CHAPTER 9

I was in the hallway, having just left the studio, when Philip, a staff member and my friend, approached me. "Dr. Ara! Someone sent you something," he said, holding a bouquet of red roses. His voice had a teasing lilt. I was curious.

"Who is this from, Phil?" I asked as I took the bouquet.

He shrugged, his chubby face making his double chin more prominent.

"Oh no! This is exactly what I was talking about." Kuya Drei's voice startled me from behind. His teasing always made me tense. "Our beautiful resident psychologist has a secret admirer!" he announced loudly, his voice echoing down the hallway. Heads turned, and a chorus of teasing followed. My face heated up as I tapped his arm, hoping he'd stop.

I caught a glimpse of Melay and Denver, their eyes wide with curiosity as they peered out a window, giggling. My cheeks burned, and I could feel every pair of eyes on me. My heart pounded as I turned away and hurried off, desperate to escape the spotlight.

Even inside the car, my wide beam won't fade away. I had received another bouquet, a gesture I used to cherish monthly from Hector. While admiring the flowers, I noticed a small envelope between two roses. I opened it, curious to see who it was from. The card was from Eric.

Until now, I could not believe that the woman I met in that awkward situation at Binurong Point was the woman who healed me and rescued me from my broken heart. Now, I believe in destiny—just kidding.

P.S. I hope to see you again! Thank you.

A hint of disappointment washed over me. I took a deep breath, thinking, "Here we go again." Several years had passed since Hector died, and in that time, other men who courted me had also given me flowers. Now, another door was opening. I shook my head, looking at the card. It felt like such a waste. The things they do for me will eventually become insignificant.

It was ten in the evening when I got home to my condo unit in Mandaluyong. A slight pain nagged at the left part of my back. I was tired but happy because I had accomplished a lot today.

When I entered my bedroom, I placed my white tote and the bouquet of red roses on the study table. I couldn't help but smile while looking at the flowers again. I wondered if Eric had moved on. He wanted to express his gratitude, but why choose red roses? When I thought of his face, I felt a thrill. Are men really like this? I became deeply interested in him after learning about his life story.

I didn't change my clothes immediately; I quickly fetched an empty vase from the living room. After placing it on the study table, I took the bouquet and accidentally knocked over a small object. The red velvet box fell to the floor, spilling its only content. A ring rolled out. After Hector's death, I never noticed what was inside that box. This was my first time seeing it. I had never opened it before because the pain resurfaced whenever I saw or touched it.

I searched for the ring until I found it under my bed. I quickly picked it up and examined it. I saw my name, Clara, engraved on the side. The ring was crafted in solid platinum, which gave me an inside laughter. Hectorhad never had a good eye for choosing a design.  I wouldn't say I liked the ring's design; I had imagined a diamond ring instead.

Then my laughter faded. My face turned serious. My eyes darted to the white study table before me, capturing my attention anew. This table held many vivid and clear memories of Hector and me.

***

"Well, there you are, Daddy! I was looking for you on campus earlier and couldn't believe you were just here at home," I said, frustrated, as I walked into our house gate after my commute. "Did you skip class again?"

Hector stood before me, wearing a jersey tank top, jersey shorts, and flip-flops, making him look almost like he was already living with us.

"Hey, Ara, we didn't expect you to be here so early," my Papa suddenly asked, coming from the back of the house.

I bowed at my Papa's hand and then turned my attention back to Hector. His smile was so vast that I couldn't decide to be annoyed. His lower eyelid was puffing again, which had always been my weakness whenever I saw his face.

"Go to your room, Mommy, quickly," he said.

He didn't answer or explain why he skipped class today. It seemed like he didn't care anymore. I noticed him and my Papa exchanging glances before suddenly high-fiving each other. Rolling my eyes, I left them both by the gate and walked away.

As Hector said, I went straight to my room. When I entered, my mouth dropped open. "Oh my gosh."

The first thing I saw was my white study table, which looked freshly made and smelled of paint. Hector had said he would fix it, but I thought he was joking. This table held "sentimental value" for me. It was a gift from my parents on my ninth birthday, and it was the furniture I used for studying. It helped me stay in the top ten of my elementary and high school classes.

"What do you think?" Hector appeared at the door.

I examined the study table like a "quality inspector officer." I suddenly laughed when I noticed he etched our names into the right side of the table with a heart shape in the middle.

I glanced at him. "It was fine until I saw our names on it."

"Hey! Be grateful that Papa and I fixed it. We put a whole day's effort into that."

I felt like the most special person in the world. He respected my sentimentality about things; even something as simple as this made me feel his genuine love for me.

"Thank you, Daddy. Since I have nothing to pay you, can I kiss you instead?"

Hector placed his cheek against mine, eliciting a laugh from me. When I kissed him, he suddenly turned, so I kissed his lips instead.

"You're so sneaky!" I hit him on the arm. "Dad! Hector kissed me!" I yelled. He quickly covered my mouth.

I laughed at that memory until I returned to the present and realized I was laughing alone in my room. Even now, I could see our names etched on the side of the study table. Then, out of nowhere, I asked myself why I was laughing alone.

It sank in. Yes, I am alone now. The person who once brought me joy is gone. I suddenly broke down in tears.

I placed my hand on my forehead, wiping away the tears from my eyes. Glancing up at my room's ceiling, I let the words escape, "Hector, please, let me go."

***

Holy Week had started again, and we were following through with our plan to visit Palawan. We had just left the arrival area of Busuanga Airport, which was bustling with people, most of them foreign tourists.

Even though it was only seven in the morning, the weather was already hot and humid. Later, it would hit "forty degrees," making it a perfect time to swim in the beach resorts.

We stood on the side, under a covered section outside the terminal building. I was with Melay and Audrey, watching over our luggage placed on the concrete path. We were waiting for Philip, Lester, and Denver, who were looking for a van to rent to take us to our hotel.

I was busy taking a video on my Android phone when I noticed a man glancing at me from a distance. He was wearing a Hawaiian shirt, cargo shorts, and sunglasses. He looked away, probably realizing I had noticed him.

I approached the man and was surprised to recognize him. "Eric?"

"Doctor Clara," a voice appeared out of nowhere. I turned my head to the person who called my name.

It was Tita Cecile with two young men. I approached her and kissed her on the cheek.

"Look at that. What a coincidence," Tita Cecile said. "By the way, these are my two boys. This is Derek, my eldest."

She pointed to the tall young man beside her. His black hair was styled in a semi-mohawk, and his skin was evenly tanned. He had the same oriental eyes as Eric. His slightly muscular build was evident in his black tank top.

"Hi," he greeted me. I smiled at him.

"And this is Hans, my youngest," she added, wrapping her arm around him and ruffling his hair.

Hans was the typical nerdy kid with thick glasses, fair skin, and a face that resembled Tita Cecile. I noticed he looked irritated by what his mother did. When I smiled at him, his cheeks turned red.

Eric was about to speak, but Tita Cecile spoke first. "Who are you with, Doctor?"

Eric chuckled and scratched his head.

Tita Cecile's bluntness amused me. "Just call me Ara. I'm with my friends. Which resort are you going to?"

"We have no idea. Eric abruptly decided to bring us here. We had other plans—however, the majority rules. The two boys sided with him. I don't know why."

"Why don't you join us, Tita? We have a reservation at a resort. You can stay there, too."

"That will be a great idea," Eric chimed in. Tita Cecile abruptly nudged him on his stomach.

I invited them to go with us in the end. As we walked, I heard Tita Cecile behind me. "You have some explaining to do, Mr. Ross."

When I returned, I discovered they had already found a vehicle and were waiting for me. I asked my friends if we could add more people, and they didn't object. I introduced Eric and his family to them.

Melay and Denver were thrilled, saying we now had two handsome companions. Tita Cecile quickly got along with them because of her blunt and cheerful personality.

We all squeezed into a white Isuzu I-Van, with Eric and I ending up beside each other. I chuckled inwardly, remembering how our first meeting hadn't been pleasant, and I'd made an awkward gesture toward him. But now, I was starting to like him. Seeing him again filled me with a delight I couldn't quite explain.

I'm looking forward to this vacation to learn more about him.