The Doctor’s Betrayal

CHAPTER 4: LOSING GAME

THE DOCTOR'S BETRAYAL

CHAPTER 4: LOSING GAME

The sterile scent of antiseptic filled the air as I walked through the bustling corridors of my husband's Hospital. The familiar sounds of beeping monitors and hurried footsteps surrounded me, but today, they felt muted, overshadowed by the weight of my thoughts.

"Mas gusto ko pa siyang asawa kaysa sa 'yo." Iyon ang tumatak sa akin. Ganoon ba talaga kahirap mahalin?

I had always found solace in my work, but lately, the joy of being a doctor had been overshadowed by the turmoil in my personal life.

Syempre, ito ang pangarap naming dalawa noon. Magiging doctor ako at ganoon din siya.

Sebastian, my husband, had become a stranger. Hindi nanaman kami nagpapansinan, I mean, ako ang hindi nanaman niya pinapansin. Noon naman hinahayaan niya lang ako, sasagutin niya kapag nagtatanong. Ngayon ay wala.

The warmth and camaraderie we once shared had been replaced by a cold distance that left me feeling isolated.

As young Sebastian, my best friend... that I turn into a monster.

Our forced marriage had turned our friendship into a battlefield, and every interaction felt like a reminder of the chasm that had formed between them.

I entered the break room—and found a moment of respite. I poured myself a cup of coffee, the rich aroma grounding me amidst the chaos of my thoughts. Leaned against the counter, staring out the window at the bustling city below, my mind racing with memories of happier times with Seb.

"Gago! Kapag naging Doctor ako, kahit walang sakit, gagamutin ko!" Masayang biro ko.

"Kahit bampira na walang puso, papatibukin ko. Gwapo ko, e, laki pa ng t**i ko." Isang hampas ang binigay ko sa kaniya sa kadiri nitong biro.

Natawa na lamang ako, dahil isa na lamang iyon sa mga nakakalokong ala-ala.

"Huy, Dzai!" a cheerful voice broke through my reverie. It was Cel. "Everything okay? Tulala ka, habang nagkakape! Ano? Relapse ka?"

Natawa na lamang ako, trying to mask the turmoil within. "Just a long day, I guess. Saka hindi ako nagre-relapse."

Cel raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "Gaga, alam ko kapag malungkot ka. Alam ko naman na si Seb ang dahilan. I've seen you and Seb together. It's like you're both walking on eggshells." I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"It's complicated." Tumawa naman siya sa sinabi ko. "Ay, 'Te! Matagal namg complicated ang relasyon niyo, ngayon mo lang na-realize? Grabe ka na magmahal, 'te."

I leaned against the counter, my expression softening. "Mukha ba talaga kaming hindi sweet na mag-asawa?"

"Lahat ng Doctor at Nurse rito ay alam na wala siyang pakialam sa 'yo. Narinig nga kanina ni Seb na may nagchikahan na hindi ka naman talaga mahal ni Seb, pero hindi ka niya pinagtanggol." I took a deep breath, the weight of my emotions threatening to spill over. Alam ko naman na mangyayari talaga ito.

"Ano pa nga ba? I forced him into this marriage. I thought it would bring him success, but instead, it pushed us apart. But he did succeed, tho."

"Have you tried talking to him?" Cel asked gently.

Umiling ako, "Every time I try, it feels like I'm talking to a wall. He's so cold, so distant. Kasalanan ko naman at ako itong umalis sa kasal ng pinsan niya kaya siguro nagalit sa akin."

"Ay! Taray! Hindi ka ganiyan. Feeling ko naalog na ulo mo sa makasalanan mong asawa."

"Ako naman ang nagsabi, Cel. I told him he could cheat if he wanted, as long as he came home to me. I thought it would ease the tension, but it only made things worse."

Cel frowned, concern etched on her face. Alam kong naiintindihan niya ako, dahil ilang mura ang inabot ko sa kaniya noong gabi na tumawag ako sa kaniya para sabihin na iyon ang sinabi ko.

"Dzai, sinabi ko naman na 'to, that's a dangerous game. You can't just let him walk all over you like that. You deserve better, at hindi ako magsasawa sabihin 'yan sa 'yo nang paulit-ulit!"

"I know," sagot ko. "But I don't want to lose him completely. I thought maybe if I gave him space, he'd come around. Alam mo 'yon? Kilala naman natin si Seb, hindi naman siya ganiyan. Masiyahin siya, Cel."

"S-Space can be good, but it can also drive a wedge between you," Cel warned. Tila hindi niya rin maiwanan sa mukha niya ang pagkairita. "You need to find a way to give him space. Sobrang kulit mo na ata." Iyon na ang naging final decision niya.

"You think?"

"Oo! Alam kong hindi mo kaya, kaya tutulungan kita. May kakilala akong Doctor! Sa puso rin, mabait pa ang puso. Gusto mo, usap kayo? Meet up lang—" Bumukas ang pintuan at bumungad doon si Seb na ikinakaba ng dibdib ko.

Gustong bumukas ng bibig ko at ayain ko ng kape, pero hindi naman niya ako pinansin. Parang isa lamang akong hangin at si Cel.

"Huy? Ha! Date kayo ni Doc. Xavier, mamay, ah! s**t! Ang pogi no'n, bigay mo na virginity mo roon girl—" Ang malakas na tunog ng babasaging baso sa sink.

Nakatalikod ito sa amin, habang kaming dalawa ni Cel ay nagulat sa nangyari.

Mabilis naman akong hinila ni Cel papalabas. "Gago, galit! Ano? Selos?" Tanong niya.

"Hindi 'yun ganoon. Maingay lang, alam mo naman na simula noong naging Doctor 'yan, hindi na niya gusto ang maingay."

"Ay! Bahala siya! Basta mamaya, ha?" Hindi ko alam kung ano mayroon mamaya. Nag-iba nang landas si Cel, ako naman itong dala-dala ang kape patungo sa kwarto.

After finishing my coffee, I returned to my duties, but her mind remained preoccupied with thoughts of Seb. The thought of losing him completely was unbearable.

Later that evening, as I prepared to leave the hospital. Mas naunang umuwi si Seb sa akin ngayon, kailangan ko pa magluto, dahil alam kong gutom na iyon.

As I arrived home, the soft glow of the lamps cast a warm light across the living room, but the absence of Seb's presence felt like a heavyweight in the air. I took a deep breath, steeling myself for the conversation ahead. Kahit kumusta lang.

"Seb?" I called out, my voice echoing in the silence. "Are you home?" Kahit alam kong kanina pa siya nakauwi.

No response.

Pero rinig ko ang yapak ng paa ni Seb sa kwarto. Nagluto na ako, para naman makakain na rin siya.

"Seb? Kain na? Nagluto ako," ani ko. Ngunit wala pa ring sagot.

Nakaramdam ako ng pagod, kaya't bumalik na lamang akon sa kusina. My heart sank, searching for any sign of him. The kitchen was empty, the dining table set for two but untouched. I felt a pang of disappointment, but I refused to let it deter me. I would wait for him.

The aroma of garlic and herbs filled the air as I stood in the kitchen, stirring the sauce for my famous pasta dish, hoping to rekindle some of the warmth, kahit pansin lang niya noon.

The table was set with care, candles flickering softly, casting a warm glow that contrasted sharply with the chill that had settled between them.

Lagi ko naman ito ginagawa, ako ang nadaldal, ako ang madalas nagbibigay ng topic, habang siya ay kumakain lang at after no'n ay aalis na siya para matulog.

I wanted to create a moment where we could reconnect. But as the clock ticked on, I felt a knot of anxiety tighten in my stomach. Where was he? Parang ang tagal naman...

Just as I was about to check on him, when I heard the sound of his footsteps descending the stairs. I turned, my heart lifting at the sight of Sebastian. But my smile faltered as I took in his appearance.

Saan siya pupunta? He was dressed in a sharp, formal suit, the kind he wore for important meetings or events.

"Seb," tawag ko, curiosity lacing my voice. "Where are you going? I... I made your favorite dish." I gestured to the table, my tone warm and inviting, hoping to draw him in.

Ngumiti ako at tila proud, dahil alam kong favorite niya iyon.

He paused at the bottom of the stairs, his expression unreadable. "I have plans," he replied curtly, his eyes avoiding mine.

Nawala unti-unti ang ngiti ko. I felt a pang of disappointment.

"Plans? What kind of plans?" I pressed, stepping closer. "Can't you stay for dinner? Sa trabaho ba? May meeting ka ba? Favorite mo 'yon, luto ko."

Sebastian's jaw tightened, and he took a deep breath, clearly agitated. "I said I have plans, Gabriella." Galit siya.

"Where are you going?" I asked again, my voice rising slightly in frustration. Hindi mapakali ang sarili ko hanggang hindi ko alam kung saan. I could feel the tension in the air, the way it crackled between us like static electricity.

Sebastian's eyes flashed with anger, and he stepped forward, closing the distance between us. "To f**k somebody, Gab. To lick someone's pussy." Natikom ang bibig ko.

"Can you just let me go?" Irita niya pang sunod na tanong. The words hit me like a slap, and felt my breath catch in my throat. "Saang lugar?" Tanong ko.

"You can't be serious? Ano ba pakialam mo?" Galit niya pang tanong.

"Seb..." mahina kong tawag muli sa kaniya.

"The f**k, Gabriella!" he shot back, his voice cold and unyielding. "I'm tired of this bullshit. I don't want to be here, kailangan ko ng babae, Gab."

My heart raced a mix of anger and hurt surging through me. "Saang lugar? Baka may makakita sa 'yo, Seb! Hindi mo ba ako iniisip? What about me?"

Sebastian's expression hardened, and he crossed his arms over his chest. "What about you, Gabriella? You've made it clear that you don't care what I do as long as I come home. You've given me permission to do whatever I want. Tapos ngayon ay gaganyan-ganyan ka? Bobo ka ba?"

"I thought it would ease the tension!" I cried, my voice trembling. "I thought it would give you the freedom to be happy. But I didn't mean for it to come to this! Nagagalit ka ba kasi umalis ako sa kasal?"

"Please, don't f*****g cry in front of me. Hindi 'yan tatalab sa akin," he replied, his tone icy.

My felt tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

"Seb, please. I don't want to lose you. I want to fight for us. Alam kong nariyan pa si Seb na nakilala ko. Hindi ako susuko... nangako ka sa akin, nakapag-success ka na, papakasalan mo ako, hindi ba? Kasal na tayo, Seb. Ano pa ba ang kulang? Lalaban ako!"

He shook his head, the anger in his eyes unwavering. "You can't fight for something that doesn't exist anymore. I'm not the man you married, and I don't want to be. Mali ang sinabi kong papakasalan kita." He stepped back, the distance between them growing once more.

With that, he walked out, leaving me standing alone, the warmth of the meal I had prepared now feeling like a cruel reminder of what I had lost. The silence that followed was deafening, and I felt the weight of his absence settle heavily in my chest.

Nanginginig ang tuhod ko nang mapaupo ako. The tears I had been holding back finally spilled over. The pain of his words cut deep, and I felt it, tagos sa dibdib ko.

Gustuhin kong lumaban, but it felt like I was fighting a losing game.