Habak ni Doctor Quack

Chapter 26

The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a soft golden light over the barangay. The morning air felt calm, but Pipoy's mind was anything but. He paced back and forth outside the clinic, adjusting the collar of his shirt for what felt like the hundredth time, the knot of nerves in his stomach tightening with each passing second.

Today was the day he would meet Aera's parents.

He had known this day was coming, but now that it had arrived, Pipoy couldn't help but feel a little out of his depth. He wasn't used to formal introductions—his life at the clinic had been more about handling disasters than making good impressions. And while he had faced many of Doctor Quack's chaotic concoctions and wild schemes, none of it compared to the nerves he felt now.

The sound of approaching footsteps pulled him from his thoughts, and Pipoy looked up to see Aera walking toward him with a warm smile on her face. She was dressed casually but elegantly, her hair flowing freely in the breeze. Just the sight of her eased some of his anxiety, but the knot in his stomach remained.

"You ready for this?" Aera asked, her tone light but teasing.

Pipoy exhaled, trying to force a smile. "As ready as I'll ever be. I don't know why I'm so nervous."

Aera chuckled softly, stepping closer and reaching out to adjust his collar, smoothing it down. "You'll be fine, Pipoy. My parents aren't that scary. Besides, they're just here to check on my grandmother and see how things are going. No pressure."

Pipoy nodded, though he couldn't fully shake the feeling that he was being judged. Meeting the family of someone you cared about always came with a certain level of expectation, and Pipoy didn't want to mess things up—especially since things between him and Aera had been going so well.

"I'm just... worried I'll say something stupid," Pipoy admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "What if they don't like me?"

Aera smiled warmly, reaching out to take his hand. "They'll love you, Pipoy. You're thoughtful, kind, and you've been helping my grandmother with so much. Trust me, you've already made a good impression without even meeting them."

Pipoy squeezed her hand, feeling a little more at ease. "I hope you're right."

The Arrival of Aera's Parents

Aera's parents arrived at Aling Selya's house later that morning, pulling up in a sleek car that looked slightly out of place in the modest barangay. Mr. and Mrs. Villamor stepped out of the car, both dressed in neat, city-style clothing that made Pipoy feel even more aware of his own simple outfit.

Aera's mother, Mrs. Villamor, had the same soft features and warm smile as her daughter, though her eyes carried a hint of sharpness that told Pipoy she didn't miss much. Mr. Villamor, on the other hand, had a more serious expression, his eyebrows knit in a way that made him seem slightly stern, though not unfriendly.

As they approached the house, Aera smiled and waved them over. "Mom, Dad, this is Pipoy. He works with Doctor Quack and has been helping take care of Lola Selya."

Pipoy smiled nervously, extending his hand. "It's nice to meet you, sir, ma'am."

Mrs. Villamor was the first to shake his hand, her grip firm but friendly. "Nice to meet you, Pipoy. Aera's told us a lot about you."

Mr. Villamor shook his hand next, his grip just as firm but his expression a little more guarded. "So you're the one keeping everything running over at that... clinic?" His tone was neutral, but Pipoy could sense the skepticism behind the words.

Pipoy swallowed, trying to keep his voice steady. "Yes, sir. Doctor Quack handles the remedies, but I... make sure things stay on track."

Mrs. Villamor smiled, clearly amused. "That must be quite a job."