career, becoming a doctor. I thought it would be my priority through the years but when I came back here, a lot had changed.I can't understand myself anymore. I thought...I'll never feel anything for Callum. I just fooled myself.Ngayon, parang tanga ako’ng naghihintay ng pag punta niya rito sa clinic ko! I keep looking outside my office.“Patricia, stop it!” I whispered to myself.Pinilit kong mag focus sa trabaho. Ayaw kong maapektuhan ito ng mga iniisip ko. But minutes just passed, I just found myself staring at my phone and waiting for his reply, damn it!“Ano bang nangyayari sa’kin…” naguguluhan kong bulong.Tumayo ako at lumabas sa office.Natagpuan ko sila Nurse Aubrey na abala sa pag inject sa mga babies na kararating lang. Lihim pa ako’ng napasulyap sa labas ng clinic pero malinis doon.Bumuntong hininga ako bago nag asikaso sa ibang pasyente. Nakalimutan ko saglit ang iniisip. Natuwa ako sa mga batang paslit na pi
PATRICIA’S POV Hindi ko alam kung ano ang dapat kong gawin at unang isipin. Kung ang tungkol ba sa trabaho ko o ang mga bagay na ginagawa ni Callum ngayon. Pagkatapos niya’ng sabihin sa’kin ang chance na gusto niya, palagi na siya’ng dumadalaw sa clinic ko. Halos araw-araw. Sending me flowers and foods sometimes. But what gave me a strange feeling was the things he showed me. Pakiramdam ko, malapit na ako’ng mabaliw sa ginagawa niya. “Doc, may flowers po ulit para sa inyo!” Nakangiting tumakbo palapit sa’kin si Nurse Aubrey habang hawak ang isang boquet ng roses. Bumuntong hininga ako bago ito kinuha. “Grabe, absent nga siya ngayon pero may flowers parin!” kinikilig niya’ng usal. Napailing ako bago binuklat ang note sa flowers. To my doktora: I can’t see you now because of a sudden meeting but expect me tomorrow. My face flushed after reading that. What’s with the flowers though? Hindi ko na nga alam kung saan ko pa ilalagay ang mga bulaklak na ibinibigay niya sa’kin. Ang iba
PATRICIA’S POV My day didn’t go so well. Pumasok ako sa trabahong wala sa mood. Apektado parin ako sa nangyari samin kahapon ni Bella. I didn’t expect that to happen that way. I was so shocked. Bukod kay Zara noon, isa rin siya sa taong nagsabi sa’kin ng mga ganoong salita. Why do I feel that I’m the antagonist here? Kaya nga ako umalis dahil nasaktan ako, sinaktan nila ako. Pakiramdam ko ako lang ang sagabal sa kanila pero heto na naman. It's like I'm the reason between them again. Is Bella another version of Zara Banner? But some point, I realized something from what Bella said. Tama nga siguro siya na dapat hindi na ako bumalik, na ako lang ang gumugulo sa kanila but that’s not my intention. Should I gave her the satisfaction that she want? Para matapos na. Para hindi na ako masali sa kung ano’ng gulo tungkol kay Callum. Should I talk to him for our annulment? For them to be happy? I would gladly cooperate though. “Doktora…may bisita po kayo” I stopped writing the necessary
PATRICIA’S POV “I’m here for Doctor Jaime. Tell him it’s Doctor Clemente…”Ngumiti ako sa nurse bago siya may tinawagan. I'm here at Alvarez hospital owned by Jaime's family. Jaime message me to come here to talk about my concern. It’s really big here. Alam ko’y magagaling din ang mga doktor dito. It’s about my patient. Maliit lang ang clinic ko at kailangan ng malaking doktor na hahawak sa kanya. Naalaa ko si Jaime dahil sa ospital nila. “Akyat na lang po kayo roon sa office ni doc. Hintayin niyo na lang po siya roon dahil nasa emergency room pa…” saad ng nurse. “Thank you,” Ngumiti siya at hinagod ako mula ulo hanggang paa. Nagtataka ako’ng tumalikod sa kanya papunta sa elevator. May mali ba sa suot ko? I’m just wearing an off shoulder dress. Nakalugay lang din ang buhok ko.Hindi ko na lang ‘yon pinansin at pumunta na sa 5th floor. Nang makarating ako roon ay wala masyadong tao. Ilang nurses lang. Hinanap ko lang ang office ni Jaime at kumatok muna ako bago pumasok. Walang t