My Future Husband Is A Doctor

Three

Three

"So," I heard his voice say when he saw and recognized me. "We've met again."

I gaped at him, making sure that he was real. That I wasn't hallucinating. Or that I wasn't in some kind of a trance.

This handsome doctor had filled up my mind lately kaya naiisip kong baka dinadaya lang ako ng mga mata ko dahil sa kagustuhan kong makita siyang muli.

And so I was staring at him like an idiot.

I heard somebody clear his throat. For a moment I forgot that I came here with that somebody. And that I came here for him. "You knew each other?" tanong ni Andrew.

Doon lang ako muling natauhan. Nilingon ko siya.

"No, no, not really. We just... uh," I trailed, iniisip kung anong akmang tawag sa aming dalawa ng gwapong doctor na ito. I badly wanted to say, We're soulmates, but held myself into saying things that'd make me look stupid.

"We just met at the mall," my future hubby, I meant, the new doctor supplied for me. "May project kasi ang dati kong kompanya dun sa mall kung saan kami nagkakilala."

Andrew nodded, "I see."

And as usual, wala na ulit siyang sinabi. Somehow I expected that kind of reaction from him. He just didn't like to talk a lot.

Binaling ko uli ang atensyon ko sa gwapong doctor na nasa harapan ko.

He smiled at me, "Well, I haven't really introduced myself to you formally. Trevor. Dr. Trevor Villegas." He offered his hand.

Gumanti ako ng ngiti at inabot ang kamay ko sa kanya. "Angeline dela Cruz. Nice seeing you again, Doc." Very nice, indeed, sa utak ko.

"Teacher ka pala rito?" he asked me while our hands were still clasped.

"Uh, yes." Ang lambot ng kamay niya. Ang linis-linis pa. And our hands fit together. Siya na talaga, I thought to myself.

Andrew, again, cleared his throat. "Kumusta ang estudyante ko, Doc?"

Doon lang kami bumitaw sa kamay nang bawat isa.

I sighed. Ano ba ang nangyayari sa akin?

Nag-aalala si Andrew sa estudyante niya at heto ako, nakikipaglandian sa clinic doctor.

Ganito na ba talaga ako ka-desperadang magka-boyfriend? Ka-desperadang magka-asawa ng doktor? Shame on you, Angeline.

Tinitigan ko ang dalawang lalaki. Binibigyan ng reseta ni Trevor si Andrew para sa sakit ng bata. Nakikita kong pareho silang dedicated sa trabaho nila. Seryoso ang mukha nilang pareho habang nakaharap sa isa't isa. Binaling ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa batang kani-kanina lang ay namimilipit sa sakit ng tiyan. Nakapikit pa rin ang mata niya. At sa nakikita ko, mukhang tulog na siya.

Nilapitan ko ang bata. I saw traces of tears on her face. Niyuko ko siya and wiped the tears from her cheeks. Sa ganung posisyon ako inabutan ni Andrew.

"Angeline," he called me in a soft voice. Ito ang unang beses na tinawag niya ako sa pangalan ko without the ma'am. "Thank you."

I straightened and smiled, "It's nothing, really. We're friends, and this is what friends do."

"Thank you, anyway."

"You're welcome."

I heard another clearing of the throat. Again. Although this time, it wasn't Andrew anymore. But my future hubby, Dr. Trevor.

"She's fine now, and she can stay here habang hindi pa dumarating ang guardian niya."

"Thanks, Doc." Si Andrew.

My future hubby nodded at iniwan uli kami ni Andrew.

Nakakapanghinayang.

Gusto ko pa sana siyang titigan. But it's okay. In the future, in the near, near future, I'd have enough time looking at his face every morning. And I just couldn't wait for that to happen.

I have a feeling, though, that I wouldn't have to wait long.

Completely unaware of it, while I was starry-eyed looking at the doorway where the doctor just stood, Andrew watched me.

HIS FACE GRIM.