Longing For Love

11

"Doctora Pascual," tawag ng isang lalaki mula sa likod ko. Hindi ko siya nilingon dahil abala ako sa laptop ko, inaayos ang ilang emails para sa home services ko—ako ang pumupunta sa bahay ng mga kliyente para gamutin ang mga alaga nilang hayop.

"Doc," muli niyang tawag, mas malakas na ngayon.

"Yes?" I finally looked at the man behind me, and, as I suspected, it was Kisel—the man who keeps courting me even though I’ve made it clear I’m not interested.

"Uh, tara lunch?" yaya niya, nakangiti.

"Thanks, Kisel, but no. I have a lot of work. And my boyfriend will be here later—he’s a lawyer anyway," sabi ko na may kasamang pormal na ngiti, sinamahan ko pa ng panakot. Ayaw ko nang palalimin pa ang usapan, kaya binalik ko ang atensyon ko sa laptop.

Biglang bumukas ang pintuan ng clinic, at napatigil ako. Pumasok si Yuan, dala ang kanyang aura na laging nagbibigay ng sense of security sa akin. Nakasuot siya ng black shirt at gray pants na lalong nagpatingkad sa kanyang tindig. Lumambot ang mukha niya nang makita ako.

"Hey, Baby, I brought some lunch for you," sabi niya at binigyan ako ng isang mabilis na halik sa labi.

"Problem?" tanong niya kay Kisel, ang boses seryoso pero hindi galit.

"I'm Kisel," pakilala ng lalaki, sabay abot ng kamay kay Yuan.

"I am Attorney Padua," sagot ni Yuan, walang bakas ng kaba. Hindi niya agad tinanggap ang kamay ni Kisel, tumingin lang nang diretso sa mata nito.

"I like Keziah, just letting you know," sabi ni Kisel, mayabang ang tono.

"She’s my girlfriend, just letting you know," seryosong sagot ni Yuan, walang alinlangan.

Agad kong inutos kay Kisel, "U-uh, Kisel, dun ka muna sa table mo." Sumunod naman siya agad, mukhang nahiya.

Pagkaalis ni Kisel, Yuan turned to me. "Who the heck is that ugly guy?"

I laughed softly. "He likes me, keeps courting me, but I keep busting him."

"Heh, buti naman!" Yuan smirked, then handed me the lunch he brought.

I smiled, feeling so lucky to have him. His confidence and calm demeanor always made me feel protected and cherished.

I sat down and opened the lunch Yuan brought for me. He even prepared my favorite—pasta with garlic bread on the side. My heart fluttered at how thoughtful he always was.

"Thank you, love," I said, looking at him with a smile.

"Anything for you, Baby," he replied, leaning down to kiss my forehead.

Habang kumakain ako, he sat across from me, casually scrolling through his phone. I couldn’t help but admire how composed and confident he looked, kahit sa simpleng sandaling ito.

“Love, you don’t have to wait for me. I know you’re busy too,” sabi ko, kahit ayoko naman talaga siyang paalisin.

“Nope. I’ll stay until you’re done eating. Besides, gusto kong makita kung babalik pa ‘yung Kisel na ‘yan,” he said with a slight smirk.

I laughed softly. "Protective much?"

He looked at me seriously but with tenderness in his eyes. "Of course. You’re mine, Keziah."

That made my heart skip a beat. Yuan had this way of making me feel so loved and secure, like I was the only person that mattered to him.

After I finished my meal, Yuan helped clean up and kissed me goodbye. "Text me if you need anything, Baby," he said.