Broken Strings

Track 14

Holy Cross Hospital

I read the signage. This is it. After Lily's confession 2 days ago. I decided to talk to Gab. To ask for forgiveness. I hurt him. I want to make it up to him this time. Ayoko nang patagalin pa ito.

I'm wearing a black hoodie, pants, and black Korean mask. After checking my disguise, I went out of the car then walk at the reception.

A middle-aged woman is sitting in the reception area.

"I'm looking for Doctor Gabby Del Prado. Do you know his office?"

"Yes, ma'am. He's on the 20th floor. The CEO's office. You may ask his secretary there." I bid farewell to her then went straight to the elevator. It seems na pinamana na ng father ni Gabby ang ospital na ito.

I stepped out of the elevator when It reached the 20th floor. The whole floor was for the CEO only. Nakita ko ang babaing nakaharap sa computer. Nakasalamin ito at mukhang busy sa pag-tatype sa keyboard.

"Hi. Is Gabby here?" I said to her. Napaangat naman ito ng tingin sa kanya at in-adjust ang salamin.

"Ahmm..sino po sila ma'am?" mukhang mabait ito.

"Tell him that it's Riz." Kinalikot nito ang intercom at nagsalita.

"Doc, you have a visitor here. She said she's Ms. Riz". She heard a noise in the intercom. Mukhang may nagkandahulog-hulog sa loob.

He cleared his throat then said "Let her in, Tonia".

"You can go in now ma'am" Tonia said. I said thanks to her then went to the door beside her table. I twist the door knob to get in. I was about to step inside when I heard a woman's voice.

"Kainis ka naman Gabby! Sabi mo mag-lulunch tayo!" the woman said. Nakatalikod ito sa kanya kaya di niya makita ang mukha nito. She's wearing a doctor's robe as well.

"I told you Marie, may bisita ako kaya hindi pwede" nakakunot noong sabi ni Gabby dito.

I removed my mask then cleared my throat to call their attention. They're both facing me now.

"Oh my Gosh!!! Is that you Hailey??!!" tili ng babae na niyakap siya bigla. Kumawala na ito sa yakap at humarap kay Gabby.

"Bakit hindi mo naman sinabi na si Hailey pala ang bisita mong lalaki ka! Edi sana dala ko ang phone ko at nang makapag-papicture ako!"

Naiiling lang si Gabby sa sinabi nito. Come to think of it. Ano ang ginagawa nito sa office ni Gabby at nag-yayaya ng Lunch? May relasyon ba sila? Maganda kasi itong babae kahit may kaliitan sa kanya. Was she late? May mahal na ba itong iba?

Ang daming gumugulo sa isip ko ngayon dahil sa babaing ito. Pumunta pa naman ako dito para makipag-ayos tapos ganito.

"You can go now Marie, may pag-uusapan pa kami ni Ms.Montez" he said to the girl while reading some files.

So ganun? Ms. Montez na? Di na sweetheart?

"Wait lang! Kainis to!" the girl faced me.

"Hailey don't you remember me?" she said while smiling from ear to ear.

"No, ahmm... have we met before?" she looks familiar pero hindi niya alam kung saan niya ito nakita.

"Ayy sayang naman kala ko naalala mo pa ako." She blew a deep sigh.

"Remember sa New york nung may niligtas ka na babae sa bar from a pervert bartender?"

Now I remember...

"Ahh, you're that girl!" I said to her. Tingnan mo nga naman ang pag-kakataon siya pa ang nag-ligtas sa girlfriend ni Gabby.

Girlfriend? I'm felt something stab my heart. I don't like the idea that this girl is his girlfriend.

"Yes, it's me! Buti na lang naalala mo na. Sorry pala kasi nagka-issue ka dahil dun. Nakita ka ng paparazzi dahil sakin" malungkot na sabi nito.

"It's okay. Naayos naman ng agency namin yun" I just smiled at her.

"Thank you talaga dun ha. Kasi naman itong si Gabby Iniwan ako sa bar na iyon. Kaya tuloy nabastos ako" natigilan naman ako sa sinabi niya.

"W-wait...magkasama kayo sa New York?" nauutal na sabi ko.

"Oo kasi sabay kami manunuod ng concert niyo noon"

Ouch! Bakit sila magkasama? May namamagitan ba talaga sa kanila? No Hailey! Ask for explanation first. Learn from your mistakes.

Natigil ako sa pag-iisip ng tumikhim si Gabby.

"Enough Marie. Go now may pag-uusapan pa kami" he's dismissing his hands to Marie.

"Oo na po mahal na hari!" she faced me and said "Bye Hailey! Chat tayo some other time!" I nodded then she went out the office.

Now it's time to face him. Kinakabahan ako sa totoo lang. I hope everything will be alright.

"What brings you here, Ms. Montez?" I turn around to face him. He's kinda cold. His eyes not staring at mine. He's focused on his laptop and other files.

"We...I...ahm...I talked with L-lily" napaangat naman ito ng tingin sa kanya kaya pinag-patuloy ko na lang ang sinasabi ko.

"S-she told me everything...on what really happened that night..I'm s-sorry" my apology came out as a whisper.

"You're sorry? After all this time? You should've let me explain at that time before storming out of my condo. Pero hindi eh, and worst iniwan mo ako" his eyes were hurt.

Oh God...I hurt him...I'm sorry...

"I'm sorry if I lose faith in you...I'm sorry if I didn't hear your explanation...I-I'm so-sorry for leaving you...." My voice broke.

Hindi ko na kinaya. Napaiyak na lang ako habang nakatungo. Until I felt his strong arms in my body. He's huggging me. Making me calm.

"Sshh...I already forgiven you sweetheart. Kailan man ay hindi ko kayang magalit sayo ng matagal. Hinayaan kita umalis dahil kailangan mo ng space at alam kong di ka pa handa na makinig saakin" He cupped my face and kissed my forehead.

"Sabi ko dati ay hihintayin na lang kitang bumalik. At pag nangyari iyon. Gagawin ko ang lahat para hindi ka na uli mawala sa akin." sabi niya sakin ng nakangiti. Medyo naiiyak na din ito dahil namumula na ang mata nito sa pag-pigil sa pag-iyak.

I'm really lucky to have someone like him.

"But still I'm sorry Gabby" I looked at his lips. I kiss him quickly.

"Forgiven sweetheart. Now, can we start again?" he's drying my tears with his thumb. May bigla naman akong naalala.

"Wait, bakit kayo mag-kasama ni Marie sa New York? Is she your girlfriend?"

nakakunot noong tanong ko sa kanya.

"Why jealous?" he asked while raising his eyebrows.

"Answer me now Gabby! And No I'm not jealous" tawa naman ito ng tawa kahit na seryoso ang mukha ko.

"Impatient, are we?" Inaasar niya talaga ako! Kainis!

"She's a friend or my cousin perhaps. Gusto niya din ang Artemis kaya sumama siya sa akin".

Nakatingin ako sa kanya na mukhang di makapaniwala.

"Good boy ako sweetheart for the past 3 years kaya wala kang dapat ipag-alala" napataas naman ang kilay ko sa kanya.

"Dapat lang noh! Ako lang dapat". Possessive na kung possessive I don't care.

"Don't worry wala naman umaagaw sayo sakin." He hugged me and whisper "Sa iyo lang ako sweetheart. Always."

Namula naman ako sa sinabi niya so I hugged him back to cover my face. I'm home now. I will trade everything for this moment.

I'm glad that we're okay now. I hope magtuloy-tuloy na itong pag-babalikan namin ni Gabby. I promise starting today to always trust and love him with all my heart.

And that's how my ice cold heart melted...