Randomantic (Opposites Attract Hambebe Spin-Off)

8

It had been a year since Sheena and Guill's dreamy three-week vacation at the private paradise, but life quickly snapped them back into reality. Sheena had returned to her busy schedule at the hospital, while Guill resumed his long-haul flights. Yet, their time together had solidified something between them—a deepened love and understanding of one another.

Today, Sheena had just finished a grueling 12-hour shift, dragging her feet as she made her way to the locker room. Exhaustion was pulling at her, but just as she was about to collapse on the bench, her phone buzzed.

"Sheena! Si Aiah nasa Emergency Room!" came the frantic voice of Maloi.

Sheena's eyes widened. "What? What happened?"

"Nag-labor na siya, pero si MJ nag-errands, kaya kami ni Nick ang sumama," Maloi explained, her voice trembling a little, mixed with worry and excitement.

"Kailangan ko ng backup," Sheena muttered to herself, quickly dialling Guill's number. Fortunately, Guill wasn't flying that day.

"Babe! Si Aiah nasa hospital, nag-labor na! Maloi and Nick are with her, pero si MJ wala pa!" Sheena exclaimed the moment Guill picked up the call.

"Wait, what? Sige, I'm on my way. Wala akong flight ngayon." Guill's calm yet urgent tone gave Sheena a sense of relief.

She quickly changed out of her scrubs and dashed toward the Emergency Room. As soon as she arrived, she spotted Maloi and Nick standing nervously near the doors, glancing toward the hallway that led to the delivery room.

"Sheena!" Maloi waved her over, her voice a mixture of excitement and tension. "Nasa delivery room na si Aiah! Si MJ sabi niya susunod siya dito kasi may errands daw siya kanina, but until now, wala pa siya!"

Sheena gave Maloi a quick hug. "Okay lang, sis. I'm sure he'll be here soon. Alam mo naman 'yun, hindi papayag na wala siya." She tried to reassure her while eyeing the hallway.

Not long after, Stacey and Jan arrived in a flurry of excitement. "Grabe, guys! Busy pa kami ni Jan sa wedding preparations, tapos biglang tumawag si Nick!" Stacey said, looking both flustered and exhilarated.

"Walang problema, Stace, timing na rin na nandito kayo!" Sheena grinned, happy to see her friends. "Buti na lang you guys can drop by."

"Actually, naswertehan nga, 'no? Andito na kami!" Jan added, taking a deep breath. "Pero saan si MJ?"

"Wala pa," Nick replied with a sigh. "Nag-errands daw, pero susunod din siya."

As if on cue, Guill arrived, a slightly confused look on his face. Behind him was MJ, who looked nothing short of comical—he was wearing a faded old white t-shirt tucked into a pair of denim jorts (jean shorts), high-cut socks, and a pair of classic New Balance 530s. His hair, freshly cut into a clean wolf cut, contrasted sharply with his black cap. He looked like he'd time-traveled straight out of the '90s.

Everyone froze, trying to suppress their reactions as MJ hurried over.

"Grabe!" Guill whispered to Sheena, eyes wide. "Nakita ko lang siya sa parking area tapos sabay na kaming pumasok. Akala ko ibang tao—pero si MJ pala!"

Sheena bit her lip, trying to stifle a giggle. "What on earth..."

The nurse suddenly appeared from the delivery room, calling out in an urgent tone, "Sino po sa inyo si Mr. Lim? Ready na po for delivery si Mrs. Lim and hinahanap na po siya."

MJ's hand shot up in the air like a kid in class. "That's me! That's me!" he shouted, his voice cracking with a mixture of excitement and panic. He sprinted toward the nurse, his jorts bouncing slightly as he ran.

The nurse, trying her best to remain professional, bit back a laugh, her eyes twinkling as she led MJ inside.

The moment the door closed behind MJ, the room erupted into laughter.

Stacey doubled over, clutching her stomach. "Bakit ganon itsura niya?!" she gasped, her voice barely audible through her laughter.

Maloi, still giggling uncontrollably, wiped her eyes. "Sana pala binigyan ko siya ng ribbon! Parang gift wrapping sa errand outfit niya!"

Jan couldn't hold back anymore, slapping his thigh. "Putek! Ganon din itsura ng tatay ko nung bata ako, galing abroad tapos naka-uwi! Yung naka-New Balance na sapatos, t-shirt tucked in sa shorts, at yung high-cut socks pa!"

Sheena was laughing so hard that tears started forming in the corners of her eyes. "Gagi, tatay na tatay talaga! Yung t-shirt na naka-tuck in sa jorts, tapos high-cut socks with New Balance 530s pa?! Ano ba yan!"

Nick finally joined in, his laugh booming. "Don't forget yung cap! Parang ready siya for a dad fashion show!"

Guill, shaking his head with a grin, chimed in, "Ganon pala itsura ni MJ pag naka-black hair and wolf cut tapos naka-dad mode no?"

Everyone was practically falling apart from laughter. Maloi, who could barely catch her breath, managed to say, "Nakaka-imagine kaya ako, ano kaya ang reaksyon ni Aiah sa loob? Nakakatawa ba din siya sa delivery room?"

Nick, still trying to recover, added, "Kaya pala kaninang tanghali pa siya wala, may 'errands' lang daw, kaya pinasamahan si Aiah sa amin. Errands nga! Nag-evolve siya into a '90s Tatay."

Guill, now clutching his side from laughing too hard, looked at the group and added, "Errands, tapos transformation! Parang level up siya! Next step, magdadala ng balisong!"

Stacey, wiping her tears, snorted. "Nakakatawa talaga, parang MJ got the memo na 'tatay ka na dapat ready!' Pero ganon ang kanyang 'ready' look? Best outfit choice ever!"

As they continued laughing, the tension from the situation slowly eased. Despite the craziness, the support and love from everyone made the moment even more heartwarming. This was what made them a family—not just by blood, but by shared memories and laughter.

---

Inside the delivery room, MJ, unaware of the hilarity happening outside, was pacing nervously beside Aiah, who was gripping his hand. She glanced at him through narrowed eyes, still trying to focus on her breathing.

"Love, okay ka lang ba? Parang stressed ka," MJ asked, his voice filled with genuine concern.

Aiah looked up at him and managed a weak smile. "Okay lang ako... pero ikaw? Love, bakit... bakit ganito outfit mo?" She let out a small giggle, unable to hold it back.

MJ blinked. "Ano... errands nga kasi ako," he mumbled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Pero 'di ko na naisip na magpalit kasi nagmamadali ako makabalik dito!"

Aiah burst into laughter despite her contractions. "Okay na 'yan... tatay look ka na talaga!"

---

Outside, Sheena, Maloi, Stacey, Jan, Nick, and Guill eventually calmed down, their laughter turning into light chuckles as they waited for more news. But even as the moments passed, the image of MJ's transformation into full "Tatay mode" stayed in their minds, a memory they knew they would laugh about for years to come.

"Grabe," Nick said, his arm draped over Maloi's shoulders. "This is the best day ever."

Guill, sitting beside Sheena, leaned in and whispered, "You know, love, parang pwede na tayo mag-practice na rin para next delivery room experience, tayo naman."

Sheena blushed, elbowing him playfully. "Hala ka, Guill! Hindi pa ako ready makita ka maging '90s Tatay version 2.0! Wala ka pang New Balance."

Everyone around them burst out laughing again, filling the hospital hallway with warmth and joy, knowing that this was just another chapter in their ever-evolving story of friendship, love, and family.