Song: Incredible- James TW

Celebrate

"C-Coffee?"

He smiled a little and nods his head. Napakurap ako dahil hindi ako makapaniwala na inaaya niya ako!

"Yup. Ayaw mo?" mapanglaro niyang tinanong.

"Syempre gusto! Sino bang may sabing ayaw ko?" agad-agad ko rin namang pag-payag sa aya niya.

I mean... inaaya na niya ako oh! Ganda ko naman para tumanggi?

Lucas chuckled and stood up from his seat. Ganoon na rin ang ginawa ko. I couldn't hide the smile on my face as I watch him.

Did he really just asked me to have a coffee with him?! Nang dahil dito, pakiramdam ko biglang nag-escalate ang relationship namin! Naku! Pag eto talaga na-fall...

'Di bale, handa naman akong saluhin siya. 'Di pa siya nahuhulog, nakaabang na ako sakanya.

Umayos ako ng tayo at ginawaran siya ng malaking ngiti.

"Saan ba? Libre na kita!"

Agad rin naman siyang umiling. He removed the stethoscope around his neck and inserted it on the pocket of his white coat.

"I should be the one doing that. There's a coffee shop nearby. Let's go there."

Pakiramdam ko lumalaki na ang butas ng ilong ko nang dahil sa pagpipigil ng kilig. Kinagat ko pa ang pang-ibaba kong labi para mas lalong mapigilan ang sarili na ipakita ang kilig.

Walking distance lang iyong coffee shop na tinutukoy niya. If we're just going to walk... then that means I have all the time to be with him! Does he plan on staying in the coffee shop and wait until we finish our drinks?

Kung ganoon, babagalan ko na ang pag-inom ko!

But then... an emergency could happen anytime. Baka kailangan kami sa ospital. Our patients' life depends on us. Hmm... sige na nga! Next time nalang.

As I watch him loosen his tie up, my heart started to beat faster. I had to purse my lips harder in order to stop myself from smiling like an idiot here.

"Let's go?" aya niya.

Masaya akong tumango at sinabayan na siyang maglakad patungo sa exit ng ospital. Nakasalubong pa namin si Carmela palabas at kahit siya gulat na gulat rin sa nakita!

Nang magkatinginan kami, agad kong ipinakita sakanya kung gaano kasaya ang puso ko nang dahil sa nangyayari. Nagsesenyasan pa kami na para bang may narerelay kaming message sa isa't isa sa pasenyas-senyas na 'yon.

Tipid lang siyang yumuko sa amin nang lumagpas siya. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin dahil alam kong titingin siya ulit pabalik sa akin.

At hindi nga ako nag-kamali! I snorted when I saw her giving me a thumbs up. She even mouthed "galingan mo" before she enters the hospital again.

Habang nag-lalakad patungo sa coffee shop, nag-isip ako ng pupwede naming pag-usapan.

"Madalas ka sa coffee shop na 'yon?"

"Only when I feel like it. I like it more when I prepare my own coffee."

Oh... that's a new fact I learned about him.

"So, sa pantry niyo pala ikaw mag-dalas mag-kape?"

He chuckled a bit. "Yeah... you can say that."

"Makapag-kape na nga rin sa pantry palagi." I whispered to myself.

"What was that?"

Napasinghap ako at agad na umiling sakanya. Sinubukan kong itawa nalang iyon. Mabuti nalang 'di niya narinig.

"It's nothing. Uhm... masarap nga 'yong kape sa... pantry."

'Di ko naman napapansin na may ibang klaseng kape pala sa pantry bukod sa 3-in-1. 'Yun lang kasi ang palagi naming pinupunta ni Carmela doon sa tuwing tinatamad kaming lumabas.

The cafeteria has good coffee din naman. In fact, favorite ata ni Kuya Gio ang kape doon. Napapansin ko kasi na doon siya madalas kumukuha. Sabagay... Director siya ng ospital na 'to so tatangkilikin niya ang inooffer ng ospital niya.

"How about you? Where do you usually get your coffee?" Lucas asks.

Napaangat ako ng tingin sakanya at nginitian siya.

"Actually, madalas kami ng best friend ko sa pupuntahan natin ngayon."

"Oh. I see..." he nods his head slowly before turning to me. "You know what's weird?"

"What?"

"We are talking about coffee when we could be talking about something else."

Kasabay ng paghalakhak ko ay ang pag-dating namin sa coffee shop. Narinig ko ring tumawa si Lucas. Of course, Lucas being the gentleman that he is, opened the door for me.

"Thanks," I said. "So, what do you want to talk about? Curious ka na sa akin?"

Natawa siyang muli nang dahil sa huli kong sinabi. His eyes even squinted because of that. Agad-agad kong naramdaman ang mabilis na tibok ng puso ko.

Damn it! Calm down, heart! Mahahalata tayo nito, e. Alam niya naman sigurong may gusto ako sakanya pero kahit na 'no! I should keep my cool!

"Hmm... let's just say that... maybe I am curious about you."

Namilog ang mga mata ko at unti-unti na namang gumuhit ang ngiti sa aking labi. Eto naman 'di muna nagpakipot!

Sige na nga... basta ikaw nagtatanong, lahat sasagutin ko!

I swear, I just couldn't stop smiling! Ibang klaseng kasiyahan ata ang nararamdaman ko nang dahil dito. It may not be a big deal for others, but for me it is!

"Bakit? Curious ka rin ba kung anong number paborito ko sa electric fan? Hmm..." tumingala ako at nagkunwaring nag-iisip. "Number 2 ang favorite ko, e. Ayaw ko kasi ng 3, masyado nang malakas. Pag summer ko lang siya favorite. Ikaw ba?"

Lucas laughed again because of that. Oh... to be the one who makes him laugh like this. It's a dream come true!

Akala ko kay Demi lang siya ganito, e. Akalain mong sa akin din pala? Hay naku! Buti nalang talaga nakatulog ako! May nagawa ring mabuti ang pagiging antukin ko!

"You're so funny! At least we have something in common. Number 2 rin ang paborito ko sa electric fan."

"Ah... well, ganoon daw talaga ang mga meant to be, e."

"What?"

Umiling ako at agad na pinagtakpan ang sarili. Humarap ako sa counter at tumingin sa menu.

"Wala! Anyway, what do you usually order here?"

"Americano with two shots of espresso."

I nod my head. "Pang malakasan 'yan ah? I usually drink that when I was still in med school. Pero simula nung nagpalpitate ako, tinigil ko na."

"Well, this is what keeps me awake during my duty. Nakasanayan ko na rin. How about you? What do you usually order?"

"Iced vanilla latte. It's the best."

"I see." Lucas nods his head. Ibinaling niya naman ang kanyang mga mata sa mga pag-kain. "You like something?" He pointed at the foods on display.

Luh! Tinatanong pa ba 'yan? Syempre ikaw... joke lang!

Okay... eto serious na.

"I like their chocolate waffle."

Tumango siyang muli. Kami na ang susunod na oorder at plano ko sanang kami na ang umorder para sa aming dalawa, pero naunahan na niya ako.

I stared at him in awe as he orders our food. May kung ano pa siyang tinuturo sa menu. Tumatango pa sa tuwing nagkakaintindihan sila ng cashier tungkol sa order niya.

I was about to pull some money out from my wallet when he grabbed my hand. Nagulat ako kaya agad akong napatingin sakanya.

"Don't worry. I got it."

Hindi na ako umangal pa. Sa halip na pansinin ang sinabi niya, napatingin ako sa kamay niyang nakahawak sa akin ngayon. Dahan-dahan kong pinasok pabalik ang wallet sa loob ng coat ko at tinikhim ang bibig.

Bumitaw lang siya sa akin nang ibinigay na ng cashier ang sukli niya sa kanya.

"Let's go?"

"Okay..."

Ako ang nakahanap ng uupuan namin malapit sa bintana. Tanaw ang ospital dito at kung magkaka emergency man, mabilis lang namin matatakbo ang distansya.

"This is a nice spot." I said and looked outside.

Maaraw pa naman ngayon at mabuti nalang hindi dito tumatama ng sinag ng araw. I turn to Lucas again and smiled.

"So..." I started. Nag-isip ako ng pupwedeng itanong sakanya pero naunahan na niya ako.

"What made you decide to take up medicine? Your sister and your cousin are both doctors already. Hindi ba pumasok sa isip mo na kumuha ng ibang propesyon?"

Ay wow! Updated sa relatives ko...

I kept my smile as I look at him. Iba talaga pakiramdam pag alam mong interesado 'yung tao sa sasabihin mo. Katulad ngayon. Kitang-kita ko sa itsura niya na parang gusto niyang malaman 'yung isasagot ko sa tanong niya.

"I just don't see myself in other profession other than medicine. And as cliché as it may sound, I want to save people. I wanted to help those who can't afford basic healthcare. I wanted to help those who are in need. So, if I may be given a chance, I would like to start my own clinic catering the underprivilege. If no one can provide them that, I will."

The side of Lucas' lips rose. I felt proud of myself. Hindi scripted 'yan ah? Totoo 'yang sagot ko!

"That's so nice of you," he said. Mas lalong lumaki ang ngiti ko.

"How about you? What made you took medicine?"

"We're family of doctors. So..."

Naningkit ang mga mata ko. I leaned and rested my elbow on the table. I cocked my head to the side as I put my chin on my palm.

"Is it really your choice?"

"It wasn't. I wanted to become a lawyer but my parents convinced me to take medicine since everyone in my family are all doctors."

"I see... but still! You're doing a great job in this field despite that fact. Do you love what you're doing now?"

"I've grown to love it. Medicine is really not that hard to love. It's interesting."

Luh! Sana ako rin interesting para sa'yo...

Damn it, Felicity! Sabing serious na ulit, e!

But kidding aside, I suddenly thought about my sister because of that. Ate Margaux didn't really want to become a doctor but our father forced him to. Pero kahit na ganoon, pinagbutihan niya parin. She loves her job now more than ever.

At kung 'di rin siguro dahil dito, baka hindi niya nakilala si Kuya Jaxon! That means there will be no George or future Ventura babies! I pouted.

I nod my head.

"What were you planning to specialize after residency?" Lucas asks curiously.

"I'm actually thinking about specializing in trauma surgery or... family medicine."

"Trauma surgery? You like that?" may halong pagkamangha sa boses niya.

I nod my head proudly. "Yeah. It's just that, I find it interesting. I just love the rush of it. You have to think faster. You have critically for the next appropriate step. Or else, a person will die in your hands. But who knows? Baka mag-bago pa ang isip ko."

"Ever thought about specializing in pediatrics?"

Ngumisi ako. Though I really love kids, pediatrics wasn't really what I had in mind ever since I entered med school.

"Bakit? Gusto mo nasa iisang program tayo?" pang-aasar ko.

Tumawa siya. I was expecting him to say something back pero bigla nalang tinawag ang pangalan niya sa counter. Sabay kaming napabaling ng tingin doon.

"I'll go and get it."

Tumango ako at ngumiti pero sa loob-loob ko nadismaya ako. Ano ba 'yan! Kung kailan may panibagong banat ako tsaka naman nagawa 'yung order namin. I turn to the other side and sighed heavily.

I gritted my teeth. Umayos lang akong muli ng upon ang bumalik na si Lucas, dala ang mga order namin. He placed mine in front of me. I mumbled a thank you.

"How about you? You're taking your residency program under pediatrics, right? Bakit 'yon ang napili mo?" I asked, changing the topic now dahil nawala na rin naman ang momentum ng banat ko.

Hay! Pagdating sa mga ganito kay Kuya Dom lang ata effective!

"I love to be around kids. I also take this as a training for when I become a father in the future."

That surprised me. Talagang naiisip niya 'yon? At his age, people like him will likely think about their career first before anything else. It's good to know that he has plans for himself outside medicine.

"So... you like to have kids someday?" I asked and took a sip from my drink. Ganoon din ang ginawa niya nang hindi inaalis ang tingin sa akin.

"Uh-hmm... I mean, who wouldn't?"

"Hmm... I see," sumulyap ako sakanya habang hinihiwa ang binili niyang chocolate waffle para sa akin. "Ilan ang gusto mo?"

"I like-" Agad rin naman siyang napahinto nang mag-biro ako.

"Kaya ko hanggang apat." I said and immediately stuffed my mouth with the waffle.

Bahagyang kumunot ang noo niya at natawang muli. Nagugulohan niya akong tiningnan.

"What?" he's still chuckling.

Ah! He finds me funny now ha? Sabi nila natuturn-on daw ang mga lalaki sa mga may sense of humor. Kaya sige lang, Lucas, tawanan mo lang ako. Kahit mag-mukha akong clown!

Nilunok ko muna ang nginunguya ko bago siya sagutin. Umiling ako at tumawa na rin.

"Wala! It's just good to know that you're already thinking about the future. Bakit? May girlfriend ka ba ngayon?"

'Yan... tama 'yan! Smooth lang! Chance na rin 'to para malaman ko kung may something ba sa kanila ni Demi. Kapag meron, edi... wow.

I'm just kidding. If there's something going on between them then... maybe it's just right to keep my distance and keep things professional with him.

I'm not the kind of person to ruin relationship just because I'm in love with the guy. Handa naman akong... dumistansya at magparaya... siguro... kahit na masakit.

Pero ayaw ko ring isipin 'yon. I'd like to hold on to the chance that they're just friends. Or maybe... friends with hidden feelings for each other.

But still!

If Lucas is single, then it's worth celebrating! As long as I won't be ruining any relationship because of my feelings, then I'm fine with it.

Ilalaban ko 'to.

"You think I have?" tanong niya pabalik sa akin.

Napainom ako sa kape ko dahil parang 'di ko ata kakayanin kung aamin siyang meron ngayon. Pero sige...

"I think so. Ikaw pa ba? Noong nasa med school palang ang dami mo nang admirers," sabi ko at bahagyang yumuko. "Dito pa kaya?"

"You think I have time to enter a relationship despite my busy schedule?"

Ano ba 'yan! Bakit ako tinatanong? Ibig bang sabihin nito... may girlfriend nga siya?

"Siguro naman. I think you're great at multitasking. Baka napapagsabay mo 'yung ano..."

'Di ko magawang ituloy iyon dahil hinahanda ko ang sarili ko sa kung sakaling umamin siya na may girlfriend nga siya. Talagang umamin kung kailan kami nagkaroon ng oras para sa isa't isa! Wow!

"Well, that's too bad. I guess I'm not good at multitasking then."

My brows rose. Dahan-dahan akong napaangat ng tingin sakanya. My forehead creased while looking at him.

"What do you mean?"

"I don't have a girlfriend. I mean, it's just hard to maintain a relationship when you're busy building your career. I also spend too much time here at the hospital. I'll only feel bad if I don't get to spend time with my girlfriend."

"Edi mag-girlfriend ka rin nang may same profession!"

Suggestion ba 'yan para sa akin o para kay Demi?

Ngumisi si Lucas at umiling. Humilig siya sa kanyang upuan at ipinatong ang siko sa silya sa tabi niya. He took a sip from his coffee.

"In time. I'll do that."

Ngumuso ako. At least he's taking that into consideration! Ibig sabihin may chance pa ako kahit papano! I'll work harder to win his heart even if there's Demi.

Maybe they're really just friends. I shouldn't be quick to make any conclusions.

Mabuti nalang at tapos na kami sa kinakain namin nang biglang tumunog ang pager niya. When I saw that he became alarmed because of that, I instantly knew it was an emergency.

"I need to go back. There's an emergency."

Tumango ako at agad rin naman kaming tumayo. Even if we're both in a hurry, Lucas still made sure that he's got a sight on me. Pabalik-balik lagi ang tingin niya sa akin na para bang sinisigurado na nakakasunod pa ako sa kanya.

Nang makarating kami sa tapat ng ospital, tinanguan ko siya.

"I hope the emergency isn't something serious. Good luck!" sabi ko.

Lucas smiled and nods his head.

"I hope so, too. Thank you, Fel. Let's do this again next time."

Hindi na niya nakita pa ang pamimilog ng mga mata ko at pag-bagsak ng bibig ko dahil agad rin siyang tumalikod para puntahan ang emergency kung saan siya kailangan.

Pigil na pigil ako dito sa tapat ng ospital. Mariin kong kinakagat ang labi ko para pigilan ang sarili sa pag-hiyaw.

But I guess, I still couldn't hold it. The moment Lucas is out of my sight, that's where I started squealing. Nagtatatalon pa ako sa tuwa at hindi maalis ang malaking ngisi sa labi.

He said next time! So, may balak pa ulit siya na ayain ako na mag-kape!?

"AHHH! Oh my god!" I exclaimed happily.

Wala na talaga akong pakealam pa kung may nakakakita ako sa akin ngayon. This is a once in a lifetime achievement. I will forever look back on this day and still get so happy about it.

Ah, Lucas... you just made my day.