In the Midst (Daughters Series 1)

Chapter 5: Friends or More

Ariel Benecio

"I am glad to hear that, Doc Ricky."

My mom was all smile as Doc Ricky told her the results of my previous check up.

"I am glad too. I hope this will continue, so Ariel will continue to live a normal life."

"We are praying for that, doc," dad spoke. He was standing next to mom, and he was holding her around her waist.

We were currently attending a party exclusive for doctors and their families. Only doctors that were in the same organization with my mom were invited. This party was held annually and since my mom was under this organization, she was always invited, so we also had to go with her because that's what she wanted.

"I am with you in that, Bob," Doc Ricky told my dad. He had been very close to my family few days after I got diagnosed with cancer. Mom chose him to be my physician. "Wala ka pa rin bang manliligaw, Ariel? You're a beautiful woman. I am surprised to know na wala ka pa ring boyfriend."

"Wala pa po sa isipan ko ang tungkol sa bagay na yan," sagot ko. Pero ang totoo, wala talaga akong balak na magka-boyfriend at alam nina mommy at daddy yan dahil sinabi ko na sa kanila. Naawa pa nga sila sa akin at nalungkot sa desisyon ko kasi gusto daw nila akong maging masaya at magkaroon ng sarili kong pamilya someday.

"Kung sabagay, bata ka pa naman. Just enjoy your single life while it lasts. Anyways, where is your handsome boy?" he asked then looked at my mom.

Napatingin kami sa paligid para hanapin si Archie pero hindi namin nakita.

"Siguro nagtatago lang yun kung saan-saan. You know my children, Doc Ricky. I needed to force them just to come with us in attending parties," sabi ni mommy.

Napatingin sa akin si Doc Ricky bago natawa. I just shrugged my shoulders dahil totoo naman ang sinabi ni mommy. Ayoko talaga sa mga ganitong parties. Seeing a crowd people would already make me feel tired. I was an introvert, so socializing with people would easily make me tired.

"Ako na po ang maghahanap kay Archie," paalam ko sa kanila. Tumango si mommy. "Excuse me po," sabi ko then I walked away from them to find my brother.

Nalibot ko na ang buong kwarto pero hindi ko nahanap ang kapatid ko. Lumabas ako ng venue at doon ko siya nakita na nakaupo sa malaking fountain na nasa labas, naglalaro na naman sa cellphone niya.

Nilapitan ko siya. "Archie, kanina ka pa hinahanap ka nina mommy and dad. Nandito ka lang pala."

Napaangat siya ng tingin sa akin mula sa cellphone niya. "Please tell them I ate already, and I am fine staying here outside. Mas gusto ko pang maglaro nalang sa phone ko kaysa nandoon sa loob, ate."

I couldn't blame him. Boring naman talaga ang umattend ng mga ganitong party.

"Magagalit na naman si mommy kapag nakita niyang cellphone na naman ang hawak mo. Pumasok ka nalang sa loob para hindi ka mapagalitan."

"Pero, ate..."

"Wala ng pero-pero. Tiisin mo nalang, okay? Tara na." Nilahad ko sa kanya ang kamay ko para yayain siyang pumasok. Tiningnan niya lang ito. "Tara na, Archie. Huwag mong paghintayin ng matagal si ate."

Wala siyang nagawa kung hindi ang abutin ang kamay ko saka tumayo. Pagkatayo niya ay binitawan ko agad ang kamay niya para hawakan siya sa magkabilang braso mula sa likod niya. "Ikaw talaga..." natatawang sabi ko sabay pisil sa magkabilang braso niya.

Archie and I were very close. Growing, we always had each other. I helped my parents on taking care of him since he was a baby. We loved him so much especially that mom said that he was a miracle baby.