I am 30 minutes earlier than my appointment, so I am expecting that I might be the first in line on the schedule. But when I came at the doctor's clinic it seems like I'm the only patient scheduled for that day. When I approached the secretary she immediately assists me and told me that the doctor is already inside. I can already go in for my consultation.
I push the door open and utter my morning greeting. "Hello Doctor, Good Morning. . . Dr. Villareal. . . Lan. . .lan. . .?" I can't believe my own eyes. I am now facing that teenage boy that I adore since childhood. But he's no longer the boy that I knew, he's now a full grown man who had become a hundred times more handsome than the last time I saw him face to face. I tried to blink my eyes for reality check. Mom was right all along.
"Hi Little Girl Sophie". He greeted me with a warm bright smile as if it was like yesterday, as if he did not forget about me in the last seven years. "Don't call me Little Girl. I have grown already. I have grown now but into a sick adult lady." I muttered to him. "I'm sorry, I'm just used to calling you like that when we were young." He replied apologetically.
We started the consultation. He provided me all the details about my treatment protocol including the precautions and how I will have to cooperate with him fully so that we can successfully finish the treatment and ensure my survival. The process will be difficult. My immune system will definitely go down with the medications, but he said he'll take care of me. He's talking to me like we had never been apart for so many years. He's talking to me like that caring older brother that he wants to portray years back.
I don't know what to feel at that moment. I felt so happy seeing him again, yet my heart is hurting thinking about how he seems like unaffected for not contacting me for seven years and now he talks to me like nothing happened. Our conversation ended with him giving prescription on medicines and others tests required before I start with the treatment.
I prepared to leave the clinic, but was surprised to know that he is also leaving. "Don't you have any other patients scheduled today?" I asked. "None, I asked my secretary to only schedule you for today." He replied. "Are you going home already? Do you want to have lunch first?" He asked and invited me nonchalantly. "I need to go straight home. Mom has prepared my favorite dish for lunch." I responded and casually refused his invite. "Oh that's a pity, I was planning to treat you over lunch. Then I'll just have to drive you home then." He smiled sheepishly. "But don't you have any other appointments today?" I asked. "Nothing more." He answered. "Alright, if it will not take much of you time then you can drive me home. It will be convenient for me since I did not brought my car today. My Mom might also be happy to see you again." I just accepted his offer, since after all this time, we're still friends anyway.
I'm stealing some glances to the person at the driver seat. I just can't believe he's here. When he stopped replying to my messages seven years ago, I promised myself that if we meet again, I will never ever talk to him and will never even give him glances. I was so heart broken then, although I know for a fact that he only cares for me as a younger sister. I loved him more than the older brother that he wants to portray when we were young. He never knew I felt that way. I really missed him so much. But why does we have to meet again at this time, when I'm at this state?. . .