Mágoa | SB19 Josh [SB19 Series #4]

18

Josh's POV

Grace's psychiatrist was patiently waiting for us, sitting at her table serenely. She smiled as soon as we entered her clinic.

"Hi, Grace. Hi, Josh," she greeted us, as if we had known each other for a long time.

I was slightly taken aback. Umm, how come she knows I'm Josh? I can understand that she knew Grace since Grace was her patient, but how come she knows me?

"Take a seat," she gestured to the seats in front of her table. The doctor glanced at me. "You seemed shocked," she commented.

I gulped. "Uhhh. I'm just shocked that you know me," I replied honestly.

The doctor laughed. "Of course, you're Josh of SB19, right? Member of the Philippines' greatest boy band. PPOP kings. NCCA Ambassadors. The pride of the Philippines."

Ummm. Okay, how do I respond to that? Sometimes I do forget that I'm famous. Maybe because the people closest to us don't treat us differently.

"But, of course I also know you from what Grace has told me. I'm actually excited that you're coming," the doctor continued.

My eyes darted from the doctor to Grace's. "Ummmm. You won't tell anyone that I'm here, right?"

The doctor smiled. "Of course. I have to protect my patient's confidentiality. Or else, how will she trust me?"

Right. Right.

Grace squeezed my hand. "This is my psychiatrist, Dr. Melca Magsanay. My doctor in Japan referred her to me."

I nodded in response.

"I'll just repeat what I told Grace weeks ago, Josh. This is a safe place. Both of you can say anything without judgement. You are free to express whatever you want to express. I repeat, this is...your zone," Dr. Melca finished.

I smirked. Your zone pa nga. Baka A'Tin to si Dr. Melca.

"So," the doctor started, getting a pad of paper and a pen. She turned to Grace. "Do you have an answer to my question last time?"

I glanced at Grace, curious. I have no idea what the question was, but I was curious to hear Grace's answer anyway. I'll ask her what the question is later. Probably after this session.

Grace cleared her throat and took a deep breath. She squeezed my hand again. "I was wrong to judge Josh. I didn't try to find out the details about him and the women that I've seen him with."

My eyes widened. Women? Bakit naging women? Si Jillian lang nakita ni Grace na kasama ko ah. I cringed internally. She was making it sound like I was this casanova who had been baiting women including her. I bit my lip to control myself. Baka may masabi pa akong di ka nais-nais.

"The conversation that I overheard between him and jillian was about Josh looking for a pet, for me," Grace continued. She gave me a small smile. "Josh was actually talking to another girl so he can give me a pet."

The doctor nodded, gesturing for Grace to continue.

"And Doc Gab..well, another conversation that I should not have overheard but I immediately jumped to conclusions." Grace gave a tiny laugh.

Ahh. Bat nasali si Doc Gab dito?

I must have been looking mystified because Grace addressed me this time. "I overheard Doc Gab at the ER. She was on the phone with you," she explained.

I racked my brain. We had so many phone conversations that it was hard to remember which one Grace was talking about.

"Plus, I saw you hugging her, so..." she trailed off.