Logic of Love (Primo Lumiere Series #2)

PROLOGUE

"Which flowers do you want?"

I pursed my lips, thinking about what I was going to get for myself. I was in a flower shop, picking out some flowers to put in my condo since the previous ones already withered away.

"Ayaw mo nitong mga pulang rosas Hija? Bagay sa'yo! Ang ganda-ganda mong dalaga," ngiti ng matandang babae na nagtitinda. Sandali akong natigilan nang i-abot niya ang isang bouquet sa akin.

"Hindi po ako mahilig sa pulang rosas," I smiled a bit. "Ito na lang pong puting tulips," turo ko sa isang maliit na bouquet.

"Okay," she nodded and attended to my order. She looked a bit sad that I turned down the red roses.

I also got another small bouquet of tulips but they were pink. Balak ko kasing dumaan sa bahay ng kaibigan ko na si Aki. Her full name was Akira Deinielle Alvarez but I've been calling her Aki since we were kids... or probably even when we were fetuses.

"Thank you po," I waved at the old lady before going on my way.

Today was a Sunday and I just finished jogging. I always devoted this day to myself. I made sure to always give myself some quality time. Wala naman akong boyfriend o asawa na kailangang paglaanan ng oras kaya sarili ko na lang.

"Good morning! Kumain ka na?" I asked Aki when I entered her house.

"Hindi pa. Naramdaman kong pupunta ka ngayon kaya hindi ako kumain agad," she smiled and set the table for us.

"Sus! Miss mo ako 'no?" I teased.

"Oo," ngumuso siya. "Dito ka na matulog mamayang gabi," she suggested.

Tumawa ako sa sinabi niya pero pumayag din naman. She wasn't always this clingy but she's been living alone here in Baguio for almost a year now so maybe she just wants company from time to time. Wala rin namang kaso sa'kin dahil miss ko rin siya.

I used to live here with her when we were in college. Bahay 'to ng Mommy niya na si Tita Denaia tapos kalaunan ay pinamana rin naman sa kaniya.

"How's work?" She asked while we were eating.

"It's great!" I answered honestly.

I was now working as a registered psychologist and I had my own clinic. Bago pa lang 'yon pero may mga naging client naman na ako. I was planning to open up another one but maybe I'll let some time pass for now. Hahayaan ko munang makilala pa ako ng ibang tao.

Taking care of other people's mental health was not just a responsibility to me. I wasn't just doing it as a job. I was doing it because I genuinely cared for their wellbeing. I was doing it because I did not want them to ever feel alone. I wanted to be someone they could talk to about anything without hesitation. I wanted to be a helping hand to them. I wanted them to find comfort in confiding in me.

"I'm happy that you like your job," she smiled sincerely.

"Wow! Parang nanay kita ah," I joked.

"Tsk," she rolled her eyes at me.

"Ikaw ba? Kamusta sa ER niyo?" I asked her.

"Wala naman masyadong pasyente nitong mga nakaraang araw. Mas mabuti na rin 'yon," aniya.

Sabagay, lagi niyang sinasabi na mas mabuti iyon dahil ibig sabihin ay walang nasaktan.

"Oh, by the way! May party si Rheena sa Sabado. Sama ka raw!" I invited her.

"Hindi ako available. Nagpapasama si Mommy sa bahay kaya uuwi muna sana ako," sagot niya.

"Gano'n ba? Sige lang! Just tell Tita I miss her," bilin ko.