Rocking a Doctor's Heart

Chapter 23

"Engagement?!"

Sabay pa kaming napanganga ni Cher sa sinabi ni Eloisa. Ngumisi lang ang aming bestfriend.

"Seryoso? Agad-agad?"

"May ilang months pa kaya. After graduation pa,"  nakangiting ani Eloisa kay Cher.

Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman. Parang pareho kasi ang nangyayari sa amin ni Eloisa. Iyon nga lang, hindi ko sigurado kung gusto siya ng lalaki. Inirapan ko ang sarili ko. Oo na, sinabi naman ni Dame eh, kaya ike-claim kong gusto niya ako.

"That would be romantic if surprise sana ang mangyayari kaso alam mo. Iyong magugulat ka na lang ba na bago matapos ang debut mo ay luluhod siya sa harap mo at tatanungin ka niyang, Will you marry me?... Ohhhemmmgeee," tili ni Cher kay Eloisa. That's her being romantic and cheesy. Napapailing na lang ako sa kanyang hitsura.

"Sira! You know I'm not the romantic type, Cher. Basta ang importante ay kami ang magkakatuluyan."

Cher rolled her eyes. "Weehh. Lahat ng babae may sweet bone, 'no? Kahit papaano alam kong gugustuhin mo rin ang ganoon. Ang kaso, arranged marriage 'yang papasukin mo."

"What was the guy's reaction when you two were told about the arrangement?" hindi ko napigilang sumingit. 

"What? I...I don't know. I was only told by mom that his parents offered this arrangement which of course she said yes to," nagkibit balikat si Lois.

"Oh! So hindi pala ikaw ang nag-offer? Hindi pala ikaw ang namikot?" tumatawang sabi ni Cher.

"Maybe, he likes you, too."

Ngumisi si Eloisa sa akin.

"Surely! Sino pa bang hi-hindi sa kaibigan natin, Rock? Tsaka, kung ayaw talaga ng lalaki, tututol at tututol 'yun. Diba sabi mo nga mababait at close-knit ang pamilya 'nun?"

Tumango ulit si Eloisa. 

Lucky her. I forcefully kicked my thoughts away. Mabait ang parents ni Dame. At gusto niya ako. That's it. Iyon ang iisipin ko. And am I seriously thinking of agreeing to the plan? Hindi nga ba?

"Isa pa, they want somebody who's inclined to medicine. And they know the business will surely become stronger kung may makakatulong siyang magpalakad nito na nasa parehong linya. You know, birds of the same feather click together," natatawang pahayag ni Eloisa na nakapagpaisip sa akin sa buong maghapon sa school.

That was like rubbing salt into the wound. It almost felt ironic that I am hearing all these things I dreaded to even think yet I am so happy for Eloisa. She's really into that guy and she's happy with what is going on. Ako, on the contrary, is like floating in my own brain. Nariyan lahat ang kailangang isipin at gawin yet I choose not to. It bothers me to an extent that I would always put it aside and just enjoy every moment.

Oh. Now, I think I know why I am like this even from the very beginning.

After my last class, I was walking towards the gate when I heard Cher's voice. Nilingon ko siya at nakitang tumatakbo papalapit sa akin. Hingal na hingal nang tuluyang makalapit.

"Ang bilis mong maglakad!" naghahabol hininga niyang ani.

"Bakit? Akala ko may group meeting kayo ngayon?" nagtataka kong tanong sa kanya.

"Meron pero importante 'to," sabi niya sabay akbay sa akin at hila sa sulok ng gate. Nagtataka man ay sumunod ako. My brows creased as I watch Cher pulled her phone up from her pocket.

"Ano ba kasi 'yan?"

She was scrolling and tapping her phone screen and stopped before glancing at me. Ang uri ng titig niya ay magkahalong kaba at pagkalito. Or maybe, that was just my imagination?