Chapter 6

Hindi na ako hinayaan ni Calix na i-tour siya sa bahay. Matapos naming kumain ay nag-ayos na siya ng gamit at iniwan akong nanonood ng movie sa sala. Nang sumapit ang gabi ay sabay rin kaming nag-hapunan. He even cooked our dinner. Kasama rin naming naghapunan si Matcha. After that, we watched several films and stayed up until ten o'clock.

I felt better. Tuluyan kong naisantabi ang mga isipin dahil sa kanya. He didn't ask about my problems. Basta sinamahan niya lang ako.

And as someone who had spent a long-time studying psychology, I had developed a sense of resiliency. Mabilis akong maka-move on. Mabilis kong matanggap na may mga bagay akong hindi kayang kontrolin.

Nakakapagod na rin kasing magpaliwanag sa mga taong isinarado na ang utak sa 'kin. Hindi ko naman siguro kasalanan kung titingnan nila ang pagbibigay ko sa maruming paraan. I wasn't arrogant; they were just insecure.

"Saan ang lakad mo? Ang aga pa, ah?" I asked when I saw Calix wearing a white polo shirt and black pants. Paalis na rin kasi ako para magtungo sa ospital. Sa nangyari kahapon, sa tingin ko ay ilang linggo rin akong hindi makauuwi sa bahay.

"May pasok ka nga pala every Sunday, 'no?" tanong niya rin.

Nasa main door na ako habang siya ay nakatayo pa sa labas ng kusina. He looked really attractive in the morning. Hindi na yata ako masasanay sa itsura niya.

Looking at him always felt like standing before a masterpiece. His eyes were kind yet exuded a powerful presence that demanded attention. His hair was pulled back into a loose bun, revealing his sharp jawline and tempting red lips.

He was like the pinnacle of a man. I didn't even know it was possible to look kind and sexy at the same time.

Bilang pa sa daliri kung ilang beses ko siyang nakasama, pero sa ugaling naipakita niya, may parte sa akin ang nakuha niya na.

He was the epitome of integrity. Hindi siya gwapo lang. He had a torch of goodness burning within him. Ang hirap nang magtiwala sa panahon ngayon, pero pagdating sa kanya, parang wala akong dapat ikabahala.

I had no idea where this feeling would take me. I just knew that whatever I was experiencing with him would be stronger and more intense. It felt new and raw. I didn't know what would happen if I let these emotions grow.

Pero bahala na. Masyado pang maaga para mag-isip. I have to savor this moment.

Ngumiti ako at tinanguan siya. "Ikaw? May date ka? Bihis na bihis ka..."

He tilted his head. "Sino namang i-da-date ko?"

"Hindi ko alam. Baka may nakilala ka sa Tinder o customer sa ramen house." I shrugged. "Pwede ring past flings."

Napangisi siya. "May trabaho ngayon ang gusto kong i-date, Vina."

Nag-init ang mukha ko sa isinagot niya. Pabiro ko siyang inirapan para ipakitang hindi ako naaapektuhan sa kanya. Talandi! Haliparot! Kire! Makati! Sabihin mo lang na umabsent ako at talagang mag-si-sick leave ako!

"Saan nga ang punta mo?" tanong ko nang makabawi.

Tumayo siya nang tuwid at naglakad patungo sa direksyon ko. Agad kong naamoy ang bango niya. Nakakainis naman! Baka ma-late ako sa trabaho niyan!

"Sa church," sagot niya.

"Oh." Natigilan ako. "Wow."

"Hatid na muna kita." He pursed his lips to keep a smile from coming out. Isang metro lang ang layo niya sa akin kaya kitang-kita ko ang ekspresyon niya.

"Huh? Hindi na. Baka ma-late ka pa."

He shook his head. "Mamaya pang 9 p.m. ang start ng service. Inagahan ko talagang gumising para hindi ka mag-commute."

My lips slightly parted. "Hindi naman 'to parte ng pagiging tenant mo." Nahihiya akong tumawa. "Wala ang paghahatid sa akin sa terms and agreements."

Nag-iwas siya ng tingin at pansin ko ang pamumula ng tainga niya. His jaw clenched and he obviously didn't know what to say. Ilang sandali pa kaming natahimik bago siya muling bumaling sa akin.

"Shall we include it?" seryosong tanong niya.

Kumunot ang noo ko. "Huh?"

"'Yong paghatid at pagsundo. Pwede ba nating ilagay 'yon?" He was staring at me as if his stern demeanor would convince me. "Okay lang ba sa 'yo 'yon? Kung hindi ka komportable, pwedeng ihatid na lang kita sa sakayan."

Sa bawat pagbitaw niya ng mga salita ay may kung ano sa akin ang nahihipnotismo. Damn him! Hindi naman kami magkasintahan para gawin niya 'to! At sigurado akong alam namin pareho na hindi purong pagkakaibigan lang ang gusto namin sa isa't isa!

"What's your intention, Calix?" I asked, posing a challenge to him.

Lalong sumeryoso ang mukha niya. Gago, ang unfair! Ba't ang gwapo niya?! Hindi patas ang laban!

"To make sure you're safe, Vina."

"How can I know I'll be safe with you?" tanong ko ulit.

Shuta, late na yata talaga ako. Inuuna ko 'tong kalandian, eh! Patay ako kay Dr. Santiago!

He shifted his weight. "You can take all my kimchi if I ever do something to harm you."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko. Tiningnan kong mabuti kung seryoso ba siya sa sinabi niya, pero wala talagang bahid ng pagbibiro sa mukha niya.

"Seryoso ka?!"

"Fine, you can also take my dog." He sighed. "But if ever, I can still visit her, right?"

"What the fuck are you saying?"

Hindi makapaniwalang tumingin siya sa akin. "Hindi pa rin sapat 'yon?" Nag-isip siya. "You can... burn all my documents. Nasa puting cabinet 'yon sa taas."

I was stunned. I was waiting for a romantic answer, but all he gave me was kimchi, a puppy, and some documents?! Aanhin ko naman ang mga 'yon? I don't eat kimchi! I'm not a dog person, and I don't even know anything about his paperwork!

Marahan niyang hinawakan ang braso ko. "Halika na, baka ma-late ka pa."

Parang mahikang nawala ang pagrereklamo sa isip ko. Comfort and excitement immediately filled my heart. His strong, warm hand felt good in my arm. Para bang protektado ako kapag kasama ko siya.

Tangina naman. May itinatanong ako tapos nanghahawak! Paano ako makakapag-focus?!

Nakita kong bumaba ang mata niya sa magkadikit naming balat. He stared at it as if it was his most important asset... as if it was a breathtaking scene. He swallowed hard and squeezed my skin. Nang mag-angat ng tingin ay kitang-kita ko ang emosyon sa mga mata niya.

I smiled at him. Huh! Fall for that, Calix Dylan!

Isinarado namin ang bahay na hawak niya pa rin ako. Babalik siya rito mamaya para ihabilin si Matcha sa mga tao sa ramen house bago dumiretso sa simbahan.

I didn't know why he was holding me, pero ayaw kong alisin 'yon dahil masarap sa pakiramdam.

"Sino'ng nag-aalaga kay Matcha dati kapag may trabaho ka?" tanong ko habang iniaayos niya ang motor.

"My grandparents," he answered. "Sa kanila talaga ako nakatira. Lumipat lang ako rito kasi malayo sa office namin 'yong bahay nina Lola."

Tumango ako at umangkas sa likod niya. Dahil hindi naman ako naka-dress, komportable na akong nakasakay. Walang pag-aatubiling iniikot ko ang dalawang kamay sa baywang niya.

He was taken aback for a moment before regaining his focus. After several minutes, nakarating na rin kami sa ospital. We bid each other goodbye. Para akong nakalutang habang naglalakad papunta sa opisina ko. Ang ganda-ganda ng umaga ko.

Wala si Yesha dahil off niya every Sunday. Ako naman ay tatanggap lang ng outpatients at kapag nakatapos ay pwede nang umuwi. Dahil ang naka-schedule sa akin ay isang pasyente lang, pagkatapos mag-rounds ay hindi rin ako magtatagal dito sa ospital.

A woman and a child entered my office. One of the interns helped them take a seat in front of my table. The kid's face had a few in bandages. He was also having difficulty walking.

"Good morning, Doc," bati ng babae sa akin.

Tumango ako. "Good morning, Mrs. De Villa." Ibinaling ko ang tingin sa batang katabi niya. Tahimik lang ito at punong-puno ng takot ang mukha. "Your name is Michael, right?" malumanay na tanong ko.

Sheer terror could be seen in his eyes. He looked like he was having a hard time processing everything. He was so nervous that he couldn't even look at his mother without trembling.

I took a deep breath. "Michael, I'm Dr. Rovina Desamero, but I will allow you to call me Ate Vina." I smiled at him.

"A-A-Ate Vina?" he asked in a soft voice.

I nodded. "Yep."

Bumaling ako sa nanay niya na kanina pa mukhang masama ang timpla. Something the way she looked didn't feel right.

"Can you tell me your concerns, Mrs. De Villa?" I asked formally.

She sighed and glanced at her son, her irritation showing in her eyes. "Pitong taon na 'to, Doc, at hindi pa rin siya makabasa! Kids his age are already in second grade, pero siya, hindi makaalis sa prep!"

Her reaction caught me off guard. Napatingin ako sa bata, at halata ko sa mga mata niya ang kagustuhang umiyak.

"Ni hindi pa makapagsalita nang maayos kaya hindi na namin alam ng asawa ko kung ano ang gagawin!" inis na inis pa na dagdag ng ginang.

"It's okay, Mrs. De Villa. I understand your concern." I smiled to calm her down. "If you don't mind me asking, where did Michael get all his bruises?"

Napapikit siya sa inis at nang magmulat ay galit na galit ang matang bumaling sa bata. Kumunot ang noo ko sa nasaksihan.

"He was scolded by his father to teach him a lesson! Ilang ulit na kaming nagpalipat-lipat ng school dahil hindi siya marunong umintindi! Doc, please, pagalingin mo ang batang 'to dahil hindi ko na kaya ang kahihiyan na natatanggap ko sa mga teachers niya!"

Oh God, my patience with this woman was running out. That was child abuse!

Parents need to know that their children are not born to fulfill the standards they have created for them! This woman wished for her child to be intelligent, and when he didn't turn out to be the intelligent child she had hoped for, they beat him!

Families were meant to be a safe refuge for us, but they were often the source of our heartbreak.

Halos patayin na nila ang bata, tapos ang idadahilan nila, para matuto? Dimwits. They don't deserve their child.

"Michael seems to have a learning disorder, Ma'am. To figure out what condition it is, we'll need to conduct some tests."

She looked at me in disbelief. "Learning disorder? Is that even a thing? May problema talaga siya sa utak?! Hindi ba dahil tanga lang talaga siya?!"

Calm down, Vina. Calm down.

"Hindi pa po tayo sigurado, kaya kailangan namin ng cooperation n'yo," I answered. "You can wait there..." Itinuro ko ang silya limang metro ang layo mula sa kinauupuan niya. "While I'm checking his symptoms."

Padabog siyang umalis sa harap ko at nagtungo sa irinuro kong upuan. Buong atensyon akong bumaling kay Michael at kinuha ang reading materials.

"Basahin mo nga 'to..." malumanay kong saad sa bata bago ituro ang unang salita—mother.

He gulped and squinted his eyes at the flashcard. Lumipas ang ilang minuto at rinig na rinig ko ang mga buntonghininga ni Mrs. De Villa. Michael cocked his head. He couldn't figure out what the word meant.

"H-Hetorm..." he whispered. "R-Rothme..."

Nagpakita pa ako ng ibang flashcards at kahit isa ay wala siyang naitama. Napaghahalo-halo niya ang mga letra. Sinubukan kong magpakita sa kanya ng pictures, at napangiti ako nang mapansing wala naman siyang problema roon. It was just the words.

"Ang bobo mo talaga!" gigil na sigaw ni Mrs. De Villa. "Paano ka mag-aaral niyan kung simpleng pagbasa ay hindi mo kaya?! Inutil!"

Kunot-noo akong tumingin sa kanya. "Can you not tell that your child? If you keep treating him like that, I'll file a child abuse suit against you!"

"Huh?!"

"May disorder po ang anak n'yo, Ma'am. Para sa isang taong may dyslexia, normal ang struggle nila sa pagbabasa at pagde-decode ng mga letra," I explained, a bit irritated. "It wasn't because he was bobo or inutil. It was because of his disorder, Ma'am."

Lumapit siya sa amin at pinandilatan ang anak. "Ang simple-simple ng pagbabasa at pagsusulat!"

Hindi ko alam kung gaano kahaba ang oras na iginugol ko para lang ipaliwanag kay Mrs. De Villa ang kalagayan ng anak niya.

She eventually calmed down. She also expressed regret for her actions. But still, I contacted the authorities to check on their household. Sinabi ko rin sa nurses na huwag munang pauwiin ang bata hangga't walang go-signal ng mga pulis.

Michael seemed afraid. Malamang ay napagbubuhatan siya ng kamay dahil sa kondisyon niya. He had dyslexia, the reason he couldn't read properly. It was a normal symptom. People with dyslexia had trouble matching letters on paper to the sounds they make. Dahil dito, mahirap talaga sa kanila ang pagbabasa at pagsusulat. Their vision wasn't an issue. It was just that a part of their brain responsible for language was injured.

Sa mga naranasan ko noon, kadalasan talaga sa mga taong may learning disability ang nakatatanggap ng kritisismo hindi lang mula sa mga taong nakapaligid sa kanila, kung hindi mismo sa sarili nilang pamilya.

It was tough because our loved ones were supposed to protect us from the harsh realities of the world, but instead, whenever we showed them too much devotion, they would turn around and stab us in the back.

Pagod na pagod ako hanggang sa makauwi. Sinabi ko kay Calix na huwag na akong sunduin. Nakakahiya na kasi. Gumagastos pa siya sa gas.

Pagpasok ko sa bahay ay sumalubong sa akin ang amoy ng bulalo mula sa kusina.

"Oh my god..." saad ko nang makaramdam ng gutom. It was past three, and I hadn't eaten anything yet!

Walang imik akong pumunta sa kwarto at nagbihis ng magka-partner na cotton top and shorts. After that, I went straight to the kitchen, where I found Calix wearing a black muscle tee and gray shorts. He had my yellow apron, too.

My cheeks flushed as my eyes fell on his smooth, muscular forearm. He was really doing his regular exercise, huh? He looked like a god, subtly telling his people to serve him without uttering a word.

Napatigil ako sa pagmamasid sa kanya nang bigla siyang bumaling sa pwesto ko. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang buong katawan ko at nang bumalik sa mukha ko ang mga mata niya ay ngumisi siya.

"Tough day at work, Doc?" he asked.

Isinarado niya ang kaldero at hinigit ang isang upuan. He motioned for me to take a seat, which I did.

"Halatang-halata ba sa mukha ko na stressed ako sa trabaho?" natatawang tanong ko.

"You're not smiling... I just assumed." He shrugged before pulling a chair next to me. "Tama ba 'ko?"

I sighed. "I just encountered a toxic parent today. Nahilo ako sa pagpapaliwanag sa kanya na kailangan ng anak niya ng extra care and attention kasi... 'di ba? May sakit 'yong bata," kwento ko. "She called him stupid in front of me. Grabe ang pagtitimpi ko!"

He nodded. "How's the kid?"

Sumandal ako sa upuan. "Nasa ospital pa. I called the cops, and they said they'd give us the green light once they were sure it was safe for him to go home. May follow-up check-up din 'yong bata next week."

"For someone with a short temper, you did a great job holding your patience today." He smirked.

"I'm a freaking psychiatrist, Calix! Mahaba ang pasensya ko!" naiinis na saad ko.

Tumawa siya. "See?"

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. Kung hindi lang talaga gwapo ang impaktong 'to, baka pinalayas ko na siya rito! Lumalabas ang pagiging pikon ko dahil sa kanya!

"Are you tired?" he asked gently.

I nodded.

"Too tired for a little... talk?" tanong niya ulit.

Ngumuso ako. "Hindi naman. Bakit? Do you want to share something? You got a problem?"

Ngumiti siya. "No. I'm just interested in hearing about your day."

Nag-init ang puso ko sa narinig kaya nag-iwas ako ng tingin sa kanya. He wanted to know my day? What a gentleman.

Tumayo siya at narinig kong pinatay niya ang stove. Napabaling ako sa gilid ng kusina kung saan nakalagay ang tatlong kahon mula sa grocery store.

"Nag-grocery ka?" tanong ko. "Magkano ang bill?"

Naglagay siya ng pinggan sa harap ko. "No need to worry about it. Nag-transfer na rin ako ng pera sa account mo. First three months."

Agad kong kinuha ang cellphone ko para i-check kung pumasok ang sinasabi niya at nanlaki ang mga mata ko nang makitang sobra ang ibinayad niya.

"Twenty-one thousand?!" gulat na saad ko.

Naupo ulit siya sa tabi ko. Amoy na amoy ko ang bango ng iniluto niya lalo at mayroon nang nakahain sa harap ko.

"Calix, sobra ang ibinigay mo sa akin..." untag ko.

He shook his head. "Vina, I'm a Real Estate Agent. I don't want to abuse your kindness in any way. The monthly rent of four thousand isn't enough for this big house. Kahit nga ang seven thousand ay maliit pa rin."

"'Yong huli kong tenant ay nag-reklamo sa akin na masyadong malaki ang five thousand kaya—"

"What?" he cut me off.

"Yeah! Kaya naisip ko na baka masyado ko ngang tinataasan ang presyo ng renta."

Natulala siya. His forehead was now creased, and his lips were drawn together in a grim line as if he was profoundly contemplating something.

"You had a tenant before?" he whispered, still wearing a serious expression.

Nagtaka ako. "Oo?"

Huminga siya nang malalim at medyo napanguso. He tried to straighten out the crease on his forehead, but it wouldn't budge.

"Ayos ka lang?" tanong ko dahil mukha siyang nagtatampo.

"Magaling magluto?"

It was now my turn to crease my forehead.

"Inihahatid ka rin?" tanong niya ulit bago pa ako makabawi. I didn't know what he was thinking!

I crossed my arms and stared at him intently, trying to read his thoughts from his expression. He was frowning as if something had been stolen from him!

"Do you watch movie together?" mas mahinang tanong niya.

Hindi pa rin ako sumasagot. Nakatitig lang talaga ako sa kanya.

He sighed. "Vina, please tell me the things he did... I will try my best to outdo him."

My heart began to pound inside my chest as funny ideas went through my head. So, he was acting defeated the whole time because he was thinking about that?

"Calix, my former tenant was a girl."

Pinanood ko ang dahan-dahang pagbabago ng ekspresyon niya. His jaw tightened less, the furrow on his brow straightened, and his lips parted gently because he was stunned. His ears were also flushed.

Ngumisi ako.

"Seloso."

"Oh..." He lowered his head as he poked a tongue in his inner cheek, grinning slightly. "This is bad."