DOCTOR’S FEE (MOMMAS BOY BOOK SERIES) ENGLISH VERSION

THREE MONTHS LATER

LAURA’S POV

I was standing in front of this small food stall for almost half an hour. I didn’t bring an umbrella because the weather was nice earlier and I didn’t think it would suddenly rain. The car I rode broke down along the way so I took a different route that’s why I ended up in a place that I rarely pass by.

The hem of my black slacks as well as the black blouse with the name of the restaurant I was working at were a little wet. While I was working in a small restaurant as a waitress, an acquaintance who became my friend let me into the rented apartment. Even though the salary was small and not at the minimum, I worked hard just to have supplies for my own needs. Even though it was a bit difficult because my Chinese boss was rude, it was still okay.

“Gosh… it’s getting stronger,” I whispered while shaking my blouse. The rain is so strong that it reaches me even when I’m sheltered. I couldn’t get inside because of the crowd, and besides, I’m not going to eat.

“What time will it stop? My feet are hurting,” I complained again.

Many customers are coming to the place where I am right now. I’m also losing my place because people like me who are also sheltering are being crowded out. It’s already midnight and there is a large bar in the row of the food stalls, so there are a lot of people eating there. Some young people who have already been drinking; others who obviously have money because of their looks, cars, and the way they speak. This row is wide and crowded because it’s a central business area. I think this is only my second time here.

“Why did I end up here?” I whispered because a moment later, some people came who were loud and obviously drunk.

Until I saw two men running with a female teenager. There were just two people between them, so I could hear the loud voices of the three.

“Fuck! It’s a big night!” I heard the other guy say in regret.

“What’s up with the big night?” The other guy spoke softly.

The teenager spoke with them. “I’m just a bucket, huh!” She said to her two male companions.

“I won’t drink! I’ll drive!” One said, “His modest voice is pretty good. I think he’s gay.

A moment later, and I was no longer comfortable. I gradually moved to get away from the noisy young people. Fortunately, the others left shortly after and entered the store because the rain was getting stronger.

“Can we just eat?”

“Possible!”

“Then let’s just go home; it doesn’t seem like it’s going to stop!”

Just a moment and..

I heard the man say next to him, “Clyde.”

“Ouch! You’re so sick! Stop poking me!” Said the one I ‘m saying and sounds like a gay.

“Look at her! Her hair is beautiful and curly,” said one. I could hear what he was saying, and I knew that he was talking about me with the beautiful curly hair.

I heard the girl with them answer. “What! What is that again?”

They were so aggressive that they kept pushing until they hit the woman next to them and she got angry with them.

“Hey, keep it! Rudes!” The woman yelled.

The soft-spoken man immediately answered, “I’m sorry, Ma’am. We didn’t mean it-on purpose, Ma’am,” he said gently and respectfully.

The woman did not stop cracking. She keeps on nagging at them, like scolding a child. And I’m surprised that they didn’t even say a word, despite the rudeness of the woman. The gay one did not stop asking for forgiveness. I heard him say sorry over and over again. I couldn’t look back at them because I didn’t want to come out curious.

A little while longer and the rain subsided. The woman also leaves, furious with the three scumbags.

“See that! Fuck Tej! You’re annoying,” I heard the soft-spoken man next to him say. Even with a bad word he still speaks softly.

“What a brat, brother!” said the teenager with them.

“As for you, so many apologies! You’re a doctor. Why give a damn, Doc? You’re really soft, aren’t you? When that fuckin’ woman gets into your hospital and you’re going to do the operation—cut her deep! Fuckin’ deep bruh!”

When I heard the word doctor, I looked at them. The guy who was talking even made eye contact with me and gave me a wink. He was the one who hit the woman. He was a nice looking young man with a bit of a chinese-look. I was far from them so I couldn’t see the face of the doctor he was talking about that I got instantly interested in.

“Let’s go,” said the teenager with them.

The two walked away first, leaving one behind who was still shaking his yellow formal shirt. When I looked at him, I felt something, I felt like I knew this person. I even frowned trying to get a peek of his face. While he was bending down, I slowly walked closer to him. He just kept fixing himself while bending down, and a moment later, when he raised his face and saw me standing next to him, he was..

“Doctor Tuason?” I called out.

A smile immediately appeared on his face and he then called my name.”Lau-Laura?”

“Doc? Aha! Is that really you?” I smiled too.

“Laura? How are you? What a small world! Haha!” he said with a laugh.

Even before we said hello, it was..

“Shucks,” I whispered. and..

We even looked up at the sky at the same time because of the heavy rain. Until suddenly..

Toot! Toot!

The red car was parked in front of us.

“Brother Clyde, let’s go!” The teenager with them shouted.

_____

I DID NOT agree to leave Laura in that place. We took her to where she lived before going back to the bar. Our car was not able to enter because the apartment where she was staying was only inside a narrow alley. I just accompanied her inside because I stopped to see what kind of place she was staying at. The apartment is small; the rooms are close together with five doors. When you go inside, you go directly to her mattress on the floor. There is no division, and they only have one bathroom that is outside their doors. It’s obvious that the place was forced to be built to make it profitable, because the wood that serves as the space between each room is thin. You can’t lean on it because it might fall down. The surroundings were also smelly and dirty, rats running around, roaches roaming freely and bugs were everywhere. Laura is staying in a squatters’ area.

Fortunately, we are not that sensitive, so everything is fine with me and Claudie. We spent about half an hour there. We even had coffee because we were too embarrassed to refuse her offer. It’s a pity that I was left hanging in our conversation because she said that it is not possible to receive guests there at that time and that loud conversation is also not allowed because the room next to yours can hear it.

“Really? She’s your patient?” Claudie asked.

We’re currently at the bar having a few drinks now.

“It’s really good to be Doctor Tuason’s patient; he’s caring! Did you put a catheter on Laura? Hmn?” Tejie said, teasing again. “Wow! So she has nothing to hide from you anymore. Haha!” He laughed. “What size?”

“Fuck! Aha! That’s normal, bro. I felt a little twitch and got stung!” I said it jokingly.

“I wish I was a doctor too! It sounds like your job is good!” Tejie answered. “I can poke and pinch any type of cherry I want, no limit! It sounds really fun!”

Claudie suddenly intervened. “For the record-how much did you donate to her? You are Doc Charity, as far as I know.”

I looked at Claudie but didn’t answer.

“Then-I noticed something,” Tejie brushed my arm. “Why does it seem like you had a different smile earlier when you were talking to Laura?”

I felt embarrassed. “Huh? Earlier?” I smiled.

“Did you notice that too, Tej?” Claudie seconded the motion. “Especially if you saw him inside while we were having coffee. He couldn’t look down on Laura while she was moving. Tsk!”

I raised an eyebrow and kept scratching my head. “Stop it!”

“Be careful! You have, Irene! That girlfriend of yours easily gets jealous! She’ll nag at you again!” Tejie reminded me. “And besides—that Laura is something; big boobies, a curve, pretty! Umn! Doc! You found your match! Haha! Let’s see if you can handle that! You’ll go crazy! Believe me!” Tejie said while shaking his head.

I suddenly became serious.

“Seriously, get serious this instant?” Claudie smiled.

Tejie made a face. “She’s in her thirties, right?”

I answered immediately, “Yes, she’s thirty-three.” I don’t know, but I smile every time they mention Laura’s name. And I was so happy while talking about her.

“Fuck! Thirty-three, Doc?” Tejie cried out.

“Yeah, why?” I asked, confused.

“Don’t ever get near her, Doc, she’s a trap!” he said seriously. “You’ll drown in her—- umn!”

Claudie laughed out loud.

“It’s your first time meeting an older woman than you, right?” Tejie said again, nodding.

“What the fuck, Tej! Haha!” I laughed at his facial reaction.

Tejie shook his head swiftly. “Nah! Just- do what I told you, Doc.”

We just laughed.

Tejie suddenly stood up, picked up my beer bottle and handed it to me. “Now you can try to drive someone older than you crazy! Haha!” He laughed loudly while toasting the beer he was holding out to me.

“Tej, you’re going crazy again! He had Irene,” said Claudie.

“Baby, what else are we brothers for?” Tejie’s face pretended to be serious. “Of course you won’t tell her, no one will tell her!”

I just laughed at the two. My mood is a little better now because of what happened, and so…

“Waiter! Another bucket please!” I screamed.

The two looked at me at the same time. I’m going to get drunk now. It’s up to them who drives home. I want to get wasted!

_____

LAURAS’S POV

The world is really small! The one I mistook for gay because of the clumsy voice is Doctor Tuason. Aha! Fate always loves to joke! Maybe that’s why the car I rode broke down in that place because Doc Tuason and I were going to meet again. He is like his siblings, both good looking. They even look alike! Why is it that he appears to be a different color than the other two? They are both white, whereas Doc Tuason’s skin is brown! Now I know that Doc is also silly when he is out with his brothers. He’s also a charmer! They are happy and silly siblings. Even though my place was crowded and smelling bad, they didn’t show any signs of disgust. Too bad we haven’t talked for a long time because it’s not allowed here and Mang Milenio might yell at us. That old man is arrogant!

It’s really fun. Too bad-I didn’t even get Doctor Tuason’s number or any social media accounts, so I could keep in touch and ask him regarding my bad condition sometimes.

Come on! Why is that? Why do I suddenly feel like—doc? Hooh! … Anyone can be impressed by him. That person was very nice-too nice. I can’t say enough about his kind heart. I still want to get to know him completely, and I really think he’s gay. The way he speaks, gestures with his hands,

When can I see him again? Where is he now? Maybe he’s home.

___

PEOPLE WERE ALREADY looking at them because Clyde was drunk and was making a lot of noise. The place is packed, but because it’s a public bar, everyone is used to that kind of scene.

“Fuck! Tej! Go ahead! Take me there!” Clyde yelled while pointing in a direction.

The two help Clyde get into the car.

“Alright, Tej! Claudie!” Clyde shouted again.

Claudie frowned. “What the hell is he doing? You’re embarrassing, Doc.” She even scratched her head swiftly. “Lesson learned! Never ever get a doctor wasted! He’s immune to hospital alcohol, not the toxic type! Haha!” Claudie laughed aloud.

Tejie just laughs. “Leave him alone! That idiot can only be like that once in a while! He was happy! Over fuckin’ joyed!”

They got Clyde into the car, and he was lying in the backseat, wiggling like an itchy worm.

“Stop that attitude, bruh! When Irene finds out about that, she’ll knock you out!” Tejie cried out.

“Stop fuckin’ saying her name! I don’t want to hear it! Where the hell is she? Do you have any idea where she is right now?” Clyde keeps on shouting. “She’s with her fuckin’ Indian doctor! She was with him there in Cebu! The fuck! Stop saying her fuckin’ name!”

Claudie and Tejie paused for a second when they heard what Clyde told them.

“Come on, you’re drunk! Stop telling stories!” Tejie became calm.

“Fuck, Tej! I’m not making up stories! You know me!” Clyde responded, his eyes clearly welling up.

“Really? Why-didn’t you tell us right away? Why keep it?” Claudie said, sadly.

They fell silent for a minute. Then..

“Take me to Laura, Tej! Come on, I want to see her,” Clyde calmly said. “I prayed for this for so long.”

“Let’s go home so you can sleep, Clyde,” said Tejie, starting the car’s engine.

Clyde grabbed his t-shirt. “Fuck! Tej, I said, take me there!” He shouted again.

“Where? You’re drunk, Clyde!” Tejie is getting pissed.

“You shouldn’t have been drinking, brother. If we only knew that you had a problem, we’d better just stay at home. Why didn’t you tell us about that?” Claudie said.

“Tej, take me there!”

“Where’s that there, Clyde?”

“To Laura! Take me to Laura! I want to talk to Laura!” Clyde shouted.

The two looked at each other.

“What?” Clyde’s voice was louder. He keeps on hitting Teji’s seat. “Fuck Tej, I said, take me to Laura! I’ve been waiting so long to see Laura again! I want to talk to her!” He keeps on rattling Tejies’ seat. “Take me there! To Lauraaaa!” He shouted again, and his voice echoed inside the car.

“Yes, okay! Calm down! I’ll take you there. Calm down, Clyde!” Tejie said, looking at Claudie.

Clyde immediately calmed down like a child and lay down in the backseat.

The two whispered. “Let’s go home, Tej. He can sleep now.” Claudie said.

But..

“You fuckers! I told you to take me to Laura!” Clyde suddenly shouted, getting up again. They thought it was asleep.”What’s wrong, Tej?”

“You’re going to see Laura like that drunk! The fuck Doc!” shaking his head.

_____

3: A. M.

LAURA WAS SURPRISED by the loud knock on her door. It’s good that she’s still awake, and when she takes a look at her phone to see the time,

“3 a. m., for real? It’s-it’s Gwen, I’m sure!” She muttered. “What does this woman need? Maybe she has brought a man home again and she doesn’t have hot water for their coffee,” she said as she approached the door.

A few more knocks in a row…

“Wait a minute! Coming!” she shouted.

And when Laura opened the door, she was…

“Huh? Do-Doc?”

She was surprised to see who was hiccuping as it leaned against the side of her door.

“Doc-”

“Laura-”

The two stared at each other for a while. Laura saw how Clyde’s gaze crawled from her head to her toes. She was just wearing a thin and short nightgown and had no bra, so her healthy breasts were a bit showy. They kept on staring at each other. Laura also couldn’t stop staring at the young man’s eyes because, apart from being handsome, Clyde also had good posture and a good physique. No denying that he’s a perfect young built.

Until..

“Doc, you’re drunk,” she said in a low voice.

Clyde didn’t speak nor smile. Instead, he entered Laura’s room and closed the door as an answer.

June_Thirteen