Song: Fall in Love Again- Angeline Quinto

Love

Kiel literally pulled me towards him na naging dahilan ng pagkakabitaw ko kay Jaxon.

"Oh!" I exclaimed. Nagulat sa ginawa niyang pag-hila.

Tiningnan ko naman muli si Jaxon na seryosong nakatingin sa kanyang kapatid. Binalik niya ang tingin sa akin at nanatili na iyon doon. I looked away because whenever he stares, it makes me want to look away.

"Let's go, Margaux." Aya ni Kiel.

"Where are we-"

"Kiel," tawag ni Jaxon.

He sounds really serious at mukhang walang oras upang makipagbiruan. Nilingon ko siya at nakita kong malamig na tingin ang binibigay niya sa kanyang kapatid.

I heard Kiel chuckled. He tightened his hold on me. Napaangat naman ako ng tingin sakanya. Hindi inaasahan na gagawin niya iyon.

"Kuya, we are not yet-"

He was cut off nang maglakad palapit sa amin si Jaxon sabay hila sa akin. Tumama ako sa dibdib niya. Para akong laruan na pinagaagawan ng magkapatid. Hindi ko alam kung kanino ba dapat ako sumama. Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin ko sa kanilang dalawa. They're having a staring contest.

Unang mag-alis ng tingin, talo.

"Uhm..." I started. Sabay silang napatingin sa akin. "I should get going."

"No."

"No."

Sabay nilang sinabi. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"Okay?" naguguluhan kong sinabi.

They're both so weird! Parang kanina lang okay ang lahat. Tapos ngayon, parang mag-aaway sila ngayon ng dahil sakin.

Pinilit kong lumayo kay Jaxon but he did not let me. Nanatili siyang nakahawak sa akin. He lowered his gaze on me. Nang mapansin na masyado nang mahigpit ang hawak niya sa akin ay niluwagan niya ito. Lumingon naman ako kay Kiel. Bakas sa mukha niya na hindi siya natutuwa sa nangyayari.

I mean... sino ba ang gustong matuwa sa ganito? Both of them made me look like a toy na ganon lang kadaling pag-agawan.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit hinayaan ko silang gawin iyon, e. I was in shock! You couldn't blame me!

"I hope it's not happening again." Sabi ni Kiel. My forehead creased a little.

Anong... Anong tinutukoy niya?

"I'm afraid it is," simpleng sagot ni Jaxon sa kapatid. Mas lalong kumunot ang noo ko.

"What's happening? Kailangan pa ba ako dito? I think it's my cue to leave now." Sabi ko. I tried to laugh kahit wala namang nakakatawa.

"No..." I heard Jaxon whispered. Then Kiel chuckled.

"Again!? Are we really going to fight over a girl again?!" Tanong niya. Nagulat ako doon. Hindi ko inaasahan na magkakaroon sila ng away ng dahil lang sa babae. I don't even see them as someone who will fight over a girl.

Inangat ko ang tingin ko kay Jaxon. I was surprised to see him already staring at me. Hindi ako nag-salita pero ipinakita ko sakanya na naguguluhan na ako sa nangyayari.

"Come on, Kuya... I know you're gonna give this up. Ngayon palang, isuko mo na." Sabi ni Kiel. Dahan dahan namang nag-angat ng tingin sakanya si Jaxon. He looks very sexy while doing it, I gotta say.

And what give up? Anong igigive up? Sinong igigive up?

He tilted his head a little at bahagyang natawa. Hinilot niya ang kanyang sentido habang natatawa parin. Today is not the right time to laugh about this. Gusto kong sabihin sakanya. Pero halata rin naman kasi na 'yung tawa niya ay mapanginsulto lang. Kahit na tumatawa siya ay hindi niya parin binitiwan ang aking kamay.

"Not this time, Kiel." Jaxon finally said. Agad na bumaba ang tingin niya sa akin. My mouth opened. He looks proud of what he just said his brother.

It looks like he's declaring a war and he knows he's gonna win.

"W-What do you m-mean?" Nauutal na tanong nito. Lumakad siya palapit sa amin pero bago niya tuluyang gawin iyon ay nagsalita na ang kanyang kapatid.

"I'm willing to give up a lot of things for you, Kiel. But not this... not this."

Mas lalo nang kumunot ang noo ko. Sa tingin ko kulang nalang magsalubong na ng tuluyan ang kilay ko sa sobrang lito ko na rin.

Kiel looks shocked. Pinilit niyang tumawa pero mukhang imposible.

"K-Kuya... Tell me you're joking."

"I'm not. May mga bagay na hindi ko dapat isinusuko para sa'yo. At ito iyon, Kiel." Mabilis niyang sagot.

"Since when?"

"That's not important right now."

Umiling ng ilang beses si Kiel. Hindi makapaniwala sa nangyayari. Kahit ako rin. Bukod sa hindi makapaniwala, sobrang naguguluhan na rin ako sa nangyayari.

What are they fighting over? Ano rin 'yung pinag-awayan nila noon? Gusto kong itanong pero alam kong wala ako sa lugar. It is not my place to ask them. I know that it's personal. Pero kung ganito rin pala ang sitwasyon...

Aba! Hindi ko ata mapipigilan ang sarili ko na magtanong. Lalo na't nandidito ako at sa harap ko pa sila nag-uusap tungkol doon.

"You gave Jessica up for me... Why can't you..." Hindi natapos ni Kiel ang sasabihin.

Jessica? Sinong Jessica?

Bakit parang magsasabihan ng exes ngayon? Should I tell mine, too? Should I tell them about Louie and James, too?

"And where is she now?" Tanong ni Jaxon. Matagal na hindi nakasagot si Kiel. "You left her, right? Because you wanted to focus on the military."

"I have my goals." Kiel explained.

"I have mine, too. But that doesn't mean I will leave someone behind."

Kiel was shocked with what his brother said. Para siyang naiinsulto pero pinipigilan niya ang sarili na magpakita ng pagkadismaya.

"If you want... You can come back to her. Just give... Margaux up for me." Namilog naman ang mga mata ko with the mention of my name.

"M-Me? How did I end up in your conversation? Nananahimik lang-"

"We'll talk about this soon, Kiel. Just not now. Not infront of her." Kiel licked his lips and he nodded.

"Let's go," Jaxon whispered sabay hila sa akin palayo. Hindi na nakapagreact pa ang kanyang kapatid dahil masyadong mabilis ang sumunod na nangyari.

Jaxon walked me towards my room. I stopped before I entered the key.

"If you want to go to the lagoon, just tell me." Aniya. Tumango ako.

"I was really planning about going to tomorrow. But I have some works to do and I have to visit Andrew. So, maybe next time?" sabi ko. Siya naman ang tumango ngayon.

"Uhmm..." I started. "About a while ago... If you don't mind me asking... What was that?"

Hindi na talaga kinaya ng curiosity ko. I couldn't go on to another second without asking about it. Maiintindihan ko naman kung ayaw niyang sabihin sa akin ang tungkol doon... Or tungkol man doon sa Jessica na 'yon.

Pero sobrang nakakacurious talaga lalo na't nadawit ang pangalan ko.

"That was nothing." Sabi niya. My forehead creased.

"That wasn't nothing to me. Especially when I got mentioned. Anong kinalaman ko doon?"

Tiningnan niya lang ako. He took a step back. Signaling me that it was his time to leave.

"You'll understand soon." Umiling ako.

"What if I don't?"

"You will. You're smart."

"But that doesn't need logic!" Reklamo ko.

"Good night, Margaux." I groaned and crossed my arms over my chest. He didn't show me any emotion.

"You are so unfair." Sabi ko. Disappointed dahil hindi ko nalaman ang sagot. Malamig niya akong tiningnan bago sumagot.

"I really am." Umirap nalang ako at hinayaan na siyang umalis sa tapat ng pinto ko.

Kinabukasan maaga akong nagtungo sa medical rooms. I'm surprised everyone is here already. Madalas kasi mas nauuna ako kaysa sakanila. Normally, they will go around here at ten o'clock.

It's only seven in the morning at nandito na silang lahat ngayon. Everyone is attending someone. Checking them every now and then.

I smiled.

The last few months here in Afghanistan was really an eye-opener for us doctors. I didn't know that I will enjoy it here despite the war that has been going on. Gustuhin ko mang mag-tagal pa ako dito upang makatulong ay hindi ko magawa. I don't know when we will leave this country pero nadadama ko nang malapit na iyon.

I'm glad I have met a lot of people here. Especially Andrew. He already have a special place in my heart and I will keep him there.

"Why are you guys up so early?" Tanong ko habang dinadaluhan naman ang isang pasyente.

"Sinusulit lang namin ang panahon, doctora. Feeling namin malapit na tayo umalis dito, e." Sabi ni Tracy.

"We can extend if you want to. Gawin nating isang taon 'yung stay natin dito. If... ten months isn't enough for you?" I joked. Mukha naman siyang nasamid.

"Doc naman... Nag-jjoke lang ako, e. Miss ko na rin naman kahit papano ang pamilya ko." Malungkot niyang sinabi.

"Lahat naman tayo miss na sila, Tracy..." pagsingit ni Erin. "But you cannot deny the fact that you have gotten close to the people here. And that's one thing we're surely gonna miss."

Sumangayon ako doon. People here are the nicest people I've met.

I smiled at the patient nang matapos kong gamutin ang sugat niya. He did the same.

"Thank you..." nanghihina niyang sinabi.

"It's nothing." I replied.

He's one of the people who were saved yesterday. Marami rin ang nadalang sibilyan kahapon. Ang iba ay ibang doctors na nandito ang nag-gamot.

Ngayon naman ay nag-tungo sila Jaxon sa critical area. I didn't see him today kaya napagtanto kong ganoon nga ang nangyari. Kahit si Kiel ay hindi ko rin nakita. What happened last night was really weird. Wala akong ideya sa kung ano mang pinag-uusapan nila.

I was really curious last night kaya hindi rin ako agad nakatulog. I started forming some theories inside my head. With the mention of the girl named Jessica... Napagtanto kong isa siyang babaeng gusto nila pareho.

But of course, hindi naman pwedeng mag-agawan sila forever kay Jessica na 'yun. So, one has to give her up. And I think it's Jaxon. I remember Kiel mentioning that Jaxon always give things up for him. Siguro isa 'yun doon.

Gosh! Why is he so kind?

Hindi man halata sa itsura because he looks serious all the time pero kapag iisipin mong mabuti, he's really kind.

And then... I continued thinking about it.

If Jaxon gave Jessica up, malamang ay napunta siya kay Kiel. But... Did Jessica like Kiel? Why did Jaxon gave her up? He's like the guy who's not going to give up easily. So, what could be the possible reason?

I have to think about that next time. You're doing great with your assumptions, Margaux. You're doing great...

Napatigil ako sa pag-iisip nang marinig ko ang pag-tigil ng isang truck di kalayuan sa kung nasaan ako ngayon. Agad akong lumingon para makita ito.

The soldiers have already arrive. I stood up. I tiptoed so I could see kung kasama ba si Kiel or si Jaxon doon. The first person I saw was Kiel. He looks grumpy. Ang dalawa niya namang kasama ay nasa likod niya lang at sumusunod sakanya.

Then next is I saw Jaxon going out of the truck. Nakita kong nag-dudugo ang gilid ng kanyang labi. It looks like someone punched him. Napahawak ako sa aking bibig nang dahil sa naisip.

Di kaya'y nag-usap na sila at nagkainitan? Maybe that's the reason why Kiel looks grumpy. Hindi naman siya ganoon. He's full of energy at madalang mo siyang makita na ganoon ang itsura.

Agad namang nag-silapitan sakanya ang mga sundalo. They formed in front of him. May sinabi siya na hindi ko marinig kaya mas lumapit ako.

Oh gosh, Margaux! What are you doing? What he is saying to his troop is none of your business kaya bakit ka pa lalapit?

Pero hindi parin ako nagpatinag sa aking mga iniisip. Lumapit parin ako. I acted like I was just passing by. Yumuko ako at pasimpleng tumingin sakanila.

For a moment, I saw Jaxon's eyes moved towards my direction. I raised my brows at him as a sign of acknowledgement at tsaka naglakad muli palayo. Nag-tago ako nang makakita ng lugar.

Bakit parang wala lang siyang pakialam sa sugat niya sa gilid ng kanyang labi? Kailangan nang gamutin 'yan! It looks huge!

Nang matapos siya ay umalis na sa harap niya ang mga sundalo at hinarap niyang muli ang truck upang may kuhanin doon. I walked towards him coolly. Naramdaman niya naman agad ang presensya ko kaya siya napalingon sa akin. I inserted both of my hands on my side pockets at nginitian siya.

"Hi," I said. His eyebrow raised. Bumaba naman ang tingin niya sa kanyang combat helmet at inayos ito.

"Hi." he replied.

"What happened to your lip?" I asked.

Kung di ko pa siguro sasabihin 'yun ay hindi niya mapapansin na nagdudugo parin ang kanyang labi. Dinampi niya ang kanyang daliri sa kanyang labi at hindi na nagulat na may dugo parin ito.

"This is nothing." Aniya. My widened when I see it bleeding again.

"Gosh! It's bleeding." Napalapit ako ng di oras sakanya. Tiningnan mabuti ito.

It isn't just a wound anymore. It's a cut! Kailangan nang gamutin iyon.

"This needs to be... checked." I said then I pressed my thumb over his bruised lip at ako na mismo ang nagpalis ng dugo nito.

Parehas kaming nagulat dahil sa ginawa ko. Napaatras naman ako bigla but I was quick enough to bring my composure back.

"Yeah. That needs t-to be checked." Pambawi ko. "I'll... go get a nurse."

Lalakad na sana ako palayo ngunit napatigil nang may bigla akong naisip.

The thought of nurse cleaning Jaxon's wound sends terrible thoughts inside my head. His wound is located on his lower lip. If a nurse will clean it... then, may chance na mapalapit ang mukha nila sa isa't isa.

Oh, no! I wouldn't let that happen.

If there's a chance, I'll go grab it. Kaya ako nalang. That needs to be me! I couldn't stand thinking about Jaxon and a nurse in one room. No way! Baka hindi pa ako makapag-focus sa trabaho ko.

Oh my god! What is happening to me?

Umiling ako at humarap muli sakanya.

"No... Let me check that." tiningnan niya lang ako at hindi sumagot. "Come with me."

And I'm surprised he did what I told him. Akala ko magmamatigas siya at ipipilit na wala lang ang kanyang sugat, e.

And my thoughts were true! Kung hindi siguro ako nag-volunteer, siguro ibang tao ang nasa posisyon ko ngayon. Cleaning up this wound means I have to move closer to him. As in close! Ang malas lang namin dahil doon pa kami sa mahina na ang ilaw napunta. I couldn't see it properly that's why I have to move really closer.

Wala naman siyang sinasabi habang ginagawa ko iyon. He's just letting me. At nang matapos, agad naman akong lumayo sakanya.

This is too much to handle. But I'm not regretting it.

"Next time you get into a fight, make sure you won't bruise your face... Sayang, e." I whispered the last words.

Totoo naman! He should value the face he has! Kaunti nalang ang may ganyang mukha kaya ang dapat dyan, prinepreserve.

"I'll make sure of that." He said then he smirked.

I didn't know he heard that! Napapanganga nalang ako at wala nang nasabi. He stood up at lumabas na ng kwarto.

Umiling ako at tinampal ang sarili.

"You're embarrassing yourself way too much." I whispered to myself.

Matapos ang trabaho ay dumiretso ako kung nasaan madalas sila Andrew. I brought them foods again kaya ganito nalang sila matuwa ngayon.

"Thank you, doctor!" sabi nila. Ngumiti naman ako at pinanood sila habang kumakain.

They are all well-mannered because they still offer their foods kahit na dala ko naman iyon para sakanila. Nagkukwentuhan sila habang kumakain hanggang sa mapunta ang usapan sa akin.

"Did you have any boyfriends, Doctor Margaux?" Tyler, Andrew's friend asks.

I chuckled a little. "Of course! Doctor is already an adult. It's normal."

"How many?" Sasha asked.

"Just two. They're exes now. So, it doesn't matter."

"But do you have one now?" Si Andrew naman ang nagtanong ngayon.

"Why are we talking about this? This topic isn't for kids like you!" I joked. Pero parang hindi iyon joke sakanila.

They're serious. It's like they really want to know.

"Because we think that you and the soldier you're with looks good together!" Sabay sabay nilang sinabi. Like they already planned to tell it to me.

"Who?" I asked. Marami akong kasamang sundalo minsan kaya hindi ko alam kung sino ang tinutukoy nila.

"The captain!" Tyler answered for them.

"Ahh..." Tumango-tango ako. "Well, we're nothing. We're just friends."

I saw Sasha frowned. Andrew looks shocked.

"Why are we talking about this?" tanong ko at ngumiti sakanila. "Were you talking about my love life?"

Nag-iwas naman sila ng tingin. I chuckled.

"Well, there's nothing wrong with talking about it. But you're just too young to talk about it." pangaral ko sakanila.

"But we are just curious." Andrew said sadly.

"I know... that's why it's better if you will talk about other things." Sabay sabay silang tumango.

Etong mga batang 'to! Ano naman kaya ang naisip nila at bakit ang love life ko pa ang gustong pag-usapan?

Nanahimik naman sila. Parang dismayado sa aking sinabi. Hindi ko alam kung saan ba sila nadidismaya, e. Sa ayaw ko bang pag-usapan nila ang love life ko o ang pagiging mag-kaibigan lang namin ni Jaxon?

"But I'll make sure to keep you updated with it." Nag-angat naman sila ng tingin sa akin at unti-unting ngumiti.

Wow! Am I that confident na maglelevel up ang relationship namin ni Jaxon? Umiling na lamang ako at pinanood ang mga bata na kumakain.

By that time, I came to realize that we are really surrounded by love. Dahil mapabata man o matanda, hindi nila mapigilan na pag-usapan ito.

Love is a funny thing. But it brings people together. It brings people we don't expect together.

I shake my head. And started thinking again.

Love... I wasn't expecting to find love here. I wasn't even expecting to love someone here.

Noong una akala ko hindi ako marunog mag-mahal. But when I met him, it's like I already mastered the art of love. Ganun talaga. May mga bagay na hindi natin inaasahang mangyari. Biglaan nalang ang lahat.

But I hope that I won't regret it. Because once I know that he feels the same, I will fight for it.