Doctor and Ma'am

Chapter 3

Jasmine's entire body turned cold. She wanted to run, but her knees lost their strength. Her past replayed in her mind, and her eyes clouded over. She held back her tears and lowered her gaze.

Leonard was taken aback by Jasmine's reaction. Earlier, while watching her talk to his child, he felt immense joy. Now, he didn't know what to say.

"Teacher Jas. That's my daddy," Sam nudged Jas.

Jas felt like she was scorched in Leonard's presence. "Sam, I'm going home now," she managed to say, picking up her handbag and turning away.

"Jasmine, wait!"

Jas stopped walking when Li blocked her path. She looked down and avoided eye contact with the man.

"Jas, we need to talk. Okay, not now, but we will talk," Li whispered.

The young woman just nodded and continued her quick pace away from the father and child.

Jasmine walked quickly. She wanted to get away from the place. She felt like her world had collapsed because of what had happened.

"Why him? Why him?" the young woman repeatedly whispered as tears streamed down her face.

She never thought that their paths would cross again. She was slowly forgetting the events of her life. She accepted what happened because it was for her father's safety. But it seemed like fate was mocking her because she met him again.

She felt ashamed of herself, like a paid woman. But that was it, and it would not happen again.

'Why is he Samantha's father?' She had grown fond of the child and enjoyed teaching Sam. "I'm sorry, Sam," she whispered to herself. She couldn't return to tutor Sam anymore.

Jas wiped her tears as she neared the guardhouse of the village. She didn't want to be asked why she was crying.

As she left the village, she cried again and let them flow until her eyes were tired of shedding tears.

---

Jas was in the jeepney on her way home, and her tears still wouldn't stop. 'I thought I had moved on. Why did I have to see him, and he's Sam's dad?' She covered her face with a handkerchief and let the tears flow again until they were exhausted.

She arrived home looking weary. "Bless me, Mother."

Gloria stared at Jas's face. "Dear, are you feeling unwell? Your eyes are red," she noted with concern.

"N-no, Mom. I just got something in my eye earlier." Jas almost choked on her lie. "Where's Dad?"

"Oh, he's at the market. He's with Bong and said he's getting bored here. I'll be going back there to close up. You stay here. Help Ellen in the kitchen," her mother said before turning away.

"Yes, Mother. Take care," Jas called after her mother. As she went to her room to change clothes, she passed her younger brother in the living room and ruffled his hair. "Mark, you're glued to the TV."

"Ate, come on. My hair, really."

She laughed at her irritated brother. Jas thought, even though they weren't wealthy, she was happy to have a complete family.

She went to the kitchen after changing clothes. “Hi sis, your cooking looks delicious.” She cheerfully greeted her sister.

“Ate, I saw Alfred the other day. He looked sad. Did something happen between you two?” Ellen asked with a slightly furrowed brow.

“I was honest with him,” Jas replied sadly, because she couldn't help but feel guilty of her childhood friend. She took a rag and cleaned up the mess on the table.

“About what?” Ellen asked, her attention on her cooking.

Jasmine took a deep breath. “That I only like him as a brother.”

“Ate, that's a shame. He's sincere with you," Ellen said with a hint of sadness while stirring her cooking.

“I know. But the thing is—" Jas didn't finish her sentence. She went to the pantry to get plates and utensils to set the table.

“You have someone else you like,” Ellen added to what Jas said and looked at her sister.

“No," Jas quickly replied, shaking her head. "I just want to help Mama and Papa get back on their feet first.” Who indeed? She also asked herself that question.

“Sis, you can balance love and career,” Ellen said while tasting her cooking.

“Don't worry sis, if it's meant to be, it will come to pass.” Jas thought of Leonard. The first man in her life. The first man who took her womanhood in exchange for money. She couldn't look at him earlier because she felt so small in front of him.

“Ate, you're being too cryptic. Let's hope it's not a boil.” Ellen laughed at her joke, which Jas tried to join in.

Jas really didn't go back to Jelyn's house after Sam's father arrived.

Jas was about to leave the school compound when Alfred approached her.

“Jas, let's go home together.”

“Okay,” Jas agreed. The young man was really persistent, she thought. She didn't want to push him away because she wanted him as a friend.

They didn't talk until they reached her house. Unlike before, when they had a lot to talk about.

“It looks like you have a visitor,” Alfred noted when he saw the parked car in front of their house. “See you, Jas,” he said goodbye.

“Thanks, Alfred.” The young woman waved at the departing young man.

Jas curiously eyed the fancy car as she entered their yard. ‘Who could the visitor be?’ She paused at the door when she recognized the voice talking to her mother and father.

“Jas, my child, you're here. Come over here,” Gloria said as she glanced at her newly arrived daughter.

Jas had no choice but to approach her parents and greet them. She felt like Li's gaze was following her, and she couldn't bring herself to look at him.

“Hi Jas,” Li greeted with a smile.

“Hello, Doc.” Jas gave a small smile and immediately looked down.

“Have a seat, Jas,” Aling Gloria said.

The young woman hesitated but was more afraid that her mother might question her. Jas had no choice but to sit in the chair opposite Li.

"The doctor came here because he brought your salary. It's a bit embarrassing for the doctor," Gloria said with an apologetic tone.

"It's okay. At least I got to see Tatay," Li smiled at Mang Menandro.

'Papa?' Jas glanced at Li and realized he was looking at her too. She quickly looked down, feeling nervous under Li's gaze.

"Isn't it a coincidence? Doctor, you operated on my Omeng, and Jas is the tutor of your child," Aling Gloria said with a laugh.

Jas looked up again. 'Operated on Papa?' She frowned and glanced at Li again, but he was already standing and saying goodbye to her parents.

"Bye Jas," Li said to the young woman with a sweet smile.

She just watched the doctor leave. He looked so dignified, and you wouldn't guess he was over thirty.

Her attention was caught when her mother spoke. "Oh, here. The doctor brought this. He said it's a treat for you."

She was surprised to see the contents of the paper bag. There were lots of chocolates and beauty products.

---

While driving home, Li couldn't get Jas out of his mind. He was happy when she arrived earlier, and he felt like a teenager secretly thrilled, but he felt her avoiding him.

'Jas, why do you have such a great effect on me? I always miss you,' he thought, but he wasn't the only one who missed her because Sam always talked about her and asked when she would come back.

"Sis! Hurry up with your shower. Someone's calling your cellphone," Ellen called to her while knocking on the bathroom door.

"I'll be out in a second."

Ellen handed her the cellphone when she came out.

The caller's number wasn't registered. "Hello."

"Teacher Jas, where are you?" It was Sam's voice, and he sounded like he was crying.

She became worried when she heard the child's sobs.

"Sam? What's wrong, baby?"

"You promised me... that you'd come to my graduation," Sam replied between sobs.

She froze, realizing she forgot Sam's graduation. "Don't worry, don't cry, I'm on my way, bye." She ended the call and quickly dressed and got ready. She thought Li would be there. 'Whatever, I'm doing this for Sam,' she reasoned to herself.

"Ellen, I'm going to Sam's graduation, please tell Mama," she told her sister and hurriedly left.

---

Sam had been waiting for a while. "Baby, I think you should sit, Teacher Jas will probably arrive," Li said, laughing at himself because it seemed like he wanted to say something else.

"Teacher Jas, here!" Sam waved at the approaching Jas.

Li watched the young woman approach, and his heart skipped a beat. She was in a casual dress, her hair down, with a bit of makeup, but her simple beauty stood out.

Jas also looked at the father and son and found herself staring at Li, 'He's handsome, he and Sam have the same nose and eyes,' she thought. She felt nervous as she walked up to them and smiled.

"Teacher Jas, yay!" Sam exclaimed excitedly. Li was smiling broadly, his eyes crinkling with joy.

Sam held the young woman's hand, while Li held the child's other hand. They looked like a family.

The recognition ceremony began before the kindergarten graduation exercises. They began calling those with special awards, and Sam's name was called several times, with Li going up to the stage multiple times to hang medals on the child. Meanwhile, Jas was busy taking pictures of the father and son. The third honor was called, followed by the second honor, with the parents hanging the medals.

"And now, for the overall first honor of the Kinder Classes, Samantha Carpio!" Applause erupted, and Jas was as delighted as Li. Sam went up the stage.

"May we request the parents to come up the stage," said the emcee.

Li stood up and, to Jas's surprise, gently took her by the elbow and said, "Please, for Sam."

Jas went along. Li hung the medal, and they took pictures before stepping down. He still held her by the elbow, smiled at her when they sat down, and softly whispered, "Thanks."

Jas nodded and gave a slight smile.

After the graduation rites, she bid farewell to the father and son. "I'll go ahead, Doc."

"No, Jas. We'll take you home," Li insisted.

"Teacher Jas, please. Agree," Sam said, hugging the young woman.

'Why is it so hard to refuse this child?' Jas thought. "Okay," she agreed.

Since Sam was a child, Jas sat in the back while Li drove. She was silent and focused her gaze on the road.

The car was running when Li spoke. "Baby, I think this calls for a celebration. What do you want? Where do you want to go?" He asked his child through the rearview mirror.

Sam got excited, "Really, Daddy? Are we celebrating? Teacher Jas, come with us," he immediately turned to the young woman.

Jas felt awkward being with Li and couldn't find the words to respond. "No Sam, just you two."

"Oh, come on. I want you with us." The child immediately pouted.

"Jas, please. Indulge Sam," Li pleaded while keeping his eyes on the road.

"Okay. I'll come with you, Sam," Jas agreed because she didn't want the child to feel bad.

"Yay!" Sam was so happy, even jumping up and down inside the car.

---

They ate at a fast food chain where Sam's favorite was fried chicken. Sam was full of energy and kept chatting while eating. Jas just smiled while her attention was on the child, but she felt Li's gaze on her.

After they ate, Sam invited them to ride the carousel. Li took on the role of photographer. They walked around the mall, holding Sam by each hand when he pointed to something inside a toy store. "Dad, let's buy that."

Sam ran into the store, and the two followed. "Here." He held the Bear Family stuffed toy. "This is Daddy, Mommy, me, and baby brother."

"You like it?" the father asked, and Sam nodded. "Okay, we'll buy it." Li led his child to the counter.

Sam was still hyper and noticed something else. “Daddy, movie.” Sam tugged them both along.

Li looked at Jas. “Is that alright with you, Jas?”

Jas didn’t want Sam to sulk, so she nodded.

Since they were with a child, they went to a kids' movie. They bought popcorn and fruit shakes before entering the cinema. Since it was dark, Li carried Sam and took Jas's hand.

Li held Jas's hand tightly, so she had no choice but to follow. Jas felt a jolt of electricity run through her from Li's palm.

Li secretly smiled, enjoying the feel of Jas's hand. If he could, he would never let it go, but Sam would sit between them.

Sam was yawning by the time the movie ended, so Li decided to take him home. Li and Jas were silent in the car, neither of them speaking. They were both gauging each other's mood while Sam slept soundly in the back.

Jas was secretly impressed when Li's car entered a spacious compound. It was as beautiful and as big as Jelyn's house. Li carried the sleeping child, and Jas followed, carrying Sam's medals and the stuffed toy they bought.

Li laid Sam down and turned on the air conditioner. Jas removed Sam's shoes, socks, and even clothes. Li fetched Sam's pajamas. Jas dressed him, and he didn’t even stir from exhaustion.

Li was quietly pleased to see how Jas cared for Sam. Sam loved her, and he felt that she loved his child too. He wondered what it would be like to be one of those Jas cared for. He felt a rush of excitement at the thought.

“Jas, I'll take you home. Just a moment while, I check on Sam,” Li said and turned away. Jas didn’t protest anymore.