Leave Before You Love Me

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"How's my favorite patient today?" bati ni Tricia kay Lolo Magno. He is still in his private suite sa hospital, recovering.

"Better than ever. I have the best doctors making sure I'll live longer," he chuckled.

"Good to hear that. Inaantay na lang natin ang assessment sa inyo ni Dr. Leachon, then, you're good to go. Pwede ko na po kayong pauwiin," Tricia smiled.

"Kailangan ko pang mabuhay na matagal, gusto ko pang makitang magtagumpay si Theo," he smiled.

"Sundin n'yo lang po ang lahat ng payo at bilin namin sa inyo."

Someone entered the suite. Iniluwa si Theo ng pinto, nakasabit ang bag sa balikat, halatang galing pa sa school. Lolo Magno's face beamed nang makita ang apo.

"Lolo, how are you?" lumapit ito sa matanda at humalik sa noo nito.

"Okay na ako. I have the prettiest and the smartest doctor na nag aalaga sa akin," he gave Tricia a wink.

"Thank you, Doc," ibinaling ni Theo ang atensyon kay Tricia na ngayon ay nakatayo sa tabi niya.

"No worries, Theo," she replied and smiled at him.

"You look good together," the old man retorted.

"P-po?" halos sabay silang nagsalita at lumingon sa matanda.

"Theo, kung may seryoso kang plano kay Doc Tricia, aba'y bilis-bilisan mo para abutan ko pa ang apo ko," the old man said, laughing.

Pinamulahan naman ng mukha si Tricia. Tinitigan niya si Theo na ngayon ay halatang nailang sa sinabi ng lolo niya.

"Lolo naman, nakakahiya kay Doc Robredo, mamaya, magalit pa boyfriend niyan," he said, scratching the back of his head.

"Single pa 'yan, iho. Walang magagalit. Hindi ba, Doc ganda?" Lolo Magno shifted his attention sa namumula pa ring si Tricia.

"Lolo, take a rest na po. Babalik na lang po ako ulit kapag for discharge na kayo," pag iiba ni Trica sa usapan.

"I'll go ahead, Theo," bahagya pang yumuko si Tricia para magpaalam.

Tumango naman ito.

Tricia's headed to the door nang tinawag ulit siya ni Theo. Lumingon ito.

"Doc, baka naman pwede na kitang yayain kahit kape lang?"

"Hindi pa tapos ang shift ko, eh. Mamayang 3pm pa."

"I can wait, dito lang muna ako kay Lolo habang hinihintay ka."

"I'll just see you at the lobby by 3pm then."

"Is that a...oh, thank you Doc!" Theo was grateful nang pumayag na sa wakas si Doc Tricia na lumabas sila.

Saglit pang lumingon si Tricia at ngumiti bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwartong iyon.

Umupo naman si Theo sa upuang nakapwesto sa tabi ng higaan ng lolo niya.

"That's my boy!" Lolo Magno said at ginulo ang buhok ng apo.

Nasa coffee shop na sila ngayon, Tricia is still in her scrubs at nilalaro ang straw ng iced coffee na order nito. Si Theo naman ay marahang hinigop ang umuusok pa niyang brewed coffee.

"I can't wait to take Lolo home. Gusto ko na makapagpahinga na siya," Theo said.

"Just be mindful, no stress for him. Mahirap kapag naulit na naman ang MI niya."

"Thank you again Doc, at pasensya ka na."

"Wala na 'yon. I know you learned your lesson."

"Nakakahiya nga eh. Nataranta lang talaga ako lalo nu'ng nakita ko si Lolo na walang malay."

"Nasa hospital ka, surrounded by nurses and doctors, you just have to trust us," Tricia said and had a sip of her coffee.

Tumunog ang cell phone ni Tricia.

"Mind if I take this call?"

"Not at all, Doc."

"Hello, Jill?"

Theo's eyes beamed hearing Jillian's name.

Hindi naman iyon nakaligtas kay Tricia.

"Off duty na ako. I'm at the coffee shop, dito malapit sa hospital, the usual," she said, still staring at Theo.

Nang mapansin naman iyon ni Theo, he diverted his attention on his phone. Nagkuwari itong nagbabasa ng mga emails niya.

"Sige, see you," Tricia said and she ended the call.

"I'm sorry, my sisters will pick me up shortly, kasama kasi ni Jill 'yung eldest namin. Is it okay if..."

"No worries, Doc, I understand. Can I just accompany you habang wala pa sila?" Theo interrupted Tricia.

"If it won't be a burden on your part, okay lang."

She can sense na iba ang motive ni Theo, but she just ignored it. Maybe masyado lang siyang naghihinala dahil sa alam niyang ugali nito pagdating sa babae.

Hindi nagtagal, dumating na ang magkapatid. Jillian was the first to enter at kasunod ang panganay nilang si Aika.

Theo was all smiles nang makita si Jillian.

Nang makalapit, nagtatakang nagpalipat-lipat ng tingin si Jillian kay Tricia at Theo.

"Hi Miss Robredo, long time, no see," Theo said. Tumayo ito at inilahad ang kamay.

Jill hesistantly accepted it.

"I was just treating your sister, madami na akong utang sa kanya for taking good care of my Lolo," he explained.

"How is Mr. Soliven?"

"Malapit na madischarge. I had the best doctors para sa lolo ko, I know he will be healed in no time."

Naputol ang pag uusap nila nang lumapit si Aika.

"Oh, I forgot. Theo this is our eldest, Aika. Ate, meet my patient's grandson and Jill's client here in Manila, Theo Soliven," Tricia said.

"Oh, so you are the famous Theo Soliven," Aika said, na mabilis na pinasadahan ng tingin si Theo mula ulo hanggang paa.

"Glad to meet you, Miss Robredo," Theo answered and held out his hand.

Inabot naman ito ni Aika.

"I heard many stories about you, some of my colleagues told me," she smiled.

"Well, I hope those stories will not put me in a bad impression," he chuckled.

"Ate, we better get going, naghihintay na si Mama," putol ni Jill sa usapan.

"Theo, mauuna na kami ha? Dadaan pa kasi kami sa office ni Mama, thanks for the treat," Tricia said at iniligpit na ang mga dala nito.

"Hatid ko na kayo?"

"It's okay Mr. Soliven, we can manage. Regarding your company, we already prepared the things we need to present to you. Tatawag na lang kami."

"Sure, Miss Robredo. I'm looking forward to seeing you soon," Theo smiled.

Hinatid niya ang magkakapatid sa pintuan ng coffee shop. Nang makalayo na sila ay hindi niya napigilang mapangiti.

"I love seeing you again, Jillian Robredo."

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Hello readers, pasensya na medyo natagalan ang update, nasa bakasyon kasi. Salamat sa suporta. I will try to update another part soon.