The following day, I got up early to prepare for the opening ceremony. Pagkatapos niyon ay ang welcome reception kung saan nakipaghalubilo ako sa mga kapwa kong doctor at mga lawyers.

"Enough with the med talks! I spend everyday of my life talking about this... iba naman!" Si Dr. Kalahong. Isa rin siya sa mga pinakabata rito sa amin. "Is it true, Doc Cara? About you and..." imbes na ipagpatuloy ang sinasabi ay ngumuso siya sa isang direksyon.

Lahat kami na nag-uusap ay sabay na napatingin sa isang table malapit sa stage. She didn't have to elaborate because I already knew that she's referring to Iouis.

Ang nakakabahala lang ay kilala rin ng mga kinakausap ko ang tinutukoy niya! Plus, there are lawyers in our circle! It's one thing to have a rumor spread around the medical field. But for it to reach further into Iouis' field... it's another thing.

"It's fine, Doc! It's really understandable... I mean..." napakagat-labi si Atty. Aleja at parang teenager pa na kinikilig. "Pero bagay kayo! If you think the media is prying too much, I can help you!"

Saka ko lang natandaan na media lawyer pala si Atty. Aleja. She's always in the news because she represents the biggest celebrities in the country. Kaya kung hihingi nga ako ng tulong sa kaniya ay siguradong masosolusyonan niya 'to sa isang pikit-mata.

"Pero 'wag naman sana... sa love life ng iba na nga lang ako kinikilig, eh!" Dagdag pa ng isang doktor sabay simangot.

Natawa na lang ako dahil sa inasta nila. Kani-kanina lang ay napakaseryoso at formal namin. Gone were the commanding air of the lawyers and the formality of the doctors. Nagmistulan kabing magkabarkada na nagkita sa isang reunion.

"Dr. Maldevaron!" Nagpaalam ako sa mga kausap nang makita ang isang pamilyar na mukha.

Muntik na akong maiyak nang makalapit si Tito sa akin. Mahigpit ko siyang niyakap at ganoon din siya sa akin.

London's parents are both doctors. They own a pharmaceutical company so it's not surprising to see his father here.

They're also like our second family. Palagi kaming dumadayo nina Galaxy, Sugar, at Vanilla kina London dahil parang mga anak na rin kami ng mga magulang niya.

Mama Celestina, London's mother, passed away years ago. I grew up without a mother but I felt motherly love through her. Tuwing pumupunta ako sa US ay bumibisita ako sa kaniya. Ngunit sina Tito naman ay palipat-lipat minsan kaya matagal na rin kaming hindi nagkita.

Hugging Tito feels like I'm a teenager all over again. Tanging assignments at crush-crush lang ang pinoproblema ko noon... and Tito and Mama Cel would either console me, give me advice, or let me eat.

Napangiti na lang ako sa mga naiisip ngunit hindi rin mapigilang maluha.

"I missed you too, Caramel," Tito smiled at me in his own gentle and affectionate way.

"As much as I want to get emotional, we can do that next time," Tito chuckled before pulling me towards another crowd. "Because I have a different agenda right now."

Napailing-iling na lang ako at nagpahila na sa kaniya. Next thing I know, I was faced-to-face with a tall man with a friendly smile. He looks older than me but it's also obvious that he's younger than his peers.

"This is Dr. Paulo Vittorio, the youngest Hospital Director you'll ever meet!" Proud na pagpapakilala ni Tito. Kung hindi ko lang siya kilala ay iisipin kong anak niya ang ipinakilala niya.

I shook hands with Dr. Vittorio and we started talking. Katulad ko ay keynote speaker din siya. At katulad ko ay mahilig din siyang mag-volunteer ngunit sa Africa siya kadalasan. Maybe that's why we never once ran into each other.

Nasa gitna kami ng pag-uusap ni Dr. Vittorio nang mapansin kong nawala na si Tito sa tabi ko. Nang mahanap ko siya at nagtama ang mga mata namin, nanunukso siyang ngumiti.

I saw some photographers directing their lens towards us, but I acted oblivious. It's either they're just doing their jobs or there's gonna be another scoop that involves me... or maybe Dr. Vittorio is just a head-turner that he's like a camera magnet?

Habang nag-uusap kami ng mga ipe-present namin, may dalawang lalaki na lumapit sa amin. I squinted my eyes, trying to remember where I saw them... then it occurred to me that they were the ones Iouis was talking with a while ago.

Napatingin ako sa kinatatayuan nina Iouis kanina ngunit wala na sila roon. Nang binalik ko ang atensyon kay Dr. Vittorio ay nag-uusap na sila ng dalawang lawyers.

Nagpaalam na lang ako at umalis. Nakakainis! Nakakatuwa pa namang kausapin si Dr. Vittorio! Inagawan pa ako ng dalawa ng kinakausap!

During the networking lunch, I was, unfortunately, tabled with Iouis. Sa dinami-rami ng pwede kong makasama at makatabi sa mesa, siya pa talaga! It didn't help that Dr. Kalahong, Atty. Aleja, and the professionals who once teased me to Iouis are seated with us as well.

Parang pinaglalaruan talaga ako ng tadhana! Sinasadya na ipaisip sa mga kasama na may namamagitan sa amin ni Iouis.

If it was anyone else who handed me the water pitcher, it would be no big deal. But since Iouis has longer hands than I am and he reached the pitcher from across the table, it's something...

Dr. Kalahong winked at me while Atty. Aleja playfully slapped the other doctor beside her. Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ng katabing doktor ngunit napangisi rin kalaunan.

After lunch, we attended this workshop. Unlike the other workshops I attended before, this one is interactive and lively. Nagkakatuwaan kaming lahat. Magaling ang speaker at may pa-prize pa!

It was only for fun but my teammates were competitive. And although it's not a competition, we ended up with the most prize! I ended up with the most prize!

Being a doctor who came from a family of lawyers has its perks, after all!

The workshop ended a bit late and it was our last event for the day. Bukas na magsisimula ang mga panel discussions at mga talks. Bukas din ang schedule ko para mag-present ng case study ko.

Ang alam ko... no, actually, sigurado ako... pagkatapos ng akin ay ang panel discussion nina Iouis.

"Galing mo, Doc! Nag-review ka, ano?" Tukso ng isa sa mga kasamahan ko habang kumakaway.

"Doc, feeling ko nag-practice ka bago pumunta rito," anang isa at nakipag-apir pa.

"Doc, aminin mo... saan mo natutunan ang mga legal jargons?" Kumindat si Dr. Kalahong sa akin.

"Anong saan? Dapat... sino!" Si Atty. Aleja at hinampas-hampas pa si Dr. Kalahong.

Napailing na lang ako sa kanila sabay kaway. Kung ang ibang mga kasamahan ay walang dala-dala palabas ng hall, ako naman ay may dalawang malaking paper bags.

Sobrang laki talaga siguro ng budget dahil pati ang mga prizes ay mamahalin. Noon ay pakendi-kendi lang ang mga prizes na natatanggap ko... ngayon, ilang set na ng mga body wash at shampoo. Mayroon ding isang linggong staycation sa isang hotel.

Nakatanggap din ako ng mga figurines at paintings gawa ng mga batang natulungan ng organization. I also received a set of new stethoscopes. Marami na akong ganito kaya siguradong ipapa-display ko na lang 'to kay Leal sa clinic.

And during our break time, my teammates and I finished two bottles of Merlot. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit at paano... pero imbes na tubig ang inumin ay iyon ang inubos namin habang nag-uusap. The workshop felt like an extension of the networking lunch.

"Hey, Maldevaron," napatingin ako sa pinanggalingan ng boses.

I turned to the side and saw Iouis. Hindi na nakakagulat dahil wala namang may tumatawag sa akin ng "Maldevaron" maliban sa kaniya.

"Oh, ayan na ang sagot niyo," rinig kong sabi ng isang lawyer. Napatingin ako sa grupo nina Dr. Kalahong at Atty. Aleja.

Mga mahigit sampu silang nagkukumpulan at kilala ko silang lahat. I either interacted with them during lunch or the workshop... or I volunteered with them before... or we currently work at the same hospital... or I know them through Papa...

"Why are you helping me? Kaya ko 'to!" I hissed at Iouis while faking a smile to the people who were casting us curious looks.

He took the two huge paper bags from me without even asking!

Nang makalabas kami sa main hotel ay may mga staff na naghihintay roon. Kaya hindi lang mga kapwa kong doktor at kapwa lawyers ni Iouis ang tumitingin sa amin kundi pati na rin ang mga staff ng resort!

Damn this Euro! Bakit kasi ang taas-taas niya! Tapos agaw-pansin pa ang porma niya!

"They think we're husband and wife!" I glared at him while gesturing to the resort staff.

They were the same ones who greeted and helped us when we arrived. Ang pinagkaiba lang ay mas marami na sila ngayon at hindi lamang ang mga tumulong sa amin.

Imbes na sagutin ako ay swabeng nagkibit-balikat lang siya. Dahil doon ay nahampas ko siya. Huli ko na lang napagtanto ang ginawa.

It's not because I'm sorry for what I did. Siguradong hindi niya 'yon naramdaman.

It's because I realized that although it's supposed to be an angry slap, it looked like a playful and flirty one to the eyes of others.

Kung isa ako sa mga sumusulyap-sulyap sa amin ni Iouis, siguradong ganoon ang iisipin ko. Observer Caramel would probably think that Iouis and current-Cara are just hiding their relationship... but struggling to do so...

"Feel na feel mo naman! Manloloko!" Napangiwi ako dahil sa naisip.

Napatingin ako sa paligid at nakita na ang karamihan sa mga kasama namin sa paglalakad ay nakapasok na sa kani-kanilang mga bungalow.

Kami na lang ni Iouis ang natitira dahil ang bungalow namin ang nasa pinakamalayo. Ang iba naman ay nasa dalampasigan pa.

"Ayaw kong maging kabit mo 'no!" I said, no longer hushing my tone. Siguradong wala namang may makakarinig.

The sun was slowly setting, revealing a golden hue of amber with a tinge of bright orange. Nang makita ang kalangitan ay sandaling kumalma ang paligid ko.

It's like I was momentarily lost in another reality. Na para bang wala akong pinoproblema... at parang hindi ako nababahala sa mga iniisip ng iba tungkol sa amin ni Iouis.

"Who said I want you to be my mistress?"

I scrunched my nose and side-eyed him. Kung makapagsalita siya, parang siya pa ang talo sa 'kin, ah! Pero... hindi naman ako willing maging kabit niya!

"Ang sinasabi ko lang, lumayo-layo ka muna," I explained calmly. Kung hahayaan ko ang sarili na mapangunahan ng mga emosyon ay tiyak na magkakasagutan lang kami.

"I don't want people to think that I'm a home-wrecker... because I'm not—"

"Who said you're a home-wrecker?" Now he looks confused... and mad... na para bang galit siya sa kung sino man ang tumawag sa akin ng ganoon.

"Wala." I glanced at him before bringing my eyes back to the sky. Napakaganda talaga ng kalangitan. "Wala pa..."

I felt Iouis pause so I stopped walking as well. Binaba niya ang dalawang paper bags at naghalukipkip. He was looking down at me as if I'm some criminal under investigation! Nakakunot ang noo at may maliit na simangot.

"Why would they call you that?"

I shrugged. I don't want him to think that I know a few things about him... but I have to answer his question, don't I? I mean... hindi naman tago na may karelasyon siya, kaya bakit pa siya nagtatanong?

Kung may maguluhan man sa aming dalawa, ako dapat iyon at hindi siya! He has a child and a wife! Or at least... he's in a long-term, serious relationship!

Why is he asking... this? Akala ko matalino siya? Tangina! Gusto pa talaga sigurong marinig mula sa akin! Nakakainis naman!

"Kasi may karelasyon ka na!" I hissed while glaring at him before I continued walking. Malapit na kami sa bungalow namin. "Sabi mo you're in a long-term, serious relationship! And obviously, hindi ako 'yon! I don't want to be the reason why you're wife... or girlfriend... is crying herself to sleep—"

"So you're keeping tabs on me, huh?" Natigil ako sa paglalakad at sumulyap kay Iouis. Nasa likuran ko lang siya kaya nang bigla akong tumigil ay nagkabungguan ang harapan niya at ang likod ko.

I glared at him as he stepped back. He placed the paper bags again before crossing his arms. He has this amused expression... I'm not sure if he's trying to hide it but failed... or he really wants me to know that he finds this amusing!

"Damn you and your selective hearing!" Kaunti na lang talaga ang pasensya ko para sa kaniya. Nakakainis pa dahil imbes na seryosohin ako ay nakangisi siya! Nakakainis!

"I heard you perfectly fine," he said as he picked the bags again and continued walking.

Nauna siyang maglakad sa akin ngunit patalikod siyang naglalakad. He's walking in the opposite direction yet he's facing me. Damn this Euro. Sana matalisod!

"You just told me that you read those articles about us and you also watched my interview!" He elaborated with a smirk. Nakataas din ang isang kilay, parang hinahamon ako.

I shook my head and heaved a deep sigh. I looked up to the sky and then to the side... to the calm waters... hoping it'll calm me down. Pero nang mapatingin ulit ako kay Iouis ay bumalik ang inis ko. Ang sarap niyang itulak sa dagat!

I glared at him and took the paper bags. Ayaw niyang ibigay sa akin kaya binitawan ko na lang. Bahala siya! Edi sa kaniya na lang ang mga prize na nakuha ko! At least, hindi madadagdagan ang bagahe ko!

"Why did you stop?" Nakakunot-noo niyang tanong nang tumigil ako sa paghila ng mga bags mula sa kaniya.

"Sa 'yo na 'yan!" I rolled my eyes and fastened my pace. Hinabol niya ako ngunit bago pa kami makarating sa tapat ng bungalow namin ay may tumawag sa akin.

"Caramel!" Sabay kaming napatingin ni Iouis kay Tito. Sa katabi niya ay si Dr. Vittorio na nagkibit-balikat lang sa akin.

"Ah... you arrived late, didn't you?" Ani Tito nang makalapit habang si Dr. Vittorio naman ay tahimik lang na nanunuri.

It was starting to get dark already but there were these streetlight-like lamps at the side of each bungalows and they were bright enough to light the whole place.

Nagpakilala rin sina Tito at Dr. Vittorio kay Iouis. Pagkatapos makipagkamayan ay binigyan ako ni Tito ng nangunguwestiyong tingin. "I hope you don't mind, Attorney Euro... but are you the one who's been associated to our Caramel?"

Napatingin si Iouis sa akin at napalunok. I guess he just realized that Tito is not just some other doctor. Maybe he gathered enough that Tito is someone personal to me.

Iouis nodded. "I can't be so sure, Dr. Farello... there might be other... people... who are associated with her, too."

Napatango-tango naman si Tito. Si Dr. Vittorio naman, nakahalukipkip lang sa gilid na para bang nanonood ng sine.

"But we were together at Cebu—"

"Ah, you mean... romantically?" Tito turned to me with a slight frown. "How come I didn't know? And here I thought you're my daughter!"

Napanganga ako dahil sa gulat. Yes, maybe, some people could've misinterpreted what Iouis said. Pero alam naman ni Tito na sa Cebu ako nag-college! He could've interpreted it as me and Iouis knowing each other since college! Bakit may pa-romantically pa?

Tito saw my surprised look, making him chuckle. Magpapaliwanag na sana ako ngunit naunahan ako ni Dr. Vittorio na magsalita.

"Maybe it wasn't serious?" Makabuluhan niyang tanong sabay sulyap kay Iouis.

"It was," mabilis na sagot ni Iouis at sinamaan ng tingin si Dr. Vittorio. He looks like he's ready to pounce.

"Hmm..." si Dr. Vittorio, kalmado ngunit mukhang natutuwa. Hindi ko alam kung matutuwa rin ba ako o hindi... mukhang nakakarma na si Iouis ngunit kasali naman ako sa pinag-uusapan.

"So it's actually a romantic relationship, huh?" Napatango-tango ulit si Tito, mukhang natutuwa na na-confirm ang sinabi niya.

I glared at Iouis. Bakit pa kasi siya sumagot?

"Was... I guess, Tito?" Si Dr. Vittorio ulit. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang topak nito. I'm not sure if he's just curious or he just wants to cause some... ruckus...

Alam kong napipikon na si Iouis ngunit hindi niya lang pinapahalata. And if he does get irritated, I'm sure I'll be the one who'll witness it.

"He's London's father and he's like our second dad..." pagpapaliwanag ko kay Iouis kahit hindi naman siya nagtanong. He only nodded with a small grunt.

Damn this! Why do I feel guilty for... something... wala naman akong may ginawang masama!

"Anyways... are you also related to Italy Euro? He's my nephew!" Si Tito ulit, siguradong hindi nararamdaman ang tensyon. "His mother is my sister!"

Sandaling nag-usap sina Tito at si Iouis. Every time Dr. Vittorio tries to join, Iouis would subtly interrupt him and change the subject. Para bang sinasadya niyang ibahin ang topiko para hindi makasabay ang isa.

"Ah, yes, Tito... our family business is actually expanding in Africa... if you'd like, I can connect you to someone. I think it'd be great to have Farello Pharmaceuticals with us..." Si Iouis sabay taas ng kilay kay Dr. Vittorio na tinaasan lang din siya ng kilay.

Anong Tito? What happened to Dr. Farello? Bakit nakiki-Tito na rin si Iouis?

Tanginang mga testosterone. Sana naman manahimik na si Dr. Vittorio. Dahil sa pag-uusap namin ni Dr. Vittorio kanina ay nakakasiguro akong may ipagyayabang din ito.

I hope he'll be the bigger person because if he won't let this slide, we might stay here for another hour with the two of them just flexing their wealth.

Ngumiti si Tito at tinapik sa balikat si Iouis. "I'll consider it, Attorney... anyways, do you want to have dinner with us? I wanted to play cupid between these two but..." Tito trailed off and shrugged.

Nasapo ko na lang ang mukha. Mahal ko si Tito pero hindi niya naman 'yon kailangang sabihin, diba?

Natawa na lang si Tito nang makita akong problemado. I shook my head and thanked him for the offer. Ang plano ko kasi ay kumain sa may poolside at maghanda para sa event ko bukas.

Hindi na rin naman namilit sina Tito at nagpaalam na. Nang makalayo-layo na silang dalawa ay saka kami nagpatuloy sa paglalakad.

Unlike earlier when we were bickering, I could feel some tension now. He's unusually quiet... and it's bothering me...

Nang makarating kami sa harapan ng bungalow ko ay nilapag ni Iouis ang mga paper bags sa tapat ng pinto. Nang magtama ang mga mata namin ay tinanguan niya ako.

"Thank you," I called after him. Naglakad kasi kaagad siya paalis at akala ko ay magpapaalam man lang... I was expecting a goodbye, at least.

He turned to me with a small smile. The light from the lamp illuminated his face. I can see the subtle frown in his lips... and the questioning look in his eyes.

"I lied," he said. "I lied so the media would stop pestering you... but I didn't know that they'll point it back to you."

Umawang ang labi ko. He lied... which means... he's not in a relationship? How about Riri?

"That was no one, Cara," halos bulong niyang sabi at mataman akong tinitigan. His sudden intense look made my heart jump. It's intoxicating... and nostalgic...

"I lied... because the only serious relationship I had was with you. But sadly, it's not long-term."