"Congratulations, sa baby mo, magaling na doktor si Dra. Elazar, she can take care of you and your baby." He said,

I was stunned on what he said. I cant seem to form any sentences but I know to myself I have to say something.

"I-I... I'm-

"No its fine, you don't have to explain. I know you're hiding it from the public because of your image and career. Don't worry, I won't say anything." He cut me off before the elevator opened.

"This is your floor. Take care, don't trip." He said and I nod before leaving the elevator and the door of it once again closed.

I stood there, frozen and shocked. Things still can't process in my head. I stood there, holding the bag of vitamins I  bought from the pharmacy a while ago.

Did he just.. thought I am pregnant?

I look around the hallway, my mouth slightly formed a small 'o' before walking towards Ali's clinic. When I entered her clinic, both of them are already sitting down and looks like they are waiting for me.

"Oh.. you look.. tensed? May sakit ka ba?" Ali asked, I look at her and shake my head.

"I-I'm not." I said, stuttering. Ali squinted her eyes while Gwen stand up and walk towards me and push me towards her seat and push me down.

"Naku babae.. kilala ka namin, nag New York ka lang, pero kilala ka namin." She said and my brows furrowed.

"What do you mean?" I confusedly ask, she sit across me and crossed her legs.

"Sis.. nakita mo si Jiro 'no? Sis!! Kilala ka namin! Kay Jiro ka lang nagkakaganiyan!" She exclaimed and my eyes widened.

"Hoy hindi! Ano ba kayo?" I exclaimed before putting down the vitamins I bought.

"Oh.. you saw him? Nag-usap kayo?" Ali asked and I shrug.

"Paanong hindi mo alam? Grabe ka naman Laura, ang bilis mo makalimot." Gwen said and I sigh before scratching my forehead.

"Hindi ko kasi alam kung paano ko ipapaliwanag." I said and I hear Ali scoffed.

"Go lang, we won't say anything kung ano man nangyari." Ali said and I pouted.

"Ay gaga ka, sabihin mo na kasi. Lalo mo kaming pinag-iisip." Gwen said and I took a deep breath.

"Hindi naman ganun ka big deal." I said and I hear the both of them scoff.

"Kung hindi big deal, bakit ka nagkaka ganiyan?" Gwen said and I take another deep breath.

"Tingnan mo, ang lalim ng buntong hininga mo. Edi ibig sabibin big deal." Ali said and I nod.

"Fine.. pero don't laugh okay?" I said and Gwen snorts.

"Hoy! I said don't laugh!!" I said at biglang humagalpak ng tawa si Gwen.

"Gaga wala pang sinasabi si Laura! Tawang-tawa ka agad!" Ali scolds and Gwen stopped laughing.

"Ah okay, okay, sorry. Hindi si Ali kasi! Gaga alam mo ba na 'yan si Ali, hindi maalam pagsabihan na 'wag tumawa. Puta, nag ke-kwento ako sa kaniya nung minsan, sabi ko 'wag tumawa. Tapos nung sabibin ko na, hindi maman nakakatawa biglang tumawa. Gaga!" Pagke-kwento ni Gwen while holding her laughter which made it sound funnier.

"Gaga Laura 'wag ka maniwala dyan. Now tell us what you want to tell." Ali said and I nod.

"So.. ahm.. I saw Jiro sa elevator kanina. And.. ahm.. he congratulated me." I said and the two look at me with confusion.

"Ha? Para saan? Career mo?" Ali asked,

I slowly shake my head, "No... it was..  he congratulated me because he thought na.. I'm pregnant." I said, the two look at each other. Until I saw Ali's lips twitching. It is clearly she's holding back her laughter.

Silence filled the room but them holding their laughter made some audible sounds.

"A-Ano? Ikaw? Buntis? HAHAHAH!"  Ali suddenly burst out laughing, followed by Gwen which made me frown.

"Ano ba kayo?? Sabi niyo hindi kayo mag re-react?" I whined and the two didn't even bother to stop laughing.

"Puta! HAHAHA! Ikaw? Buntis? Mas mukha pa ngang buntis si Ali sayo!" Ani ni Gwen at muling napahagalpak ng tawa ang dalawa. Habang ako.naman itong napangiti ng bahagya.

"Tangina mo Gwen, pinagsasabi mo?!" Ali exclaimed which made me shake my head and face palm.

"Siguro dahil nakita niya ako sa clinic ni Ali. And since Ali is an OB, akala niya I'm here for check up." I explain and this time, the two stopped laughing and just catching their breath from the session of laughing a while ago.

"Ah.. oo nga pala, haha." Ani ni Ali na may pahabol pa na tawa.

"So paano 'yan? Ano sasabihin? Sasabihin mo ba na busog ka lang o ano?" Tanong ni Gwen and I shrug.

"Paano 'yan? Ayaw mo na bang magkabalikan kayo? Gaga single 'yon! Seryoso! Simula nung dumating ako dito wala akong nabalitaan na may jowa yan or dating. Gaga kung hindi mo nga lang ex yan baka nag the moves na ako." Ani ni Ali at napatawa kami ng bahagya ni Gwen.

"Gaga ka, ang rupok mo talaga." Ani ni Gwen at napa-iling nalang ako.

"Laura, I'm telling you, we are getting closer and closer to our 30's, hindi na tayo pabata. Baka gusto mo lang naman magkaroon ng tao na kasama mo sa pagtanda." Ali said and  my head snap at her. I lean on the chair rest and sigh.

"I.. I.. I still want him.."

"Oh edi putangina pupuntahan ko 'yang Engrasio na 'yan at sasabihin mo na gusto mo ng comeback." Gwen suddenly explained which made my eyes widened.

"Gwen no! I was joking!" I said and she pouted.

"Gaga hindi 'yon joke." Ali suddenly said and I gave up. I lean on her table and sigh.

"Bakit ko pa kasi sinabi 'yon?" I said and I hear Ali sigh.

"Kasi 'yon ang nararamdaman mo. Siyempre 'yon ang gusto mo, 'yon ang nais mong sabihin. Kaya masasabi at masasabi mo talaga 'yon." Ali said and I let out a frustrated sigh.

"Please keep it a secret, ayaw ko lang malaman ng iba." I said and I felt a tap on my arm which came from Gwen.

"Torpe ka pala Laura, ngayon ko lang na realize." Gwen said and I pouted before fixing my posture and sitting up straight.

"I'm not." I said and I hear Gwen scoff.

"If you're not, I dare you to tell those to him. Tell him you're not pregnant talaga, and tell him you still want him." Gwen said and I look at her and pout.

"I can't do that." I mumbled,

"Pero at least tell him you're not pregnant. Kasi Laura, if akala niya na buntis ka, what if mawalan siya ng pag-asa sayo at saka siya maghanap ng ibang babae. Advance dapat tayo mag-isip Laura. Sige ka, habang buhay mo pag-sisihan 'yan." Gwen said and I sigh.

She's right, that's the worst thing that could happen. I can't blame him thought, I can't blame him if he's gonna find someone else to love. I can't blame him if he wants to find another woman to love.

But if I tell him the truth, I'm not pregnant, I'm not dating anyone. I'm not with someone else and I still want him. There's a chance that we can still work things out. Maybe.. continue the story we once ended, or paused.

"Uy, Laura, pag-isipan mo. Tama si Gwen, pagsisihan mo 'yan." Ali said and I look at her and nod.

"Diba hindi ka naman na nag ru-runway. Tsaka, ano naman kung magka boyfriend ka? Laura tao ka lang, hindi ka alay sa mga fans mo para hindi ka mabuhay ng normal. 'Wag mo isipin ang media. Pake ba nila? Buhay mo yan e." Gwen said and I slowly nod.

I once again lean on the the chair rest and sigh.

"I have to go now. Diba may trabaho pa kayo sa ibang ospital?" I asked and they nod.

"Okay okay, goodluck ha? Baka makita mo ulit siya. 'Wag ka padalos-dalos, pag-isipan mo muna. Pero bilisan mo, time is running sis." Ali said and I nod. I pick up my bag and bid them a goodbye before heading out the parking lot.

As I open the door of the driver seat, from a far I can see Jiro entering his car. But what I saw made me stunned.

There's a woman at the passenger seat.

I pursed my lips and entered my van. I watch as his car drove off. I held tight on my steering wheel and take a deep breath.

I felt a pain in my heart which I tried to ignore but as a shaky breath leave my mouth, I felt my eyes moisten. He was smiling, he was smiling as he look at her.

The both of them were laughing and it looks like he's enjoying.

I bitterly chuckled, "Akala ko ba single?" I said, a bitter smirked printed on my face before starting the engine and drive to my parent's house.

When I arrived in front of the house and a maid immediately opened the door for me.

"Ms. Laura, nasa dining po sila maam." She said and I nod. I walk towards the dining and there I saw my parents eating.

"Laura! Anak bumisita ka! I miss you so much!" Mom said before standing up form her seat and welcoming me with her warm hug. I smiled and smiled back.

"Halika, eat dinner here. You can also sleep here. Ipapalinis na natin ang kwarto mo." Mom said as she sit back down on her seat.

"No mom, I'm fine, I wont sleep here. Tsaka kakain ko lang." I said and mom frown.

"Anak I cooked all this. Na miss ko lang bigla magluto at sakto. Bumisita ka, so please anak, tikman mo ang gawa ni mommy." Mom softly said, I sigh and nod before flipping the plate in front of me and putting foods on it. I didn't get any rice since I'm full. I just want to taste mom's foods so she won't be upset.

"Masarap?" Mom ask and I nod. Mom smiled and I continue to eat.

"Anong balak ko sa lote mo? You should plan something about it." Dad said and I slowly look up at him and nod.

"I will.. soon." I said and he nods.

"What about the marriage I was telling you years ago." My head snap up and my brows furrowed.

"Dad.. what marriage? Hindi ako pumayag don." I said as I let go of my utensils.

"Laura..." Mom called and I look at her and tilt my head.

"Mom, don't tell me pumayag ka doon? Mom I'm 27-

"That's exactly the problem, you're 27 and yet you still haven't introduced anyone to us. You should be like my friend's daughter, they are married already to other businessman's son." Dad said and I scoffed.

"Oh really? Have they bought their own condo? Have they went to runways? Have they filled their passports already? Have they went to other countries? Have they made million dollars? No? If no, never compare me to them dad." I sternly said and I dad scoffed.

"You really change Laura. You're not the Laura that left Philippines years ago." He said and I scoffed.

"Yes, I've change, I'm better, stronger, and braver. If not just because of mom hindi naman ako bibisita dito if every time we see each other, you do nothing but scold me. Always pushing to me things you want. When I say ayaw ko nga sa anak ng kaibigan mo dad, ayaw ko. 'Wag niyo akong igaya sa anak ng mga kaibigan mo na nasakal sa arrange marriage. Hindi mo madidiktahan ang sarili ko sa bagay na 'yon dad." I said and dad chuckled which made my blood boil.

Oh gosh, is he gonna force that again? Because if he is, I'm done, I'm done here. I won't go here anymore. I can provide my life anyways already.

Why does he have to be like that? Bakit ba parang lagi nalang ako mali? Bakit pa parang lagi niyang gusto diktahan ang buhay ko? Its my Goddamn life and he have no control on it! Even from the start of this life, he always want to control everything. If I didn't became a model, I'm probably arranged to that marriage already. Heck no, I will never!

"Fine.. I won't force that. But at least introduce someone to us. Or else.. we are gonna push the marriage." He said and I rolled my eyes before finishing the food.

"I'm going now mom, its getting  late." I said and stand up.

"Laura naman.." mom softly called and I sigh.

"I'll just call you if when are we gonna see each other again, okay?" I said and she nods and I smiled  and leave the  house.

I drive back to my condo and opened my laptop. I go to messenger and press call.

"Pick up, pick up." I  chanted, I waited for few minutes before Tobi answered the call.

Followed by Jax who is eating. Then Lory who is eating too.

[Napatawag ka? Problem? Pumunta ka lang dito kahapon ah.] Lory said and I pouted.

[Bakit? Anong problema?] Jax asked while munching on her food. I sigh and fix my laptop on my lap.

"I just need suggestions for a business, I'm planning to start one, ano bang maganda?" I asked and the three of them look at me confusedly. Before someone could even speak, Gwen entered the call.

[Sorry ha, may pasyente kasi, susunod daw si Ali.] She said and I nod.

[So anong chika?] She ask and I chuckled.

"I need ideas for business, since hindi naman tayo nakakapag sama-sama lahat, lets just talk here in call." I said and they nod.

[What if.. mag restaurant ka kaya?] Lory ask, I tilt my head and slowly shake my head.

"I don't like servicing business." I replied and they nod.

[So product?] Gwen ask and I nod.

[Sayang akala ko restaurant na, may ire-recommend sana ako na chef.] Jax said before looking somewhere and followed by her giggle.

[Siraulo..] someone said from Jax's place which made me shocked for few moment.

[Sabihin mo siraulo din siya!] Gwen said that made us laugh, even Jax and the person she's with.

[Gwen..] Lory said in a warning voice.

[So ano nga? Skin care? Ahm..  clothing line?] Tobi suggested, and there I realized it's possible.

"I need designers, suppliers, workers, factory diba? In a clothing line?" I asked and they slowly nod.

[Yes, tapos start from small ka muna, may pera ka naman, you can find people to work for you, yung mga magtatahi. Hindi kasi ako familiar sa ganiyan.] Lory said and Gwen snorts.

[None of us is familiar sa clothes. I suggest Laura, get someone that will manage your business. Diba Mass Communication ka? Wala kasi sa atin nag fine arts or anything connected sa arts or pagtatahi.] Gwen said and I nod.

Suddenly Ali entered  the call,

[What's up mga sis.] She greeted making Jax and Tobi chuckle.

[Anong meron?] She ask dumbfounded.

[Business ni Laura, clothing line, pero nagkaka problema kami sa mga kailangan.] Lory replied and Ali nods.

[Ooh.. willing ako mag invest, tulungan kita sa financial, I know you're rich, bitch. Pero if need lang naman diba?] She said and I nod.

[Magpapatayo ka ba ng establishment? Tobi, pasok!] Ali said making us all laugh from our own places.

[Sure, I'll help. Sabihin lang kung anong kailangan.] Tobi said and I nod.

"Architect muna, tapos saka na ang supplies. Kapag may plano na." I said and I saw them look at the screen  confusedly.

[Papagawa ka ba ng establishment? Talaga? Matatagalan yun, bili ka nalang ng commercial area. Promise Laura, para hindi na masyado mahirapan sa place. Para sa mga supplies, workers, designers ka nalang ma mo-mroblema." Ali said and i nod.

"Okay okay, I'll try to find a place." I said but Tobi shake his head.

[May kakatapos  lang na commercial building last 2 months, titingnan ko kung may available pa.] He said and I nod.

"Ohh okay okay, thank you." I said and he nods.

[I need to go na, may round na ako. Bye!] Ali said and we are not even able to bid a goodbye to her because she just left. One by one they started leaving the call too and once its just me who's there.

I turn off my laptop and took a night shower to have a peace of mind and relaxation.

The next day, around 8am, Tobi called me and gave me this address of a commercial building space. I went there with Lester and checked the place. There 2 available left. I got the one in the second floor. We made more negotiations such as the papers, and how I will pay the owner. It was actually pretty easy and not so much hassle.

But it did get until lunch, even longer. We finished negotiating around 1pm, so it's pass lunch already.

"Saan mo gustong kumain?" I ask Lester when we have entered my van.

"Ikaw bahala maam, pero parang ang sarap ng sisig 'no?" He said and Ichuckled and  nod.

"Then lets have some sisig. Saan ba masarap kumain ng sisig?" I asked and he pouted a bit, thinking.

"Alam mo Laura, mas masarap kapag sa mga hindi gaanong ka mahal na restaurant." He said and I slowly nod.

"Sige, saan ba?" I asked he smiled.

We end up stopping in front of a small eatery. Lester is the only one who went out and ordered food for us. We waited for around 20 minutes and he came back with lots of boxes in his hands.

"Oh my God, that's a lot." I said and he chuckled.

"Masarap 'to Laura, promise." He said and I nod. We went back to my condo and end up eating there. Its just me, Lester and my driver.

"After this Laura, saan tayo?" He ask while eating.

I shrug, "I don't know, you can go home na. Ako na ulit bahala, tatawagan ko nalang kayo if need ko ng assistance." I said and he nod. We also had some ice cream after our late lunch and after that, the both of them leave. I searched through internet some information I need to learn about starting a business specially a clothing line before having some afternoon nap.

The moment I wake up, the first thing that comes to my mind is go to the hospital to see Ali and Gwen. Maybe it'll be part of my routine now.

"Sis, yung totoo, kami ang binibisita o may ibang dahilan?" Gwen teased while taking a bite of her sandwich. Its funny that I had to rush to a grocery and buy some tasty bread, spread, cheese, cooked ham and lettuce so we can make our own sandwiches here.

"Grabe kayo, of course its you guys." I said and the two gave me a teasing smile.

"Sis, okay lang, alam namin, nakita namin siya kanina. Nakasabay pa nga sa cafeteria. Mukhang wala sa sarili." Ali said and my brows furrowed.

"Probably have problems with his girl." I mumbled and two look at me confusedly.

"His girl? Gaga single nga eh!" Gwen said and I rolled my eyes.

"He's with a girl yesterday. I saw him yesterday, sa parking lot. He's with a girl sa car niya. Paanong single siya?" I said and the two look at each other.

"Anong hitsura nung babae?" Gwen asked,

"Ahm.. in a low ponytail, brown hair, glasses, red lips, braces." I described and the two look at each other.

"Gaga!!! Si miss.. hoyy!! Si miss Grace yon! Senior namin yon! Hoy 32 na yon! Gaga ka! May asawa na yon!" Gwen screamed and my eyes widened. 

"Really?!" I asked and the two burst out laughing.

"Gaga ka!! Oo nga!! Sira ka! Surgeon din siya!" Gwen said and I put down my sandwich.

"So.. you mean.. he's still single?" I asked and the two slowly nod.

"Oo nga.. ano ka ba? May chance pa kayo." Ali said and I pouted.

"Dad is pressuring me to introduce someone to them. They said I'm old enough to have someone else in life. Or else, they will arrange me to a marriage." I said and the two look at me confusedly.

"Ano sis? 1990? 1980? Arrange marriage ang peg? My gosh, I can't." Gwen said and I sigh. When suddenly something ring out of nowhere. We look at Ali's telephone and its ringing.

She pick it up and answered the call, "Room what? 39? Diba.. diba kaka-discharge lang ng pasyente na 'yan kagabi?!" Ali said before standing up from her seat.

"Why?" Gwen asked and this time, I feel so powerless dahil parehas silang doctor. I have nothing to say or to do or to ask.

"Gaga, manganganak na yung buntis kagabi na kaka-dischrage lang. Bumalik ngayon, pumutok na ang panubigan." She said before rushing out.

Gwen stood up while looking by the door, "Laura.. Laura iwan muna kita ha? Titingnan ko lang 'yon okay? Aalis ka na ba?" She ask and I slowly nod.

"I'll just fix these, then I'll head home." I said and she nods.

"Sige sige, ingat okay?" She said and I nod. She rush out of the office, almost slamming the door.

I sigh and started fixing the foods and her table. I put the foods in the side because I won't be bringing back with me anymore. I'll just leave it here so Ali will have something to eat when she have free time or she's hungry.

I heard the door opened, "What happened? Ano daw problema sa pasyente ni Ali?" I asked before turning around, expecting Gwen to show up.

"What are you doing here? You were just here yesterday? Dra. Elazar is with a patient. May problema ba? I can bring you to an available OB if there's an emergency." Jiro said, his voice sounded worried and panicked. My eyes widened  and I shake my head.

"No no, I'm not..." I paused, I don't know what to say, yesterday we saw each other, and now we are seeing each other again. Why do we have to see each other so much?

"Are you sure? May masakit ba sayo? Do you need anything? Maybe I can help." He said, walking closer towards me.

"You should just be resting, hindi ka dapat na ste-stress. Its not good for your baby." He said, his brows almost crossing.

Why does he sounded so worried? There's nothing to be worried of.

"Laura answer me, what's wrong? May masakit ba sayo?" He sternly ask, his voice sounding so bold that made me scared a bit.

"I.. I'm not pregnant." I said and I saw how brows furrowed.

"You are, stop denying-

"I'm not! Hindi nga, I was just visiting Ali and Gwen almost everyday because I have not much to do anymore. I'm just here to bring them food almost every afternoon. But I'm not pregnant!" I spit out, he look at me, his worried face awhile ago no longer printed on his face.

"I'm not pregnant, I don't have a boyfriend. Or any  partner." I said and he slowly nod.

Silence filled the  room for few minutes, only the sound of the air-conditioner is the only noise in the room.

I can't even look at him, I can't even lift my head up and meet his eyes. My head is just hang low and waiting for anything he will say.

"Oh.. that's great." He suddenly said making my head snap up. That's when I met his eyes, his eyes that looks more matured, but still holds the same spark I used to see before.

"Are you free by 6pm?" He asked and my brows furrowed.

"H-Ha?" I confusedly asked and he chuckled.

He walk closer to me before leaning forward, "You're still mine, walang break up na naganap. I refuse to believe all of the words you said that night."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~•3•