Chapter 1: Prologue
"Doc someone is looking for you. I tried to asked her to schedule an appointment yet she keep standing in front of my counter.
I stares at my secretary.
"Other than appointments I told you I don't entertain anyone."
She should know it. She's been my secretary for a year.
"It's Canaria."
The x-ray result slipped in my hand.
"Come again?"
"She told me if I tell her name you'll let her in."
I stared at her and sighs. I've been avoiding her for 3 years and maybe it's time for me to face her again.
"Let her in."
"Should I cancel the appointment you have with Madame Cruz?"
I glance at my wrist watch. I still have 30 minutes a head.
"No need. This won't take long."
"Ok Doc"
She closed the door silently.
" Why didn't you fetch me at the airport?"
I was surprised how silent she walks.
"I have patients." I look at her to see how does she look after 3 years of being apart. She has long hair, skin as pale as paper, no make-up, she only has a necklace and an earrings. A blue tattered jeans and a body fit white t-shirt with her usual red pointed high heels.
"Liar. Why are you avoiding me?"
She asked as if she didn't know the answer. I didn't answer I give her my silence.
"Ok if you don't want to answer I'm not going to asked anymore."
She picked up her bag ready to leave.
"Because you're not worth sacrificing my time."
I told her. She was dumbfounded by my words but I need to tell her the truth.
She looked at me and smiles painfully. I have hurt her. I know it. But I can't take it anymore how she pester me.
She was searching something in her bag.
"I just want to confirm it from you. And I guess I was pestering you for the last 3 years."
She handed me the engagement ring.
"I'm sorry for wasting your time."
And she vanish in my sight.
After she left I feel guilty. She was sincere with her love to me. But this isn't the first time she told me she's going to distance herself from me if I'm going to ignore her.
Well, she is Canaria Altizee del Castillo. She used to be my best friend not until we know we're engaged to each other. Canaria love me more than friends but I cannot love her the way she loves me. All I can see is, she's my bestfriend nothing more.
I tried my hardest to ignore her for 3 years to avoid any necessary misunderstanding. She misunderstood me for being caring that's why she falls in love with me. But why do I feel unsettling feelings? Well, if she's gone for good then it would be better.
I saw my father in the garden having his tea. It was unusual. He has this kind of expression as if he won another lottery.
"Pa.... why are you outside alone?"
He smiled at me while turning his head to see me.
"Canaria brought my favorite tea."
So she head here.
"I see."
I replied
"I heard from her that she went straight to your clinic. She became prettier."
Judging from his tone, Cana didn't say anything.
"Yeah. I'll head upstairs to see if she left anyt———"
"She didn't went to your room."
"She didn't?"
"Yes. She just stopped here to give me my tea. She told me she needs to catch up with a friend."
"Ahh...o...ok."
I opened my room and not a trace of her scents is in the room. This is very strange. No matter how we fight she still went to my room and leave traces. Is she being serious of putting off the engagement?
I parked my car and went straight to a coffee shop near my clinic when I saw Cana across the street.
'I knew it. In the end she'll pester me again.'
I stayed in the coffee shop for another 30 minutes to make her wait for me. She hates waiting.
"Doc. you're late than usual."
She did not bother to look at me.
"Does someone came for me?"
I asked her after seeing my office is empty.
"Besides for your appointments there is none. Are you expecting a guess today Doc?"
She looked me with her intriguing face.
"N...not exactly. But if anyone came looking for me... proceeds to appointment."
She nodded with suspicious in her eyes.
It was past 7 in the evening when I finished my work.
"Doc. There's someone looking for you."
Sam seems very irritated and I doubt it was Cana since she's quite a sweet one.
"Who was it?"
"She claimed to be your girlfriend."
I raised my eyebrows.
"It was not the lady the other day, was it?"
"You seems so sure."
"She's——"
"Very professional when it comes to people? And she doesn't yell? Nor looking for a fight?"
"Why do you know that?" I asked her. Well, Sam knows how to judge people but she only meet Cana for couple of minutes I don't think she can observe that well.
"The moment you rejected her. She composed herself as if it will be the last time she'll try. And besides, isn't she the most popular in medicine today?"
"You heard it?"
"Yup, I was at the door. Let's not talk about the chances you've wasted. Should I let her in?"
"Who is that this time?" I asked.
"Marie" I was not shocked since only Marie can make her out of her composure. I meet Marie in the night club. She was harassed by someone and we help her but now she's pestering me, claiming I am her boyfriend.
"No."
She stopped at the door and looked at me again.
"If you are expecting her today. I bet, you won't be seeing her for a long time."
My heart skipped as if it was pierced.
I should be happy right? But why I have this unsettling feelings again?
When I reach home I saw my father with my brother in the dining table. They sat quietly.
"What's the matter Pa?"
My brother Raphael rarely come home since he rented an apartment near at the university he's working.
"Canaria was here a moment ago. And she returned this."
He handed me the envelope.
"What is this?"
I asked in confusion. I open the envelope and saw a key and the land title.
Those are the dowery we gave during the engagement and she's returning it. It only means——
"She's breaking off the engagement, Rod" said Rapa.
And I suddenly feel like crying. So this is it. I been waiting for this day but I can't hardly breathe.
"Actually son, before she flew to Australia to follow Zach, she came to me and tried to return it. But I did not accept since it's too early to give up on you. She asked me to give her 3 years to reach you out. But it seems your heart is made of an iron. And today she bravely returned it in surrender. "
I just stared at dad. I was out of words. I don't know what to feel, I don't know what to say.
"You don't have to concern yourself anymore son. She's your best friend, she assures me that she won't sulk herself over that since she know that this day will come."
I glance at Rapa who is very calm. I sense that Rapa like Canaria very much. But why the thought of them together boils my blood?
"I'll go upstairs Pa. I'm tired."
I throw myself on the bed and tried to close my eyes my heart hurts. I tried to restrain myself from calling her but I cannot bear the pain so I called her. But she didn't answer.
The next day I feel so empty waking up I called Sam to reschedule my appointments for I am under the weather.
"What brought you here?"
Javier Martine is one of my closest friends in medical school. He is a general surgeon in their own hospital and an on call doctor in my clinic.
"To hang out."
I simple answer. He didn't answer instead he give me a can of beer.
"Drink... I don't think this day will come to you too."
He understands me more than myself.
"What do you know?"
He smiled at me.
"I bump her in the building yesterday. I told her that you're not in the office but she told me she's not going to see you anymore. So I concluded she give up.Am I wrong?"
I sighed.
"Nope you're right but you're missing the piece that she returned the dowery."
"For real? That villa ? "
I nodded.
"Well, I guess she doesn't need any material except for your love. She wokes up from reality but what are you sulking for? It's a celebration dude. She finally let you go."
I smiled at him.
"You're right."
CANARIA's POV
I stared at the city lights over looking in my unit.
At least I am in peace. It was nostalgic. I reached the folder that contains the profile of the persons close to me before I flew to Australia. At least I have prepared this before forgetting them. I read through my diaries and shocked how blind I was for the person who only regard me as a best friend. After meeting Rodzel Monteverde, the young doctor in neurology who earned rewards for being the most competitive Doctor in the country, I was sure of myself why I was head over heels for the past years it is very simple, he is handsome that you want to get his sperm in your uterus. Rodzel is very caring person, he cared for everyone but not me, i mean he cared for me as his best friend but I want more. I flew to Australia to make him see that I can compete that having me by his side is a great advantage. I studied hard just to catch up with his genius mind but I guess I was not enough, or maybe he love someone else. I've done my part so it's time for me to put to an end for everything that makes me broken.
"In this new memory. I will only accept those who see my worth and cut off those who didn't."
"Mam.. somebody is looking for you." It was Blake my assistant.
If you are wondering about my work. I am a pharmacist. I studied in Australia to study pharmaceutical. And participated in one of their
experiments. I worked in one of the biggest pharmaceutical in the city.
"Who is it?"
It not that long since I arrived in the city and that surprised me that someone is looking for me. I don't have any relatives here since my brothers migrated in Australia. I just returned here hoping for a love yet, I failed and so I am not planning to stay here for long.
"It's Doc. Javier Martine."
I smiled at him.
"Bring him to my lounge."
I saw his back resting in my sofa.
"Its been so long, Javier. How are you?"
I seated across him.
"Yeah It's been a while. I'm fine. How are you Cana?"
"I'm great." His face reveals that he's surprised by my response.
"Oh! I was caught off guard by that. Hahaha sorry. Are you going to accept suitors now?"
I smiled. What is he getting at?
"Yes. After all I'm 26 now. And I'm ready to settle down. Are you going to introduce me to someone?"
He was shocked.
"I wasn't expecting that for someone who's just broke off the engagement."
"It is normal for me to find new love after being ignore. "
"You've change."
"I'm not change. I just stop behaving the way you expect me."
"Javier" I paused.
"I'm just happy for Rodchel. That's the least thing I can do for him. You know what, Australia made me realize that no matter how fast I run I can never catch up Rod even if he's just walking. The more I chase people, the more they'll be further away. So instead of chasing I will just walk at my own pace. "
He sighed.
"You're right. I just wanted to make sure you're doing okay. So are you here staying here for good?"
"No. I'm going back there for good."
"Ok. I hope before you go you can meet Rodzel for the last time. After all he is your best friend."
I smiled at him.
"Rest assured."
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