His Broken Gem

HBG 13

Stella's POV

A ray of sunlight that is peeking through the window woke me up. I slowly opened my eyes, adjusting my vision to the bright surroundings. It's already morning, 7:58 to be exact.

That pills really work, huh.

Bumangon na ako sa kama habang nag-uunat ng katawan. My doctor gave me new sleeping pills to help me sleep at night without any disturbance. It's working perfectly fine, I just don't know how long it will last though.

Tahimik ang unit nang lumabas ako sa kuwarto.

Did they go out? Sa pagkakaalam ko ay may in-apply-an si Sebastian na trabaho. And we still need to talk about that.

As I reach the living room ay nakarinig ako ng ingay mula sa kitchen. I curiously went into the place and saw them eating breakfast. Shy was the first one who notice my presence.

"Ate Stella, good morning," Shy greeted me, smiling while eating her bacon.

"Good morning, Best friend," Mika cheered.

My brow furrowed as I saw her. Anong ginagawa niya rito? For a resident doctor, she's the only doctor I've met you have so much leisure time.

"What are you doing here?" I asked her. "Don't you have any work?" I added as I walk towards the sink. I saw Sebastian in my peripheral view, he's ushering his sister.

Naalala ko naman ang nangyari kagabi. He looks normal though, ni-hindi niya nga ako pinansin.

Wait, why would care if hindi niya ako pinansin? It's a good sign.

"Need niyo kasi nang tulong ko kaya nag-leave muna ako, hindi naman busy sa hospital at maraming bakanteng doktor kaya okay lang," she answered as she took a bite of her toast bread.

I turned my attention to Mika, setting aside the thought of Sebastian.

"You're the only doctor I've known who's not busy," I retorted as I fill my glass of water. I drink it afterward.

"Hoy! Hindi ah. Grabe ka talaga sa akin, Star," she said dramatically as she put her hand on her chest as if her chest hurt.

I give her a deadly glare as I heard the name of her dog. She immediately put her middle and forefinger up, which result in a peace sign, and smiled awkwardly.

"Sabi ko nga, hindi nga ikaw si Star," she mumbled in the air.

I just rolled my eyes as I asked her, what is she doing here.

"Ako nga sabi judge niyo ngayon, kasi 'di ba dapat mapaniwala niyo si Tita na in a relationship kayo?" she inquires. I just stared at her waiting for what she's going to say.

"So, today is our Day 1 of Making Tita Catherine Believe: Operation 101," she optimistically said as she clasped her hands together, tilting her head upward as if she's reading something.

I look at her weirdly as those words come out of her mouth. She and her nonsense words are really her, weird.

"And you mean by that?" I asked her again.

"Ibig sabihin kailangan niyong mag-practice paano magmukhang totoong magjowa," she happily said.

I furrowed my eyebrows, trying to find a sense from her words.

"Practice? For what? It's not like we're going to convince everyone, it's just Mom," I clarified.

"Haler, kilala ko si Tita Cath. If you want to convince her then you should start on convincing everyone," she advised. She finishes her food and gathers her things. "Tara na!"

She immediately push me towards the entrance, I started panicking as I'm only wearing my nightgown.

"The hell, Mikaela. I'm just wearing my nightgown," I complained. She immediately stop as she realized what I'm wearing.

"Oo nga noh? Sige magbihis na kayo, dali!" She claps her hand as she rushes us to prepare.

After an hour, we're already standing inside of a boutique. It's actually my suggestion to stop here. I just realized that if he will be my partner, then he should look like one.

"Is this really necessary?" Sebastian commented behind the curtain. I just rolled my eyes as I scan through the magazine, looking for a good design.

Mika and Shy were at the corner playing dress make-over while trying on different clothes and dresses.

"Yes, it is," I said blankly still scanning at the magazine.

I felt the curtains open but my eyes never leave the magazine. I heard a gasp at my left side.

"Ang expensive mong tingnan, Ali!" Mika giggle

"Ano ibig sabihin ng expensive Doc Ganda?" Shy asked curiously.

I place the magazine back at the table and look at him.

"Ibig sabihin no'n ay mahal siyang tingnan, mayaman ba kumbaga," Mika replied.

Cat caught my tongue as I look at his full appearance. He's wearing a 3-piece gray suit. The leather shoes also shine as the light reflects on them, even the man himself also shines at his look.

Wait? Did I really say that?

'Yes, you did,' mataray na sagot ni Megan. I rolled my eyes at her trying to block her out of my mind. She even did the same to me.

"Hindi ba bagay, Stell? Okay naman ah," Mika asked.

I look at her confusedly. "What do you mean?" I asked.

"Hindi mo ba nagustuhan 'yong suot niya? Umirap ka kasi eh, parang nairita ka," she asked. "Bagay naman ah," she added as she take a look at him.

I look at him and saw him frowning. I bit my tongue as I realized that they misunderstood my action. I tried to play it cool and just nodded my head.

"Try the next one," I said. Nakailang palit na siya nang damit pero wala akong sinabi na kahit ano. I didn't even say my approval to those clothes.

"Alam mo, kung hindi ka naman lang pipili ng isa sa mga do'n. Uuwi na 'ko," he stated, already annoyed. I smirk at the sight of him being upset.

He's wearing a casual button-down shirt and denim pants paired with black leather boots.

Tumayo na 'ko at kinuha ang bag ko. I look at the staff of the store and said, "Pack all the clothes he and the kid tried," I said as I give him my card.

I went outside of the store and waited in the car. I saw them going out of the store and entering the car. "Wala akong pambayad sa mga 'yon," he said.

Mikaela laughs, she even smacks Sebastian at his arm, lightly.

"Okay lang 'yan. Galante ang boss mo, ipabawas mo na lang sa suweldo mo," natatawang wika nito.

"Pero kuya bagay talaga sa 'yo lahat ng damit, mapa-pantulog man o pang-party," Shy praises, giving him thumbs up.

"Oo nga! Feeling ko kahit basahan suot mo ay guwapo ka pa rin," Mika added.

Who the hell would wear a rag?

"Brandnew!" both of the girls shouted. I just rolled my eyes at them.

Well, to be honest, he really does look good on everything. I just can't say that straight at him, baka lumaki pa ang ulo.

The staff of the store came out holding at least 15 paper bags, I guess. I don't know, I already lost count.

"Where are we going next?" I asked them. Sebastian was the one driving the car while I am in the shotgun seat. Mika and Shy were at the back of the car. They also have a bag with them as I also pay for Shy's dresses.

"Sa mall! Practice tayo ng PDA niyo," Mika squeal in excitement.

"PDA? Seriously?" I asked. I also notice Sebastian grimacing.

Hmph. As if I want to do that with him.

"Oo! Kung may maiingit, ibig sabihin effective. Pero kapag wala, edi try again."

I shake my head in defeat. "Whatever."

We make our way to the nearest mall. Mika was instructing us on what we are going to do while we're at the parking.

"So, ayon pag nakapasok na tayo sa entrance, holding hands muna kayo. Tapos kapag nasa mga bench the hug each other, kaso bahala basta dapat sweet kayo," Mika explained.

"Are you serious? You know that I don't like being touched," I said to her. She bit her lips as she realized what I've meant.

"Hala, paano 'yan? Baka magduda si Tita kapag hindi ka nagpapahawak sa kaniya," she said worriedly.

"Then, let's forget about this stupidity and head home." I turned around and make my way back to the car.

Someone suddenly grabbed my hand and intertwined our fingers. Napalingon naman ako do'n with my eyes wide open. My mouth forming into 'o', I can't believe he is casually holding my hands.

He pulled me towards the entrance without looking at me.

"Let's get it done para makauwi na agad tayo," he muttered. As soon as we walk inside, all of the attention was turned on us, especially girls.

He continued to pull me inside until someone shouted, "Sweet!"

He stops on his track, he sighs before pulling me beside him. He wraps his hand on my waist and pulls me close to him.

My mind was still processing what happened. I didn't even snatch my arm away from him or push him to maintain a distance. I was just staring straightforward.

"How are we going to do this?" he murmured as he started to walk, gently guiding me.

Nabalik naman ako sa katinuan nang mag-sink in na ang lahat. I tried to push him but he just tightened his hold on me.

"Bear with it for a while," he whispered while looking forward, not even a glance at me.

"Sweet nga!" Mika shouted enough for us to hear. From the volume of her voice, I can tell that they're at least 8 feet away from us.

"What does she mean by that? Hindi pa ba sapat 'to?" I whined trying to figure out what's lacking.

I suddenly felt his on my head and makes it lean slightly to his shoulders. Lahat nang mga nakakasalubong namin ay nagbubulungan habang nakatingin sa amin. They're smiling, some of them are looking at us in awe.

"Okay, cut." We felt a tap on our shoulder as Mika and Shy walked passed at us. Shy looks at us and gives us a thumbs up with a smile on her face.

I immediately pushed him away and followed Mikaela. Him into kami sa tapat ng isang bench.

"Dito naman," Mika stated pointing at the bench. "Upo kayo diyan, kunan ko kayo ng picture."

Mika and Shy pulled me and Sebastian and made us sit at the bench.

"Closer!" Shy said as she's forming her small fingers into rectangular shape, framing us.

I moved a little closer, positioning myself diagonally, not facing him.

"Sweet na ba 'yan para sa inyo? Ang awkward niyong tingnan sa camera," Mika groans as she looks at the picture.

I move a little closer, I can now almost feel him. He's too close.

"Sweet nga!" Mika and Shy grunted.

I heard him sigh as he put his hands on my waist. Lilingunin ko sana iyon pero bigla niyang hinawakan ang baba ko at hinarap sa mukha niya. My eyes widen in shock on seeing how close we are. It's way too much closer!

"Perfect!" Mika cheered while Shy was clapping and giving us thumbs up.

"Isa pa."

Hindi na nagsayang pa ng oras si Sebastian at agad akong inakbayan while looking at the camera. Napatingin din ako ro'n ng wala sa oras.

"Oy! Ang ganda! Naiinggit ako!" Mika commented as she stare at the pictures she have taken.

I just realize that it was my phone that she's using. Great.

"Kuya gutom na 'ko," I heard Shy said at Sebastian. I stand up and compose myself.

"Enough of this. Let's eat and head home already." I lead the way to a fancy restaurant.

A crew immediately ushered us and take our order. Hindi naman nagtagal ay dumating na iyon.

"Kainan na!" Mika said.

We were eating peacefully and silently when Mika suddenly break the silence.

"Teka, since nandito na tayo. Kuhanan ko na rin kayo ng picture," she suggested, taking out my phone.

I groan and put my utensils with a small force, enough to caught their attention. "Can't we just eat this peacefully and leave?"

"Gusto na ring umuwi, may pupuntahan pa ako," Sebastian added.

Mika pouted and sit back. "Isa lang naman eh," she murmured.

"Kuya? Saan ka pupunta?" Shy asked. Napatingin naman sa kaniya ang lahat maliban sa akin. But my ears were listening.

"Sa in-apply-an kong trabaho," he asnwered.

"Nagtatrabaho ka?" Mika inquires and he nodded.

'You should tell him to stop working, baka pumalya pa ang plano niyo,' Megan reminded me. I just agreed with her in silence.

After we finished our meal, Sebastian excused himself to use the restroom. I waited for him to leave and excused myself. I followed him and waited outside the men's restroom.

After a minute ay lumabas niya, he immediately stop when he saw me.

"Ano'ng kailangan mo?" he asked.

"Quit your work," straight forward na sagot ko. "You can risk our deal by working at a low rate salary job," I added.

"Don't worry, magiging maingat ako. At saka isa pa, maayos ang pasuweldo sa pagtatrabahuan ko and it is a full time job, so you won't be seeing me everywhere."

He walks away from me at bumalik sa mesa. I sigh.

He's really stubborn.