EVERYTHING went back to normal when they came back. Halos hindi ulit sila magkita ni Caleb kahit nasa iisang hospital lang naman sila nagta-trabaho, at sa kasamaang palad pa, ang palagi niyang nakakasalubong ay ang sira ulo na kapatid nito.

Caliber was back teasing her to no end. Minsan ay kahit may pasyente siya na kinakausap bigla nalang papasok si Caliber sa loob ng clinic niya, kapag tinanong naman niya kung ano ang kailangan nito. He'll just shrugged his shoulders and left after tapping his phone like he's texting someone.

Her parents went back to France, nangako ang mga ito na babalik ulit pero hindi nila alam kung kailan lalo na at busy silang pareho sa pag handle ng business nila. His father owns a chocolate factory. Umuwi lang naman sila sa Pilipinas para bisitahin siya, pero bilang isang mabuting anak, nilayasan niya ang mga ito at nagliwaliw sa Cebu.

Avis sipped on her iced coffee while checking her social media accounts, she gain a lot of likes because of her pictures in cebu, and comments. Ang tsismosa na si Marga ang nangunguna,sunod ang mga kaibigan ni Caleb. They're just commenting the same thing.

"Cebu as a friend." She read it loud. Kumunot ang noo ni Avis sa mga ito, but then she remembered that Caleb introduced her as a friend. That put her on a sour mood.

Avis fixed her face when her mother called. Agad naman niya itong sinagot. She still felt guilty for leaving and had a wonderful vacation in Cebu, samantalang ang mga magulang niya ay umuwi sa Pilipinas para makita siya.

"Ma!" She beamed.

Her mother smiled and showes her father working his ass off. Workaholic as ever.

[How are you? As you can see I'm bored. Napaka workaholic naman kasi nitong tatay mo! And you're not here, wala akong mahihila para maglibang sa Mall. Hell, I don't want to be with Rayleigh!] Pagrarant ng mama niya.

Rayleigh, Caleb's mother, bugged her mother nonstop when they were in Cebu. That's how they were. Her mother was a good friend of Caleb's mother before his dad came into the picture. Rayleigh loves bugging Veronica and Veronica easily gets irritated but still want her friend attention. Ganoon ang ugali ng mama niya.

"You seems pretty cool to me, Ma. I heard Tita Rayleigh is there? Araw araw ko kasing nakakasalubong ngayon sa Hospital si Tito." Pagk-kwento niya.

Caleb's father retired a long time ago, ever since Caleb graduated. Hindi niya alam kung paano na ha-handle ni Caleb ang maging Doctor at business man at the same time. It looks hard. No wonder he looks like a walking zombie.

[Wala akong pakialam kay Rayleigh! Nangungunsumi na ako sa kanya, panay ang reto sa bunso niyang anak! Ang daming binibida e gusto ko nga 'yung panganay niya! You know what she said?! She told me to divorce my husband and marry his first born! Oh God! That woman! She never changed! I hate her guts!] High blood na sabi nito.

Avis covered her mouth and bit her lowel lip to stop her self from laughing so hard. Her Tita Rayleigh was really something. Veronica, her dearest mother was always calm and collected whenever someone's pissing her off, nakita na niya 'yon. Kahit gaano kapikon ang mama niya sa mga nakaka meeting nito para sa business nila, ni minsan hindi niya ito nakitang nag rant.

Not until she met Caleb's mother.

Na kaya pala asar na asar ang mama niya ay dahil may past ang mga ito. And she used that 'past' to affect her relationship with Caleb. Hindi pa nito kilala si Caliber noon kaya ang alam ng mama niya ay isa itong maamong tupa.

[Don't you dare laugh!]

"I'm not..." She said biting her lower lips. "Okay, I can't do this!" Avis burst out laughing. Nakatingin na sa kanya ang ibang mga customers pero wala lang sa kanya.

She has a free time to wander, kakatapos lang niya magpa-anak at Cesarean section pa!

[Magsama kayong mag ama! Ini-stress niyo ako.] Singhal nito.

She stopped laughing when Caliber caught her attention. Avis cutely waved her hand.

[Who's that?] Agad na tanong ng mama niya.

"Caliber." She answered. Avis sighed when she saw her mother's face lit up, she's so fond of Caliber. Maybe because Caliber looks like exactly his Father. Parang na copy paste lang.

"Hey, seems like your done. I have something I want you to d—" Her mother cutted him off.

[Caliber!]

Kumunot ang noo ni Caliber kaya hinarap niya ang screen ng phone nito kay Caliber. He fixed his coat and waved his hand.

"Tita, how are you? How's my mother? She's not contacting us and that's weird." Caleb said chuckling.

[Oh God! You're gorgeous! I really want you for my daughter but Avis there was stubborn and kept on hitting on your brother.] Umikot ang mga mata ni Avis sa narinig at si Caleb naman ay ngumisi sa kanya. [And about your mother, she's here again to pester me.]

Narinig niya ang pagtawa ng Papa niya at ang boses ni Tita Rayleigh, it's seems like her father and her Tita were pretty get along. Ang mama niya lang talaga ang bitter at pilit na b-bring up ang nakaraan.

"She's your friend. After my handsome father came into the picture, of course. Mama probably missed you, kaya po siguro ganyan na sinundan ka." Natatawang sagot ni Caliber.

Looking at this man, mukha itong fresh at parang hindi puyat kahit night ang shift nito ngayon.

[Handsome and playboy father.] Her mother scoffed.

"Well, past is past Tita." Caliber licked his lower lip and his facial expression turns serious. "And about me and your daughter. I don't think it's possible, Tita. I have a girlfriend now and I plan to marry her. But I know someone as handsome as me—"

[Oh please! Stop endorsing your brother!] Her mother dramatically said. Sunod ay narinig nila ang boses ni Tita Rayleigh. [Veron! What the hell is your problem with my baby?!]

Nailing si Caliber sa mga ito.

"Tita, don't be too hard to my baby dragon. He have too much on his plate right now, as you know, my brother is a doctor too, he handles our chains of hospital and he's also studying..." Kumunot ang noo niya sa narinig, she didn't know. Napatingin din sa kanya si Caliber at tinaasan siya ng kilay. "All for your pretty thick headed daughter here."

"Gago ka ah?" Pabulong na singhal niya.

[We have to go son! Take a rest and take care of your Father for me! I love you and Caleb!]

Sinilip niya ang phone niya at nakitang tapos na ang video call. Mukhang pinatay na ni Tita Rayleigh.

"Ano nga ulit yung sinasabi mo kanina?" Tanong niya kay Caliber at ininom na ang natitirang Iced coffee niya.

Caliber sighed. "My baby dragon doesn't want to see you, he's good at commanding me to check on you then text him afterwards. It's kinda tiring, you know. Mas nakakapagod pa sa trabaho ang pinapagawa niya." He sighed heavily again.

"So? Sinasabi mo na ayaw na sa akin ng kapatid mo? Paano kung sabihin ko sa'yo na buntis na ako ngayon?" Sunod sunod na tanong niya rito.

Caliber raised his brow. "What the hell are you talking about? Wala akong sinabi at ano naman ngayon kung buntis ka? As if ako ang ama ng magiging pamangkin ko." Masungit na sagot nito.

"Oh anong gusto mo ngayon? Away? Ano? Game! Kahit pagod ako!" She even cracked her neck and knuckles.

"Hindi ko alam ano ang nagustuhan sayo ni Caleb."

"Hindi ko lalayuan si Caleb. Bahala ka dyan!"

"Tangina Avis. Hindi ko sinabing layuan mo, kung saan saan napapadpad ang utak mo. Bakit hindi mo nalang puntahan ang kapatid ko at ikaw na ang mag baby sit! Suko na ako sa gagong 'yon!" Caliber hissed.

She smiled sweetly and stood up. "Hindi mo naman agad sinabi na papupuntahin mo ako sa kapatid mo, sorry na brother in law. Babae ako e, alam mo na, mahilig mag over think? Adios!" Avis smiled and tapped his cheek lightly.

AVIS happily went up to Caleb's office. Nang makita siya ng secretary nito agad itong bahagyang yumukod na ikinatawa niya. Caleb's secretary was cute, no wonder Julian likes him.

"Nasa loob ba si Caleb?" Tanong niya na nakangiti.

"I think he's still working, Doc." Propesyonal na sagot nito sa kanya. Ni hindi pa ito makatingin ng tuwid sa kanya. Is he shy now?

"Okay! I think you should rest for a while, kumain ka na ba? Mukhang wala ka pang sapat na tulog, nangingitim kasi yung ilalim ng mga mata mo." Puna niya sa secretary ni Caleb. If his secretary looks like shit, he wonder what Caleb's look like.

"I'm fine, Doc. Thanks for your concern." Sumilay ang maliit na ngiti sa labi nito. Avis lips parted when she saw his dimples, it looks cute!

Avis smiled and tapped his shoulder. "Bakit hindi mo muna puntahan si Julian? You can rest inside my clinic. Ako na ang bahala sa boss mo, kailangan din nitong magpahinga. Looking at you now, siguradong mas malala ang mukha ni Caleb."

Nahihiyang tumango ang secretary ni Caleb at naglakad paalis. She smiled and enter the room without knocking.

"What is it? May meeting ba ako? Can you buy me a coffee first, I think I am going to lose my consciousness." Masungit na utos nito.

Malalim na bumuntong hininga si Avis nang makita si Caleb. He's wearing a crumpled shirt, hindi pa maayos ang pagkaka butones nito, his pants was the same. Marami pa rin na papeles ang naka patong sa lamesa nito.

"Yes, you have a one on one meeting with me. I only have one question for you, why on the hell you didn't contact me? Akala mo ba hindi ako nag-aalala sayo ha?" Sunod na tanong niya rito. Avis shake her head when Caleb just looked at her with his stunned face. It's like he's asking why the hell was she doing inside his office. Lumapit siya rito at hinila ang kwelyo ng damit na suot. "Tumititingin ka pa ba sa salamin? I mean, you still look handsome, but your dark circles bothering me."

Caleb came back to her reverie and remove her hand on his collar and intertwined it with his. "I have a lot of things to do."

"I can see that. Ilang araw o linggo mo na ba akong hindi ginugulo para makapagpahinga ka?" Sarkastikong tanong niya rito. Caleb chuckled and pulled her, causing her to sat on his lap. Ang mga braso nito ngayon ay nakapalibot na sa may tiyan niya.

"Why are you here?" Tanong nito. Caleb rested his chin on her shoulder.

Bumuntong hininga si Avis. "Caliber looks tired of being your oldest brother. Nakita niya lang ako kanina sa coffee shop sa tapat, and he said that you're killing yourself." Aniya kahit ang totoo gawa gawa niya lang 'yon.

"He's overreacting." He groaned.

"He's just worried. Doctor ka, dapat alam mo na maaari kang magkasakit sa ginagawa mo. Isa pa, hindi ba natatakot ang mga bata sayo sa ward? Pati na ang mga baby na chine-check up mo?" Salubong ang kilay na tanong niya rito.

"I'm handsome." He answered and tighten his gripped on her waist.

"Can we rest there?" Ininguso niya ang hospital bed na nasa loob pa rin ng opisina niya. "I'm kinda tired too."

Caleb was hesitant to leave his work, pero tumango pa rin ito at tumayo, hinila siya papunta sa hospital bed at agad na humiga. Siya naman ay tumabi rito. Caleb burried his face on her breast and wrapped his arm around her, akmang hihiga na siya nang mag-ingay ang cellphone niya. She's tired so she lay down on the bed.

"Hello?" She answered yawning. Ini-loud speaker pa niya ang tawag.

[Avis! Long time no talk! I need you!] Tumaas ang kilay niya at agad na nagmulat ng mata si Caleb. Looking intently at her.

"Ha? Saan?" Lutang na sagot niya.

[Avis? Is that you? What else could it be? I have a major operation coming this week, my patient is pregnant. We need to get the baby out safely before starting the operation. Are you free? I will tell you the details once you land here.]

Bumaba ang tingin niya kay Caleb at napalunok. She don't want to leave but... It was his friend request and she's also a trusted Ob-Gyne to the hospital she came from.

"I'll call you back later." Sagot niya at pinatay ang tawag. "Ahm..." She cleared her throat and glance at the table. Kinakabahan siya na baka mangyari na naman ang nangyari noon.

"Matagal ka ba doon?" Caleb asked like a kid.

"I don't know..." Pabulong na sagot niya. It depends actually. Pero after niya gawin ang obligasyon pwede na siyang lumipad pabalik sa Pilipinas, pero siguradong hindi 'yon kakayanin ng konsensya niya. She loves to take care of her patients after giving birth.

"Do you really need to leave?" He asked again.

Kinagat ni Avis ang pang ibabang labi. "I'm sorry... I need to."

-*-

a/n: 4 or 5 more chapters to go. I'll TRY to update everyday, kasi kahit ayaw ko kailangan na matapos ni Caleb hahaha masyado na siyang nagtagal 😆