Kapit Bitaw

Chapter 37

"Liana, pili ka nga... Leanne or Jane."

"It's up to you... we already decided that you'll be incharge of the names if the baby turns out to be a girl."

"Alam ko... pero ikaw yung may taste 'e."

Tumingin ako sa kaniya habang nagluluto siya. "E'di sana ako nalang ang pumangalan."

"Hindi!" natataranta niyang sabi. He lowered the fire and looked at me. "Ako na... I just want your opinion."

"Leanne sounds pretty."

He nodded. "Leanne it is." he said as he neared me. Bigla bigla niya nalang akong niyakap. He's been really clingy lately. Pakiramdam ko hindi ako ang gusto niyang yakapin... kundi ang baby namin.

"Liana..."

"Hmm?"

"Mag mamaternity leave ka?"

I shook my head. "I'll resign."

He immediately withdrew from the hug. Nakakunot ang noo niya. "Resign? From med? Liana-"

"No," I cut him off. That was absurd! Titigil ako sa pagiging doctor? Walang kawala iyon sa akin! That was the dream. That still is the dream. I'm living it. "What do you feel about going back to the Philippines?"

Lumaki mata niya.

"Yeah... my parents can't touch me anymore as far as I know. They may be cruel but they wont lock me like they did before now that I have a baby with me. T'saka 'di naman tayo pupunta doon. Kahit sa condo ko muna tayo tumira. Or sa condo mo. Or we could also visit sila tita Lina at Lucas. I know you miss them."

Julian has never complained. But I know he misses his family. I know he gets homesick weeks after we transfered here. He has never said it aloud but I knew.

Now, I think, it was time to come home.

"Think about it. I would like my child to grow up in the Philippines... surrounded by her family. Plus, doon nalang din ako magtatake ng PLE siguro."

"We are her family."

"People are waiting for us there, Julian. Maybe... it's about time to come home."

•

The bulge on my tummy was growing a bit. But not to the point na kitang kita pa ng lahat. Pumasok ako sa loob ng office ng director. A kind man. He ushered me in as I sat on the couch. Inilabas ko ang puting sobre na naglalaman ng resignation letter ko.

"Sir, I would like to resign..."

The director seemed baffled. "Wh- What? Why? Did another hospital offer you a higher salary? We can do that as well-" he seemed determined to let me stay.

Umiling ako kaya napatigil siya ng kusa sa pagsasalita. "It's nothing like that, sir."

"Then do tell me the reason. Ms. De los Santos, you're one of the best doctors here in this hospital, pushing aside the fact that you are still an intern. What happened? Is it Doc Hills? I'll tell her-"