𝗠𝘆 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗕𝗼𝘆

Chapter 28

JEMA's POV

A week passed quickly. Parang isang iglap lang. Between hospital rounds, follow-ups, and checking on the hotel project, halos hindi ko na nga namalayan na Friday na pala.

Pero kahit gaano ka-busy, may mga bagay talagang bumabalik sa isip mo kapag tahimik ka–gaya ni Warren.

Simula nung nagkita kami ulit sa Tagaytay, he's been consistently messaging me. Minsan "good morning," minsan simpleng "ingat ka." Nothing heavy, just there.

And I appreciate it. Pero everytime I read his messages, may kung anong parte ng isip ko na hindi sumasabay.

Like it feels warm—but not the kind of warmth you look for.

Maybe because someone else already makes me feel that way.

"Doc, may applicant po sa admin office. Mr. Elias daw?" Sabi ni Yumi habang papasok sa office ko. Napahinto ako sa pag-check ng charts.

"Oh, si Warren. Sige, sabihin mong papunta na ako." Tinanggal ko ang stethoscope sa leeg ko at inayos ang lab coat bago lumabas. Pagdating ko sa admin office, ayun siya–nakaupo, may hawak na folder, naka-ngiti pa rin gaya ng dati.

"Dr. Galanza," bati niya, medyo may halong biro. "Officially reporting for my interview."

Tumawa ako. "Hindi mo kailangang tawagin akong 'Dr.' sa harap ko, Warren. Nakakailang."

"Eh paano, intimidating mo eh."

"Sus, dati nga nag-aaway pa tayo sa group project," sabi ko.

"Exactly. Pero ngayon, ikaw na yung boss."

Napailing na lang ako, trying not to laugh. He's still the same–light, playful, and confident.

Habang hinihintay niya yung HR staff, nagkuwentuhan muna kami.

"You really changed paths."

"Life happens, diba?" ngumiti siya. "Ikaw nga rin, look at you. Living the dream."

I smiled softly. "Maybe. But sometimes dreams also get tiring."

"Then you rest. You don't quit," sabi niya sabay ngiti.

That's one thing about Warren—he always says the right thing, even when he doesn't know how much it hits.

"Ah, Doc, may bisita ka," napatingin ako kay Yumi ng magsalita ito.

Napalingon ako. Paglingon ko nasa tabi niya si Dean, hawak hawak ang rolled-up blueprints, then he walks closer.

My breath caught for a second. Hindi ko ine-expect na pupunta siya rito.

He was wearing a crisp whitr shirt, sleeves folded, may bahid ng alikabok sa collar—looks like he's from the site.

Kahit simple lang, halata pa rin yung aura niya. Calm, composed, elegant in his own quiet way.

"Dean," tawag ko, almost too naturally.

"Hey," ngumiti siya, then napatingin kay Warren. "Sorry, did I interrupt?"

"Ah, no," sabi ko. "Dean, this is Warren, Warren Elias. Classmate ko since college. Warren, si Architect Dean Wong, he's handling the construction project ng parents ko."

Nagkamay silanh dalawa.

"Nice to meet you, bro," bati ni Warren.

"You too." sagot ni Dean, polite but reserved.