1 - Meeting Again

VERONIKKA ELYSE LAURIER

I heaved a sigh as soon as the rain poured down on us. Tag-ulan na naman at eto ang pinakaayaw ko sa lahat. Aside sa nakakalimutan kong magdala ng payong, ay may naaalala ako. Hindi naman sa pinakaayaw, ang dami lang naganap nang gabing iyon na hirap parin akong paniwalaan iyon.

My ex-boyfriend cheated on me while my mom was on the verge of dying. We broke up under the heavy rain, both soaking wet, and my heart was torn into pieces.

Basag na basag ako nang mga oras na iyon. Hindi ko na alam ang gagawin. Akala ko ang taong mahal ko ay siyang magbibigay ng saya na siyang nag-aalis ng mapait kong nakaraan.

Even though he knew my past experiences, my pain, my sufferings, he still chose to cheat on me. Ang lala lang kasi sa limang taon kayong nagsama, hinayaan kong lokohin niya ako, padamahin na mahal niya ako, at ako lang wala nang iba.

I was overwhelmed with frustration, questioning why everything had happened to me. I found myself in tears, standing at the edge of the bridge, contemplating ending it all. In that dark, cold and raining evening, a man appeared and rescued me, his presence offering a glimmer of light and warmth.

"Are you a Stupid? There are so many people out there who want to live, yet here you are, wasting it all?" His voice carried anger; his face contorted with frustration.

"Stupid? How dare you say that?! You don't even know what I've been through to call me stupid!" I shouted back, my own emotions raw and intense.

The rain fell heavily, each drop stinging my skin, but I paid it no mind. The pain from my reckless ex, my mother's endangered life because of my useless father who only abused her, and even my brother stealing from me—they all hurt more deeply and painfully. What did I do in my past life to deserve this?

"I don't know your story. But is that enough reason to end your life?" he calmly asked.

"My wife just passed away yesterday because of her heart disease. Despite the risks, she insisted on getting pregnant and giving birth to save our babies. She wanted to live... yet she's gone," he sobbed, falling to his knees in grief.

"You see, I'm a doctor," he said, looking up. His voice cracked, almost drowned out by the heavy rain. It was then that I noticed the lab coat he was wearing. Right, he's a doctor.

"Yet I couldn't even save my wife's life," he continued, bowing his head again, a soft chuckle escaping him.

It's as if he's grappling with the bitter irony of his profession. Here he is, a doctor trained to heal and save lives, yet he couldn't save the person closest to his heart—his wife. In that soft chuckle, amidst the downpour and his overwhelming grief, it seems he's wrestling with his own worthiness as a doctor.

"If I couldn't save hers, I should at least do something to save your life," he said softly but with a determined urgency to help me.

His words echoed in my mind all these years, the reason I've kept going for almost five years now. Since that night, I haven't seen him again. I tried searching for him at the hospital where I saw the logo on his coat, but I didn't know his name. I never saw the embroidered name on his coat that he wore that night.

Gusto ko sana siyang pasalamatan for bringing sunshine in my darkest life. For saving me.

"Nika! Doc Yasmir is looking for you," Joe called out. I nodded, leaving the patient's chart on the counter before making my way to Doctor Yasmir's office.

I'm a registered nurse for four years now. I wouldn't have become a nurse if it weren't for that man. He motivated me, so I studied hard to pass my board exam. I'm deeply grateful to him.

Kaya nandito din ako sa ospital kung saan siya nagtatatrabaho before. Pero four years na ako dito. Hindi ko parin siya nakikita.

Minsan napapatanong ako sa sarili ko, Is he's real? Baka kasi multo lang siya at guni-guni ko lang siya. Dahil after that night, bigla nalang siyang nawala sa harap ko.

I knocked three times before entering Dr. Yasmir's room.

"Good morning, doc!" Bati ko kay Doc. Natawa naman siya sa pagbati ko sa kanya. Close na close kami ng mga doctors dito dahil sa personality ko daw. Lalong-lalo na para daw akong si Hiraya niya.

Well, Doc Yasmir is turning forty-four this year. May limang mga anak at sobrang kukulit pero napakatalino, paano matalino din naman si Doc Hiraya. She's dominating the cardiology department, I envied her. Gusto ko ding mag-doktor kaso hindi naman ako mayaman para tustusan ang med school.

"So, since you got the highest score—"

"Highest score? Sa quiz doc? Hindi naman tayo nag qu-quiz e!" Pagbibiro ko. Doc Yasmir laugh with it.

"Gulo mo talaga, Nika. Anyways, sa survey 'yon ng pinakamagaling na nurse." Napatitig ako kay Doc Yasmir sa sinabi niya.

"Joker ka doc," pagsingit kong muli. He chuckled and shook his head in amusement.

"Can you please let me speak, Ms. Laurier?" I zipped my mouth nang naging seryoso na si Doc Yasmir, tsaka ako tumango.

"So, my aunt is in need of private nurse, to help her with her grandchildren and... his son." Napakurap ako ng ilang beses pero hindi ko sinubukang magsalita.

"My niece and nephew are so cute and jolly. Mahihirapan ka lang mag-alaga sa kanila pero nakikinig naman sila." Tumango ako sa kanya.

"This is not deal or no deal, Veronikka, because we are willing to give you thrice from your salary now as long as you will do your great job in dealing with the kids and to my cousin." Parang nagkabuhol-buhol ang dila ko sa sinabi ni Doc Yasmir.

"Ang hirap namang tumanggi," sabi ko sabay nguso. Napatawa naman si Doc Yasmir at binaba ang hawak na eyeglass tsaka inabot saakin ang folder.

"Nasa folder na 'yan ang mga information about the family. And, pack your things 'cause you're living with them." Sabi niya. Inabot ko naman ang folder at bubuksan na sana nang bigla niyang hinila iyon.

"This is top secret, Veronikka. Keep it confidential. You will say nothing about this. Sabihin mo nalang na may naghire sa'yo bilang private nurse. But don't you ever mention the family you're nursing to." Tumango ako dahil sa napakaseryosong boses ni Doc Yasmir.

In an instant, his strict and serious demeanor suddenly changed into jolly and lively Doc Yasmir.

"The driver will fetch you up tomorrow afternoon in your apartment. Just bring some stuffs pero kung gusto mo dalhin lahat, edi go!" Napatawa ako sa sinabi ni Doc Yasmir.

He's fucking 43 yet may humor parin! Gusto ko din ng mapapangasawa katulad kay Doc Yasmir! Nakaka inlove! Feel mo laging masaya.

And as doc told me yesterday, may sumundo nga saakin sa tapat ng apartment ko. Halos malaglag ang panga ko sa ganda ng sasakyan. Itim na BMW at sobrang kintab. Ni hindi man lang makikitaan ng gasgas!

Hindi din nagtagal ang pagkakamangha ko sa sasakyan nang pinagbuksan pa ako ng pintuan ng sasakyan. Nakakahiya! Princess treatment lang? Charot!

We made our way to the Sierra Executive villa. Halos manganga ang bibig ko at nagniningning naman ang mga mata ko sa mga mansyon na nakapalibot. Hindi ko kinaya!

Ang yayaman ng mga Sierra! Hindi ko aakalain na ganito sila kayaman dahil kung titignan sa itsura nila, ang simple lang nila. Minsan, may ugaling pagkabarumbado din!

I met some of them during their visits on the ospital, together with their wives. Ang swerte lang ng mga mapapangasawa nila, mayaman na, mababait pa, aside napaka hot at pogi!

May club house pa sila. Nakita ko ang iilang mga Sierra na nagkakatuwaan doon. Nang dumaan ang sasakyan ay napatingil sila sa sasakyan. Nagtataka man pero ngumiti lang sila.

Ilang saglit lang ay tumigil din ang sasakyan sa isang mansyon. Halos sing laki lang din ng mga mansyong nakikita ko, but this one is different.

Modern na modern. Filled with glass walls and the palette was black and white with earthy tone. Hindi siya masakit tignan sa mata. Sobrang lawak din ng garden. May gazebo, at playground.

Napapaligiran ng magaganda at saganang mga bulaklak, nakakatuwa lang dahil napaka-organize din ang mga bulaklak. There's an orchid, roses, pink lilies, may asters din na napaka-cute tignan, at marami pang iba. Kulang nalang magpatayo ng flower shop ang may-ari ng bahay na ito. But somehow looks so relaxing.

May kubo, tree house at mga puno sa paligid kaya hindi siya mainit.

Pumasok kami sa loob ng mansyon at kung gaano ako namangha sa labas palang, ay grabe ang pagkamangha ko sa loob. All furnitures are modern, napaka aesthetic tignan.

"Nurse Nika!" Napangiti ako nang makita ko si Hasiel, ang panganay nila Doc Yasmir at Doc Hira. He's a grown man. Sobrang tangkad na din. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, nasa 16 or 17 na si Hari, habang ang mga kapatid niya ay nasa five years younger than him.

"Hari, ginagawa mo rito?" Nakangiti kong tanong. Tinuro niya ang taas at ilang saglit lang ay bumaba si Doc Hiraya.

She looks so gracefully and expensive while she's making her way down from the stairs. Nakasuot siya ng flowy dress. Kahit nasa almost 40 na si Doc, ang ganda-ganda parin.

Kasama ni Doc ang dalawang mga bata, isang lalaki at isang babae. Sobrang namangha ako dahil magkamukhang-magkamukha ang kambal.

"Nika! You're here na pala." Tumango ako.

Doc Hira and I talked for a few minutes about the babies' conditions. Vladimir has a congenital heart disease inherited from his mother, while Vienna appears normal but is experiencing speech difficulties. According to Doc Hira and Doc Caleb, there's nothing medically wrong with Vienna; her development is just slower, especially considering that Vladimir and Vienna are premature babies.

Tinitignan ko ang dalawang bata na kasama ni Hari at Hope, kinakausap ni Hope si Vienna at laging natango or na iling lang ito. She tried to speak pero nauutal lang siya at minsan ay nabubulol. While Hari is playing with his cousin, Vlad, he seems so lively yet halata din sa kanya ang pamumutla.

"How about the father? Sabi kasi ni Doc Yasmir, pati daw ang tatay..." binaling ko ang tingin ko kina Doc Hira at Doc Caleb.

"You'll meet him later, he's still sleeping. Just be cautious when he's around, Nika. Marami na siyang tinanggal na nurse dahil hindi niya sila gusto." Sabi ni Doc Hira.

Minutes later ay nagpaalam na ang dalawang doctor kasama ang mga anak ni Doc Hira. Natira ako, at ang dalawang nanny ng mga bata. May mga kasambahay din para sa mga gawaing bahay.

I settled myself in the room given for me. It was huge. Hindi ko inaakalang ganitong kalaki ang kwarto na nilaan para saakin. Wala naman akong masyadong gagawin.

I nursed the two kids, pinakain ko sila, gave them their medications and put them into sleep. I also read some kids' stories. Nakatulog na si Vienna, but Vlad is still awake. Maaga pa naman. Nakikipagkwentuhan kasi siya saakin

"Nurse Nika," tawag ni Vlad saakin. "Is daddy mad at us?" Nabigla ako sa tanong ni Vlad. Hindi ko inaasahan na itatanong ni Vlad ang ganong bagay. He's four, bakit niya naisip ang ganong bagay?

"Bakit mo natanong?" I asked, biting my lower lips. I asked the same question to myself too when I was a child. But my father has a reason. Maybe different from their father.

"He just stared at us; I can't read him. He seems so distant." Hindi ko mapigilang hindi mag-alala sa sinabi Vlad.

"Come here," lumapit naman si Vlad at niyakap siya. I caressed his back para namang gumaan ang pakiramdam niya.

"No, baby. Daddy loves you. Always remember that, okay?" Kita ko ang pagdadalawang-isip sa mukha ng bata, but then, he slightly nodded.

"I wish we had a mother. Maybe then we'd be a happy family. I think Dad is like this because Mom's not around," I couldn't help but feel pity for the kid. They don't deserve to be treated like this.

May magagawa ba ako para paglapitin ang mga nata sa ama? We haven't seen him this evening too.

Nang makatulog si Vladimir ay kaagad ko siyang kinumutan at lumabas ng kanilang kwarto. I went straight to the kitchen, para makainom ng tubig. Hindi na ako nagbukas ng ilaw dahil kabisado ko narin naman at may kaunting liwanag naman galing sa labas ng bahay.

Iinom na sana ako nang tubig nang makarinig ako ng pagbasak ng kung ano. Kaya dali-dali kong kinuha ang cellphone ko at binuksan ang flashlight.

"Anak ka ng tipaklong!" Gulat kong sigaw nang mukha ng isang lalaki kaagad ang nakita ko. Shit! Magnanakaw na ito?!

Napatingin ako sa baba at kita ang basa na baso.

"Shit. Don't move!" Sigaw ko kaagad nang makita kong gagalaw na sana siya. Wala siyang suot na house slippers at nakapaa lang siya!

Kaagad kong binuksan ang ilaw, kumuha ng walis at dustpan.

"Who are you?" He asked in a hoarse voice, deep and so cold. Is he drunk?

Napatingin ako sa island counter at nakita ko ang bote ng whiskey. Nakaramdam ako ng inis dahil sa ginawa niya. Tingin ko siya ang tatay ng mga bata.

He has a beard and a moustache. Mukhang hindi inaalagaan ang sarili dahil mahaba na rin ang kanyang buhok. Damn. Despite his disheveled appearance, there was something undeniably magnetic about him. His rugged look only added to his allure, making it hard to tear my eyes away.

Habang tinititigan ko siya, doon ko narealize na siya iyong taong nagligtas sa akin. Why did he save me when he can't even save himself?! The question echoed in my mind as I took in his rugged appearance. His unkempt beard, moustache, and long hair spoke of a man who had let himself go, yet he had found the strength to rescue me. The paradox of it all made my heart ache, and I couldn't help but feel a deep, unspoken connection between us.

"You really had the guts to save someone, yet you can't even save and fix yourself?!" I couldn't hold it in any longer. I was so mad seeing him like this. Hindi ko inaasahan na magiging ganito siya. My voice trembled with a mix of anger and frustration. The man who had once been my savior now stood before me, looking so broken and lost. It was hard to reconcile the image of the hero I remembered with the disheveled person standing in front of me.

He's a doctor, he knew better than anyone else.

"Who are you?" he asked again. I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself.

"Does it matter?" I shot back, my voice trembling with barely contained anger. I didn't go through all the effort of fixing myself only to see him in this kind of situation. It was infuriating and heartbreaking all at once, and I couldn't hold back the frustration that had been building up inside me.