The Brainy Rebel

TBR 49

Maxine's POV

"Good morning, Doc. Meron pong nagpadeliver ng flowers kahapon after niyo umalis. Iniwan ko sa desk niyo."

I smiled at Peyton before entering my office. Tama siya, on top of my table was a bouquet of colorful tulips. I went near and tried to look for any note but I didn't find even a insigna or name.

I decided to go somewhere. Muli akong lumabas ng office ko bitbit ang bouquet. "May scheduled appointment ba ngayon?" Tanon ko kay Pey.

She scanned her stapled papers before shaking her head sideways. "Wala, Doc. Sakto for a free day."

I smiled and uttered a silent thanksgiving. "Gail will be here any minute. Siya na ang bahala. I'll just text her."

"Okay, Doc. Ingat po."

I'm on the third floor nang magbukas ang elevator door at pumasok si Brayden. He immediately planted a kiss on my forehead. "Princess."

"Where are you headed?"

"Kanino muna galing 'yan? Zachary and you are back?"

I gave him a dry smile. "He'll never forgive me."

"So, kanino nga?"

"It has no name on it kaya dadalhin ko na lang kay Dad at Kuya."

Natawa ito ng bahagya. "They'll love that." Bumukas na ang elevator, and we're on the ground floor. Lumabas kaming dalawa at hinawakan niya ang kamay ko. "I'll get going. Sinadya talaga kita for lunch but since you're going out, next time na lang."

"Why don't you come with me?" He got quiet. He's thinking about it again. Binawi ko ang kamay ko mula sa kanya at hinaplos ang pisngi nito. "Okay na, Bray. We're past the grieving phase. Pinatawad ka na ni Daddy. Matagal na tayong pinatawad nina Daddy."

"I'll always love you, alright. Ako ang temporary replacement ni Kuya Marcus."

"He knows that." I kissed him on the cheek before bidding goodbye. And before I could fully go out of the building, I assured him how everything's fine now.

Bumaba ako sa sementeryo. I cleaned their tombs and placed the bouquet between them. "Hi, guys. May nag-iwan nito sa office eh walang pangalan kaya naisip kong para sa inyo na lang 'to. But that doesn't mean na 'yung inayawan ko lang ang para sa inyo ha. That applies only to you, Kuya." I laughed. "Just kidding."

Humangin bigla kaya napangiti ako.

"Miss niyo na 'ko 'no? I miss you too." My family's always been here for me. Silang dalawa, though the last time I've seen them was more than a decade ago, parati kong nararamdaman na hindi ako mag-isa. Lalo na nung nagkaayos kami ni Mommy. "Just show up in my dreams when you've got something to say, okay? I love you so much. I'll visit the pregnant woman muna. Bye Dad, bye Kuya."

Paalis na ako nang may pumasok na alaala sa isipan ko. Mabilis akong napatingin sa bouquet. Shit.

-

"Raf!"

Lumingon sakin ang bata sabay takbo para yumakap. "Tita Doc!"