Always Been You

Eighteen

Bakit ba nasadlak kami sa sitwasyong ito?  I asked myself while staring infront of the hospital building in Glendale downtown, California.

"I told you hundred times to pursue your happiness but you are just wasting all the chances you've got there." She made a vediocall and even connected us with mom.  Goodness! She is really pain the ass. 

"Ate, you know we are on tour." Pagmamaktol ko pa. 
Kahit kailan napaka manipulative talaga nitong kapatid ko.  I just don't know papano ito natagalan ng asawa niya.  My brother-in-law must be truly whipped by her. 

Napabuntong hininga na lang ako nung tinawag na niya ang atensyon ni mommy na mukhang aliw na aliw sa aming dalawa ng anak niyang maldita.  "Mom, look! I told him it would be his chance.  Don't let him be ruined and just end up with those crazy loser sluts. My God!" She exclaimed in frustration.  Natatawa na lang si mommy sa itsura niya.  Ako talaga ang pinoproblema niya? Di na mapigilan ang mapangiti. 

Matindi talaga mang alipusta itong kapatid ko.  Kawawa ang magiging gilfriend ng anak nito pag nagkataon.  Mabuti na lang mabait ang asawa nito. Baka mabalanse na pagdating genes na namana ng anak niya. 

Kahit noon ay isang dakilang casanova ang asawa nito pero nung dumating na ang ate ko sa buhay niya ay naging mas maamo pa ito sa tupa.  Hay, ang nagagawa nga naman ng pag-ibig.

"Paolo, you go and represent for us.  No questions asked." mom said in authority kahit na malambot ang ekspresyon ng mukha niya.

It's all because of ate's whims and clever plans.  I was trapped with mom's plea and my desire of seeing her after all these years.  paniguradong ayaw lang niyang bumiyahe ni ate ng amerika.

I was then asked by mom to represent herself for an important conference since andito naman daw ako.  I just learned na she has some shares of stock here that was rooted from my grandparents. 

I sighed in defeat.  "Okay mom, I will." may magagawa pa ba ako?

Dr. Jennica Laurice Ocampo please proceed to Geriatric Neurology OR.  Calling the attention of our resident neuro-surgeon Dr. Jennica Laurice Ocampo, you are needed to Geriatic OR now.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Josef.  Yun ang kaagad narinig namin pagkapasok namin sa loob ng building.  So she the famous neuro doctor huh? Could she be in this building?  I can't believe we are on the same ground.  Oh! How long have I waited for this day to come?

Yeah i knew it all along.  Hindi nga lang ako sigurado kung on duty ba siya ngayong araw. 

I am actually ecstatic, thinking we might bump each other this time. But I wanted to see her... I'm dying to do that eversince.  Takot lang ako na she will walked out on me again.  Na ipagtabuyan na naman niya ako. 

She didn't know I am dying inside.  No matter how many women thrown themselves at me, she will still remain as the only woman I would love to be with.

I massaged my temple when our attention was called.  Isinama ko na si Josef kasi pakiramdam ko sasabak ako sa gyera. Kahit loko-loko ito, naging mabuti naman adviser when it comes to matters involving me and Laurice.

Lutang akong pumasok sa loob ng conference room.  Almost seated na ang sa loob.  Hindi pa naman kami late and we chose the corner portion to settle in.

May kalakihan ang kanilang conference room.  Upgrading of neuro facility ang focus ng discussion ngayon based on the document placed on the table .  And settling of some upgrading to other department as well. 

Pumasok na sa wakas ang taong matagal ko ng pangarap makita.  Kung imahinasyon ko lang ang pagkakataon na ganito, ayoko ng matauhan pa. Basically, we are breathing the same air.  Mas lalo uminit ang kagustuhan kong bumalik siya ulit sa akin.  But not in this way. 

Siniko ako ni Jacob sa tagiliran.  Nilingon ko siya at kita ko ang nakalolokong ngisi niya.  Pareho ata kami ng takbo ng isip ngayon.  I just wiggled my brows at him.

I adjusted my seat na hindi niya ako kita kaagad.  Wala naman akong sasabihin dito but definitely, papers will still go through as my parent's representative.