Pieces of Pastiche

Kabanata 22

Kabanata 22

I just arrived at my office from my rounds. I have an operation later so I am taking advantage of the opportunity to be able to rest. I went to the cr to change my scrub suits. I smiled when I remembered what happened between me and Archer last night. Making love never feel this good.

My phone vibrated so I peeked at it. I saw a text from Archer.

From: Archer Elijah
Pizza or chicken wings?

I replied chicken wings because that is my cinecrave now. After getting dressed, I went back to my office. I smiled when I saw Archer on my swivel chair holding both a box of pizza and chicken wings.

"Let's eat?"

"I thought it was pizza or chicken?" I laughed at the question. He smiled and tapped his lap. I was forced to sit there.

"That's a text two hours ago, baby. I should have called you instead."

I took chicken wings and he took pizza. I took a bite and heavens, the sarap.

"Sorry, I was having rounds with Dr. Montero. Very strict nun." I apologized. He nodded and we both continued to eat.

"You have surgery later?" he asked.

"Yes. Sorry, we can't continue dinner."

"It's okay, we have plenty of time."

"But you told me every since we saw each other, you never brought me to a fine dine." I said conscientiously. He pinched my nose so I stared at him. The oily so pizza!

"It's because you always raise your brows at me. You always make fun of me."

Ouch!

"You're serious! How come I'm not used to you always cheating on me before! I know you just cheated on me." I defend. He laughed now.

"You hold grudges, baby."

"No I do not."

"Yes you do."

"No."

"Yes."

"No-"

"I love you."

"N-" I was stunned because I did not expect him to say that. I blushed and pretended to take pizza. I heard him chuckle so I was more embarrassed.

"I thought you don't want pizza for now?" he asked sarcastically.

"Why a-are you blurting things out of nowhere?" I have a question.

"Which one?"

"Y-Yung I love y-you."

"Baby, I don't blurt I love you out of nowhere. When I saw I love you, it's because I really do. I don't say it our of routine. I say it out of my feelings. Out of my love for you. "

It was as if something had touched my heart. I fell even more in love with him. I gave him a soft kiss because I don't know what to say.

We resumed eating. We also ran out of everything he bought. Sandro and I also videotaped. I greeted them there and if Aurora's hair had not turned white with the consumption of Sandro. So far, her hair is still black.

My phone vibrated and I saw my father's caller ID. I excused myself before answering that.

"Papa."

"My Stephanie! You didn't tell me you're in Manila already. I already found out from Francis." I got a forehead because Dr. Salome.

"Yes, Papa. I'm sorry I have a lot of backlog patients because of my mission in Africa. I'll visit you and Mama tomorrow." I just said. I heard his excitement.

"All right, let's have dinner at your favorite restaurant tomorrow evening."

That is what has been discussed. I would like to introduce Archer to them pero ayoko muna. I remember how they don't want James for me.

"May dinner kami bukas nila Papa." sabi ko kay Archer nung bumalik ako. Hinatak niya ko sa pala-pulsuhan ko paupo sa binti niya. He hugged me from behind and placed his chin on my shoulders.

"You don't want to go there?" malambing niyang tanong. Dahan dahan akong tumango. I don't want to look like the bad daughter pero tuwing pupunta ako doon, pakiramdam nila ay si Kyla ang umuuwi sa kanila at hindi ako. I don't have an identity of my own when I'm with them.

"Kaya ko laging kasama sila Lorenz at Sandro sa condo. Ayokong umuwi."

"You want me to schedule an operation tomorrow night you'll have an excuse?"

Hindi ko na napigilang matawa sa suggestion niya. Napakatalino talaga! Pati siya ay natawa.

"Thank you for the thought. Pero hindi ko naman sila pwedeng iwasan rin. One way or another kailangan ko rin silang kitain."

"That's my baby."

Ngvibrate ang phone ko at nagtext na ang circulating nurse ko na naroon na ang anesthesiologist ko kaya naman tumayo na ko. I smiled at Archer and gave him a peck.

"See you."

"Text me when you're done. I'll sleep at the quarters."

Matagal ang naging operasyon namin ni Dr. Montero. Hindi ko alam if aantukin ako sa boring or dahil sa napaka old school na ng technique niya.

"Dr. Wildrige, how's your father?"

Nagulat ako dahil hindi ko alam na kilala niya ang tatay ko. Alam ko naman na maraming kakilalang doctor si Papa tulad na lang ni Dr. Salome pero dahil iyon nagmed rin si Papa, he took up med but he also took up law. He is a medico-legal doctor.

"He's doing good po, Doc." I answered politely. Inalis niya saglit ang tingin sa microscope at tinignan ako. Ngumisi pa siya na parang may mali akong nasabi.

"Your father recently went to me for a check up. You didn't know?"

Natigilan ako sa sinabi ni Dr. Montero. Hindi ko alam iyon. I immediately felt bad. Kaya ba siya tumawag noon sakin sa Africa?

"I guess you don't know. You are a doctor yet you don't know you father is sick. Ahh, you are too busy with conferences and medical missions."

I floated until the operation was over. Dad had a Cerebral Aneurysm. I asked how did he find it. Hindi iyon basta basta nakikita unless pumutok na. Papa requested MRI for hiself. Papa experienced headaches, eye pain, vision deficits, and eye movement deficits.

I don't know why I feel so...down. Pabaya ba kong anak? Why did Papa didn't mention this to me? Or was he trying and I was so busy avoiding him?

Hindi ko alam pero umiyak ako ng umiyak. Mas masakit dahil sa ibang tao pa nanggaling.

"Hey...what's wrong?"

Nanlalabo ang tingin kong tinignan si Archer. Dirediretso ako dito sa quarters. Wala sana akong balak gisingin siya ngunit mukhang narinig niya ang mga hikbi ko.

"I...I've been avoiding Papa and now I didn't know he is sick.He didn't tell me. Dr. Montero did. It hurts to hear it from other people. I look like an ungrateful child. Nakukunsensya ako kasi pakiramdam ko ang sama sama kong anak. Pagkatapos ng ginawa nila sakin, ito ang igaganti ko?" humagulogol ako at wala na kong pakialam kung mukha na kong basahan kakaiyak. Niyakap lamang ako ni Archer at hinaplos ang uluhan ko.

"Hush, baby. It's okay. You don't know he's sick. Mas masama iyon kung alam mong may sakit siya at iniwasan mo pa rin siya. It's your father's choice not to tell you and they don't know what you're feeling."

"Can you..can you operate on him?"

Knowing Dr. Montero's techniques, I don't want him to operate on Papa.

I saw hesitance on Archer's eyes. I held his hands.

"Please?"