I almost spit out what I am drinking when Dr. Dizon entered the room. His eyes narrowed on the soda can I am holding right now.
"What is it? Didn't you know how to knock?" I rolled my eyes at him.
"You still not allowed to drink something like that. Who told you to do that?" He went near me then grabbed the can in my hand.
"What are you doing, Dr. Dizon? You are crossing some lines," I said.
"It is not good for you. You are only allowed to drink warm water and some tea on the first week after your operation. You are really a stubborn woman, aren't you?" He put the soda in the trash can.
My jaw dropped. "Why are you doing this? Stop bugging anymore!"
I was about to turn my back at him, but he pulled my arms near him. I pushed him but I can't use my full force because of my wound.
"What are you doing? I am very sure that this not a part of your job as a doctor," I said then pushed him more.
"Aliyah, let's talk. My curiosity will kill me if you didn't tell me the truth. I brought the letter and the ring." He showed an old envelope.
I stopped resisting then calmed myself. He sat on the chair beside my bed. He handed me the envelope. My hands are shaking while getting the envelope.
"It was opened," I said then looked at him.
He nodded. "I first show it to Aliyah, my girlfriend."
I sighed. I opened the envelope; I saw the ring first. The first gift that Henry gave to me. It was very old compared to the first time I saw it. But still, it didn't fade. My tears fell. I bit my lower lip.
Dr. Dizon gets the ring from my hand. He gently pulled my left hand then carefully slid the ring on my ring finger. It fits, of course, it is my ring after all.
He gasped when he realized that the ring was perfectly fitted on my finger. While he was staring at my hand, I opened the letter. It was his letter to me; he wrote it few days before I was born. Before I can finish reading it, my tears are overflowing. I don't know how I will finish it.
Dr. Dizon wiped my tears using his thumb. He hugged me after, I cried more. I can't hide it anymore...
"I'm so sorry, Aliyah. Sorry for not recognizing you. I am here now," he said then hugged me tightly.
"I loved him; I really do. It is so hard for me to accept that. I thought I will be alright, I thought I can make it through without him, but now I am very lonely, and I don't know what to do," I said, letting out all of my frustrations.
"I am here now; you don't have to be alone. Grandpa knew all along that you will be like this once you came back. That's why he asked me to take care of you and protect you from all the pain. He knew that this would happen. Grandpa loves you so much that even you are too far away from each other he still thinking about your welfare." He put his hands on my face.
"I love him too, very much. And I am very worried that I will be like this, the heart is broken and lonely, for the rest of my life. I am afraid that I will never get over him. I am forever caged with this feeling." I looked at him.
"I am here now; you don't have to be alone. I will make sure that you will be happy just like my grandpa wants," he said.
I shook my head. "No, you have no responsibility on me. You have your own life; you have your own Aliyah now. You can't leave him for me."
"It was just a mistake. I didn't know why the first time I met her; I am not comfortable. Everything felt so wrong. I kept on asking why I am feeling this way. I must not, right? Because when I was a child, I really admire that girl, even though grandpa's story is almost the same every day. I never get tired but why I felt that when I met that Aliyah?" He drifted his eyes on me.
I just listened to him. I don't what to say. Or should I say something?
"I made her read that letter, I didn't get the reaction I wanted to see, even the ring didn't fit. Because it is for me, it's for you all along. Seeing your reaction after you read that letter and how the ring fitted on your finger very well, I can't argue anymore. It is you, Aliyah. My grandpa's Aliyah." He smiled.
I nodded, which explained why the letter was already opened.
"And besides, our relationship isn't working very well. We can't understand each other. We are always in an argument. I am always trying to understand her but..." He stopped midway then sighed.
"I'm sorry. You don't have to comply with your grandpa's wish, I am okay. I will be okay if that's what makes you worried. Try to fix your relationship," I said.
He shook his head. "That's what I am doing every time but whenever I tried not to give up on her, she was just giving me enough reason to leave her. He can't understand why I don't have enough time for her. I am a doctor, Aliyah. Even for myself, I can't spare a little time. This is my job, my responsibility, my duty, and my sworn profession. She can just understand that."
He was very frustrated, but I can't help but smile. He got his grandpa's sense of responsibility.
"Why are you smiling?" He creased his forehead.
I smiled more. "I love your sense of responsibility. If we are meant for each other, I think I can transfer to this hospital so that I can always see you."
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"I am a nurse, public health worker just like you. And my favorite patient is your grandpa." I giggled and then bit my lower lip.
"And you are my favorite patient." He smiled too.
We are both in silence for a moment, just starting to each other while we are holding each other's hand. I should feel any awkwardness but why am I feeling very comfortable?
"Y-You need to go back to your work, right?" I said then lowered my eyes.
"Yes, I must. I see you later. Sorry for throwing your soda." He stood up then get the other soda then gave it to me.
"Why are you giving me this now?" I raised my eyebrow the gave him a playful smile.
"Just one can, okay? It is really not good for you. I'll be back, let's know each other more," he said then before he leaves the room, he kissed my forehead. I am completely shocked by his action.
I can't help but smile. The door opened again then my friend entered. My dear Gail finally visits me.
"I saw you, Aliyah!" She pointed me with his index finger while walking towards me.
"What?" I asked her.
She smiled. "Are you finally having a boyfriend?"