"Tita ninang, can I come with you sa work?"

I sighed before slowly shaking my head. Late na ako sa trabaho ko pero ayaw pa rin ako paalisin ni Daniel. Dito kasi ako natulog sa bahay dahil request 'yon ni Mom. Wala naman akong magagawa doon.

"Busy si ninang ngayon with her patients... I can't look after you doon," I told him and he pouted. Kahit anong pa-cute niya sa akin ngayon ay wala pa rin akong magagawa. Kapag pwede naman ay isasama ko siya, pero sadyang busy ako ngayong araw.

I have to sign a lot of papers, marami ring patients ang na-transfer sa akin. I just know that today is going to be a very stressful day.

"But we're leaving na next week... I want to spend more time with you..." He said, almost crying. I just looked at his eyes before giving him a kiss on the head.

"Ninang will sleep here again later, okay? Now let me go so that I can come home early," I told him and he pouted before slowly nodding. Napaka clingy talaga ng batang ito! But I can't blame him though, ilang years kaming hindi nagkita in person.

Nang maka-alis ako ay binilisan ko ang pagmamaneho ko dahil late na nga ako. Kahit mataas ang posisyon ko sa ospital ay bawal akong maging tardy. That's not a good example for my colleagues.

I did my rounds first and it took me almost 3 hours just to do so. Pagkatapos no'n ay kumuha ako ng pagkain sa cafeteria at dinala sa office ko para magsimulang pumirma ng mga papeles.

I exhaustedly lay down on my couch after finishing everything. Buti na lang hindi gano'n kaarte ang pirma ko kaya medyo mabilis pa ang pagpirma ko.

May kumatok naman sa aking pinto kaya umayos ako ng upo bago sabihing pumasok ang taong nasa labas. Iniluwal ng pinto si Ryssi at tinaasan niya ako ng kilay bago magbigay ulit ng bagong papeles.

Tangina naman.

Hindi pa rin pala tapos? I just shrugged before walking back towards my desk, "Stressed ka?" Tanong ni Ryssi at sarkastiko akong ngumiti.

"Hindi! Sobrang saya ko nga oh," Ngumiti pa ako pero halatang pilit iyon. Tumawa lang si Ryssi.

"Inom tayo mamaya," She said at agad akong umiling. May pasok kami bukas tas plano niya pang uminom? Ano siya tanga? "Come on, parang hindi ka pumapasok sa residency dati ng may hangover ah?" She laughed and I glared at her.

I just sighed defeatedly before nodding. Alam ko naman na kahit anong gawin kong pagtanggi ay ipipilit niya pa rin e. Kaya pumayag na lang ako. Lilimitasyon ko na lang sarili ko mamaya para hindi ako malasing ng sobra.

Maaga akong nag out sa ospital dahil nag aya pang mag mall sila Ryssi at Eve bago kami mag inom mamaya. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ang dami nilang gustong gawin kasama ako e may marami pa namang oras para gawin ang mga ito dahil wala naman na akong planong bumalik sa ibang bansa.

They were carpooling while I was resting my eyes sa likod, "Hoy, Aurelia! Ang KJ mo naman. 'Wag ka na matulog d'yan," Hinampas pa ako ni Eve ng kanyang bag. I just groaned before sitting properly. Kumamot naman ako sa aking ulo bago sila irapan.

"Alam niyo, magagalit sa akin si Daniel. Sabi ko sa kanya ay maaga ako uuwi sa kanila pero nag aya pa kayo ng inom. Pwede naman kasi sa weekends uminom e," I shrugged and they didn't care about what I just said.

"Alam mo girl, hindi ka pa pamilyado pero kung umasta kala mo may uuwiang asawa at dalawang anak," Ryssi chuckled and I grinned.

"Hindi mo sure."

Nang makarating kami sa mall ay akala ko kakain kami pero dumiretso kami sa salon. Nagtaka naman ako, ano naman ang gagawin namin dito?

"Hair makeover!" Sambit ni Eve at tatanggi na sana ako pero pinaupo na agad nila ako sa isang upuan. "Bili na, mabilis lang naman 'to. Ano gusto mong gawin sa buhok mo?"

"Wala," Walang ganang sagot ko. Umirap naman si Ryssi at may ibinulong sa hairdresser, tumango naman ito bago simulan.

Nagulat ako nang maglabas ito ng gunting. Hala! Gugupitin nila buhok ko? Ilang taon ko 'to pinahaba tas gugupitin nila ngayon? Pero wala naman akong magagawa.

Ginupit nila ang buhok ko hanggang balikat and gave me wispy bangs. They also layered my hair para naman maganda ang bagsak nito. After a few minutes, nakita ko na ang sarili ko sa salamin and to be fair, I do look gorgeous.

"See, you like it. Ang ganda mo, Lia!" Ryssi jumped and I rolled my eyes. We took a few photos before eating. Pagkatapos no'n ay hinatid muna kami ni Ryssi sa mga condo namin para magpalit ng damit.

I decided to wear a blue satin top with high waisted denim jeans paired with ankle boots. I decided to go simple kasi wala namang rason para mag effort. I also put on minimal makeup and silver jewelry to accent my outfit.

I just waited for Ryssi to come and pick me up again and for the meantime, I took cute selfies of myself. Bigla namang nag message si Ravi sa akin sa IG. Ano kaya kailangan nun?

@ravicrtz: when can i see u again?

I smiled before sending him a few photos that I took a minute ago and he reacted with a purple heart to it.

@dr.aurelia_: going to a bar rn, idk when i'll have a free schedule.

@ravicrtz: sama ako, send loc ng bar

@dr.aurelia_: idk where. ryssi is the one who's going to drive.

@ravicrtz: okay.

@ravicrtz: and holy fuck you look gorgeous with that new haircut. makes me want to shower you with my kisses.

Naramdaman ko naman na naginit ang pisngi ko nang mabasa ang huling message niya. This guy talaga!

Sineen ko na lang siya dahil narinig ko na ang busina ng kotse ni Ryssi. Lumabas na ako ng lobby at sumakay sa kanila. Habang papunta doon sa bar na pupuntahan namin.

"Tinanong ng boyfriend mo Lia kung saang bar tayo pupunta," Sambit ni Ryssi at kumunot naman noo ko. Boyfriend? As far as I know, I am very single.

"Sinong boyfriend?"

"Sino pa ba? E 'di si Ravi!" Sabi niya and I just rolled my eyes. He's not my boyfriend. I don't even know we are right now. We already fucked and kissed a couple of times but we're not official.

"Sinabi mo?" Tanong ko sa kanya at tumango naman ito sa akin. Hindi ko naman na sila kinausap at nanahimik na lang hanggang sa makarating kami sa bar.

Medyo konti lang ang tao kaya hindi namin kailangang makipag siksikan sa loob which was good. They ordered their first round of drinks and when I was about to drink my shot, hindi ko ito nilunok dahil may kakaibang lasa ito.

"Oh, ayaw mo? Orderan ka na lang namin ng—"

"Okay lang, ako na oorder," Inunahan ko si Eve magsalita at naglakad papunta sa counter. Instead of ordering an alcoholic drink, I got kombucha instead.

Babalik na sana ako sa couch namin noong makita ko na may pumasok na apat na gwapong lalaki. It was them, Bloodthirst. I thought si Ravi lang pupunta pero kumpleto sila. Nagtama agad ang tingin namin ni Ravi at ngumiti agad siya bago lumapit sa akin.

Pinagmasdan niya ang mukha ko bago hawiin ang aking buhok, "You look... really stunning." He said and I smelt alcohol from his breath. Galing na ba 'to sa inuman? Tas pumunta pa rito para uminom?

"Lasing na ba 'to?" Tanong ko sa mga kaibigan niya at nagkibit balikat sila.

"Mukha namang okay siya, pero sa palagay namin lasing na 'yan. Ayaw niya lang aminin," Sagot ni Zach at tumango ako. Nilingon ko naman ulit si Ravi at nakita ko na siyang umiinom ng alak ulit. I just sighed before pulling him with me and went back to our couch.

Tinaasan naman kami ng kilay ng dalawa kong kaibigan, "Sana sinabi niyo na by partner. Tatawagan namin mga asawa namin," Sabi ni Eve and I just chuckled. Umakbay naman sa akin si Ravi habang umiinom sa kanyang baso.

Kumunot noo ko nang makita ko na may dalang babae si Zach and as far as I know, that person is not his fiancée. I looked at Harvey with questioning looks and he shrugged. "His fiancée dumped him a couple of hours ago, that's why we were also at a bar before we went here," He explained at tumango tango naman ako.

"Kung si Zach ang nawalan ng girlfriend, bakit mas lasing 'tong isa niyong kaibigan?" Turo ko kay Ravi at agad nito kami nilingon at umiling iling.

"Hey! I told you, I am not drunk..." He said and I rolled my eyes.

"Have you forgotten? I am a Doctor, Rav. I know a drunk person when I see one," I said in a monotone and he didn't reply.

"Nawalan rin naman ng girlfriend si Ravi ah?" Harvey continued our conversation earlier at tinaasan ko naman siya ng kilay. I thought he didn't have a girlfriend? Tapos gusto pang makipagbalikan sa akin? I don't plan on being a fucking third party!

"Pangalan nga nung babae Aurelia e. Ayaw siya balikan tol," Mapangasar na sabi ni Harvey at binatukan ko naman siya. Kahit kailan nagbibiro sa mga seryosong sitwasyon amputa! "Oh, pikon ka na agad? Joke lang doc." He smiled cheekily and I gave him a middle finger before turning my attention back to Ravi.

"Peperahan ka lang niyan tanga!" Sambit ni Shawn kay Zach pero wala naman itong paki sa sinabi ng kanyang kaibigan at umalis sa table namin. He's probably going to the bathroom or his car to hook up with a stranger. Is he that desperate to forget the pain?

Well I'm certain that the pain is not going to fade by fucking a girl.

"Zach the playboy, Shawn goody two shoes, Harvey the shitty joker, and Ravi... Aurelia's ex! That's what you call OG," Tawa ni Ryssi and I just looked at her with a blank expression. Aurelia's ex pa nga.

A few drinks in and they were all drunk! Ako na lang ang hindi lasing which is I guess okay. I had a lot of practice taking care of my drunk friends way back in med school. So sanay na ako sa ganitong state nila.

"Liaaa, go home na po tayo." Ravi said and hugged my waist tight. Napahawak naman ako sa kanyang balikat dahil sa gulat. Paano kasi bigla bigla na lang yayakap sa akin. I sighed and looked at our friends, bagsak kasi talaga sila!

I can't just leave them.

"Wait lang, Rav," I told him and he slightly nodded before closing his eyes. I called our family driver para ihatid silang lahat gamit kotse ni Zach para makauwi na kami ni Ravi. Hindi ko nga alam kung saan ko siya dadalhin e.

After exactly 30 minutes, dumating ang driver namin at hinatid na sila. Ako naman ay pumasok na sa loob ng sasakyan. Buti na lang ay nakakalakad pa si Ravi mag isa kahit lasing dahil hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan na kaladkarin siya papasok.

"Are you okay?" I asked him and he slightly nodded, having a hard time staying up. "Are you sure, Rav?" I asked just to make sure and he nodded again.

We stayed silent while I was driving, gusto ko sana magpatugtog para hindi ako makatulog habang nagddrive pero ayaw kong maistorbo si Ravi. He's always so grumpy when he's drunk or in the midst of sobering up.

"Oh Ravi... my grumpy boy," I whispered while looking at him while there was a red light. Hindi ko matanggal ang tingin ko sa kanya, ngayon ko lang kasi ulit nagtitigan ng matagal ang kanyang mukha na ganito ka-kalmado.

Napansin ko kasing lagi siyang stressed nowadays and I don't know what's causing that stress for him.

No'ng nakarating kami sa condo parking, tiningnan ko ulit si Ravi at ang himbing pa rin ng tulog niya. But I had to wake him up, hindi pwedeng magdamag kami rito.

"Ravi, gising na po," I tapped on his shoulders lightly but he didn't even budge. "Love... wake up," I tried and this time I heard him groan and before he opened his eyes.

Lumabas na ako ng kotse at sumunod na rin naman na siya sa akin. I know that this place was unfamiliar to him because this is the first time I took him here at my condo building.

Pagbukas ko ng pintuan, sumalubong agad sa amin si Diel pero buti na lang he was trained to be behaved so he didn't bark at an unfamiliar person to him.

"I have a dog," I told Ravi and he was looking at my dog. They were both staring at each other and I know that my dog wants to play with Ravi right now. "Diel, go to bed Tomorrow na ang play time," I commanded and the dog obliged.

Hinanap naman ni Ravi ang CR and I just let him explore my unit. It's not like he's a criminal or something.

Nagpalit naman na ako ng pang bahay at nagtanggal ng makeup. Kahit bar ang pinuntahan namin kanina ay wala na akong time para maligo pa.

Pagkatapos ko sa skin care ko ay bumalik ako sa aking kwarto at nakita kong nakahiga na sa kama si Ravi habang nakapikit ang mga mata. I know that his head hurts.

Lumapit ako sa kanya at minasahe ang kanyang templo. He then relaxed and his breathing was normal again.

"You named your dog after our son," He chuckled slightly and I shook my head. "I have something to tell you, Lia. But I'm way too scared to break that news to you because I don't know how you will react. You're already still so uncertain of me and it might make things even worse if I tell you so."

I raised a brow at him, "I won't be mad... love. Why?"

"May anak na ako," Sambit niya sa akin at nalaglag ang panga ko. I can't judge him too quickly without context. "Someone used me for money, took advantage of me, and months later, they left a child outside my door."

Mas lalo akong nagulat dahil sinong walang pusong ina ang magiiwan ng kanilang anak sa labas ng pintuan ng isang bahay? Tangina no'n ah?

"Are you not mad?" He asked and I shook my head.

"You're a brave father, Ravi. You deserve a good wife," I told him and he scoffed.

"You're already a perfect wife though. You're just not mine," He sighed. "But it isn't too late to be Mrs. Cortez." He said with a small smile and I returned that smile.

"Pagiisipan ko," I told him. "What's your son's name?"

"Raven Adiel Cortez," He answered and I was shocked that he still used that name even though there's history behind that name.

"Our son's name," He added and I blushed. He already considered me as the mother of his son, huh?

"Tulog na, Ravi. May pasok pa tayong dalawa mamaya," I told him and we were about to go to sleep when I felt my stomach turn, causing me to go to the bathroom and puke.

Holy fuck...

Ito na naman tayo ah? I think I'm pregnant again... by him. The person sleeping on my bed.

[Okay, so... I'll see you later? I'll officially tell Adiel that you're now his mother. He'll be stoke,] Ravi chuckled on the other line and I just rolled my eyes while walking towards the hospital building.

"Are you really sure about that decision? Hindi ako ang nagluwal sa kanya," I asked him pero mukhang hindi na magbabago ang kanyang desisyon.

[My decision was already made even before you entered my life again. Lagi ka nang nasa plano.]

We both went to work and it was going well. For once, I was actually enjoying my work and looking forward sa paguwi dahil alam kong makikita ko si Ravi.

"Ay taray, ang saya ng mood ng doktora namin, nadiligan ka?" Tanong ni Eve noong nakasalubong ko siya sa hallway inirapan ko naman siya.

"Tanga, buntis ako," I said it so casually para mag process pa ito sa utak niya. Nilagpasan ko naman siya but then stopped when I heard her shout.

"Ano? Buntis ka na naman?" She said and I smiled before nodding.

"This time, I'm taking care of it more now. I want to keep it." I told her before going to a patient's room. I was also planning on telling Ravi about it later, and I am very much excited.

Hindi na ako kinakabahan sa kahit na ano ngayon. I am more confident that this time the baby will survive and everyone will love it. I just don't know how the media or the people all over the world would accept me and Ravi building a family.

Pagkatapos ng shift ko ay dumiretso muna ako sa bahay namin to tell them about the news. I'm sure they'll be happy about it.

"I'm pregnant, and Ravi is the father." I told them and they all smiled and gave me a hug. They even told me to stop working already and file a maternity leave which I didn't agree to because I still have a small belly.

I haven't even told the father of my child yet. But I'm sure that he'd accept my baby.

I was already prepared to see Ravi when my heart dropped when I saw Harvey's messages.

@hzairusj: lia, tinakbo ng ICU si ravi. nahihirapang huminga.

@hzairusj: kanina pa daw nawalan ng mslay 'to, sabi ng doktor overdose daw. sana magising pa.

My soul was shattered.

I don't want to lose another chance with him. I don't want to lose him in this way. He can't leave me and his baby.

When I arrived at the hospital, automatic na tumulo ang aking mga luha dahil the fact that he's inside the ICU is critical. Bakit biglaan? He was literally fine yesterday!

"Dr. Alcantara, you can't go inside...." A nurse said but I gripped onto her wrist.

"My... husband is inside. Please..." I cried louder and they had no choice but to let me in. There I saw Ate Kaye looking at Ravi and the three other boys sitting at the corner with face masks and gloves.

Nagsuot rin ako ng safety gown, gloves, and mask para hindi na mas lalong magkaproblema si Ravi.

"Lia..." Tawag sa akin ni Shawn at nilingon ko siya with my tired but desperate eyes. He'll survive this, si Ravi 'to eh. Matagal mawala ang masamang damo.

"We found this inside Ravi's bag. We know it's for you," He said and I looked at the paper that he was holding.

Read in case anything happens to me, my love.

It was so painful seeing him in this kind of situation, kasi alam kong nahihirapan siya.

"Gising na, mahal ko.... para sa amin ng anak mo," I cried on his chest.

Ravi... please.

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:(