Doctor and Ma'am

"You are a virgin." This was what Leonard uttered after he had slept with a woman. He was sitting on the edge of the bed while the woman was quietly sobbing. The room was dim, and he couldn't clearly see the woman's face. He was usually particular about choosing women, but today he had forgotten to get to know her first. "Why did you do this?" he asked her. "Because of my father," the woman answered, sobbing. Leonard held the woman's chin and looked into her tear-streaked face and eyes, which were wet with tears. He was taken aback and unconsciously said, "Promise me, you won't do this again." Leonard took out all the money from his wallet and, without a word, placed it in the woman's palm, then quickly dressed and left the room. The woman was left inside the motel room, staring at the large amount of money in her hand. "Now my father can have the surgery," she said tearfully. Leonard was inside his car, staring blankly at the steering wheel. He remembered the woman's face. Her face was gentle, and her eyes seemed to speak volumes. He couldn't understand his own feelings. "It was just a coincidence," he told himself. Leonard was snapped out of his reverie when his cellphone rang. "Hello." "Li, we have an emergency here. We need your assistance," said the person on the other end. "Ok, I’m on my way." Leonard immediately started the car. He took a deep breath and cleared his mind of the temporary thoughts. Leonard walked briskly into the hospital with purpose. The guard greeted him, "Good evening, Doc." He responded with a curt nod. "Dr. Leonard Carpio! Dr. Leonard Carpio! Please proceed to OR!" His name was being called. He went to the Doctor’s Station, cleaned himself, changed clothes, and put on a surgical gown. When he entered the operating room, Dr. Jayson Guzman, the Anesthesiologist, and four nurses were already there. "Li, it's good you made it. One of the patients needs an immediate operation. Dr. Cheng is out of the country." "OK, I’ll take it." The head nurse handed him the patient's medical records. He read the name; 'Menandro Domingo' Meanwhile, Jasmine hurried into the hospital and spotted her mother right away in the lobby. "Mom, how's Dad?" "He's in the operating room now, child," her mother, whose eyes were red from crying, replied. "Let's go to him." Jasmine guided her mother, who was also distraught over what had happened to their father. They went up to the second floor and sat outside the operating room to anxiously wait. "Child, how are we going to pay for this?" her mother asked worriedly. They hadn't saved any money because all their father's earnings from driving went to their expenses. Two of them were in college, and two were in high school. Their mother couldn't sell at the market anymore because of what happened to their father. "D-Don't worry, Mom. I borrowed money from Mama Musang." She almost stuttered while speaking. For the first time, she lied to her mother. She estimated that the money she had would be enough because her father had SSS and insurance. "My child, there might be strings attached to that. You know Mama Musang, she charges high interest. And I've heard she's a pimp." Jasmine swallowed hard at her mother's words. "Mom, I'll pay it in installments and I'll look for a job right after I graduate." She didn't want to show any weakness to her mother. She was worried that she might fall ill. They waited for about three hours and the mother and daughter looked up when the operating room door opened and a doctor came out. Jasmine was about to approach, but the doctor just walked straight out without acknowledging them. She didn't see his face either because he was still wearing a mask. Another doctor came out. "Doc, how is Dad?" the young woman immediately asked. "Ah, are you the family of Menandro Domingo?" The mother and daughter nodded. "The patient is safe now, but he'll need to stay in the ICU for a few days. Alright then," the doctor said as he took his leave. Leonard sat in his parked car, staring blankly. The woman he saw outside the operating room was the same woman he was with earlier at the motel. Her father was his patient. Fortunately, he forgot to remove his mask when he left the operating room. He suddenly felt a nervousness he couldn't explain. He wanted to comfort her earlier, but he knew it would be an awkward situation. Because of her love for her father, the young woman resorted to selling her body. Her face was kind like Estella's. Her eyes were also soft and seemed to always be speaking. Leonard sighed deeply. 'It was just a coincidence that she resembled her. My Estella is still more beautiful.' He consoled himself and started the engine. As his car was running, he suddenly remembered Sam. 'Oh right, it's Sam's birthday today.' He felt guilty because he hadn't gotten a birthday present for his daughter yet, and she was probably asleep by the time he got home. Why does he always forget Sam's birthday? Is it because it's also the death anniversary of his wife? Leonard sighed deeply. Until now, he couldn't move on from losing Estella. Earlier, he visited her grave. Whenever he missed their time together, his desires as a man would resurface, which is why he was at the motel earlier. But today's events were different. He felt sorry for Sam. She never got to see her Mommy. The events replayed in his mind like a movie. "Daddy, it seems like we bought too much for Baby Samantha. Maybe some of these won't even be used." Estella was overjoyed after they went shopping for their soon-to-be-born baby. “Mommy, we’ll use all of this, right, baby?” Li said, touching his wife’s belly and excitedly speaking to the baby inside, “in just two months, you'll be joining Mommy and me for outings.” The couple was thrilled, having waited five years to have a child, and in just a short time, they would finally see their angel. “Hold-up!!!” shouted a woman in the jewelry store. “Bang! Bang! Bang!” The mall shoppers started running. Leonard embraced his wife. “Dad-daddyyyy..” Estella slowly slipped from his embrace. “Mommy! My God! You've been hit!” Leonard was panicked as he held his fallen wife. “Help! Please, help us!” He shouted in fear, pleading for help for his wife. At the hospital, “Li, Estella has lost a lot of blood. Her body might not be able to take it, but the baby is alive and safe now,” said his fellow doctor, Dr. Cheng. Leonard was a skilled General Surgeon, but he couldn't do anything to save his wife's life. Leonard's eyes were once more filled with tears. Five years had passed, but the pain of losing Estella was still fresh for him. There were many women, but for him, none could compare to her. He changed the course of his car in another direction. There was a shopping mall still open where he could buy a gift for Sam. --- Sam was already asleep when Leonard arrived. He touched his child's cheek gently, with pity. Sam stirred and woke up. “Daddy.” Sleepily, Sam approached and hugged him. “Happy birthday, Anak.” Leonard kissed Sam on the forehead and hugged him tightly. “Here's my gift for you.” He handed a stuffed toy almost as big as Sam. "Wow, Mama Bear. Thank you, Daddy." The child was delighted, hugging the stuffed toy tightly and rocking it back and forth. Leonard hugged Sam again. He knew why Sam called the stuffed toy that. Sam had asked him several times about his mother. Sam understood that his mother had passed away, but there was one question the child asked that he couldn't answer. "Daddy, when will I have a mommy?" Leonard was taken aback by his child's question. It was a difficult question that came up again. "Baby, Daddy hasn't found anyone as kind and as beautiful as your mommy." That was his usual answer. "Go back to sleep, baby. Hug your Mama Bear." Leonard laid Sam down and tucked him in. He waited for Sam to fall asleep before going to his own room. The next day, it was time for Li to do his rounds with his patients at the hospital. He first checked the patients' records, including Menandro Domingo's chart. He was sweating despite the air conditioning. He might encounter the woman, but he wasn't ready to face her yet. He wanted to talk to her, but not under these circumstances. However, he needed to visit the patients. "Whatever happens, happens," he said to himself. He had finished with the other patients and was heading to the room where Mang Menandro was when he saw the woman leaving the room, seemingly about to leave, wearing a school uniform. Leonard abruptly turned around, surprising the nurse following him, and returned to the nurse's station. He waited for the young woman to pass before proceeding. He watched her walk away. She had a beautiful figure, and even in simple clothes, she appeared attractive to him. He suddenly felt a warmth. He shook his head, trying to clear his mind of those thoughts. *** The patient's attendant looked up as Leonard entered the room. "Oh, Doc, good morning," she greeted Leonard with a smile. "Good morning to you too," Leonard replied to the attendant, assuming she was the patient's wife. "Are you Menandro Domingo's wife?" "Yes, Doc. I'm Gloria," the woman replied with a smile. "How is Tatay?" He smiled at the patient while checking his vital signs. The patient smiled back. Leonard observed the patient, noting the resemblance to the young woman. "Oh, he's gradually getting stronger, and he's able to eat now," the wife replied happily. "That's a good sign, it will speed up Papa's recovery," Leonard agreed while writing in the patient's chart. "Are you always the one watching over Papa?" he asked the patient's wife. In truth, he was looking for a clue about when her daughter would arrive. "Oh, not always. My daughter Jasmine will replace me later. She's studying, so she watches over him at night," said Gloria. Now he knew her name and when she would be at the hospital. "Papa, get well, okay," he said to the patient, who smiled and nodded at him. "Mama, if the patient needs anything, please inform the nurse's station," he instructed Gloria. "Oh, sure, Doc. Thank you," said Gloria. --- In the office of Agent Henry Mendez. "Li, bro. It seems like you missed me, huh." Li smiled at his friend's remark. Since they pursued their respective professions, they rarely saw each other. Unlike Jay, with whom he shared the same career path. "Pare, you know my job. No fixed hours." "I know. And for sure you need something from me," Henry said, smiling while twirling a pen between his fingers. "Yeah, you're right." Leonard took something out of his polo pocket. "I want you to background check this lady and her family." Henry read what was written. "Jasmine Domingo. Just a name and address. No picture? What's her connection to you, Pare?" he asked with a furrowed brow. "I don't have a picture. She's young. A college student. Perhaps twenty or twenty-one. Just, bro, I need your B.I report," Leonard replied with a shrug, nonchalantly. The truth is, even he was puzzled about why he wanted to know more about the girl's life. "The last time you asked me to do a B.I was a decade ago, before you started courting Estella," Henry commented. "Does she owe you something? Or is she someone special?" Henry asked jokingly. Leonard smiled back at his friend's remark. "Bro, just do what I want." "Ok. Just give me a week," Henry said. "By the way, it's your godchild's birthday on Sunday. You and Samantha better not miss it." --- Lunchtime at a restaurant. "Jay, I'm attending a medical convention in New York next week. Dr. Cheng has arrived," Leonard said to his doctor friend while eating. "How long will you be away?" Jay asked in between bites. "Two months. Actually, just over a month, but I will also visit my parents," Leonard replied while continuing to eat. Jay smiled and teased his friend, "You're just going to look for women there." Leonard's brow slightly furrowed at his friend's comment. "Of course not. I actually wanted to bring Sam, but she still has school." Jay asked seriously, "Li, when will you find another mommy for my godchild?" Leonard sighed. First, it was Sam, and now even Jay was asking when he would marry again. "It's not easy to do what you're saying." "Don't get me wrong, bro. You know our profession often sacrifices quality time with family. It would be better if you had someone to help raise your child," Jay explained. Leonard only responded with a sigh. "By the way, why did you cover Menandro Domingo's hospitalization?" Jay asked curiously. Li paused while he was eating. "The family would be in a difficult situation if the head of the family were gone," he replied to his friend. "That's all?" Jay asked inquisitively. Li shifted the conversation to stop his friend from asking more questions. “Let's finish our meal quickly, I still need to take Sam to Jelyn.” --- Leonard thought about what Jay said as he drove home. He had been trying to find someone new to love, but no one had caught his attention. No one met his standards. He thought he might never find someone like Estella, who was beautiful, kind, intelligent, loving, thoughtful, and an exemplary wife. Leonard let out a deep sigh. He thought of Samantha, who was growing up and becoming more aware. He felt he was failing as a father due to his work commitments. 'My poor child,' he thought. Suddenly, Jasmine came to mind. She bore a resemblance to Estella. If there was any difference, it was their height because Jasmine was petite, Estella had curly hair while Jasmine had straight hair, and Estella was very fair-skinned, but Jasmine was also fair. Since the day he met her, he has often thought of her. He wondered if it was just a man's longing. But why did he feel both joy and nervousness when he saw her in the hospital lobby? He felt like a teenager with a racing heart upon seeing a crush. He smiled unconsciously. --- “Daddy!” Samantha greeted Li with joy. He picked her up and kissed her on the head, “Hi baby, how was your day? You're getting heavier every day,” he said while playfully shaking her. “How is your work Daddy?” the child asked sweetly. Sam was used to his irregular hours of coming home. She understood the work of a doctor even at a young age. Li gently caressed his child's cheek, “Baby, Daddy is leaving for the USA. You'll be staying with Tita Jelyn while I'm away.” “You are leaving?” Sam said sadly. “Yes baby, but don't worry, when I get back, we'll go to EK,” Leonard said cheerfully to comfort his child. He felt how much she longed for her mother and how he was often absent. “Yeheyyy..!” Sam exclaimed joyfully and clapped. Li hugged his child tightly, the only living memory of his beloved wife, Estella.