Ruled by the Blaze (The Unwanted Marriage)

PATRICIA'S POV (Going back...)

"Doctor, Clemente?"

Itinigil ko ang ginagawa at lumingon. I automatically smiled at the cute nurse peeking through my office door. "Yes, Nurse Shane?" I said in a friendly voice.

She entered and slowly walk towards me.

"I heard from Doctor Sauler that you are leaving? You're not going to work now?" she asked in a low voice.

"Uh, y-yes..." I said awkwardly.

Ngayon na ang huling araw ko rito sa ospital at siguradong nag announce na si Doc Sauler tungkol dito. Ang alam ko ay nakahanap na rin siya ng kapalit ko.

After seven years of staying here, I finally decided to finally go home, returned to the Philippines.

"Actually, I submitted my resignation letter last week. I'll just grab my other stuff now. It's already my flight later"

"I will miss you, doc..." she said in a sad voice and offered her hand with a blue plastic. "It's for you. My appreciation gift for guiding me here since you were leaving already..." Parang piniga ang puso at nakangiting tinanggap ang regalo niya.

"How sweet, thank you!" I hugged her for a moment before she left the office.

Pagkatapos kong kunin ang mga naiwan kong gamit ay lumabas na ako at nag paalam sa ilang mga doktor na nakatrabaho ko. They wish me better life and new opportunities once I go back to the Philippines.

Nakangiti ako'ng lumabas ng ospital. My heart feels so heavy after saying goodbye to them. This hospital has been my paradise for several years.

After I graduated from med school, earned my diploma and got my licensed, Tito Benedict inquired me to his friend that known to be the head of this hospital. I got in easily.

Natupad ko na ang pangarap ko. Doktor na ako ngayon.

Of course, in those achievements that I got, I was with my family. They visit here on vacation or some occasion.

Si Jess naman, dalawang beses ako'ng nabisita noong nag graduate siya sa med school kasama si Tyrone at siyempre, lumipad din papunta rito si Kelvin galing Paris para makumpleto kami. We got reunited and celebrate Jess's graduation. In those years...a lot has changed. Med school didn't give me a hard time, I had some opportunities. I combined my painting with my studies, so my paintings were once displayed in an art gallery.

"Are you ready?"

I smile and nodded at Beatrice while we were heading at the airport. I was just smiling the whole time because of excitement. Ngayon kami uuwi ni Beatrice sa pilipinas habang si Joan ay sa susunod na buwan pa.

Tito Benedict was not able to take us to the airport because he was so busy and we understand. In my few years here, Tito guided me. I'm so thankful.

"How about you? Sad?" I asked back. "Magkakahiwalay kayo ng boyfriend mo..."

Napanguso siya. "Ngayon pa lang miss ko na agad si Brandon! Pero sa susunod na buwan ay bibisita siya sa pilipinas..."

Natawa ako at napailing, pinagmamasdan niya ang litrato nilang dalawa. Parang kanina lang ay magkasama sila bago kami umalis. What a freaking love.

"Ikaw? I'm sure you're very excited! Makikita mo na ulit doon si doktor guwapo! What his name again?"

I frowned. "Are you referring to Jaime Alvarez?"

Suminghap ako nang ngumisi siya.

"Of course I would be excited seeing him. He also became my friend,"

Beatrice is overthinking.

Tinutukoy niya si Jaime na nakilala ko sa med school. He's also a Filipino and we accidentally met because based on him, he knows me because it was televised that I was the wife of Callum Velasquez. We became close maybe because he's friendly and kind.

But when we graduated from med school and finished training, he returned to the Philippines because his family had their own hospital and he was going to work there.

"Sus, aminin mo...guwapo talaga siya at may dating! Hindi ako maniniwalang hindi ka niya niligawan!"

"Hindi naman talaga, Bea" umismid ako. "We're just friends..."

I admit, he's handsome and smart. And still, Jaime and I are still communicating though. He greeted me and was excited to know that I was going home to the Philippines.

"Well, let's see when we get home," makahulugan niya'ng sabi.

Nang makarating kami sa airport at nakasakay na sa eroplano, natulog na lang kami ni Beatrice. Hindi rin kasi ako masyadong nakatulog kagabi sa sobrang excited. I can be with my family again. Gumising kami dahil may nag serve ng pagkain. Kumain kami at pagkatapos, natulog ulit.

Nagising na lang kami na nag land na ang eroplano. Si Beatrice sa tabi ko ay hindi na mapakali kaya nang makalabas kami, hindi mapalis ang malaking ngiti namin ng makita ang mga naghihintay sa'min. "Welcome back, doktora!"

My eyes started welling up with tears when I saw my whole family and friends waiting for me. Beatrice's parents are also here and some of our cousins.

Sinugod ko agad nang yakap sila mommy.

"Welcome back, anak!" mommy was already tearing up. "You look awesome!"

Ngumiti ako at niyakap din si daddy at Jordan.

"You're so tall, baby!" I said and kiss Jordan.

Mas matangkad na siya sa'kin ngayon. e's not young anymore. His features were matured now and the way he dressed, so manly!

He smiled a bit. "You didn't changed. Still...beautiful, ate"

"Omg! Patricia ko!"

Bumaling ako kay Jess na nakabuka ang braso at sinugod ako ng mahigpit na yakap. Napangiwi ako dahil ingay niya. She didn't changed though. Still that bubbly friend of mine.

"Grabe, na-miss kita sobra!" atungal niya at tumitig sa mukha ko. "Mas lalo ka gumanda!"

"I miss you too, Jess..." ngiti kong sabi at niyakap naman si Tyrone.

We continued our little chit-chat inside the van that daddy bought. Sila Beatrice naman ay nakaalis na rin at nauna mag celebrate. Habang nasa biyahe ay walang tigil ang bibig ni Jess, as usual. Katabi ko siya at nasa pinakadulo kami ng van, si Tyrone at Jordan naman ay nasa unahan namin habang sila mommy sa harapan.

"So...wala kang naging boyfriend sa amerika?" umiling ako sa intriga ni Jess. "For real? Inside that seven years, no boyfriend? Flings?"

"Wala..." I laughed. "It's out of my priorities,"

Gusto ko mag focus sa goal ko.

Magsisimula muna ako sa maliit na clinic at noong nakaraang buwan pa iyon natapos gawin dito sa pilipinas. I requested daddy to handle the constructions. Para ngayo'ng nakauwi na ako, maaari na ako'ng mag opening since kumpleto na rin ang mga gamit.

I keep the money I earned of being a doctor for this. I just hope it would succeed.

"Si Jess, hindi mo tatanungin kung mayroon o sino ang boyfriend, Pat?" ngumisi si Tyrone.

Kita kong namula ang pisngi ni Jess at hinampas si Tyrone. "Shut up!"

Even my parents we're laughing at her reaction.

"Why, Jess? Why don't you tell her who's your boyfriend?" sumingit si mommy.

"Uh...may tamang oras naman po Tita para malaman ni Pat ang tungkol doon. Secret po muna sa ngayon..." ani Jess at mas namula.

"Austine?" I grinned, her eyes widened.

"W-What? P-Paano mo nalaman?"

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I smile playfully.

"Your wallpaper" I pointed her phone using my snout.

Nakita ko roon kanina na litrato nila ni Austine ang wallpaper niya. Well, I kind of shocked but I'm happy for her. Hindi ko gaano close si Austine pero alam kong mapagkakatiwalaan siya. "Uh...alam mo na pala," she said awkwardly and came closer. "A-Are you mad?"

I frowned at her question. "Why would I?"

"Kasi, si Austine kaibigan siya ni Callum-"

"And so?" I raised a brow. "There's no problem with me,"

Nanlaki ang mata niya na kalaunan ay napunta sa matamis na ngiti.

"Really? Are you fine with that? He's Austine's friend and sometimes we had date, I unexpectedly met him so-"

"Why are you explaining, then?"

Natigil siya at natutop ang labi.

"I see...you're not affected anymore" sita niya. "There's no flinch when you heard his name,"

Bumuntong hininga ako. "Of course, Jess. It's been years so my anger towards him eventually fades. I learned some lessons while I'm in states. Ayaw ko naman na mag tanim ng galit sa kanya habangbuhay," I learned to forgive him but not personally.

Hindi naman kailangan na magkausap kami para malaman niya na napatawad ko na siya. And who knows if he doesn't care if I forgive him or not? Maybe right now he's already happy with his life.

"Ay, strong girl na ang peg mo ngayon?" nginisian niya ako. "Tignan ko lang kung ganyan ka pa ka-tapang kapag nakita mo na siya ngayon!"

Umirap ako.

Bakit, marami na ba ang nag bago sa kanya? Sa appearance niya? O siguro, may bagong asawa na siya ngayon? Gosh, why I'm thinking about him in the first place? "Just like you...he changed a lot!"

Sa tono niya ay para bang may nag-uudyok sa'kin na mag intriga pa tungkol sa kanya. Of course, seven years have been passed so he probably got more mature now.

"Mas lumakas ang Velasquez company ngayon na siya ang namamahala! Alam mo ba, minsan siya'ng kinuha para mag model ng isang sikat na brand and damn! Mapapamura ka sa charisma!" may munting kilig sa boses niya. "Guess what? He gone viral online after that! Yung mga magazines? Sold out in just one day!"

Pilit akong ngumiti. "G-Good for him,"

"There's so many models who got linked to him! Hindi ko nga lang alam kung sino ba talaga roon ang naging girlfriend niya!"

Napalunok ako at bumaling sa bintana. My chest suddenly skipped a bit. Models got linked to him? What about Zara? They broke apart?

"But when I ask Austine about that... he says that Callum doesn't like anyone. You know, he's still married..."

Binalingan ko si Jess at tinaasan ng kilay.

She smiled playfully. "I mean, you two are still married-"

"Yes, but our relationship ended years ago. I have no issue if he gets a new girl,"

Mabuti na lang at nakarating na kami sa isang Japanese restaurant. Kakain muna kami bago umuwi kaya hindi na ako nakulit pa ni Jess.

Habang kumakain ay topic nila ang mga nangyari sa'kin sa states. They were so proud that I still able to do some paintings while I'm studying. About my paintings, I brought the rest here because I intend to auction them and donate the proceeds to charities.

Dumiretso kami sa bahay pagkatapos kumain. Nagkaroon ulit kami ng maliit na salo-salo bago ako nag pasya na magpahinga.

-

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Nagising ako sa ingay ng alarm.

Lumipad ang mata ko sa bintana at nakahinga ng maluwag dahil nakikita ko pa ang sikat ng araw.

I stretched a bit and took a bath. Today is Agatha's death anniversary so I'll visit her. I wore a flawless dress and fixed myself.

Nag paalam na ako kila mommy at umalis. Ako lang mag-isa ang pupunta. Dumaan ako sa flower shop para bumili ng bulaklak.

I can't help but to smile while driving. Finally, I will able to visit her again.

May nakikinita ako'ng ilang tao sa memorial nang makarating ako. Medyo papalubog na ang araw kaya mas magandang moment ito. Nakangiti kong inilapag ang bulaklak sa puntod ni Agatha.

I frowned when I saw some wilted flowers that looked like they had been here for months. My parents probably visit her.

"I'm back, Agatha..."

Umupo ako at hinaplos ang lapida niya.

"How are you there? Thank you for being my inspiration through the years. Your mom finally a doctor..."

The last time I went here flashed back. I was deeply sad but now, I'm at my peace. It's been years since I lost her but I eventually tried to let her go. She's the reason for my success.

I keep talking to her even though I'm not receiving anything...I just want to cherish this moment until I hear some footsteps behind me.

I slowly turned around and my eyes widened when I saw a familiar person.

We had the same reaction as we stared at each other but eventually...he was the first to let go of the gaze.

Callum Velasquez...he's here. He's in front of me and I don't know what to react!

I awkwardly stood up and gave him way for Agatha. I distanced myself, still shocked. He kneeled his one leg so he could offer a flower for Agatha then he stood up straight and looked at me.

Umiwas ako ng tingin. Ramdam kong nanginginig ang mga hita ko.

"It's her death anniversary today if I'm not mistaken..."

I gulped hearing his deep voice. Ngayon ko lang ulit ito narinig pagkatapos ng ilang taon.

"Good thing we're able to visit her," he even nodded before looking at Agatha's grave.

I stood firmly and tried hard not to get affected by his presence.

Pero hindi ko maiwasang hindi pasadahan ng tingin ang kabuuan niya habang nakatalikod. He's wearing... polo shirt and slack. Damn! His body built changed. His biceps grew bigger and his shoulders broadened. His face became more mature.

I shook my head with that thoughts.

Nanatili kaming tahimik habang nakatayo at nakatitig sa puntod ni Agatha. No one intended to talk. Walang kamustahan o ano pa man pero ayos na 'yon. Nandito lang naman kami para kay Agatha.

We stayed in that situation for almost an hour and that was so awkward!

The silence interrupted when he moved a bit. I also noticed his awkwardness.

"I'm going now..."

Lumingon ako at nakitang nakatingin siya sa'kin. Tumango lang ako at umiwas ng tingin.

Tumalikod siya at narinig ko na lang ang mga yabag niya palayo at doon lang ako nakahinga ng maluwag.

He didn't even smile or greet me. He was so cold and serious now.

He just acted like he didn't know me. Like I'm not the mother of his child that he visited today.

Like he didn't ruin my life and made me suffer 7 years ago...