JB4: The Lost Doctor [BXB] [√]

38

Alaric Ian Juariz

"Thank you for doing business with me, Mr. Alejandro. I'll you send the contract today."

I swiftly stood up from my seat and extended my hands towards the man, in an expensive suit, sitting across me for a handshake. I just closed a big deal but I can't find the will to celebrate.

"How's my schedule, Gideon? Do I still have any meetings left?" Ang tanong ko sa aking sekretary habang papalabas kami ng resto.

"Your agendas for the day are cleared, sir," ang sagot niya.

I looked at the expensive watch hugging on my wrist. It's still three in the afternoon. I still have time to visit her. Tumigil kaming dalawa sa harap ng sasakyan ko.

"You're dismissed. See you tomorrow." I waved my hands dismissively before getting inside my car.

I connected my phone to my car's speaker before dialling my husband's number. Pinaandar ko na rin ang sasakyan habang hinihintay siyang sumagot. Napakunot ang noo ko nang hindi ito kaagad sumagot. What takes him so long to pick up his phone? Wala naman siyang trabaho ngayon.

"Hello, Ian?" My mood immediately easened up after his sweet voice blessed my ears.

"Hi, sunshine. How are you? I miss you. Anong ginagawa mo ngayon?"

"Halu, Ian! I mishu too. Okay lang ako. Nandito ako sa mall kasama si Tine, Ian. Ikaw? Pagod ka ba sa werk mo?"

I was smiling like a damn fool while I listen to him. Kahit hindi ko siya nakikita ngayon parang nai-imagine ko na ang mga ekspresyon niya sa mukha. His excited smiles, his cute frowns, his worried stares, I can perfectly picture it all in my head.

"Yeah, pagod na pagod na ako. Gusto ko ng mayakap at mahalikan ka para bumalik ang lakas ko." Ang tila walang buhay kong sagot sa kanya.

"Mag-werk ka na ng mabilis, Ian, para makauwi ka na. Pagkatapos namin maggala ni Tine, bibigyan kita ng isang malaking-malaking- malaking yakap. Iki-kiss din kita ng maraming-marami. Pati iyong alaga mo iki-kiss ko rin."

Mabilis akong napa-preno nang marinig ang huli niyang sinabi. He's literally going to be the death of me. Hindi ko alam kung tama ba ang naging desisisyon ko na ipakilala sa kanya si Austine. Sobrang laki ng impluwensya niya sa buhay ng asawa ko.

"Hello, Ian? Is you ... Is you in the there calling right now in me my cellphone? Why no talking? Is you off? No, it is not."

Malakas akong napatawa habang pinapakinggan siyang nagsasalita sa kabilang linya. His cuteness should be illegal. It can kill anyone. "I love you, Piyo."

"Huh? What? Again again. Talk ka, Ian, again." My smile reached my ears as I listen to his babbles.

"I love you sunshine. I love you so damn much. You mean the world to me." Humigpit ang hawak ko sa manibela habang pinapakiramdaman ang malakas na pagtibok ng puso ko.

"Aylabyu too, Ian. Aylabyu so paking much! Oki, babye na, Ian.  Mag-ingat ka sa daan ah. Kumain ka kapa gutom ka. Kapag masakit na ang mata mo tumigil ka muna sa pag-werk."

"You too, sunshine. Take care."

"Bye-Bye!" He made a kissing sound before turning off the call.