"Pinakain mo po ba ng chokolate ang aso mo?"
Kumunot ang nuo ng may-ari ng aso dahil sa tanong ko. "Bakit, Doc, bawal po ba 'yon?"
Napabuntong hininga ako ng malakas. Sabi ko na nga bang 'yon ang dahilan kung bakit nanghihina na ang alaga n'ya. Pinakain lang naman ng chokolate na s'yang isa sa mga bawal sa mga aso.
Napaayos ako ng pagkakaupo sa swivel chair at tumikhim. Nagsalita ako habang sinusulat sa folder ang mga posibleng rason ng panghina ng aso n'ya.
"Bawal pong kumain o uminom ng chokolate o kahit anong gawa sa cocoa ang mga aso," I explained. I took a glimpse of her guilty expression that made it confirmed that she fed her dog some chocolates—which is forbidden for dogs. Hinarap ko s'ya habang nakataas ang dalawang kilay. "Bawal rin po sila ng kahit anong pagkain na matamis dahil nakakaapekto rin 'yon sa mga aso."
Sinulyapan ko ang maltese n'yang aso na kasalukuyang walang ganang nakahiga sa cage n'ya habang parang nakikinig sa amin.
My face softened because it reminded me of Forest. Forest died a year ago and that was one of my gloomy days. I couldn't believe that she would also leave me… like what others usually do to me.
I shook my head and forced a smile at my client. Pinaliwanag ko lang sa kan'ya ang mga dapat gawin at dapat iwasan para bumalik ang sigla ng aso n'ya. I'm still not sure if her dog will get well sooner than later, and if it's later, there's a possibility that her dog will die if it really ate a lot of chocolates or sweets. High breed dogs need care the most, especially because they're the most sensitive ones.
Pagkaalis ng cliyente kasama ang aso n'ya ay napabuntong hininga ako ng malakas at napasandal sa upuan. Napamasahe ako sa sentido nang ma-realize na ito na ang ika-sampong cliyente ngayong buwan na ang sakit ng kanilang aso ay tungkol sa chokolate at matatamis na pagkain.
Do we need to make a billboard about sweets being forbidden to dogs? God.
Napaigtad ako nang maramdaman ko ang paulit-ulit na pag-vibrate ng phone ko sa bulsa ng shoulder ko. Agad ko 'yon kinuha mula do'n at sinagot ang tawag, hindi na tinignan ang caller name.
"Hello? Sino 'to?" Nagtataka kong tanong.
["What the. Vion, read the caller's name first, please, before answering every call…"]
Napasimangot ako nang makilala ang boses. Sorry na, akala ko emergency, eh.
"Ba't ka napatawag, Kuya Ridge?" Magkasalubong ang kilay at nakabusangot kong tanong.
Buti na lang hindi n'ya ako nakikita ngayon kundi baka kinutusan na n'ya ako.
Rinig ko sa kabilang linya ang pagbuklat-buklat ng mga papel kaya sa tingin nasa trabaho pa s'ya.
["I'm in a rush here at work so I'm not gonna be able to get Trae from his school. Are you busy?"] Slang na ingles n'yang pahayag.
I glanced at the clock. Mag-aalasingko na ng hapon at wala naman sigurong magpapa-check up pa ng alaga nila dito. Nagsimula na akong mag-ayos ng mga dokumento sa mesa ko habang nakalagay pa rin ang phone sa tenga.
"Pwede naman akong mag-early leave ngayon. Mukhang wala namang cliyente ang dadating sa oras na 'to." Sambit ko.
["Great. Can you get Trae from his school? I'm really busy now. That dumbass Dax isn't helping, he's probably scrolling in malls, finding someone to share in the same bed."] I can imagine his face fuming mad that made me smirk.
"Sige po. Iba-baba ko na po ang telepono. Pupuntahan ko na ang binata kong pamangkin." I said in a sing-song voice.
I heard him sigh in relief. ["Thanks, dear cous'."] Then he ended the call.
I'm relieved that even though I'm talking to him in a Filipino language, he and his family can already understand me. Although, they still spoke using their original language because they're still not comfortable with our language.
Nagmamadali kong kinuha ang bag sa tabi ko at agad tinungo ang labas ng clinic ko para isara ang pinto. My co-veterinarian isn't here because she had an emergency to attend to, kaya ako ang magsasara ng clinic ngayon.
Okay lang naman 'tong suot ko. A red blouse, black loose pants, and black heels. My blonde long straight hair that I dyed 3 years ago is untied that made it in full show.
It'll probably take me half an hour to arrive at Beverley's high school using my car so I still need to hurry. Baka maghintay ng matagal ang gwapo kong pamangkin.
Napabuntong hininga ako ng malakas habang biyahe.
Four years have passed, and, thankfully, I'm already a successful veterinarian. I settled myself in a clinic in zone 12 here in Carpila. It's a bit far from our home but good thing I already bought myself a car.
Tatlong buwan pa lang ang lumipas nang dito na tumira sa Carpila ang pamilya nila Kuya Ridge. I can say that they're slowly coping with the environment. Especially Kuya Dax, he's the jolliest and brightest in their family, though he's mostly not at home because he's always traveling around. Ate Shawna—Kuya Ridge's fiance, is a working home woman. She just did her job at our house for months, so, basically, she's the one who's mostly at home.
Their wedding will happen next month that's why they're both busy at work, and for their wedding.
Nang makarating sa High school ng Beverley ay nagmamadali akong lumabas mula sa sasakyan at sinabit ang brown shoulder bag sa balikat.
Baka nag-aalburuto na do'n si Trae.
As I walk through the hallway, a lot of people will glance at me and smile. I smiled back as respect. Medyo kilala na kasi ako bilang animal doctor sa Carpila kaya hindi na 'ko nagtaka kung marami ang ngingiti sa 'kin.
Trae is already a first-year high school student so it's not that hard to find his classroom. A lot of students are also exiting the school with or without their parents or guardians.
May dalawang pinto ang classroom nila at do'n ako sa bandang likod na pinto. Agad kong nakita ang pamangkin kong tinalo pa ang kaputian ko na nakahalumbaba sa upuan habang nakabusangot ang mukha. Natagalan siguro sa sundo.
Iniba ko ang boses ko at ginawa itong sobrang tinis. "Trae! Andito na si Tita..." Kumunot ang nuo n'ya at nilingon ako na siyang pinanggalingan ng boses.
Napapatingin rin sa 'kin ang iba niyang kaklase pero hindi ko sila binalingan ng tingin.
Agad akong napangisi nang makita ang paglaki ng mata n'ya habang nakatingin sa akin. Nagmamadali s'yang lumapit sa 'kin, nakalimutan na ang bag.
"Tita Vion!" Mabilis siyang nakapag-mano sa 'kin na nagpabusangot ng mukha ko.
"'Di ba, sabi ko 'wag kang magmamano sa 'kin? Hindi pa 'ko matanda!" Malakas kong sermon sa kan'ya, hindi inintindi ang mga matang nakabaling sa 'min.
Napakamot naman siya sa ulo at inosente akong nginitian. Sarap niyong ipasok sa bag kung kasya lang.
Nginuso ko ang upuan n'ya kung saan nando'n ang bag niyang nakasabit. "Kunin mo na 'yong bag mo, uuwi na tayo."
Tumango siya ng paulit-ulit at nagmamadaling kinuha ang bag n'ya. Sumigaw rin siya habang inaayos ang pagkasabit ng bag niya sa balikat.
"Sir! I'll go home now!"
Nagulat ako do'n. Andito pala ang adviser n'ya? Ba't 'di ko 'yon napansin?
Nakangiti ko naman binalingan ng tingin ang Sir n'yang nakaupo sa harap ng teacher's table pero agad akong nanigas sa kinatatayuan nang makilala ko s'ya.
W-what…
He was just sitting comfortably in his chair while his brown eyes were staring intently at me—unto my soul that sent shivers to my skin.
His usual straight and clean black hair is now mesy and he's wearing black eyeglasses that made him look hotter! Oh, God. What the hell is he doing here? I thought...
Nang bahagya kong sinulyapan ang pamangkin ko ay inosente lang siyang nakatingin sa adviser n'ya na hindi ko aakalaing si Kheir pala.
A good meeting after four years, huh?
But, something is confusing here. He's supposed to be a Professor, right? But… Why did he end up being a Sir instead?
Napaiwas ako ng tingin at ni-kris ang braso nang tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo at nagsimula nang maglakad papalapit sa amin.
I pinched myself hard when my heart started beating rapidly.
It's been years for God's sake, Vion!
I tried to compose myself. I straightened my back and faced him with a poker face.
Starting when he also left me four years ago, he's already a nobody to me. I shouldn't get affected by his presence, even if it's kinda intimidating.
He was walking proudly, emphasizing his broad shoulders and long legs. God. Mas tumaas naman 'ata s'ya? Buti na lang gano'n rin ako.
Ramdam ko ang pasimple kong panginginig habang papalapit s'ya sa 'kin. His presence is so unexplainable to me!
His every step screams hotness. He was wearing a gray t-shirt tucked in his black pants. He was also wearing black pointed shoes that perfectly paired with his outfit. Even how simple his clothes are, they become a model's outfit to him.
Dahil kanina ko pa s'ya sinusuri, hindi ko napansin na nasa harapan ko na pala siya. An amused smile was plastered in his reddish lips that made me snap back into reality.
I cleared my throat when he was just standing in front of me, not minding if I'll judge him as a judge who's staring at the contestant.
I couldn't think straight because he was just in front of me! What should I say? Hello? Good to see you again? Or… do I have to say something? Pwede namang umalis na kami ng pamangkin kong nakatingin lang sa amin na may curious na mata.
Pero… wala naman 'ata akong galang no'n. He's still my nephew's adviser for fuck's sake!
I cleared my throat for the nth time and offered a hand for a shake of hands that made his brows furrowed in confusion.
"I-I'm Trae Pelonia's Aunt. Nice to meet you… Sir." I introduced myself formally.
Something showed in his eyes but… I can't pinpoint what it was. Ewan ko nga rin ba kung bakit ito lang ang sinabi ko. As if, we didn't know each other a few years ago. But… we only had something which is… unclear.
His face became serious which made me swallow. He accepted my hand and I almost cursed myself when I felt something familiar with his touch.
His palms are still warm like home but I should disregard those thoughts. Whatever we had or happened years ago between us, should stay until the past.
He pursed his lips. "Nice to meet you too, Trae's Aunt." He said nonchalantly.
I felt a bang in my chest that's familiar. I felt this most of the time when I knew I'm hurt and… How can he call me like that? I bit the inside of my cheek hard.
I shouldn't be hurt, tama lang 'to.
I don't deserve someone who will just leave me like what he did.
I flashed a fake smile and removed my hand from his. "We'll get going now." Kita kong may gusto pa siyang sabihin pero agad akong tumalikod sa kan'ya at niyaya na si Trae na umalis. Tumango naman siya at sumunod sa 'kin palabas ng classroom nila.
Napabuntong hininga ako ng malakas nang makarating na kami sa kotse ko. My heart is still beating fast, but every beat of it means pain. I can't believe that I'm still hurt by the fact he already left me.
I know it will be good for me if I won't meet him again because that'll be better for me to have peace moving on, but… why would faith let us meet again? For what? To hurt each other, again? What a joke. I won't join that.
I won't buy that. Even though he's the only single man in this world until there's no assurance that he won't let me again, I still won't buy it.
I shook my head and started to drive the car.
Why would I think of these things? As if he still loves me like what he confessed in our last meeting years ago, and if he still does, it still doesn't show in his action last minute.
Okay, I'm not mad just because he also settled himself in another country with his family. What I'm pissed at, is he didn't inform me for fuck's sake!
Ano ba talaga ang trato n'ya sa 'kin noon? Did he really like me or… loved me? Kasi kung gano'n nga 'yon, he should've informed me that he's also gonna leave me like my sister! He should've told me… but he didn't. That confirms that I'm seriously nothing to him.
Nothing.
Bago kami nagtungo diretso pauwi ay sinulyapan ko ang pamangkin ko. "Do you want to eat something as a snack?"
Nagliwanag ang mukha n'ya at agad siyang ngumiti ng malaki. "Are you sure, Tita?" I nodded while still driving. "Then I want bread! I heard there's a good bakery here in Beverley." He said gleefully.
Tumango ulit ako at tinungo ang bakery na siyang alam ko kung nasaan. Hindi nga lang ako sigurado kung 'yon ba ang tinutukoy n'ya.
Pagkarating sa bread shop ay nagmamadaling lumabas mula sa sasakyan si Trae kaya napailing ako habang nakangiti.
Matakaw rin siya kagaya ko hindi gaya ng ama at uncle niyang sobrang conscious sa pangangatawan. Mga ulol rin.
Napasulyap ako sa tiyan ko. Buti nga at hindi naman ako gano'n ka tumaba pero halatang mas lumaman ng konti ang katawan ko. Hindi pa rin masasabing mataba ako. Parang sakto lang.
Nang makapili na ng tinapay si Trae ay nagbiyahe rin agad kami pauwi. Maraming kalat na ng tinapay ang nasa ilalim ng inuupuan niya kaya sinita ko s'ya.
"Kalat. Dahan-dahan lang, Trae, hindi ka mauubusan." I reminded him with brows furrowed.
He smiled widely at me with an occupied mouth full of food. What a hard-headed kid.
I grabbed a piece of bread from his wrapper and munched it while still looking at the road. "Kelan nga ulit birthday mo?"
He munched a lot of times before answering my question. "January third." I nodded while swallowing my bread.
Matagal pa. Napangisi ako. Magmature sana s'ya. Amen.
Nang makarating kami sa bahay ay bubuksan ko na sana ang pinto ng kotse nang tanungin ako ni Trae.
"Do you, and my adviser have already met before? Why do you seem to know each other?" Inosente niyang tanong.
Napahigpit ang kapit ko sa doorknob. Why of all questions?
"N-no. We didn't know each other before." I lied.
Sorry, dear nephew.
He nodded suspiciously while squinting his eyes on me. Napaiwas agad ako ng tingin. God. Is he really my nephew? He looks cute but scary at the same time when he's serious. Kababatang tao…
"Are you sure, Tita? Maybe you two had a relationship?"
Hindi ko napigilang mapa-singhap. Tinalo n'ya pa ang pulis sa pag-imbestiga! What a kid. Really.
I glared at him, trying to hide my shocked expression. He shouldn't know, especially when he's always facing Kheir every weekday.
"Kibabata mong tao, 'yan ang mga tanong mo! Pumasok ka nga sa loob, baka pagod ka lang Trae." Malakas kong sermon.
Napasimangot naman siya at nagaalburotong kinuha ang bag sabay labas ng sasakyan. Gano'n rin 'yong ginawa ko habang patuloy pa rin siyang sine-sermon.
"Dyos ko. Isusumbong talaga kita sa Mama mo…" pananakot ko sa kaniya na mas nagpasimangot sa kan'ya.
Nagmamadali naman siyang pumasok sa bahay at nang mawala na siya sa paningin ko ay saka rin nawala ang sigla ko sa mukha.
Kheir Rontero, now you're connected to my nephew, which leads to a possibility for us to meet again.
But, I'm gonna stick to my mind, that we'll never and never should be connected too, like what we used to be.