Her Misfortune

II. Their Secrets

The twins have fallen asleep when my mom knocked on the door and got in.

“It is just a normal fever and cold said the doctor, we can choose to go home when they finish the drip or stay for the night.” I said as she stood beside Mark on my left.

“You decide.” She said with a warm smile on her face.

I smiled back and nod to her before saying “Then I guess I will let Nick bring some clothes for the twins.” Before standing up and walk towards the door.

“The man who came with you already had gone back. He waited for me outside and said he will call you soon.” Mom said as I pull the door open.

“I need to thank him for giving me express ride here.” I said as I nod to her before I completely disappear from her sight.

I dialled Nick’s number and hear it rings. He answers even before the first ring ends.

“How is it?” he asks agitatedly. I smiled to the thought of the face he is making right now.

“Be thankful that it is only a normal fever and cold, because if it is not, I would love to feed you to the sharks to the ocean you love.” I said sternly but with joking intent.

“I am really sorry Jay; I will be careful next time I promise.” He said with solemn voice.

“Just why you need to take them out on night when you have a whole day free yesterday?” I ask him. Sometimes I just really do not get how his brain works. He is normally smart.

“I know, I am so sorry.” He said again. I could already feel how sad this man is.

Nick was the first person I have told about my pregnancy and the only person who helped us until I could finally start on my own feet which was two years ago. I worked part time works in all kinds of work since I could not leave the twins yet that much they still search for me. I was thankful that the house where my mother and I live is ours, I do not have to worry about the house rental and just the bills and food.

Nick came to our house one day when he just landed from the sea for a whole month and said he lost his apartment and need a place to stay, we lend him the extra room where he still stays, and said that he will be the one to pay the bills as his payment for his stay but that did not last as he also starts to buy things for the twins. I thought at first it is just a rare thing that happens but not until every time he gets back his hands will always be full of things for the twins and he got mad instead of me when I said he needs to stop.

“I will forgive you in one condition.” I said as i get back to our conversation.

“Tell me anything.” He said without hesitation.

“Can you pick us up tomorrow before you go to work? And bring some change of clothes for them and while you are it, please pick some girl and get married already so you could have your own kids.” I said joking with my last remark.

“I will do the first two but not the last one. I do not need to rush, don’t I? I am still young.” He said with his voice full of sincerity.

Nick is not young, he is six years older than me that makes him thirty this year, he is smart, humorous and caring with warmness kind of man aside from his handsome features that I know a lot of girls are lining up specially with in the field he works.

I know there is no way he would change his mind in anything I will say next so I will just take a deep sigh and said “OK what time do you need to go?” implying about his work that he answers not later than twelve in the afternoon meaning that the twins can stay still and rest till one hour before that.

I hung up the call as he said OK to everything.

I sit on one of the seats in front of the twin’s room and slump my face to my hands as I take deep sighs.

“Are you ok Ms. Monte?” a voice suddenly came out of nowhere. I look up only to find Dr.Tedesco standing in front of me as he looks down at me with the record board on his hand.

I smiled to him in return to the kindness he is showing to me before I stood up. “I am fine, I guess I am just hungry. I forgot that I have not eaten yet but I will go now on my way to get the medicines.” As I show him the piece of paper, he gave me earlier.

He look at his wrist watch before he look at me for a few moments and took a sigh. I look at him with wonder, I stared at him and the next thing I knew is, he is on the phone and says “Hey, would you mind checking on the patient at room 308, I am so hungry so I need to go and eat.” Without even breaking his gaze on me. He said thank you before he hung up the phone.

“Would you mind accompanying me to eat? I was busy that I have not had even my lunch yet.” He said with a mischievous smile as he rubs his unseen tummy.

I sigh in defeat and say, “I will treat you as thanks for the twins. But this will be the first and last Mr. Tedesco.” I said as I look at him sternly.

“Whatever, let’s just pass to the information desk in this floor so I could leave this.” He said lifting up the records on his hand and started walking towards to what I guess is where the information desk located is and followed him with defeat in my face.

We arrive at the information desk where everyone greeted him with full of respect and eyes beaming with something I can more or less guess what. I sigh to myself as I watch him interact with them, giving them instructions of what are the things that should be done while he is missing.

“It is very rare for you to ask permission to eat Dr. Tedesco.” One nurse said as I could hear them from where I am standing.

“Right? What is it? Your girlfriend finally came?” Another nurse asks more intrigue from the first one.

“It is a date, but not yet with my girlfriend. Wish me good luck that I could make her my girlfriend.” He said in what he seems intent to be a whisper, but I could hear everything.

“Date your ass. All men really think about stupid things.” I said to myself as I could not watch any more than I witness and hear the rest of their chitchat and so I decided to walk out first.

I could barely hear my name being called from behind and could already guess who is this bastard announcing my name to the whole hospital.

“I can’t be seen with him, not in this hospital where all the bitches are aching for his attention.” I Thought to myself as I ignore his calls and walk out of the hospital where I stand a few minutes till he finally came. It is pretty chili tonight for summer, I could guess summer is ending and autumn is coming.

“Why you left before me?” he said panting a bit with traces of sweat in his forehead.

I look at him before saying “Why? Don’t tell me you want to eat in the hospital cafeteria?”

He looks back to me for a moment until he finally decided to say something. “I am sorry about that. I just thought that after tonight they might start working seriously and will stop chasing my handsome face.” Without any hesitation.

“So, you are fully aware of the looks they are throwing towards you?” I said in amusement.

“Who would not when they look at me like I am some kind of a steak dish.” He said with a joking facade of fright.

I stare at him for a moment until I could not help anymore but to let out a giggle of what he just said and the expression he made with it.

“I feel pity for them now. Why don’t you just choose one and announce it.” I said in between my giggling.

I thought he was a real flirt that made me feel disgusted with him and the only reason why I waited for him and still go to eat is just because I still need to treat him and return the favor.

My mom said that when they arrived, he volunteered to check up on them when he is about to be out. So after calling Nick I already plan to tell him that I will treat him.

“Why towards them when it should be me who should get your sympathy.” He said looking so sad.

I straighten myself with my face and stare at him.

“Can we just go? I am starving to death.” I said dodging his question and turning my back as I take steps away from him.

“You did that on purpose did you not?” he yelled as he runs to me making me walk faster with a smile on my face.

I do not know why but I feel so comfortable with him even with the fact that we just met. I have been uncomfortable with men ever since the twins were born. Nick is the only man I could be close and comfortable with, even with my co-workers, I do not really talk to them if it is unnecessary, and with my superior as needed.  So, I could not help but to wonder as to why he can easily make me feel like this.

“God! How many times will you make me run after you? I have not done this ever since I finished my duty in emergency room.” He said that slightly surprise me. I was lost in thoughts of how long has it been since I last talk normally to any guy.

“Sorry, I just could not take your ‘sympathy’ thing when all the girls are chasing after you as a perfect man.” I blurted out unconsciously. And emphasising the word sympathy.

He looks at me for a second and starts taking steps.

“Perfect? How can you tell I am when you just met me? What is the use of being happy being chase when the truth is, I am the one chasing someone? And let’s be honest, they just see me perfect because I have the ‘doctor’ word attaches to my name.” He said with low voice but loud enough so I could hear it while chasing for him this time. His voice has a trace of sadness, I look at his back and decided not to ask as it is not my place to.

He is tall that his one step takes two of mine that it led to me chasing him. I am glad that he finally stops turning towards me and said, “See it is tiring to run after someone right?” he said with a mocking smile on his face and giving me a wink.

My eyes went as wide as it can by the words he just said and decided to take back my words about him being a good man.

“Are we not there yet?” I exclaimed to him furiously as I take deep breaths.

“We are here. After you.” He said and opens the door for me. I look up to the sign saying “Sub way".

“I can treat you to a proper meal, you do not have to settle yourself into sandwiches.” I said as I look at him with mix feelings. I do not know if he just really craves for some bread with meat and veggies or he is just being considerate for my wallet. If it is the latter, I will kill him before the night ends.

He look at his wristwatch before saying “I am afraid I have not enough time to savour a plate of tender loin or medium rare steak since I have to be back just in time after one whole chicken sandwich with veggies.” He simply said that I nod as agreement and walk inside. I can only imagine how hectic his schedule is being a doctor.

We sat near the door, I mean he lets me sits first before he went and ordered something. I followed him as I know we need to pay right away. I handed my card to the counter first, I made my move when I see him digging for his wallet in his pocket.

He looks at me more like eyeing me in question. I just gave him a smile, a mischievous smile that he keeps eyeing me but this time with his wide eyes like telling me ‘No you will not.’ But I ignore him and handed my card.

“No.” he said holding my hand and handing his card that the cashier gladly took.

“Another b***h in his hand.” I thought to myself rolling my eyes to the sight of her look like a glue towards him. I sigh and walk back towards our table and waited for him. I could hear her flirting with him all the way to our seat which I calculated was about fifty steps away from them.

He walks back towards me with an irritated look in his face that I see when I look up to him. I could not help but to smile at how irritated he is. He sat down in front of me and handed me my sandwich and drink.

“It is hard to be named as doctor is it not?” I said to him that he just sighs before chuckling.

“It is a lot harder when you can not get the only person you wanted to be head over heels to you.” He as he opens his sandwich and take a full bite leaving only half of it. I did to mine but compared to him, I could not take even one fourth of it. I chew it for a while as I look at him looking outside.

“I have been hearing this chasing, you chasing to someone, are you?” I said as my curiosity hits its bottom. I could not help noticing of the things he says, everything from the very first time we talked. He is the only man I could talk comfortably so I could not help but keep in mind everything hears from him.

“Have I said it too much?” he said faking innocence in his face. I laugh at how often he does do making faces.

“Did I say something funny?” he added after seeing me laughing he laughs a bit too.

“No, you did not, it is just that I notice how much you love making faces you know?” I said in between my laugh.

“Oh, it is a habit, dealing with sick kids you know.” He said that I found amusing. He is a good doctor, a good paediatrician. I know how hard it is to deal with kids, being a mother two handful boys made me thought I am so unfortunate but now that I face someone like him, I suddenly feel small sitting in front of him.

“Why you chose the doctor and being in paediatrician?” Does it have any connection about chasing someone?” I said before taking a sip to my drink.

“Why should I tell you something personal Ms. Monte?” he asks but in any other way but in a playful way.

‘Is he testing me or something?’ I ask myself as I look straight to him. Well I could also just test him back if that is what he wants.

“Because we might never meet again, and so it will remain just between you and me and I could guess nobody else knows about it.” I said arching my eyebrow up with a mischievous smile on my face.

“How can you tell that we would never meet again? How can you tell that I have not tell anyone else about it?” he said finishing his sandwich.

“Because you live in north while I live in south. And because you yourself lets it out to a stranger without noticing it. So, it is just my hunch.” I proudly said.

“As expected from someone working with so many people every time.  It honed your skills in reading people does not it?” he said that I smiled proudly and give him a nod.

He chuckles and so I do. Until I say “So, are you planning to tell me now?” which made him go to silence, take a deep breath looking away from me before looking back at me and stare.

“I just like this girl when I was a teen, she was my first love. She does not hook up with low life people like me. And so, when I graduated, I decided to be a doctor, respectable enough, earns enough to be someone to be not classified as low life. But when I finished my studies, she got married into someone who owns a lot of buildings in the whole city of Manhattan.” He said, short but short enough for me to understand everything.

“So, you still have not move on from her?” I said with just only curiosity.

“Well, they say that the only thing that could fix a fail love is a new love.” He simply said. I could not help but to chuckle to what he just said. He threw me a look of asking.

I had to take a deep breath before I say “Do you believe in that? In this age? In this status of you?”

“I do, why? You do not?” he said that in surprise I had to stop chuckling and almost choke on my own. He handed me my drink and gulp a bit of it.

“If you were in my shoes, I doubt you will too. I mean, I simply went to a three night get away, got hook up to the very first man in my whole life on the last night and only to find out I got pregnant a week later. I do not even know his real name as he just introduced himself in a certain name that I found out is just some nick name as I could not find him when I tried to. And stopped at some point that made me forgot how he looks like.” I said without stopping while looking and playing with the bottle of juice in my hand. I expect something will come out from his mouth, but nothing I hear that made me look up to him. I see him looking at me and I had to look back at him. I did not expect that we would tell each other, each other’s secrets like we are just so close enough to do it normally.

He is not talking, not even a word, but his eyes are enough to make me to. His eyes that looks at me like they are talking, only by now I noticed that his eyes were not as blue as ocean, but as blue as the sky full of clouds, a little darker shade of blue that are just so mesmerizing to be in sight.

“So, you never dated after you got pregnant?” he said when he finally decided to say something. I am still in awe to his eyes that I just barely manage to nod my head in answer.

“And you do not plan ever again?” he once again said as he turns outside that break our eye connection. I followed his gaze as I notice that he has been looking outside so frequently since we entered here but I could not find anything aside from people walking and cars passing by one after another.

“I can not say for sure for now, I have the m&m still growing that still needs attention and how could I when every man who approach us could die from their glare, or every passing men is being stabbed by how they look at them.” I said in joking tone. We both chuckle to the thought.

“Also, I am already contented with love and happiness they give all the time.” I added that he nods.

“I can clearly see that, in just span of half our, they have been calling your name more than I could ever count. How long have you gone this time?” he said. I smiled and could feel my cheeks blushing, I feel it every time I hear about the twins from other people, talking good about them or hearing them talking about me. They really do love me and that is more than enough.

His phone suddenly ring once that I guess he received a message. I started cleaning up the trash we made and stood up.

“It is duty call is it not?” I said that he nods sadly.

“I am having the best time of my life since high school, and now I had to deal with some kids once again.” He said as he helps me bring the trashes to the trash can and open the door for me as we walk out.

“You can not help it, can you? You chose it so you have to be responsible which I think you already are.” I said complimenting him on how strict he is to himself; I know he is making a move on me and I decided to go along with it. I thought at first that he would neglect his duty and just flirt with me.

“I cannot and I will. I am glad that I appeared to you like that. Now I have confidence to meet you once again.” He said as we take our steps back towards the hospital.

“Now, you are asking for a date Mr. Doctor?” I said in teasing tone with my eyes arched up high.

“I might, I might not. But one thing I am sure of is that you still need to treat me since I was the one who paid tonight.” He said giving me a wink, a cheeky wink, proud like he just won a lottery.

“So, you have planned it very well. Is it obvious enough that I do not want to date or to deal with some male?” I said faking irritation in my face as I look at him.

“Tell me I planned it well.” he said still with his cheeky smile.

The night has gotten a lot colder, but I feel warm. I do not know why but I will not think much, I feel comfortable with it and that is fine. And the fact that I feel comfortable with this man who did everything so he could win another dinner with me have made me think about something.

‘I will give him this one time, but it will never surpass that.’ I said to myself before I stop my trail and look at him and say “I will grant you one dinner, but just a friendly one. And that will be the last.” And continue walking.

He catches up to me and giving me a smile full of happiness together with his eyes. “Thank you for granting me another one, and a chance to plan for the next one.” He said smiling like an i***t. His smile made me smile as well. We walk towards the entrance of the hospital with him opening the door like a gentleman he is. We entered with smiles on our face as I shake my head thinking there is nothing I could do with his persistence.

We parted ways in the lobby as he mouthed me “I will see you later”. I do not know when that will be later, but I guess it will not be after I check out the boys. I walk towards the room of the boys where I found them asleep and so is my mother in the sofa. I went to get a blanket and covered her as I watch her to sleep while caressing her hair.

‘I have not thanked you yet for supporting me all these years all by yourself, and now with two more kids added. I know it is hard for you mom. But I promise, it will be better soon. Thank you for loving them without questioning their father. I have not told you how because I do not see the need as he will never be in our life. It will always be me, you and the m&m. We will always love you and when they grow old enough, I know they will take care of you, just like how you have taken care of them. I love you mom.’ I whispered and give her a kiss to her forehead and slept next to her.

Meanwhile

A man sitting in the car have burning eyes out of madness. He looks so mad, he is terrifyingly mad as to what he witnessed since a pair of a man and a woman came out of the hospital and walk down the street looking so happy, even happier inside of the dine in store as he watches them from afar in his car.

“I want everything about her. The life she lives and her where abouts for the last five years. And I want it as soon as possible.” He said towards someone sitting in front of him.