CHAPTER 3: Instant Husband

    "ARE you sure you're okay, Mister? Maybe you hit your head on your way here?" I tried hiding my hysteria, but the man in front of me looked so calm.

"I did not." He uttered as his hand went to his lips, brushing it.

My lips parted when I saw the ring on his finger. It looked like the ring I wore eleven years ago!

He caught me staring at the ring on his finger. He showed his hands, implying me to focus on the ring, which I did.

"This is our wedding ring, wife," I caught him looking at my hand, which I quickly hid from my back.

I shook my head. "Wedding ring? You're mistaken, mister. I am not married to anyone." I stated icily.

He eyed me before he crossed his arms on his chest. I gulped when my eyes instantly fell from his muscles and the veins on his hands. Just by looking at his strong being arms, sigurado akong kayang-kaya niya akong buhatin at ihagis sa malayong lugar.

From his arms, lumibot ang mga mata ko sa iba pang parte ng katawan niya, partikular sa mukha niya. I swallowed as I took a sight of him. He has a pair of mystique hooded amber eyes that looks naturally sleepy. He had an aristocratic nose, and thick eyebrows, while his hair was in a brown shade faded army cut. The upper part of his bloodish lips was thin, and the lower part was thick. He also has a thin stubble around his sharp jaw. 

And the way he spokes, I could hear his thick accent. He sounds a bit American, but also European. Maybe he's in between those. His natural voice was deep, husky, sexy.

He doesn't look like a pure Filipino for me aside from his skin color, which is tan. The rest were foreign features, especially his eyes, nose, and height. I already stood up five and eight feet, but this man was taller than me. He's even taller than my male cousins, probably about 6'5 foot.

"Are you done checking me, Mon amour?" I blinked when his red lips slowly formed into a naughty grin.

My mouth was agape.

"Excuse me?! I am not checking you out, okay? Can you please leave me alone?! I don't have time for strangers like you." sita ko sa kanya na dapat ay pasigaw, pero nakakainis dahil naka-default na yata talaga ang boses ko sa mahinahong tono.

I hate to be soft-spoken!

Galit ako pero ang hinhin ng boses ko. Kahit ata sumigaw ako sa inis ay tunog malambing pa rin ang boses ko dahil mahina, pino at babaeng-babae 'yon.

His lips rose while looking at me with amusement in his eyes. He stepped closer, making me step backward, but he was too quick that he quickly snaked his strong arm to my waist, causing our bodies to collide. 

"You're so pretty even when you get annoyed, my wife. But let me introduce myself again," he surveyed my face before a sly smile curved on his lips.

My face instantly felt crimson red when his warm minty breath puffs my face.

"Zuriel Reeve Roschefort..." he trailed off as his other hand tucked some strands on the back of my ears. "Your husband."

Natulala ako at saglit na hindi nakagalaw.

"N-No! Get off me!" I went back to my normal state and pushed him with all my strength. I quickly took backward and held the doorknob of my unit. I looked at the man in front of me, who's looking at me darkly. "In your dreams!" sabi ko at mabilis na isinara ang pinto.

THE next day, I went to the hospital without any problems. I went straight to my office and change my jacket into my white coat. I hung my stethoscope around my neck before I went outside for my daily rounds in the pedia ward.

One of my closest friends, Nurse Eva, waved her hand at me the moment I stepped out of my office. Habang papalapit ako sa nursing station ay may mga nurses, interns at doctor ang bumati sa akin. Binati ko rin sila gamit ang isang matipid na ngiti.

"Hi, Doc Kelsea! May padala nga pala 'yong mysterious admirer mo," Bago pa niya maitaas ang bagay na nasa ilalim ng desk niya ay napaurong na ako palayo sa kanya.

I pinched my nose and looked at the bouquet of flowers she's holding. Nakangiti siya habang nakatingin sa bungkos ng bulaklak na para sa'kin.

"Here's the card, Doc. Wala naman masyadong nakasulat basta ang sabi, I'll make it up to you,"

My face crumpled.

Sino ba talaga ang nagpapadala sa akin ng mga bulaklak? Kung normal lang siguro akong babae ay matutuwa ako, but I'm not like other girls. Unfortunately, I have a pollen allergy. Causing me to be sensitive to flowers at sa iba pang halaman.

Saka ang creepy kaya!

My allergy causes me to have a runny, scratchy, congested nose. Irritable, watery, and red eyes. Itchy throat and red bumps on the palate. My condition is one of the reasons why I always decline flowers from anyone.

Simula noong pumasok ako dito sa Areno Medical Center ay may misteryosong tao na ang nagpapadala sa akin ng bulaklak. It's been a year since I started receiving a different bouquet of flowers! Minsan dalawa hanggang apat na beses sa isang linggo 'to nagpapadala. Dahil hindi ako pwede sa bulaklak ay binibigay ko na lang kay Nurse Eva ang mga 'yon at tanging 'yong mga card na lang ang kinukuha ko.

She passed me the card, and I quickly read it.

To my Amour,

I'll make it up to you, I promise.

I felt goosebumps by reading it.

I thanked her as I hid the card in the pocket of my white coat. "You know what to do, Nurse Eva. That flowers is all yours," sabi ko habang nakangiti.

"Thank you, Doc! Eto nga po pala 'yong chart niyo. May nakaschedule kayong dalawang surgery ngayon."

"Thank you," pagkatapos kong kuhanin ang chart ay nagsimula na akong magrounds sa pediatric ward.

I became a doctor for two reasons— to provide quality health care to the community and to continue my grandmother's legacy. My dad's mom is a cardiologist, while my mom is an OB-GYN. My uncle's wife, is a beauty queen that became a dermatology, and my other aunt, my dad's sister, is an orthopedic. We're a family of doctors. My uncle: is a lawyer who became a senator of the country. While my dad is the only Pilot that continues the legacy of my Grandfather.  

"HAVE a seat, Mrs. Sanchez," I greeted the mother of my patient with a warm smile. "According to all the symptoms Angeline had for the past weeks, I must say she has bronchial asthma," mahinahon na sabi ko habang nakatingin sa patient chart.

"P-Po? Broccoli asthma po, doc?"

My lips twitch before I shooked my head. "Bronchial asthma po, Mrs. Nagdudulot po ito ng pamamaga at ginagawang makitid ang daanan ng hangin sa katawan. Kapag nagsimulang sumikip ang daanan ng hangin, hindi makakalabas ni makakapasok ang hangin sa baga nang maayos. May mamumuo ring ng uhog o mucus sa mga daanan ng hangin na mas nagpapahirap sa katawan para dumaloy ng mabuti ang hangin," I took a look at her. "This type of asthma is considered as chronic lung disease."

Nakita ko ang gulat sa mga mata niya habang nakikinig sa mga bawat salitang binibitawan ng labi ko.

"A-Ano pong kailangan gawin, doc?"

"I'll be prescribing some medicines for her," ngumiti ako sa ginang. "But to be honest, Mrs. Sanchez, her condition is prolong. Wala po 'tong lunas. Yes, it can be manage and control pero panghabang buhay na po 'tong sakit. And it will be much better if you let her undergo AAP," I said calmly and glanced at Angeline. The kid is busy playing with some stuffed toys I displayed on the side part of my office.

"AAP? Ano po 'yan, doc? Kapag ba nag-undergo siya dyan ay tuluyan na siyang gagaling?" sunod-sunod na tanong niya.

"AAP means Asthma Action Plans. Angeline condition is actually severe at mahirap na po 'tong makontrol at maagapan. If she'll undergo our plan, mas matatrack namin ng maayos ang asthma niya,"

Bahagyang siyang natulala at lumingon sa anak. "Magkano po ba ang kakailanganin, doc? W-Wala po kasi kaming pera... Panigurado pong mahal ang treatment plan na sinasabi niyo,"

Biglang bumigat ang dibdib ko nang makita ang lungkot sa mga mata. Oh, God. I hate seeing sad people.  "You don't have to worry about the amount of the treatment, Mrs. Sanchez. I'll help you get a discount for Angeline's treatment."

Biglang bumagsak ang luha sa mga mata niya. "Maraming Salamat po, doc. Salamat po talaga!" Halos humagulgol na siya ngunit pinipigilan niya lang dahil baka marinig ni Angeline.

I smiled and tapped her hands softly. "I'll do my best to help Angeline get better," I assured her.

WHEN lunch break came, I took off my white coat and left my maroon scrubs in me. I fixed my hair in a ponytail before I left my office.

The word exhausted is not even the right word for how I feel right after my first surgery today. I'm a Pediatric Surgeon here at Areno Medical Center, our hospital. Soon, I'll be the Director of the hospital when my mom retired.

I stayed in the United States of America for eleven years before I started to work here in our hospital. My journey in a foreign country isn't easy.  I live by myself to achieve my dream to be a Surgeon. I studied at Johns Hopkins Medical School for four years, had my two-year internship, and had five years of adult general surgery.

And now, I'm officially back in the Philippines as a license physician. 

Kumunot noo ako nang makitang may tatlong food truck ang nasa labas ng Areno hospital. Pinagkakaguluhan 'yon ng mga nurses at interns.

"Dra. Kelsea!" Dra. Melissa, an orthopedic, approached me. "Congratulations! Hindi ka lang pala magaling na doctor, magaling ka rin pumili ng lalaki." She winked at me, making me confused.

"Huh?" 

"Oh, bakit parang gulat na gulat ka dyan? Hindi mo ba alam na nasa labas 'yong manliligaw mo? He brought three food trucks for the entire hospital! He's not just hot, he's also rich! Kung ako sayo, sagutin mo na," Nakangiting ani niya habang ako'y gulong-gulo.

May manliligaw ako? Since when?

"Excuse me, Doc." nagpaalam ako sa kanya at dumiretso palabas ng hospital. I walked closer to the food trucks, and the people I passed greeted me with a smile, obviously teasing me.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang hindi kabahan dahil ang paraan ng pag-ngiti nila ay may halong pang-aasar! 

Nang magtama ang mata namin, parang tumigil ang pag-ikot ng mundo. I feel like everything becomes blurred, and the only thing I see clearly is him. He's wearing black long sleeves tucked inside beige trousers with a Hermes belt. He looked so handsome despite his austere outfit.

What is he doing here?!

Siya ba 'yong sinasabi nilang manliligaw ko? Kailan ko pa naging manliligaw ang lalaking 'to? I don't even know him! I want to avoid him at all cost but here he is, gumagawa ng paraan para magkita kami.

Mabilis akong naglakad papalapit sa kanya at magsasalita na sana nang bigla siyang maglabas ng isang bungkol ng rosas na ikinatagil ko.

My eyes widened and stopped midway. "Are you the one who kept sending me flowers?!" 

"Bonjour, Wife," he greeted me. "Yes, I am the one sending you flowers. Did you like the flowers I bought earlier? Here's another one—" I frowned slightly.

"What are you doing here?" I pressed my lips together. "About the flowers... Don't send me flowers anymore. I-I hate them!" I felt guilty when I saw a pain rush in his eyes and the muscle on his jaw clench.

"Y-You hate them?" He lick his lips and his Adam's apple moved. "Maybe you don't like red roses? What do you like, then? White roses? Sunflowers? Maybe Tulips?" He asked in a low pitched, I almost didn't hear it.

I pressed my lips together. "I hate flowers because they came from you, okay? And your truck is parking on the hospital premises. This is illegal, Mister!"

His expression became sour before he sighed exasperatedly. "My name is Reeve, and I'm your husband," he spoke.

"I don't care! Just leave!" pagtataboy ko sa kanya.

"Ayoko." He crossed his arms over his chest. "I'm not going to leave this premises until you accept me as your husband," He declared with a steady eye contact with me.

My mouth opened, and gasp. "You're crazy!"

He leaned forward against the window. "Yes, I am. And this crazy man, is your husband," He gave me a smug smile.

Umiling ako. "I'm not your wife."

His lips rose, before it turned into a soft grin. "Yes, you are."

"If you are my husband, why can't I remember our wedding day? Yes, something happened between us that night, but I don't remember marrying you. Plus, If we are really married bakit ngayon ka lang nagpakita sa'kin? Shouldn't you look for me when you woke up without your wife by your side?" I said mockingly.

A cunning smile formed on his lips. "Sino nagsabing hindi kita hinanap?" He teasingly arched his brows at me. "I just let you enjoy your life for eleven years in the USA, so you can achieve your dreams to be a Surgeon. And the day you went gone, I straightly looked for you, and guess what, wife?" He smirked, making me nervous.

"W-What?" I stuttered.

"I already asked your parents for your hands, and they agreed on one condition... I will let you achieve your dream to be a Surgeon before I will marry you." He stands tall without breaking our eye contact.

My lips parted.

I stared at him and I saw how serious his eyes were. Mukhang hindi talaga siya nagbibiro sa sinabi niya. "I-I will talk to my parents first at aalamin ko kung totoo ba ang sinabi mo," matapang na sagot ko.

He let out a deep sigh and looked at me. "Bien. Ask your parents how I asked your hands at them eleven years ago, and when you know what I said is true, ready yourself because I will never let you go. We will work out our marriage whether you like it or not, do you understand, Mon amour?"

I hope he's lying! "Whatever," I was about to walk out when he swiftly blocked my way, handing me a two pieces of food container. "What?"

"It's your lunch break, and you haven't eaten yet." He paused, and licked his lips. "Here eat this. I cooked that," he said proudily.

"Baka may lason 'to?"

He pressed his lips with a slight frown before aggressively running his hands through his hair. "Why would I poison my wife?  Tingin mo hahayaan kong may mangyari sayong masama?" He said irritatedly, yet his thick accent was audible.

So, he can speak straight Tagalog, ha.

I sighed in defeat. "Whatever! T-Thank you for the food," hindi ko natiis na sabi at tatalikod na sana nang pigilan niya na naman ako. "What?"

"Your flowers—"

"I'm allergic to flowers," sabi ko at mabilis na siyang iniwan doon.

MY MEMORIES that night weren't clear, and it bothered me a lot that even in my dreams, it haunted me. Nakalimutan ko lamang 'yon noong naging busy na ako sa medschool.

And now, as I stared at the ring I took off eleven years ago, memories from the past flashback except one thing. How did we get married?

I sighed in frustration. Hinilamos ko ang dalawang palad sa mukha ko habang nakatingin sa singsing na hawak ko. The ring looks exquisite and expensive. It was a silver ring with a small sapphire gemstone.

Everything he said earlier made sense, and I hate it because he knew what happened that night while I didn't. I wanted to know what happened that night, but I'm scared, and I don't even know why am I.

Should I accept him in my life? Pero hindi ko naman siya lubos na kilala. What if he's a killer or something worse? And by his looks, he looked like someone who would want to enjoy his bachelorhood, but he decided to marry a stranger? There's no concrete reason for him to marry me.

Except for one thing.

That's if he fell in love the first time he saw me. I shook my head, removing that cringe thought in my mind.

I really need to talk to my parents as soon as possible!