Taming Dr. Agatha

KABANATA 10: JEALOUS

"Agatha?"

I was shocked when I heard that voice. Napalingon agad ako sa pinangalingan noon. It is Sunday at wala akong pasok ngayon cause Sir Peter told me that I can have my Saturdays and Sundays at home. Alam niya siguro kung gaano kabusy ang mga Dela Vega sa mga araw na iyon.

"G-Good morning, Don Samuel." bati ko.

I'm here at the kitchen at nagulat ako ng bigla akong tawagin ni Don Samuel na galing lang ata sa Garden. He's old but you can't see the signs of aging from him. I mean, wala pa siyang puting buhok. He's still strong and masculine. Kung hindi ko lang alam na nasa mid 70's na siya. His wife looks young too pero may puting buhok na ito but you can't say it because she still has flawless skin.

"Good morning too iha." aniya. Ngumiti ito sa akin at agad ko ding sinuklian. "Are you busy today?"

Aakyat na sana ako ng hagdan kung hindi niya lang ako tinawag. I was about to rest the whole day pero mukhang may ipag-uutos ata siya.

I shook my head. It was true, I have nothing to do. "Why po? May ipag-uutos po ba kayo sa akin?" I respectfully said.

Humalakhak pa ito at umiling. "You sound like a helper, iha." he commented. Tumawa na lang ako ng bahagya. "Actually, I'm about to check the hotels today but I forgot that we have to go back to Manila with Esmeralda."

"U-Uh, so you want me to be there po?" I concluded.

"Yes, and actually with Colton. Gusto sana naming ipakita sa business partner namin yung sa hotels. He was one of our loyal business partners so we want to officially entertain him. Pero sa sitwasyon ngayon, I can't be there." medyo malungkot niyang sabi.

I gulped. The image of Colton and me together, greeting and entertaining his business partners will for sure be a horrible one. "But Don Samuel, I think I'll be a burden to him if I'll be there too. Also, I have no idea what they going to talk about."

Napatango si Don Samuel. Realizing his mistakes in asking me that kind of request. He frowned, looking so disappointed. Bigla tuloy akong binagabag ng konsensya ko. What the! Agatha, try to reconcile his idea.

I bit my lower lip. "B-But if you want me there too, then I-I will po."

His face automatically lightens up. Mukhang natuwa ang matanda sa sinabi ko. "Thank you so much iha! Actually, the real reason why I want you to be there is that for sure there will be a lot of girls who are going to seduce my grandson." mariin niyang sabi. "And I don't want Colton to be distracted. That's why I need you to be there for Colton to focus."

Napatikhim ako. I was about to answer, hindi po ba mas magiging distraction ako sa kaniya? We both know that we are going to engage this year or month. But I remained silent and nod to him. He's so smart. Trying to trick me, you fool Agatha.

"I will sir."

Halos hindi ako magkanda ugaga ng kakahanap sa susuotin ko. I don't know what to wear? Maybe a simple dress can do? Anyways it’s still formal. I'm going to accompany Colton while he's entertaining his business partner.

I'm still doubting hanggang sa I ended up in an off-shoulder tube top which enough to show my stomach and its pair stripes wide-leg pants. A black and white horizontally stripe as usual. I also wore as a partner of my attire is my silver gladiator sandal. At gaya ng nakasanayan, I tied my hair as a messy bun and simple makeup will do.

Ilang saglit lang ay nakarinig na ako ng sunod-sunod na katok sa pintuan ko. I bet that was Colton. Siguro na-inform na din siya ng lolo niya that I am the one who'll be with him.

"Are you ready, Agatha?" he shouted between the door.

Kinuha ko na kaagad ang aking balenciaga bag. Lumakad ako papuntang pintuan at para pagbuksan siya. When I opened the door, he looks very casual unlike me. He wore simple faded jeans and boots while a V-neck white t-shirt.

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. Oh! For sure he's laughing inside his mind. Inirapan ko nalang siya at pumamewang sa harap niya.

"Tell me. Am I overdressed?" sabi ko.

He didn't say something. Nakatingin lang siya sa akin. I want to read what's in his mind but I can’t! He stared at me blankly! I swear, kapag hindi pa siya nagsalita in 10 seconds. I will close the door and change my outfit for today!

10...9...8...7...6...5...

Oh gosh! Just 5 seconds only remained! 4...3...2...

"No. You look st—" He didn't complete his words. Tumalikod ito sa akin at naglakad na. "Come on let's go! Torrealba's were there!"

I shrugged my shoulders. That's okay. Kesa naman he said yes diba? At least he said no. Mukha namang masaya sa hotel nila dahil tapat no'n ay beach. Just exact for my outfit.

Habang sa kotse kami, I can't help but exchange glances from Colton to his oozing body! Jusko po temptation. Leave me for pete's sake! Nawawala ako sa huwisyo ko. Bakit ba ang dali kong matempt sa kaniya. Isa siyang malaking mansanas na may lason ika nga sa kwento ni eba at adan.

Pilit kong inaalis ang tingin ko sa katawan at mukha niya but it can't help. Mabuti nalang at biglang nagring ang phone ko. Kinuha ko ang cellphone ko sa aking bag at tumambad agad sa akin sa aking screen ang pangalan ni Kris.

"Answer it." aniya. Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tumango.

I slide the answer button from my screen. "Hello, Kris?"

"Hello, girl. How are you?" ani Kris. Rinig ko ang saya sa kaniyang mga boses. It bothers me that's why I ask her too.

"I'm fine. You? You seem so happy!" tanong ko sa kaniya.

She chuckled. "You won't believe it. Masyado akong maswerte today. Axel is here also Tito and tita approved my leave! I'm so excited girl."

Marami pa kaming napagkwentuhan ni Kris hanggang sa sinabi kong kasama ko ngayon si Colton at may pupuntahan kami. Nahinto lang ang pag-uusap namin ng nakarating na kami sa hotel nila. Mabuti nalang din at tumawag si Kris, atleast walang dead air sa loob ng sasakyan.

Nang nakarating kami sa Hotels nila dito sa Isla Palestina. Halos hindi ako makahinga ng maayos ng makita ko ang naglalakihang mga building. Although I know the feeling pero iba pa rin kapag nakakakita ka ng ganitong nature–technology sight. Yung tipong malalaki ang mga building pero kitang kita mo ang emerald color ng dagat. Sorry, but I can't hold my breath because of that scene.

"Who called you?" aniya habang naglalakad kami papasok sa hotels nila.

Tinignan ko siya. "U-Uh! My best friend, Kris. She's going here tomorrow."

Nakita kong biglang naging kalmado ang mukha niya. Nakuntento ata sa sinagot ko.

Habang naglalakad ako at sinusundan siya, hindi ko maiwasan na hindi mamangha. Maganda ang interior ng mga hotel na 'to. Kahit na hilehilera ang mga hotel buildings nila ay nasa ayos pa din ang lahat. I don't know if this is a resort or what?

"Good afternoon sir and ma'am." ani nung babae sa info's desk. "Mr. Leon Torrealba and his wife were in the restaurant."

"Thank you!" sagot niya doon sa babaeng nagsalita kanina.

Wala akong imik. Andito lang ako for moral support. Yeah, moral. Naunang naglakad si Colton sa akin and I am just following him. I have to keep an inch dahil ayokong maging awkward na naman bigla.

Until we ended up in a fancy restaurant inside their hotel. Nakita ko ang pag tigil niyang samantala sa paglalakad. He looks at me and raised his brow.

"Hurry, ayokong magmukhang may dalang secretary ngayon." aniya.

Inirapan ko nalang siya at pinantayan ang lakad niya. Until we both saw a gorgeous woman and man sitting together. Napansin nila ata ang pag-dating namin ni Colton kaya tumayo sila. I know Colton saw them too. Nang makalapit kami ay nakatayo pa din sila. The woman wearing her smile sincerely like her man. Tinanguan ng lalaki si Colton na siya namang ibinalik tango ni Colton.

"Good day, Mr. and Mrs. Torrealba." ani Colton.

Ngumiti ako sa kanilang dalawa kagaya ng ginawa ni Colton. Nagshake hands din silang dalawa pati nang asawa niya.

"Good day too, Mr. Dela Vega and..." Nakatingin sa akin si Mr. Torrealba like he's asking my name.

Ngumiti ako. Like he did to Colton, nag-alok din ito ng shake hands na hindi ko naman tinanggihan. "Agatha Rivera."

Napa-'Oh' silang dalawang mag-asawa. "Well, good day to you too Ms. Rivera-or should I say, Dr. Rivera."

Nakipagbeso-beso naman sa akin ang asawa niya at nagsalita din ito syempre. "The beautiful surgeon in town."

Napangiti ako at nagpasalamat. Bigla tuloy akong nahiya. Nagyayang umupo si Colton kaya naman na-upo na kami. And for the first time! Colton is being a gentleman. Syempre tinulungan niya akong umupo like what other gentlemen did. I mouthed 'thank you' fakely.

I don't know what's in his mind right now pero I am pretty sure that he's doing this because we're in front of his guests. Nag-order muna kami ng makakain bago magsimula. Hindi din nagtagal ay sinerve na sa amin ang pagkain. I was hungry! Really. Hanggang sa magsimula na silang mag-usap at wala akong pake, basta kakain ako.

"Hindi naman kayo napaaga ng dating, Leon?" ani Colton.

Leon shook his head, "No, I think Klea and I were on time. Kakaupo palang namin ng dumating kayo."

So Klea pala ang pangalan ng asawa niya. Well, bagay naman. Beautiful and kind.

"We're planning to start the project within this month." ani Colton.

"Okay then, we will settle the materials you will be needed." sagot ni Leon.

Two men are really busy talking a lot of business stuff while I and Klea are busy eating. I don't know kung anong meron but I think there is something weird about her.

Habang kumakain kami, napag-alaman ko din na engineer pala si Leon at ang kaniyang asawa ay architect naman. I found it so sweet dahil hindi nagkakalayo ang kanilang propesyon.

Pero habang patuloy na nag-uusap ang dalawang lalaki. Hindi mawala ang tingin ko kay Klea. There's something weird about her. Yung lasagna nilalagyan niya ng spinach. Yung chicken nilalagyan niya ng vinegar. Ugh! It's gross.

Napansin niya ata na nakatingin ako sa kaniya kaya naman tumigil ito sa pagkain. "O-Oh! I-I'm sorry..." aniya.

I shook my head and smile. "No no no! I-Its okay, you can continue." sabay hand gestures sa kaniya.

Natigil sa usapan ang dalawa at napako ang tingin sa amin. "O-Oh my sorry, Agatha." paumanhin ni Leon. Kinabig niya ang bewang ng asawa at inilapit ito sa kaniya. "She's eating something weird because she's 2 weeks pregnant."

Natigilan ako pati na din si Colton. I know because I can see him using my peripheral view. "Oh I'm sorry, I didn't know. Well, congratulations for the both of you!"

"Congratulations, Leon and Klea." bati ni Colton. Napatingin ako sa kaniya dahil doon. I saw his eyes sparkle at that moment. I know that he is happy. Siguro gusto niya na ding maging ama.

"Thank you, Colton and Agatha." sagot ni Klea. "I hope you don't find it gross kanina. I'm really sorry!"

"No, it is really okay. Well, honestly I find it gross pero since I know that you're pregnant. I understand it already!" pahayag ko. "Wait, do you have your OB-Gyn?"

"Uh, actually we already have. But if you want to refer someone then we will try!" Klea said.

I smiled. "Yes, we have the best Ob-Gyn in our hospital. I'll refer you to a girl so that your husband won't be jealous." napangisi ako dahil sa kalokohan ko.

Klea laughed while Leon looks so guilty. "Yes. He is."

"Then I will contact my obstetrician-gynecologist friend and she will going to monitor you until you give birth," I suggested.

They both smiled. "Thank you so much, Agatha. I hope we will meet her soon. I'm not comfortable with his OB."

Yeah. He is a jealous one.