Virtue of Love in Mendiola (Manila Series #1)

Chapter 30

"Let's look for Allen muna before we leave." Ali said.

"Samahan ko na kayo." Kio said then we looked for Allen around the venue. Nagulat ako nang makita kong kasama ni Allen si Jazen sa terrace kung saan kami nagusap kanina. Mas ikinagulat ko nang lumapit sa akin si Jazen tsaka siya bumulong.

"You left me again, woman." he said which made me look at him, confused. "You left me without saying thank you." he said then he chuckled as he walked away.

"Uh, uuwi na ba kayo?" Allen asked while looking at me like he has a clue about what Jazen and I talked about a while ago.

"Y-Yes." sagot ko habang tumatango. Sinamahan niya kami papunta sa parking lot ng venue. Nang makapagpaalam na kami sa isa't isa ay sumakay na ako sa kotse ko tsaka ako nagmaneho pauwi.

"You're home early, huh?" Mom said. Seems like she waited for me. "How was the party?"

"I had fun, Mommy. I've never seen them for years and I'm happy to see them again." I said while I'm taking off my heels.

"Is Jazen there?" Mom asked.

"Mommy, I'm sleepy." I said. "Akyat na po ako." I said tsaka ako nagpatuloy sa paglalakad paakyatk.

Kinabukasan ay maaga akong nagising dahil sa busina ng kotse ni Jian. I asked him na samahan akong kumuha ng medical results ni Mommy sa hospital.

"Good morning po, Tita!" I heard Jian said tsaka siya nagmao kay Mommy.

"Nagbreakfast ka na ba, Hijo?" Mom asked Jian.

"Kaya pala ang aga mo kasi makikikain ka dito." sabi ko habang nagtatali ng buhok. "Mga galawan mo eh 'no."

"Wag kang maniwala dyan tita. Bangag lang yan si Ara kaya ganyan." natatawang sabi ni Jian pero inirapan ko lang siya.

"Nag-aasaran nanaman kayo, ang aga aga." sabi ni Mommy habang nagsasalin ng ulam sa pinggan. "Kumain muna kayong dalawa before leaving."

"Alam mo lagi nalang ako kasama mo pag umaalis ka. Maghanap ka na kasi ng jowa, Ara, para may kasama ka sa pagpunta sa hospital." sabi ni Jian habang tumatawa. "Yung doctor sana. Hahaha!"sabi ni Jian tsaka siya tumawa ng malakas kaya binatukan ko siya.

"Ang laki mong epal sa buhay ko, alam mo 'yon?" inis kong sabi.

"Thank you." sagot ni Jian tsaka siya kumagat sa loaf na hawak niya. Nang matapos kaming kumain ay naligo na ako tsaka nag-ayos ng sarili ko. Pagtapos kong mag-ayos ay nagpaalam na kami kay Mommy na aalis na kami.

"Nabanggit sa akin ni Tita na di mo sinagot tanong niya last night if Jazen attended the party." Jian asked me while he's driving. "Are you guys still not okay?"

"Actually, we're okay na." I answered. "Nagusap na kami last night and we settled things na. It's just that ayoko lang pagusapan."

"Well, if that is so, wala naman kaming magagawa." Jian said then he smiled at me. Pagdating sa hospital ay ibinaba lang ako ni Jian sa tapat. "I'll wait for you nalang sa car. Medical result ang kukunin dito hindi yung doktor ha?" sabi niya tsaka niya ako tinawanan.

"Excuse me." pagtawag ko sa atensyon ng nurse.

"Yes po, ma'am?" she asked.

"Ara Gonzales is the name. I have an appointment with Dr. Santiago." I said. "Is he available?"

"Let me check po." the nurse said then she dialed a number on the telephone. "He have an appointment with another patient po eh. Patapos naman na po. Can you wait po?"

"Yes, of course." I said tsaka ako umupo sa couch sa may waiting area.

"Hey! What are you doing here?" asked someone who sat beside me. "Alam ko namang na-miss mo 'ko. You don't have to visit me here naman." natatawang sabi niya pero I only gave him a plain reaction.

"Excuse me? Bigla atang humangin dito?" sabi ko. "I came here to get my Mom's medical result and not to see your annoying face."

"Oh, is that so." he said then he chuckled. "Buti kinakausap mo na 'ko. The last time na pumunta kayo dito ng Mom mo hindi ka man lang nag hello."

"Alam mo, ewan ko sayo. Pasalamat ka kinausap kita kagabi." inis kong sabi.

"Edi salamat. Hahaha!" sabi niya tsaka siya tumawa.

"Good morning, Doc!" bati ng nurse kay Jazen. "Miss Gonzales, Dr. Santiago's waiting for you in his office po."

"Thank you." I said, thanking the nurse then I stood up. "See you around, King scorpion."

Nagpunta ako sa office ng doctor ni Mommy para kunin ang medical result niya. The doctor explained the result to me. He even gave me some prescriptions for my mother and he told me about Mom's next appointment with him. After talking with the doctor, I then left his office.

"Oh, you're leaving na?" Jazen asked nang makasalubong ko siya sa hallway.

"Malamang! Anong gusto mo? Tumira ako dito?" inis kong tanong.

"Kalma, Ara! I'm just asking." he said then he chuckled. "Unless, baka gusto mong sa bahay ko nalang tumira."

"Whatever, Falcon." I said then I rolled my eyes.

"Wala ka bang kasama?" he asked.

"Ara, di ka pa ba tapos?" Jian asked even before I answer Jazen's question. Nagulat siya nang makitang kausap ko si Jazen. "Ops, sorry. I'll wait for you in the car nalang." Jian said then he left.

"May kasama ka pala." Jazen said then I nodded. It felt uncomfortable and awkward.

"I should get going, Jaze." I said. "Baka may gagawin ka pa."

"Ara.." he called my name even before I left. "Can we talk?"

"We're already talking, Jazen." I said.

"Oh come on, Ara." he said I guess he's not in a good mood now.

"Then let's talk." I said. Pumunta kami sa lobby kung saan walang gaanong tao. Wala akong mahanap na dahilan para kausapin pa si Jazen pero pilit na gumagawa ng paraan yung puso ko para kausapin siya ulit.

"Who's that guy?"Jazen asked.

"Seriously? You want us to talk here just to ask me who's that guy?" I asked.

"Just answer me, Ara." Jazen said.

"Look, I have to leave. I have to go to the law firm because I find that more important than this." I said.

"Who's that guy?" Jazen asked again. "Just, please, answer my question." he said in a soft voice. I took a deep breathe before answering his question.

"Someone special." I answered. Nanatili siyang nakatingin sa kung saan nang marinig ang sagot ko. I then stood up to leave the hospital but even before I go and leave, I heard him talk.

"I don't believe that he's your special someone." he said. "May nakakuha na ba talaga ng lugar ko dyan sa puso mo?"

"Jazen.." the only thing I was able to say after I heard his question.

"Ara.." he said calling my name. "I want you to date me again."

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