Accidentally In Love

Chapter 2: Threatened

"You are as healthy as a horse, Phoenix! I guess you'd last for another 10 seasons of PBA," anang kababayan at kaibigan niyang si Dr. Matthew Lavigne. Nakatatandang kapatid ito ni Dax, ang isa sa mga matatalik niyang kaibigan noong high school. Si Matt ang isa sa mga official physicians ng Smart Movers, ang basketball team niya sa PBA. At dahil kaibigan niya ito, madalas na special arrangement ang annual medical exam niya. Hindi gaya ng team mates niya na may sinusunod talaga araw ang medical exam. Gaya na lang ngayon, may inasikaso pa siya muna bago nagpunta sa ospital.

"Ten seasons, huh? Actually, I may last longer," pagmamalaki niya.

Matt scoffed. "Conceited aren't we?"

"Honest is a better term. Besides everything is fine."

Matt tsked, shook his head before retiring to his swivel chair. "Uhuh."

Nagsalubong ang kilay niya. "What's that for? Parang hindi ka naniniwala. I mean c'mon Matt, both you and I are in our prime, you know what I mean. Even Carlo, Dax and Trevor. We are all healthy, young, and we all make our own money. What could go wrong?"

Pinakatitigan siya ni Matt, tila naninimbang. "Alam mo kung hindi ko lang nakakausap si Lola Candi tuwing umuuwi ako sa San Gabriel, maniniwala ako diyan sa everything is fine mo."

"My grandmother talks to you?" he asked amusingly.

Tumango-tango ito. "We have the same holy mass schedule. One time she even invited me for lunch in your house. Kahit na nagmamadali ako, hindi ako makatanggi. The old woman misses you. Besides, she's worried about you and Penny."

His brows narrowed at the mention of his ex-gilfriend's name Penny. "What about Penny? She dumped me for her modelling career. What is there to explain and worry about?"

Matthew chuckled. "Relax, Phoenix. No one's questioning you. It's just that Lola Candi cares too much about you. Alam mo naman, mula pagkabata, hindi siya umalis sa tabi mo. Nito lang nang pumasok ka sa PBA talagang nagkahiwalay kayo nang husto. Besides, old people are like that, they are emotional most days."

Nagbuga siya ng hininga at pinisil ang pagitan ng mga mata. Hindi siya pinaparatangan ni Matthew pero parang ganoon na rin ang ibig nitong sabihin. Aminado naman siya, mula nang maghiwalay sila ni Penny two months ago, hindi na niya nadadalaw ang lola niya. Kung siya ang masusunod, isinama na niya ang matanda sa Maynila mula nang mapasok siya sa PBA. But the old woman is as stubborn as he is. Ayaw nitong iwan ang probinsiya. Mamatay daw ito nang maagaa kapag iniwan nito ang hacienda nila sa San Gabriel. Kaya naman talagang tinitiyaga niya itong bisitahin twice a month. That was before, when his 2-year relationship with Penny turned sour. Sinadya niya talaga h'wag dalawin ang kanyang abuela dahil ayaw niyang makarinig ng pangaral mula rito.

"Visit her one of these days, will you?" untag ni Matthew sa kanya maya-maya, ang mga mata nasa cellphone nito. "I need to go to the ER. I'll walk you out."

Magkapanabay silang lumabas ng clinic nito.

"Let's go out one of these days. I still have three weeks bago magsimula ang susunod na conference. Bring Dax. My treat. How is he by the way?"

Inayos ng doktor ang stetoscope sa balikat nito bago pinindot ang ground floor button ng elevator.

"He's coping. I mean, a loss is a loss." Bumukas ang pinto ng elevator. Magkasunod silang pumasok doon. "It will take time for him to recover but, he's moving forward."

Natahimik siya. Pinakatitigan ang floor counter.

A loss is a loss.

Dammit! The words hit home! Aminado naman siya, gago siya nang pinakawalan niya si Penny. Noong sinabi nitong makikipaghiwalay na ito sa kanya, hindi niya akalaing tototohanin nito 'yon. They had a perfect relationship. They never quarrel. They are good in and out of bed. He hoped they'd have it as long it lasts. Why wouldn't he, Penny is the longest serious relationship he have had. He liked Penny. Have liked her more than any other woman he'd ever dated before. However, everything turned sour when Penny hinted of marriage.