Song: All The Stars- Kendrick Lamar & SZA

Embarrassed

My eyes widened a fraction when he said that. I couldn't believe it! Totoo ba 'tong naririnig ko? Hindi naman ako bingi diba?

Agad akong napabaling ng tingin kay Carmela. Kahit siya mukhang nabigla sa narinig, hindi inaasahan na si Lucas ang kasama ko sa unang araw ng shift namin as interns. 

"The others... you may now proceed to your assigned stations. Dr. Donovan, come with me please." sabi ni Lucas sabay tumalikod na sa amin.

I turn to my co-interns in surprise. Mukhang masaya naman sila para sa akin kaya hinikayat na nila akong sumunod na kay Lucas. I went out of the room and saw Lucas waiting outside. Umayos siya ng tayo paglabas ko. He started leading the way.

"I wasn't expecting to be on your service on my first day of PGI-ship so... thank you." I chuckled awkwardly.

"You're welcome."

I saw Kuya Rico along our way and he gave me this curious look. Lucas greeted him but he was so focused on the fact that I'm with my crush!

Well, he knows about it because of Ate Margaux! Kahit si Kuya Ethan ay alam rin ang tungkol doon!

"What are you doing with him?" he mouthed.

"I'm on his service today!" I mouthed back excitedly. 

I probably looked so excited that's why he smiled. He gave me a thumbs up before going on his own way.

Sinundan ko si Lucas hanggang sa emergency room. There are a lot of patients today so the room was so busy. Someone probably paged for him kaya dito siya unang nag-punta.

Sinundan ko lang siya hanggang sa tumigil siya sa tapat ng hospital bed kung saan nakahiga ang isang batang babae. I looked around to see if anyone is with her but there's no one.

Where are her guardians? The kid also seems well off so it's impossible that someone will just neglect her while she's in an emergency room.

There's a bucket in front of her and a nurse is assisting her as she vomits.

"Pangalawang suka niya na po 'to, Doc." ani nurse.

"I don't feel so good..." the kid groaned and held on her stomach.

I looked around again, hoping to see her guardian but there is no one. Kung meron man, para sa ibang pasyente naman.

Lucas started talking to her gently. Parang inaalu niya 'yung bata para hindi ito tuluyang maiyak. It's obvious that she's having a hard time that's why Lucas is trying his best to help her relax.

The nurse excused herself. She brought the bucket full of the girl's vomit with her. Bago naman siya umalis ay tinanong ko siya.

"Uhm, may guardian po ba siya na pupwedeng maka-usap so we can assess what might be wrong with her condition?" tanong ko.

"Meron po siyang kasama dito kanina kaso pagbalik ko wala na dito, Doc."

My mouth parted and nod my head slowly. Binalik ko ang tingin sa bata. Lucas asked me to check for the child's vital so I did. He asked her to open her mouth, checked her ears, eyes, and so on.

The nurse then went back after I finished. She handed me a paper where I can write down the child's vital signs. Nang matapos ako, tumayo lang akong muli sa tabi ni Lucas. Naghintay ako sa ng susunod na gagawin.

"Page the pediatrics attending please." He said.

Hindi ko alam kung para sa akin ba iyong instruction niyang iyon pero ginawa ko parin. I went to the nurses' station at the emergency room to page the pediatrics attending.

Pagbalik ko sa dating pwesto, nandoon na ang guardian niya! Finally!

Lumapit ako doon at tumabi kay Lucas habang kausap niya ang guardian noong bata. He must be her father.

"Her nanny told me that she haven't been eating for days. It's only today that she ate a proper meal but she vomited it and she started getting weaker. She's also been complaining about her headache while we're on our way. I hope this is nothing serious, Doc." Anito.

"We're still going to keep an eye on her, Sir. Gaano katagal na po ba siyang may lagnat?"

That's the only time that I looked up to the child's father. I was kind of surprise to see that he still looks a bit young to be a father of a 6 year old child. But then I realized that maybe he had her while he's in his early 20's.

"I actually have no idea since I'm not usually at home. Her mom is busy with work, too, and the only person that keeps an eye on her is her nanny."

Nakitango na rin ako kahit hindi naman ako ang kausap. Sana sinama nila 'yung nanny para naman mas detailed ang magiging assessment namin. But who am I to complain? Baka sa sobrang panic, napasugod nalang sila bigla dito.

I remained quiet while I'm trying to patch things up here. I thought about a lot of diseases with the same symptoms that the child is showing but I couldn't confirm anything unless we have the laboratory results. That's the only way we can diagnose whatever is wrong with her.

Nagkatinginan kami ng sandali noong tatay nung bata. I realized that maybe the reason why he's not always at home is because he's a pilot! Mukhang kakagaling niya lang sa isang flight at dumiretso agad dito sa ospital dahil sa nangyari sa anak.

He's still wearing his uniform though and I've noticed that some nurses are ogling around him because he's actually really attractive.

Dumating na ang pediatric attending na si Dr. Corpuz. Agad niyang binati ang bata para maging magaan agad ang loob nito sakanya. May iba kasing bata na natatakot agad kapag nakakakita ng doktor. Siguro kasi ang perception nila sa mga kagaya namin, iinjectionan lang sila.

Sinabi ni Lucas kay Dr. Corpuz ang naging assessment niya sa bata. I gave him the record of the child's vital signs.

"I have to order some laboratory tests so we can further assess the symptoms that your child is showing, Sir. I'll let her stay here so we can keep an eye on her."

Kinausap ni Dr. Corpuz si Lucas para sa mga laboratory tests na kakailanganin para sa bata. Lucas then handed me the request, ako ang inuutusan na magpunta sa lab para dalhin iyon. Tumango ako.

Bago naman ako makalakad palayo ay narinig kong nagsalita ang ama ng bata. Napatingin ako sakanya.

"It's nothing serious, right?"

I turn to the child again. Weird. They don't look alike. Baka mas kamukha ng bata ang mommy.

What the hell, Felicity?! May pasyente ka na tapos 'yan ang nasa isip mo? Get yourself together!

I cleared my head and just went to the laboratory to request for the tests. After that, I asked a clerk to handle the patient's admission form since Dr. Corpuz suggested that the child should be admitted while we wait for her lab results.

Iba't ibang pasyente pa ang nakahalubilo namin ni Lucas nang araw na iyon. Most of them have been here for a while now to have their continuous treatment. Ang iba kagagaling lang ng operasyon.

I also learned a lot of things along the way. Lucas was really patient with me every time I ask him a question. 

Ate Margaux is right, a notepad really does come in handy during PGI-ship. Unang araw ko palang, ang dami ko na agad naisusulat!

Before my shift ends, I made sure that I did all the work that I needed to do today. I checked on some clerks and some paper works to make sure that I didn't leave anything behind.

Us interns were given a strict "No 24-hour duty" rule. Kaya naman hindi ako buong magdamag dito sa ospital di kagaya noong clerkship days ko. Mararanasan ko lang ang matagal na shift kapag mag residency na ako.

Sinabay na ako ni Carmela at siya na ang naghatid sa akin pauwi.

I suddenly wonder... am I still on Lucas' service tomorrow? I mean we both have the same patients to monitor, right? Nang dahil ba 'don mas matagal ko siyang makakasama?

Gosh! I can't wait for my shift to start again!

"So, how was it?" agad na salubong ni Kuya Dom sa akin pagpasok ko ng bahay.

He's on the living room with Serena. His arms are wrapped around her waist while Serena is leaning against him. Tiningnan ko ang TV at nakitang nanonood ata sila ng movie.

"Well it was fine." I answered. Binaba ko ang bag ko sa katabi nilang couch at naupo doon pagkatapos silang batiin.

"Did your relationship with him progressed? O hopia ka parin?"

Kuya Dominic devilishly smirk. Tinampal tuloy ni Serena ang dibdib niya kaya ito napailing.

"Bakit? 'Yun ba ang tingin mong inaatupag ko ha?!"

"Bakit hindi ba? Matagal ka nang tumatambay sa ospital para lang masulyapan mo siya," I tried to open my mouth for a rebuttal but he quickly shut me off by raising a finger. "Hm... don't try to deny it! I know about it."

"Dati 'yon! Iba na ngayon!" sabi ko. "Hati na ang oras ko ngayon 'no!"

We all chuckled because I lowkey admitted that I have a secret agenda aside from being a post graduate intern.

"And I'm on his service today so..." mayabang kong sinabi. 

Namilog ang mga mata ni Kuya Dom. Mukhang hindi niya inaasahan na mangyayari agad 'yon sa unang araw palang ng internship ko.

Sabi na kasi, e... may konting nararamdaman din sa akin 'yon. Ayaw lang umamin. Joke! Feeling lang.

"Wow! What did you do? May nilagay ka ata sa binili mo kanina, e."

Ilang pang-aasar pa ang inabot ko sakanya bago ko mapagdesisyonan na umakyat na sa kwarto ko para simulan na rin ang pagrereview sa boards. I asked one of our maids to just bring me food because once I set my eyes upon my reviewer, I will suddenly forget about my dinner. Kaya mas mabuti nang may aakyat para magpaalala sa akin noon.

I don't know what time I finished and all I know is that I feel exhausted after reading a lot from my pediatrics notes in med school. Pakiramdam ko kakatulog ko palang tapos gigising na ulit para sa panibagong araw.

It was an achievement that I drove myself to the hospital. I already ate breakfast at home but I still arrived on time. Kakaumpisa palang ng shift ko ay sobrang naging abala na agad ako. I checked on some admitted patients.

Nakapag-meeting na rin kami kasama ni Lucas kanina. Sinabi niya sa akin na may lab results na ang pasyente namin kahapon. He asked me to familiarize myself with the case so that's what I did.

Agad naman akong dumiretso sa kwarto nang pasyente nang makatanggap ako ng page mula sa kanya. I was hugging the patient's chart while walking towards her room when I came across Kuya Ethan. Mukhang iisang direksyon lang ang pupuntahan namin kaya binati ko siya.

"Hey, Kuya Ethan!"

Agad siyang napabaling ng tingin sa akin nang marinig ang bati ko. He smiled.

"Oh! Hey, Fel! Nagstart na pala ang PGI-ship mo. How was it?"

"So far, it's been great! Sa pediatrics ang rotation ko ngayon."

May kung ano pa kaming pinag-usapan hanggang sa tumigil na ako sa paglalakad dahil nakita kong pasalubong na si Lucas sa akin.

"Sige, Kuya Ethan, dito na ko. See you around!"

Haharap na sana ako kay Lucas nang mabigla ako nang pumasok si Kuya Ethan sa kwarto ng pasyente namin. He even checked the room to make sure that he entered the right room.

"What?" I mumbled.

As far as I know, 'di naman ito ang speciality niya. So, why is he here? Hindi naman mag-a-undergo ng surgery ang pasyente ah?

Napanguso ako at pumasok nalang kasabay ni Lucas. Agad na tumayo ang ama at ina ng bata.

"Hi, good morning. This is Dr. Ethan Hernandez, he's going to be Aya's doctor for today since our pediatric attending is on leave."

Oh... that explains why. But how come he's involved in pediatrics though?

Nakipagkamay si Kuya Ethan sa magulang ng bata. I hugged the patient's chart again as I wait for them to finish their introduction.

Napatingin ako sa ama noong bata. He's wearing a different clothes now. Kahapon kasi nakauniporme pa siya na pang-piloto nang isinugod niya ang anak dito sa ospital.

Nagkatinginan kami at magalang ko siyang nginitian at yumuko. Nagtagal ang tingin niya sa akin. May halong kuryosidad at pananantsa ang tingin niya sa akin.

Ako agad ang unang nag-iwas ng tingin dahil nakakahiya na nandito ang asawa niya tapos gano'ng klaseng tingin ang igagawad niya sa akin? Weird.

Kuya Ethan turned to me a bit, probably weirded out by the fact that he witnessed that stare. I just shrugged my shoulders. 

"Dr. Donovan?" Lucas spoke, not getting his eyes off the child's father whose still looking at me. "Would you like to introduce our patient to Dr. Hernandez?"

That was my cue. Umayos ako ng tayo at tiningnan nalang ang bata. She still looks pale but she looks better now than yesterday.

"A 6-year-old patient who presents to the emergency department with a chief complaint of fever, headache and increasing tiredness. When she got to the hospital, she was already vomiting the food that she ate and she is also tachycardic. Vital signs are: body temperature 38.7-degree Celsius, pulse rate is 130 beats per minute, respiratory rate is 35 breaths per minute and blood pressure is 110/56."

After that, I proceeded to tell Kuya Ethan about the physical exam of the child when she was rushed in the emergency room. Sunod naman ang naging laboratory test. 

"Complete blood count test result shows a hemoglobin level of 7.0 grams per deciliter. Hematocrit level of 24%, MCV is 100 femtoliter. Her blood count test results also show an undeniably high WBC count of 56,000 cells per cubic millimeter. Differential count shows 14% lymphoblasts, 80% lymphocytes, and 6% atypical lymphocytes. Her platelet count is 23,000 cells per microliter."

I was just about to finish my "mini skit" when the child groaned. She suddenly complained about me being so talkative. I just laughed it off and continued.

"Chest X-ray result shows clear lung fields but with a wide mediastinum."

"The diagnosis, Dr. Donovan?" Kuya Ethan asked.

"The diagnostic workup including the bone marrow aspirate and biopsy reveals a diagnosis of..." I paused for a second. "Acute lymphoblastic leukemia."

The parents don't seem surprised maybe because they were already informed of the child's diagnosis before we came here. Lucas must've taken care of that.

"So, what should we do, Doc? Does she need to undergo chemotherapy right away? Is there any treatment required other than that? What are we supposed to do?" the mother asked.

"Right now, the best option is chemotherapy to kill the cancer cells that already spread across her body. Your daughter also shows an undeniably abnormal blood results so a blood transfusion might be needed to bring her blood count back to normal again."

"I'm willing to donate my blood. Aya and I have the same blood type. Take as much as you need if that's what it takes for her to get better again." ani ama ng bata.

The mother turned to him and shakes her head.

"Archer, you don't have to do this..."

"It's fine. I'm doing this for Aya," he replied. Tiningnan niya naman kaming mga doktor. "So, what do I have to do?"

"We'll have to perform cross matching examination first to determine if your blood is compatible with Aya's." Si Lucas.

Archer—as his wife mentioned—nods his head. Then he looks at Aya with so much worry and care.

"Okay. I'm fine with that." he said nonchalantly.

"Archer... your father should know about this first." alu ng asawa niya. 

Umiling siya. "I haven't heard anything from him after I informed him about Aya's condition. He hasn't even called to check up on her to ask her how she is."

"Maybe he's busy-"

"Don't give me that damn excuse again. He's been busy his whole life! Ano ba naman 'yung maglalaan ka ng oras para dito? It's Aya's health we're talking about here!" Archer raised his voice.

Napakurap ako at napatikhim. The mother gave us an apologetic smile. Bumagsak ang balikat niya.

"Please don't fight, Mommy..."

Aya started sobbing. Tumabi ako ng kaunti para bigyan ng daan ang Mommy niya na makalapit. She crouched on her hospital bed and reached for Aya's cheek. She started caressing it.

"No. We're not fighting, Aya..."

"But you were shouting. You're both mad."

"No, no, baby... don't worry about it. Just get better okay? Para mabilis ka nang makalabas dito. Para sa bahay ka na ulit. Hospitals are scary, right?"

Aya nods her head in agreement. Napangisi naman ako. Sinulyapan ko naman si Lucas sa tabi ko na inayos ang pagkakasuot ng salamin niya. He glanced back at me and I quickly turn my gaze away. I pursed my lips, kunwari walang ginawang kung ano.

We left the room to let the family talk in private. I'll just come back later for the processing of the cross-matching examination that we're going to request.

"You know that guy, Fel?" agad na tanong ni Kuya Ethan nang lumabas kami ng kwarto.

"No. Why?"

"Hmm... weird. Iba ang tinginan niyo kanina, e. Akala ko magkakilala kayo."

My forehead creased. Hindi ko alam kung sinasabi niya lang ba 'to para pagselosin 'tong si Lucas na kasama parin namin hanggang ngayon o sadyang curious lang siya.

Wow, Fel! Pag-selosin! Big word! Akala mo naman talaga magseselos si Lucas! Pero malay mo naman...

I scoff.

"Gosh! He's a married man for goodness sake!" I said. "Anyways, since when did you become a pediatric doctor? I thought you specialized in general surgery?"

"Haven't heard of sub-specialty, Fel?" he teased. I made a face. "I was the doctor tasked to oversee the pediatrics department for now since the assigned doctor is on leave. As always."

Umirap pa siya pagkatapos niyang sabihin iyon. So, swerte na pala ako dahil naabutan ko si Dr. Corpuz kahapon? Kailan ko kaya siya ulit makikita? Next month na ulit?

I went to the laboratory afterwards to hand them the cross-matching examination request form. The personnel told me that they're just going to inform me if everything's ready.

Gano'n rin naman ang instruction ni Lucas, e. He's pretty occupied with so many patients today kaya sa akin niya muna ipinaubaya si Aya.

At isa pa, hindi rin naman gano'n kabigat ang pinapagawa niya dahil mag-aassist lang ako sa magiging procedure mamaya. Kung may tanong man iyong pamilya, gagawin ko ang makakaya ko na masagot sila.

After 45 minutes, I went back to Aya's room. Her father was only one left in the room with her. I wonder where her mom went kasi usually sa mga bagay na ganito, napapansin kong mas bantay sarado palagi ang mga ina.

Archer raised his gaze at us. Binaba niya ang binabasang magazine.

"She just fell asleep."

My mouth parted. Kasama ko na ang medical technologist na magpeperform ng procedure. Aya probably had a hard time to get herself sleep. Tapos ngayong nakatulog na siya, kailangan naman ulit gisingin para sa gagawing cross-matching examination sa kanila.

"I'm sorry but we have to wake her up for the procedure." sabi ko and smiled apologetically at him.

He pursed his lips and nods his head. Nilingon niyang bahagya si Aya bago ibinaling muli ang tingin sa akin. He licked his lips.

"Can you do the procedure on me first? Then I'll wake her up right after."

"Yes, definitely."

I handed him the form that he needs to fill up. Because of that I found out that he just turned 30 recently! I knew it! He had her when he was on his early 20s!

Oh, god, Felicity! Stop being nosy!

"So, after this... kailan na siya masasalinan ng dugo?" Archer asked. He handed me back the form after signing it.

I let the medical technologist answer his question because she knows the procedure more than me. Ang sabi niya may 72 hour rule daw dahil marami ring kailangang i-check sa dugo niya bago 'to pupwedeng isalin kay Aya.

There are a lot of requirements needed before the transfusion process and his blood needs to pass all of those.

The medical technologist started the procedure on him. Nang matapos, agad naman siyang tumayo para gisingin ang anak. He sounded so gentle and sweet as he wakes her up. Sobrang maingat siya siguro dahil alam niya ring may pinagdadaanang sakit ang anak.

"You need to wake up. They're going to do a procedure that will help you get better." alu nito.

Aya slowly opened her eyes and looked around the room. Nginitian ko naman siya nang tumama ang tingin niya sa akin.

"I don't like needles, Archie." she said when she saw the medical technologist's equipment on her cart.

"No... hindi siya masakit, Aya. Look at me. I didn't cry when they did it to me." Pinakita niya ang bulak sa kanyang braso.

The kid pouted. She looks terrified. Akala niya siguro uulitin ang pag-pasak ng dextrose sakanya kaya natatakot na siyang tusukin ulit.

"You're going to be fine, Aya. It's just one prick."

"No... I don't want to..." then she started crying.

Archer sighed heavily. He brushed her hair as he tries to comfort her. Ngunit kahit na pakalmahin, patuloy paring umiiyak ang bata. Halatang takot sa maaaring gawin sakanya.

"Shh... calm down. It's fine... they're not going to hurt you."

Aya started to throw tantrums. Archer panicked and looked at the IV tube in her hand. Natatakot na sa pagwawala niya ay mas lalo lang siyang masaktan.

He didn't ask for any help because maybe he felt like he can handle it. But doesn't seem like it to me. Nagpakawala ako ng malalim na hininga at lumapit sa hospital bed ng bata.

"Hi, Aya. I'm Dr. Felicity."

Wow! Nagbunga ata ang pag-baby sit ko sa mga pamangkin ko! Parang expert na ata ako sa pag-handle ng bata ah?

Aya turned to me slightly. Just enough for her to see me through her disheveled hair. I smiled at her. Naupo ako sa tabi niya at sinubukan na siyang paamuhin. She only pouted when I told her that it's really not going to hurt.

"It will only take a second and you won't feel anything afterwards!" I said enthusiastically.

"That's also what the nurse told me when she puts me this." aniya sabay turo sa dextrose niya. She started wailing again.

"Oh... I..." I was suddenly lost for words! Hmm... paano ba 'to?

I cleared my throat and glanced at her father. May hilaw na lang ngisi na gumuhit sa kanyang labi habang pinapanood akong paamuhin ang anak.

Napapahiya ako dito ah? I need to level up my game.

"Alam ko na! Aya, if you let her do the procedure, I will give you a reward."

Sana effective 'to kasi effective 'yan kay George tuwing nag-wawala siya. I suddenly miss those days when he was still so young and naïve. He's growing up so fast now and he rarely spends time with me anymore since he's busy with school and I'm also busy with work.

Pinalis ni Aya ang luha niya at ibinaling na ang tingin sa akin. I think that caught her attention.

"What reward?"

"Hmm... what is your favorite food?"

"Ice cream."

Oh shit! But she's not allowed to eat those yet. She needs food that will give her nutrients and energy. And ice cream is definitely not a good example.

"Uhm, favorite toy nalang pala."

I heard Archer chuckled. I gave him an awkward smile.

"I like Barbie."

"But you have a lot of it already, Aya." Si Archer.

Aya shrugged her shoulders. Hindi na niya ata alam kung ano pa ang isasagot niya. She looks weary already that's why we need to perform the procedure as soon as possible.

"Okay. I'll just surprise you with my gift after you let her do the procedure."

Napakurap pa siya ng sandali pero sa huli ay pumayag na rin. I smiled victoriously. I stood up to give space for the medical technologist.

Si Archer nanatili sa tabi ni Aya. Inaalu niya na huwag nalang tumingin para hindi na siya matakot. Nang magkatinginan kami ay bahagya siyang ngumiti sa akin. Nagulat ako.

"Thank you." He mouthed.

I tried to cover up my surprised look with a smile. Hinintay kong matapos ang procedure.

"See? I told you, Aya, it's not that painful." sabi niya sa anak nang matapos siyang kuhanan ng dugo.

Aya then looked at the cotton of her arm. She raised her gaze at me.

"I'm finished, doctor! Are you really going to surprise me?" She asked, pouting.

"Of course-"

"You don't have to. It's fine." Archer cut me off.

Umiling naman ako. "It's fine, Sir. I kept a promise so..."

Tumango nalang siya at walang nagawa sa huli. Aya tucked herself back into sleep again.

I wrote something on her chart to keep it updated. Abala ako doon kaya hindi ko napansin na nakalapit na pala si Archer sa akin. I took a step back in surprise.

"I'm sorry but I just want to ask about her treatment. Chemotherapy is it?"

"Yes, that's the best choice, Sir."

"So, how is it going to be like?"

"We have a treatment cycle for that and it usually lasts for 3 months or so. Uhm, I'm sure her doctor would also advice to shave her head because on the process of her treatment, maglalagas din po ang buhok niya. It's part of the side effects. But it is still your choice for your daughter, sir."

His forehead creased. Nagugulohan niya akong tiningnan at napakurap pa nang matapos ako sa sasabihin ko.

"Excuse me? My what?"

Sa lahat ata ng sinabi ko, 'yung huli lang ang pinansin niya. Ako naman ang nagulohan ngayon. I looked at him innocently before I answer his question.

"Your daughter, Sir." I said confidently.

He snorted. I pouted. What was that for? Did I say something wrong?

"My daughter?"

"Yes?"

Tumawa na siya ngayon. Nabigla naman ako dahil wala namang nakakatawa sa sinabi ko ah? Kung may nakakatawa edi sana nauna na akong tumawa sakanya 'no! O di kaya, nakitawa na rin ako sakanya! But I never said something funny and I was serious about that. So, what's with him?

He inserted his right hand inside his pocket while he used the other massage his chin while chuckling.

"I can't believe you actually thought about it that way this whole time."

"I'm sorry?"

"She's not my daughter." he answered.

What?!

"But... you..." hindi ko magawang ituloy ang sasabihin ko dahil nabigla talaga ako sa nalaman!

All this time, I thought he was the father! Kung hindi niya anak 'to, ano niya si Aya? Pamagkin?

"Oh! Maybe niece then?" I asked. I smiled hoping that I wouldn't embarrass myself again.

"No."

My jaw dropped. The hell?! Ano ba 'to? Talagang pinapahula niya pa sa akin kung anong relasyon niya kay Aya? Nakakahiya na sobrang confident ko pa na baka pamangkin niya lang 'to. Pero kahit 'yon, mali parin pala! I'm making a fool out of myself here! Sirit na!

I gave in and shrugged my shoulders, hoping that he will give me the answer to my question.

"She's my half-sister."

My eyes widened. What?! How did that happen? Ang laki ng age difference nila kaya aakalain mo talagang anak niya si Aya!

Archer must've noticed the questioning look on my face so he continued.

"My father got remarried when I was twenty-two. Two years after, they had her. So... does that answer your question now?"

Hindi parin ako makapaniwala. All this time I thought he was a married man! That's why I find all his stares weird! Lalo na noong oras na tinititigan niya ako habang kaharap ang step-mom niya!

Goodness, Felicity! You are such a fool!

I could feel my face heating up because of embarrassment. I wanted to just go out of this room to save myself but I was frozen in place!

He waited for my answer. He raised his brow and turned his head on to the side, like he's telling me that he's all ears on me.

I opened my mouth to compose an answer but nothing came out! I blinked twice and gulped down my remaining confidence. I pointed at my back and smiled awkwardly.

"I... gotta head out now." So I wouldn't embarrass myself anymore!

The ghost smile didn't leave his lips even if he already nods his head, allowing me to exit the room. Agad akong tumalikod sakanya at nagmamadaling lumabas ng kwarto ng kapatid niya.

After I closed the door, I squeezed my eyes shut and started hitting my head with the chart I'm holding.