Love of France (Friend Series #3)

Chapter 36

Patapos na siya sa paggamot ng sugat ko pero hindi man lang kami nagkakausap. Hindi naman ganoon ka-init iyong natapon sa aking sabaw kaya mild burns lang ang natamo ko. Baka bukas ay babalik din sa normal na kulay ang balat ko.

Tiningnan ko siyang marahang iniihipan iyong paso ko sa braso. Kanina pa niya hawak ang kamay ko at parang nagiging normal na sa'kin ang mabilis na pag-tibok ng puso ko.

Tumikhim ako at marahang gumalaw sa kanyang kama. He glanced at me and then to his side table. Kinuha niya ang remote at mukhang nilakasan ang air-con.

"Your hand is cold and yet you're sweating. Okay ka lang?"

Tumawa ako at muling umayos ng upo.

"Of course, I'm okay." I convinced him.

Pagkatapos noon ay hindi na siya nag-salita pa. Na-alarma ako nang ibalik na niya sa loob ng kit iyong ointment. Tapos na siya!

Parang may isang malakas na puwersa na siyang tumulak sa'kin na magsalita.

"Kumusta..." I trailed off when his eyes immediately glued on me. Parang binaklas ng isang sulyap niya sa'kin ang malakas na puwersang nararamdaman kani-kanina lang.

"Ang mga pasyente?" I asked instead. Parang natutop ang bibig ko nang subukan kong bigkasin ang isang katagang 'yon.

Funny how I have the guts to ask about his patients.

Slowly he cocked his head.

"We're taking care of them."

I nodded my head, satisfied that he didn't ignore my question. Tumingin ako sa puting dingding at kinagat ang pang-ibabang labi.

C'mon Lav. Think a subject.

"Ikaw, kumusta..." he trailed off.

Hindi ko mapigilan ang lingunin siya. He's asking about me? Fireworks exploded in me when he's asking how was I.

"Ang groom mo?" he finished his sentence.

What? Kaagad akong na-disappoint sa tanong niya.

Groom? Do I have one? Siya kaya...

"Wala akong groom." mabilis kong tanggi at muling umayos ng upo. He nodded and stood up. Ibinalik niya ang kit sa lalagyan at kinuha ang key fob ng sasakyan niya.

Tapos na? Ganoon na lang?

"Doc," I called. Bumaling siya sa'kin. Calling his title made me think of him in his scrub uniform inside the operating room, expertly performing a major surgery.

He may look ruthless while doing that. Bakit hindi ko naisip mag-nurse noon? Tss. Sayang dahil kung nag-nurse ako ay may tsansa na magkasama kami sa loob ng operating room. I would get a peek how amazing he was in the OR.

Now that I got the chance to stare at him this long, I appreciate his look even more. France in his white shirt and faded jeans. I didn't know that I will be this fascinated by that simple attire. Or was it because, it was he?

"Can you give me a checkup?"

There I said it, straight and quick.

He raised an eyebrow at me. I raised my brow too. He pursed his lips and I did the same. He looked away and chuckled. I smiled when I heard his small laugh. That soothes me.

"Now?" tanong niya at sinipat ang paligid na parang may hinahanap.

"No. We can schedule it tomorrow or..." anytime. Kung ngayon ay hindi rin sulit dahil late na.

Sulit? Ha! Ano'ng sulit Love?

"I have surgeries to attend to tomorrow." saad niya na ikinatigil ko.

My mouth turned into an o.

O as in rejected.

Sa mga nakalipas na taon ay nasanay akong ang iba ang uma-adjust sa'kin. Ngayon ay mukhang ako ang kailangang mag-adjust.

"Oh, then just tell me when will you be free so I'll make time." I copied Charles' words to me.

Damn. Napailing ako. I didn't expect I would say that to someone as well.

"Aren't you busy?"

Sobrang busy. I have flights to attend this coming week. Fashion shows and commercial shoots are lining up. The launch of my brand is so fucking demanding. Sa sobrang dami ng kailangan kong gawin ay hindi na magkandaugaga ang backlog ko. Ito ang ikinakasakit ng ulo ni Kyze araw-araw. Mahirap pa sa math equation, ika niya.

"Hindi naman." marahang sabi ko. "I know you're busier than me so just..." I searched for my phone. "give me your number and beep me when you're free. I am always available when it comes to my checkup."

Really, Love?

He licked his lips and took my iPhone from me. Mabilis niyang itinipa ang numero at kaagad ding ibinalik ang cellphone sa'kin.

I puckered my lips when I saw how formal he saved his number on my contacts.

Dr. France Cortes.

I sighed. Wait 'til you change it yourself to something I'm looking forward to.

"I'm glad you're prioritizing your health more than anything." sabi niya kaya nawala ang tingin ko sa cellphone na hawak.

What he said brought me to the days where I was always ditching my checkups. Naalala ko rin ang bulyaw at sermon sa'kin ni Marcus tuwing tinatakasan ko ang doctor ko.

I smiled at him.

"Of course, health comes first." I said.

I already could feel that he wouldn't say anything. Ramdam ko rin na mag-a-aya na siyang ihatid ako. He kept on tossing the key fob while his other hand was in his pocket.

Like hell. What's the purpose of turning my phone in silent mode so Kyze and Marcus' calls wouldn't interfere us kung ihahatid din naman niya ako agad?

"Speaking of health, I only had a bite of my steak kanina." I said and caressed my stomach.

France scrutinized my every move so I have to put a very convincing act that I was really hungry. Sa tingin ko ay epektibo naman ang ginawa dahil nandito na ako't nakaupo sa isang high stool sa harap ng bar counter. My legs were swaying back and forth as I watched him make my steak.

Habang tinitingnan ko siya ay parang dinadala ako sa nakaraan. He was in his simple pullover and sweatpants while I was in a loose shirt and boxer shorts.

Kung dati ay sa simpleng apartment lang siya nagluluto, ngayon ay sa kusina na ng isang VIP suite five-star hotel. At kung noon ay pritong itlog at hotdog lang ang nasa hapag, ngayon ay isang premium steak na ang nakalapag sa harapan ko.

Ngumiti ako habang tinitingnan ang steak na nasa harapan ko. Memories of my past flood back in my mind. I remember how I used to skip breakfast before kasi wala kaming ulam. Paano ko ma-i-enjoy ang kanin lang kaya mas pinipili ko ang pumasok sa school na walang laman ang tiyan.

Naalala ko rin kung pa'no ako palaging tumatanggi na sumama sa mga kaibigan ko tuwing pupuntang kapiterya at gagala. Hindi dahil sa ayaw kong sumama, iyon ay dahil sa wala akong pera.

Hindi ko rin gusto na palagi nila akong ni-li-libre. Nakakahiya na ako lang ang laging walang ambag gayong nakikinabang din naman ako. Those days, I felt so small.

"Thanks." I said without looking at him.

I suddenly felt something heavy on my chest. The meat was already sliced kaya tumusok ako ng isang piraso gamit ang tinidor at kinain ito.

I closed my eyes and savor the taste of meat in my mouth. Sunod-sunod ang pag-subong ginawa sa pag-aakalang mapipigilan nito ang pag-agos ng luha ko.

Fuck. Bakit ba 'ko umiiyak? I laughed and wiped my tears.

"Sorry." hingi ko ng paumanhin. Baka isipin niya na hindi masarap ang gawa niyang steak dahil sa pag-iyak ko.

"Naalala ko lang noon," I heaved a sigh and smiled achingly.

"Nakakakain lang ako ng steak kapag may lumibre sa'kin..." pumiyok ako dahil sa nagbabadyang paghagulgol.

My eyes went to him. Kita ko ang pag-lamlam ng tingin niya sa'kin. I could see concern and worry in his eyes. Parang gusto niya akong hawakan na parang hindi.

"But now, I can eat steak every time I wish." I finished my sentence and cried.

I covered my face with my hands. My shoulders were shaking because of my hard cries. Malamang ay iniisip na ni France ngayon na nasisiraan na ako ng bait.

Ano'ng nakakaiyak sa steak? Ha Lavienna?

"France." tiningnan ko siya ng direkta sa mata.

I badly wanted to tell him this.

"Model na 'ko." a tear fell from eyes after I said the sentence I've been dying to tell him the past years.

Sinunod ko lahat ng mga paalala mo.

"Like what you said, I prioritized my dream before anything else."

At wala akong pinagsisihan. Kung hindi dahil sa malakas na impluwensya niya sa'kin, hindi ko alam kung mararating ko ba ang lahat ng 'to.

"Successful na 'ko." I smiled and looked at the ceiling.

"Sorry at hindi ako nakapagtapos." nahihiya kong sabi at tumungo nang maalala ang araw na pinagsarhan ako ng pinto ng St. Joseph. I know how he values education and I kind of regretted that I couldn't finish my degree.

"I heard you graduated with honors at your modeling school."

"Pero hindi 'yon˗"

"Tss." umikot siya upang lumapit sa'kin. Kinabig niya 'ko at napasama na rin ang stool sa pag-ikot ko upang makaharap sa kanya. Kaagad ko siyang niyakap nang maramdaman ang kamay niya sa aking balikat.

"You've done more than enough." he hushed when I started to sob. "Kung hindi mo pa pansin, look at where we are now."

Inalis ko ang mukha sa pagkakasubsob sa kanyang dibdib at tiningnan ang city lights na tanaw namin mula rito sa loob ng suite.

"Top. That's where we are now. We're already successful, Love." malumanay niyang sabi at unti-unting inilayo ang katawan sa'kin upang makita ang mukha ko. Marahan niyang itinabi ang buhok na nasa mukha ko.

"Doctor na rin ako." he said and caressed my cheek. "God knows how much I've been dying to tell you that." bulong niya.

Umahon ako sa pagkakatayo sa stool at pinatakan siya ng halik.

"I miss you." I mumbled. He smiled and nodded his head.

"I miss you." he said and lowered his face. I closed my eyes and met his lips with mine.

Tahimik lang kami sa loob ng kotse hanggang sa maihatid niya 'ko sa tower. We were both smiling the whole ride but we never talked.

I glanced at him. His elbow was rested on the open window of his car. He kept on pinching his lower lip with his thumb and index finger. Katulad ko ay hindi rin maalis ang ngiti sa labi.

Ilang minuto nang nakahinto ang sasakyan niya pero wala ni isa sa amin ang sumubok na magsalita. This is driving me insane. Kahit labag sa loob ko ay nagsalita na 'ko. Kung hihintayin ko siya ay baka abutin kami ng umaga rito.

"Aakyat na 'ko." paalam ko pero ang seatbelt ay 'di pa tinatanggal.

Lumawak ang ngiti ko nang maalala na palagi kong sinasabi ang mga katagang 'yon tuwing hinahatid niya 'ko sa bahay noon, lakad lang. Ngayon ay naka-tsikot na. Sosyal. Gusto ko sanang asarin kaso ayaw kong sirain ang momentum. Sa susunod na lang.

"Alright." he said, suppressing his smile.

My phone lit on the dashboard. Nanlaki ang mga mata ko dahil larawan niya ang lockscreen ko. Aabutin ko na sana iyon nang unahan niya ako.

"France!" I quickly unbuckled my seatbelt and tried to get my phone from him. Pero inilayo niya lang iyon sa'kin.

"You really think I'm that slow, huh?" sabi niya at mabilis akong hinalikan.

My eyes widen with what he did. Napabalik ako ng upo sa shotgun seat, gulat pa rin sa kanyang ginawa habang siya ay tinitingnan ang lockscreen ko na siya rin ang nakalagay.

"Hmm, you really love me in my coat and stethoscope." sabi niya, ang tinutukoy ay ang larawan niya sa cellphone ko.

Hindi lang naman doon. Mahal na mahal kita sa lahat ng bagay.

"Don't worry, ikaw rin ang wallpaper ko." he said and showed me his phone.

It was a picture of me in black halter dress. I was on the balcony of Marcus' suite when this was taken. I was holding a wine glass and looking at the Eiffel Tower in front.

Tumigil ako sa kakaagaw ng cellphone ko at umayos ng upo. Humalikipkip ako at tumingin sa harap at napamura nang makita kung sino ang nakatayo sa harap.

Marcus was intently looking at us.

Shit. Did he catch us kissed?

Hawak nito ang cellphone sa kanang kamay habang naglalakad palapit sa kotse. His brows were furrowed.

"Did he see us?" kinakabahan kong tanong kay France. Hindi ba tinted itong sasakyan niya?

I caught him arch his brow. "What if he sees us?"

Lumabas ako ng kotse upang salabungin ang kaibigan. Mas lalong nagdilim ang tingin nito nang makita ang bisti ko.

"Marcus." I said and neared him.

"Whose car is this and who are you with?" tanong niya at sinilip ang kotse sa likuran.

I rolled my eyes. He's being protective again. So Daddy talaga.

I heard the unlock sound of the car door. Kaagad akong napalingon nang marinig 'yon. France got out from his car. Kung madilim ang tingin ni Marcus ay mas si France.

Kaagad ding nag-iba ang expression ni Marcus nang mapag-sino ang lalaki. I could see glint of awe in his eyes. Pagkatapos ng mahabang titigan nila ay unang bumali si France upang tingnan ako.

"I'll see you to your place." he said and pulled me by my waist. He dragged me inside the tower leaving Marcus behind.

"Tell me, you're not living with him." sabi niya nang makapasok kami sa loob ng elevator. We didn't wait for Marcus. France already pressed the button.

"Uh, he's living with me." pag-amin ko, hindi makatingin ng direkta sa kanya.

I heard him snorted.

"Sila ni Kyze." sabi ko at binalingan siya ng tingin.

Hindi ko alam kung bakit natutuwa akong makitang galit siya dahil kay Marcus.

After that night, I started to check my phone from time to time. I always ask for a break every time my phone beeps. Ang buong team ay napapansin na rin ang madalas kong pagpa-abot ng cellphone. Kung noon ay ang tawag lang ng mga magulang ang hinihintay, ngayon ay may nadagdag na.

I took a gulp of water after my last set of workouts today. I cursed when I saw nothing on my notification center. Hinarap ko ang trainer at humingi pa ng isang set.

"What motivates you?"

"My calories intake heightened the past days. I have to burn it." hinihingal kong sabi sa kaibigan.

Marcus looked at me meaningfully. Hindi ko na lang iyon pinansin. He started giving me that look the night after he saw me with France. Himala at hindi pa niya sinasabi kay Kyze. Hindi pa kasi nag-iingay ang isang 'yon kaya alam kong wala pa siyang alam. Dahil kung alam na niya ay baka sinabunutan na 'ko no'n.

After the tribute fashion show I attended in Spain, we flew to New York for my glamour shoots. Ngayong umaga rin lang naman kami nakabalik sa France pero sa susunod na araw ay lilipad na naman kami sa Russia para sa... hindi ko alam kung para saan. I should ask Kyze later.

After my final set, my trainer dismissed me. Itinapon sa'kin ni Marcus ang bottled water na mabilis ko ring nasambot. I walked towards him while wiping my sweats.

"I should go on dates." sabi niya nang makaupo ako sa kanyang tabi. Kanina ko pa napapansin ang mga daliri niyang abala sa pag-tipa.

"I mean, the real one." he said and looked at me.

"Are you ready?" tanong ko sa kanya at pinunasan ang labi gamit ang likod ng palad ko. I mean, he had a rough past in his past relationship.

"Am I ready? Must I date if I'm all ready? Kung ganoon ay baka hindi ako makapag-asawa ulit." he joked and laughed.

That caught me off guard. Well, he's right there. I think the day where you will be ready completely will never come. So why wait for that time, right? Just do it now.

I took a quick bath and wore a black leather mini dress and a bondage boots. I also wore my black hand bag with gold-chained strap.

I already texted Kyze that I'm going to the hospital but he didn't respond to my message. Oh well, I'm not seeking for his permission anyway. I just want to inform him.

Kaya nang maabutan niya 'kong papalit-palit ng damit sa loob ng walk-in closet ay nagsimula na naman siya.

"Seriously? Ano'ng mayroon sa checkup na 'yan Lavienna? I can call your personal doctor and he can give you your checkup this instant!" he said and snapped his fingers.

Tinalikuran ko ang kaibigan at pumunta sa vanity table. Sumunod naman ito.

"I don't see the need to go to the hospital unless you're hiding something from me!"

I puckered my lips as I tried to pick a perfect shade of lipstick to wear. Iniharap ko kay Kyze iyon para mapapili siya. Kaagad na nag-iba ang mood niya nang makita ang limang lipsticks na nakaipit sa daliri.

"This one is good." marahan niyang sabi at itinuro iyong red velvet na shade, tuluyan nang nakalimutan ang sinasabi.

"Isn't it too seductive?" tanong ko at pumili na lang ng light color na shade.

Ilang punas na 'ko ng lipstick sa loob ng elevator hanggang sa bumukas na ito. I drove myself to the de Silva University Hospital. Sa likod ay nakasunod ang dalawang kotse lulan ang mga guard ko.

Just in case I need them.