"Zed Ramos! Why do I have this honor to receive such a dignified guest?" Dr. Mitch rises to her feet and chuckles, extending her hand at me for a handshake. I accept her hand, although I'm no longer used to such formalities. She and Yen had been close friends, and we used to greet each other by kissing on the cheeks.
"Oh, I like that," I tell her, my lips curving into a warm smile as I release her hand.
Dr. Mitch gestures with her hand pointing to a chair across from her desk, so I step forward and take the seat. She also sits gracefully, her white coat accentuating her fair skin and the small frame of her pretty face. Her loosely-permed hair hangs loosely down her shoulders, and a silver hairpin decorated with sparkling stones plastered her bangs to the side.
"By the way, how's Ella? Is she the reason you're here?"
"Yes." I nod sadly, and judging by her concerned stare, I know she has noticed how the warm gleam in my eyes disappears at the mention of Ella's name. Dr. then Mitch tilts her head to the side, giving me a concerned but questioning look.
"Ella and I are not on good terms. She even moved out of the house a few months ago," I pause, looking at Dr. Mitch's reaction. I know Ella has been seeing her since her term is almost due.
"But Dr. Mitch, I would like to ask a favor."
"Go ahead," she says, not promising anything yet. I bet she wants to hear me out first if my request deserves her attention.
"I want to be on Ella's side when she gives birth. I know she can be fine on her own but I still believe she needs strong emotional support. It may not be from the father of the child, but at least from someone who can give her a husband image."
"Not…be…from…the father of the child? What do you mean?"
"Yes. The child is James', the one who molested Yen."
Dr. Mitch's eyes fly wide, her mouth gaping wide. She then shakes her head. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to get surprised."
"I'm telling you that because I want you to understand me better."
She nods vigorously but doesn't say any word. I then tell her about James' imprisonment and my team's involvement in the investigation. Not intending to scare her, but I also want her to know that James might have plans to take revenge on me.
"What are you going to do?"
"I just want to see her before I leave with Aliyah."
"Aliya, my best friend?" Dr. Mitch narrows her eyes, her eyes expressing her massive shock.
"Yes. We're going to penetrate into a country that's technically behind in technology."
"Where?" her eyes grow narrower. It looks like Aliyah hasn't told her about our expansion project.
"Bhutan."
Her eyes bulge out again. If Dr. Mitch has heart problems, it seems I can induce her a heart attack before our conversation ends.
"That country is beautiful I know, but my goodness Zed, it's 70% forests and mountains!"
Bhutan is indeed one of the countries that has 70% forest. It was even called in the past the "Hermit Kingdom" since the kings who ruled in the past refused to have the country developed. They dwell more on things that can make the people truly happy, and they believe that true happiness comes, not from material splendors and sophistication, but from things that are lasting like preserving their rich cultures and environment. And because Bhutan is governed by a theocracy that stems from Mahanaya Buddhism, the people are highly spiritual in nature, contributing to their happy state.
However, the new king who is young, handsome, and Oxford-educated, Bhutan has finally embraced technology. And now is the best time to ride in its momentum.
"But there's 30%, as you say, that we can develop." I chuckle, easing out her fear.
Dr. Mitch then raises her brows and smirks. "On one hand, it's extremely cold there, but on the other hand, you might need warmth. So, maybe then you and Aliyah can have a chance."
I let out a peal of soft laughter. I'm not too dumb to not feel Aliyah's advances, but she's just not my type. I only treat her as a friend.
"Since Ella can never be yours, why not consider Aliyah? She likes you for a long time already." Dr. Mitch holds my gaze, watching my reaction.
"She's just too beautiful for me," I tell her, chuckling.
Dr. Mitch heaves out a sigh, then we start discussing our plans. But after we finalize our agreement, she gives me a look that implies she wants to say something but rather finds it difficult to start.
"What is it, Dr. Mitch?"
"Oh, forget it," she chuckles, then dismisses herself with a hand gesture.
"Spill it out," I urge her. "I'm listening."
"It's something too personal."
"It's alright."
She looks right into my eyes, her eyes implying awkwardness. My heart immediately accelerates, sensing something that will make me uncomfortable.
"Are you still seeing Dr. Vergara?"
"Regularly."
I drop a bomb, but it's me who is shaking. My throat suddenly dries, as if my racing heartbeats take the moisture from my throat. Since she is the doctor we all have trusted the most, I might as well tell her the truth. The truth that I find myself so reluctant to talk about.
"But you were away for three years." Dr. Mitch gawks at me, perhaps thinking I'm making stories.
"Virtual."
"Then how is it?"
"How is what? Do you rather want to ask how's my – "
She purses a smile and says, "Yes."
I also grin at her. "I can say I'm healed."
She nods, staring at me for a while. "Maybe because Yen is fine now."
"The sessions have helped a lot in loosening up. It feels like I'm trapped and crippled, but Dr. Vergara helped me take the first step, the second, and so on."
Dr. Mitch nods again, but her expression melts into a blend of pity, happiness, and relief.
"Ella had contributed a lot. She changed the routines that make me anxious. She's different," I say, shaking my head. I just don't know how to say it.
"Zed, since you start telling me about it, just please don't leave me hanging. Who knows I can help others through your experiences?"
I look down to take a deep breath and my eyes landed on a paper holder bearing her name in a black, embossed font. Luckily, the name has reminded me that she's my women's trusted physician. And it gives me a sudden boost of courage to tell more about myself that not even Ella got the honor to hear from me.
"It's like this. Yen has rules," I start telling her, but I pause to clear my throat.
"Rules like touching her first here and there. Or else, touching those areas accidentally can ruin her mood. I got anxious about that. It gives me a feeling that she's secretly despising me for not being good enough, or not doing it right. And any slight anxieties that I feel would always blow up, ruining our moments."
"So, those rules, as you say, worsen your condition."
"It's like the emotion you are fighting over during your board exam. You want to be perfect, you feel it's easy, but then your fear gets in the way."
Dr. Mitch suddenly laughs and shakes her head. "And Ella?"
"She's the complete opposite. She doesn't follow rules, surprises me with something new every time. And that excites me, making me look forward."
Dr. Mitch smiles and gives her signature nods once more. The gesture amused me so much that my lips also split into a broad smile.
Suddenly, a newscaster's voice mentioning my name, has both of us turn our heads towards the TV set on the wall.
"Mr. Zed Ramos, the most sensational motivational speaker in the country, is caught kissing her ex-wife inside a car…"