I got sick following my misadventure in the Makati rain at midnight. I didn't get to follow through Plan A pagka Saturday and Sunday. Naisip ko ang hina naman ng resistensya ko sa ulan. Hindi pala kami pwede magkaroon ng eksanang nakakabagbag-damdamin sa ulan. Sayang.

I was getting agitated. What if I go directly to Plan C and show up at Tita Ella's room during her chemo? She had a few sessions left and nangangamba ako na baka her session will end before I get to that plan. It was the last option because it's a little rude to have the confrontation in front of a sick person na wala namang kinalaman sana sa problem namin. But that's a desperate measure and right now, I think I will skip Plan B if my last attempt of Plan A won't work.

"Babe, You look like shit. Buntis ka na naman ba?" bungad ni Jasmine nang magkasalubong kami sa ward.

"Oo."

"Di ka na virgin para mag immaculate conception." She smirked and the juniors, Juno and Francis snorted.

"Tawa kayo diyan. Bakit, virgin kayo?" I scowled.

"That, children, is what years of abstinence does to people. Let's get some cheap coffee." She gave instructions to the juniors and pulled me away. She bought coffee from the vending machine near the callroom and we hid in the pantry.

"Oy ano tong secret meeting na 'to?" Kaloy walked in on us.

"I'm planning a mutiny."

"Damn, babe,  you look like shit. Rough night? Pero sino?" pang-asar ni Kaloy. I scoffed at him.

"I know right?" tawa ni Jasmine. Isa pa tong babaeng 'to. I wanted to throw my scalding hot coffee at her.

"Babe, you were fine last Friday during Cutting Time. Diba hinatid ka ni Derek sa inyo?" tanong ni Kaloy wiggled his eyebrows.

"Yes, hinatid nya ako. Hanggang sa baba ng condo." I stressed the last sentence because I knew where he was going.

"Before that. Dinala ka ba niya sa langit?"

"Oo nga, you guys quickly 'packed'-up and left."

"Leche kayong dalawa. Tigilan nyo nga kaka-Derek diyan! Mag-pinsan kami okay?" I rolled my eyes at them. Shock was an understatement sa mga mukha nila and I felt triumphant na napatahimik ko silang dalawa nang sabay.

While the movement of Jasmine's lips and mouth was like that of a dying fish, I let the news settle so we can talk better. I finally told them about Derek and how we found out that we were first cousins. Hindi ko naman ibig itago ang impormasyon sa kanila, hindi lang kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataon na mapag-usapan iyon.

"Shocking, babe. Buti nalang wala talagang nangyari sa inyo, otherwise ako mismo susulat sa MMK sa love story nyo." Kaloy said finally after a moment's thought.

At nine o'clock sharp on Thursday, Jasmine rang the bell to my unit. It was Emerald's birthday and nagyaya siyang mag Amaryllis. She graduated last year as our chief resident and she was doing her subspecialty training in Philippine Heart Center as a heart surgeon. Em always liked lounging and dancing and she used to drag me, Jasmine, and Kaloy along nung residents pa kami.

I was already dressed but I was also in bed holding Justin. He fell asleep after listening midway through his bedtime story. He wanted me to read him The Fantastic Mr. Fox. Kumirot ang puso ko when he picked it out from his Kindle. I had to take a few deep breaths to calm myself down.

I kissed my baby goodnight and tucked him again, putting a pillow in my place. I checked my appearance once again in the full-length mirror in my room, making sure hindi masyadong nagusot yung damit na suot ko. It was a navy blue warp around dress with sleeves so I didn't have to bring anything else to keep my lamigin self warm.

When we got to the bar, it was pretty full for a Thursday. Em had invited other alumni of the Department, as well as her colleagues from the Heart Center. I smiled when I saw a familiar face.

"Cara! Kamusta? I haven't seen you in years." Vince greeted me with a cheek kiss. When he turned to say hi to Jasmine, Kaloy suddenly appeared.

"Vince! It's so nice to see you. Love the pecs." He tapped his chest once. "Jasmine, babe, can you come with me for a while? I need you to meet someone." he then left without waiting for a reply, tugging Jasmine along.

"Well, that was weird. Do you want to get drinks?" I asked Vince as he led me to the bar.

We didn't notice how much time has passed. I was enjoying Vince's company and we were sharing our life stories. He was training at the Heart Center for Interventional Cardio that's why nagkakilala sila ni Em. We talked about medical school and reminisced our rotations. But at the back of my mind, I was assessing my feelings for Vince and realized na I didn't have any feelings for him anymore.

Sure he was gorgeous and he was smart, he was my almost-lover when we were in medical school and it seemed that every time we met after that, I could still feel butterflies and there were still some sparks when we touched. But tonight, I neither felt the butterflies nor the sparks. I didn't feel awkward, but hindi rin ako kinilig. I actually felt a little saddened by my realization that I was over him because, after Jaxx, he was probably the next guy whom I felt sincerely attracted to. But now it seems that we've both moved on and we were over our almost love affair.

But I wasn't over Jaxx.

It was getting late and kailangan na naming umuwi kasi may OR pa kami bukas at 7am. Hindi na ako sanay mag puyat bago mag-OR, lalo na at si Dr. E. Divinagracia na naman ang i-a-assist ko. I had quite a lot of vodka-sevens while catching up with Vince, then I had a few beers with Derek and Em. I was already tipsy I almost tripped going down the stairs.

"Hey, you alright?" a guy caught me. He looked faintly familiar but with the amount of alcohol in my head, my eyes must be playing tricks on me.

"Yeah, thanks. Just one too many beers." I squinted, trying to place his face but my brain wasn't cooperating. It took me just a little longer to get myself together. "I'm sorry." I chuckled and he let me go.

"Miss, will you be okay?" there was a look of concern on his face.

"Yes. Thank you. Don't worry about me." I tapped his shoulder lightly and walked away.

The battery on my phone was at 10%. Defective na pala yung charging cable ko sa bahay so hindi nag charge ng maayos ang phone ko when I plugged it earlier. So I had no choice but to scour the place manually for my wayward friends.

I searched the dance floor for my friends but only spotted Maxine grinding with some guy. Against my better judgment, I decided to go up to her.

It seems hindi nagkulang ng manyak na katulad ng kasayaw ni Maxine because the moment I was in her circle, I felt a hand on my waist and I was pulled to a hard body behind me. He ground his body sensually against my back. I was mortified to feel someone so close to me. His touch, though warm and light, was unpleasant and it disgusted me to no end.

"Kitten, what's with all these chance meetings?" The pervert said to me before he placed his lips on my neck. I quickly but calmly removed his hands off me and turned around to slap him. He was taken aback and napahiya sya sa mga kaibigan nya who were watching him. I was too stunned to say a word so just stomped away before he could do or say anything else.

Tang ina naman, bakit lagi kaming nagkikita ni Collin kapag wasak ako?!

With his hand on his cheek, he pulled me back to the dance floor. He held my head with one hand and kissed me fiercely, while the other groped my ass. He swayed me around to keep me off balance so I could not attack him or get out of his grip. I hooked my arm around his neck and pushed the other hand away from my butt. He then wound his arm around my waist and lifted me up a little.

I had had enough of his shit so I let go and pushed him away. He quickly pulled me back. He was saying something but I couldn't hear it over the music but it looked like he was cursing me. He gripped my arm tightly and began dragging me away as I repeatedly tugged it.

"Bitawan mo ako! You piece of shit, let me go!" With one final tug, I successfully pried arm from him. I punched him with all my might I think I might have broken my hand. His head snapped up and stumbled on the table behind him. His friends were immediately around him while I scampered away.

Fuck ang sakit and kamay ko!

I turned around to make sure he wasn't following me but he was nowhere in sight anymore. Even his friends weren't in their seats. It confused me. Did that really happen or guni-guni ko lang yun? I must be really drunk! Pero kung hindi iyon nangyari, why was there an upturned table with broken glass on the floor? At bakit ang sakit ng kamay ko?

I looked over the dance floor to find Maxine gone. Where was everyone? I was beginning to panic especially since I was still seeing doubles. And fucking Collin Diaz was somewhere lurking!

Why do I always get caught in this compromising situation? Bakit ako lagi? Do I have a sign on my forehead saying "harass me, I'm drunk!" I was careful to go out with friends, I don't take drinks from strangers, but here I am, getting assaulted again!

"Cara, right?" I jumped when a girl in a dark green shift dress tapped my shoulder. I nodded shakily.

"Dali, we have a surprise for Em sa parking." She excitedly said and gently pulled me outside. I went with her without hesitation.

Oh, thank god! I was finally able to breathe. Ayoko na mag-isa dito!

Everyone I was looking for was already there, passing around sparklers and confetti, while Em had a blindfold over her eyes and she was being led by Derek. I stayed a little at the back and tried to figure out how to twist the confetti cannon that was handed to me.

When Emerald was in place we waited for the signal. Five.. four.. three.. two.. one..

"Happy birthday!" we shouted in chorus, clapping and popping the cannons. Em quickly removed her blindfold and squealed. Everybody was circled around her to greet her when suddenly, may nangharana sa kanya. It was her long-time boyfriend.

Again, "ooohs" and "aaaws" erupted from us and the boys howled. We knew what was going to happen and Em seemed to it pick up too. Happy tears were already streaming down her face as she covered her mouth. It was a sight to behold.

I felt genuinely happy for Emerald, she deserved this happiness. Her boyfriend had been with her throughout residency and now, through fellowship. He wasn't a doctor. In fact, he was far from it. He was an Engineer. Yet they found a way to make things work. Siguro nga if both parties were willing to work for the relationship, it would succeed.

I sighed and wiped a tear that escaped my eye as I absentmindedly played with the ring on my necklace. Sana all.

---

It was another Friday and I told myself this would be my last attempt at Plan A. If it isn't going to work, then skip to Plan C kasi malapit nang matapos chemo ni Tita Ella.

I managed to stay awake throughout Dr. E-Di's five-hour procedure kahit na nanginginig ako, salamat sa isang litro ng kape na ininom ko simula six ng umaga hanggang bago mag-OR. Wala ako masyadong naalala sa mga pangyayari, basta na lang retract- buzz –tie –cut –repeat.

The rest of the day, hindi ako mapakali. I practiced my speech in my head several times. Napaisp ako sa engagement ni Em last night. Nakakainggit sila and I wished for my happy ever after. It may not be with Jaxx, but sana meron ako nun.

When the time had come, I again took my time to walk to Jaxx's condo. This time I made sure it was nearly one in the morning. I took my time walking, reflecting on everything that had happened between us. I needed to encourage myself to continue walking. Hawak ko ang aking happily ever after and I didn't want to regret it in the future because I didn't try. The fifteen-minute walk became thirty because I made a lot of detours as I was getting nervous.

When I got to the condo building, yung masungit na guard ang nandoon sa lobby. Again, I told him I wanted to see Jaxx and he asked for my ID. Hindi na sya masyadong nagsalita, basta na lang he called the roving guard to accompany me to Jaxx's floor. It was the same guard as before and I gave him a small smile.

"Akala ko ma'am nagka-ayos na kayo ni sir. Di na kayo bumalik e." he said while we were in the elevator.

"Wish ko nga sana kuya, kaso di kami nagpapang-abot e. Pero di bale, last chance ko na siguro to." I told him and he nodded.

"Mukhang malala yung atraso nyo kay sir?" he looked at me through my reflection in the elevator door. Chismoso!

"Medyo. Sana nga mapatawad niya ako. Ipagdasal mo na lang kaluluwa ko kapag napatya nya ako ha?" I joked.

We reached his floor as I finished my reply and kuya guard let me step out of the lift first. I hesitated a little, I had a bad feeling about tonight like something wrong was really going to happen. Feeling ko magagalit sya. Baka tulog na sya, o di kaya naliligo. Sana lang 'wag nyang buksan ang pintuan nyang naka tapis lang kasi baka himatayin ako on the spot.

I rang the bell and waited with bated breath. May mga boses akong narinig sa loob ng kwarto nya, at isa doon, boses ng babae.

Ay shit! Abort mission! Exit!

Kinabahan ako lalo. Gusto ko na lang umalis kasi baka hindi ko kakayanin kung ang makikita ko ay hubad na babae niya. I started to step away pero bumangga ako kay kuya guard, at bago pa man ako maka-alis, bumukas na ang pinto.

I opened my mouth to begin my speech but I was stunned to see black eyes instead of gray ones.

"It's a bit late to be calling now, isn't it? What do you want." She stepped out of the room and nearly closed the door, leaving just an inch of opening. She was wearing a blush pink cocktail dress that was very revealing, tingin ko kaya biglang tumalikod si kuya guard at naglakad palayo sa amin. Her hair was pulled back revealing her fully made-up face na kahit gaano pa kaganda ay nakakarimarim kung tingnan.

"What are you doing here?"

Of all the scenarios that I've imagined in my head, she was not one of them. Grace wasn't the surprise I was expecting. I wasn't sure if I was relieved to see her instead of another woman or not. Somehow, yung takot at kaba ko kanina na baka my heart was going to break dahil may babae siyang kasama ay napalitan na ng galit dahil mukhang hindi na naman matutuloy ang Plan A ko.

"I could ask you the same. What's your name again?" she squinted her eyes and tilted her head for dramatic effect. Para namang marunong talaga sya mag-isip, leche.

I took a deep breath before I answered. "Cara."

"Oh yeah, Cara from years ago." I rolled my eyes at her poor acting. Of course, she knew me. Tanga lang sya kapag hindi, but then I should not think very highly of her. She had a sly grin on her face and I knew that I wasn't going to see him tonight with the way she was guarding the door. She crossed her arms and I noted how her breasts were pushed up. Were those even real?

I was already picking her apart in my brain, but I was not leaving just yet.

"Yeah. Is Jaxx around?" it took all my self-control not to execute a sidekick to her face.

"We're busy right now. And no, he doesn't want to see you. And no, don't come back because I don't want to see you anywhere near my fiancé."

"Fiancé?"

"Surprised?" the smug look on her face grew. I quickly looked at her hands.

"Yeah. Surprised he didn't give you a ring." I smirked. She tried to hide her surprise by laughing. She was stalling.

"Just because I didn't wear it doesn't mean he didn't give me one. Now, get!" her smile quickly turned into a scowl and she stepped back inside, halatang walang witty comeback na naisip. But before she closed the door, I heard Jaxx call her.

"Remember what I told you? He will always come back to me." she gave me one more look of distaste before slamming the door to my face. 

*~*~*~*~*

Hi, babes! The beautiful yet wicked Grace is back in the picture and she's diabolical as always. She's out to turn everyone's lives upside down! Now that she revealed to Cara she was Jaxx's fiancee, what do you think Cara will do?

🐻✍🏽AUTHOR'S NOTE

Updates will be regularly on Mondays and Fridays. If I have more chapters, I will update the story mid-week. I hope you can give me inputs, too!