DOCTOR
"Lovelle, Lovelle! You wouldn't believe this!" I exclaimed after she answered the call. I just came home from Joaquin's house and I've been holding back my annoyance for a while now. I want to slap myself for being stupid!
"Anong nangyari sa birthday party ng syota mo?!"
"Shit. Sandali! I don't know? We were just simply talking. We were telling stories and stuffs and then... I found myself saying yes? Pinayagan ko siyang ligawan ako? Gaga, you have to tell me that this is not real!"
What on earth just happened? Why did we have that conversation right there in his place? I let him court me? My Lord, I only drank juice at his party earlier but I feel like I'm the one who's wasted.
"Oh yaaas, dok! Congratulations! May manliligaw ka na!" she replies and laughs on the other line.
What pushed me to tell him that?
Is it possible that he used magic on me?
Or did he hypnotize me?
Witchcraft?
Stewed a drug in my drink earlier?
"No, no, no! Loveeeelle!!!" I rubbed my forehead repeatedly as I tried to understand what was happening earlier. I will soon lose my sanity because of this.
"Hoy, Gracia, huwag ka ngang echosera! Pasalamat ka hindi kita kaharap ngayon dahil kung oo baka piningot na kita sa tenga!"
"Baka na-hypnotize ako ni Joaquin, Lovelle? Diyos ko, may sa demonyo pala yung kumag na 'yon! Masyado niya akong gusto to the point na gagawin niya 'to sa akin!"
"Bruha! 'Di ka na bagets para mag-inarte. Puso at bibig mo na nga ang gumalaw para sa'yo, mahiya ka naman? Kailangan mo nalang makisama at I-convince yang utak mo na si Joaquin ang taong tinapon sa'yo! Dahil kung hindi, ako magtatanggal niyan sa ulo mo!"
My tongue tied and was stunned by what I heard from Lovelle. I never thought words like that would come out of her mouth. Hilarious but pretty funny though.
"Natatakot ako..." I mumbled.
"Eh 'di lumabas na rin sa bibig mo," her voice dropped to the other line, becoming more calm. In that, I already know where this is going. It looks like tonight will be another sermon from Sister Lovelle.
"Handa na ba talaga ako?" I asked her while I rest my back on the couch, sighing deeply. Thoughts and questions are coming over like a flood.
"Matagal na," she answered. "You know what keeps you from thinking you're not ready yet? That. That fear. Men come approach but you refuse, because you said — you are not ready yet. You have never thought of entering into a relationship ... but Dennise, your heart is moving automatically. And the heart, it is not restrained by what it feels like."
I close my eyes as I absorb the sermons from Lovelle. Maybe she is right. Maybe my mind is so wrapped up in worry and fear that I just look like this when I run into everything I should be given a chance.
"Thank you for that wonderful sermons, Lovelle. It made me realize things..." I told her, slightly chuckling.
"Joaquin is the only man who is not tired of pestering you. He, alone, can change your mind at nakapagpapayag sa'yo na ligawan ka after all those bunch of men that tried flirting you."
He really is different from everyone else. I saw things I did not see to those previous men who tried courting me but soon gave up. In a short time, I knew in myself that he he is a good man.
"Bukod tangi."
———
Tomorrow morning...
7 AM
I was awakened by the sound of my doorbell. I wasn't expecting any guests today but then I instantly put on my slippers and opened my sleepy eyes. Manang is in her day off now, I decided to give her at least two days para naman makapagpahinga siya and besides, I'm not that busy this week. I hurried to open the gate to thought of it might be some of my orders from the online nationwide sale this month.
"Hi. Good morning!"
Joaquin
"Good morning." I replied. He is now wearing the sunglasses I gave to him on his birthday. In fairness, it looks really good on him. Dapper look.
"Ganda mo namang bagong gising, Dok." he teased then wiggles his eyebrows.
"Too early for that, Captain. Don't ruin my morning. Anong ginagawa mo rito?" I asked him, crossing arms against my chest.
"Visit lang before I go to work. Just wanna make sure you're fine...you know? Fine.." He said. Joaquin ran quickly to his car to fet something, and then in an instant he is in front of me again holding a cup of coffee and a box of cinnamon rolls.
"What kind of kasipsipan is this?"
"Ang hirap mo naman ligawan. First day pa lang 'to a!" he jested. I felt the urge to laugh but I manage to control it and keep it to myself. He's cute.
"Oh so you're starting to court me now? Okay! Akala ko naman suhol mo sa akin." I joked. His forehead creased then remove his sunglasses. Very attractive.
"Hay naku, Dok. By the way, I'm going to work already. I just dropped by to see you and to hand you those. Mukhang isang araw o dalawang araw ang lilipas bago kita makita ulit, e!"
Oh..I see. I'm praying for his safe flight today.
"Thanks for these. Take care, Captain. I'll see you when you get back here safely." I uttered. Joaquin smiled in the distance.
"You'll wait for me?"
"Of course. We'll wait for you here." and I smiled back. Even when I simply prayed for his safety and that of the passengers he was carrying, I knew that is a big help. Kung nagsusuplada man ako palagi sa kaniya, well that is really natural to me. But I worry every time he leaves. He is no longer someone else to me.
———
