CHAPTER 7- Rafael's POV

“Rafael, please tell me hindi ito ang iniisip kong ibig sabihin.”

Nakatitig si Gabriel sa laboratory report habang magkatabi kaming nakaupo sa private consultation room. Hawak niya ang cellphone niya, pero halatang ilang beses na niyang binasa ang resulta nang hindi pa rin makapaniwala.

POSITIVE.

Iyon lang ang salitang paulit-ulit na bumabagabag sa amin.

Inabot ko ang kamay niya.

“Let's hear what the doctor has to say first. Hindi pa natin alam ang buong picture.”

“But the result is positive.”

“I know.”

“Then why are you acting like it's nothing?”

Napabuntong-hininga ako.

“Hindi ko sinasabing walang problema. I'm just saying na huwag muna tayong mag-conclude hangga't hindi natin alam ang ibig sabihin nito.”

Napatingin siya sa akin.

“Easy for you to say. Hindi ikaw ang may abnormal result.”

Hindi ako agad nakasagot.

Tama naman siya. Hindi ako ang ilang linggong halos walang ganang kumain. Hindi ako ang palaging nasusuka tuwing umaga. At higit sa lahat, hindi ako ang may kinatatakutang resulta ng medical examination.

Pero asawa niya ako.

At ayokong maramdaman niyang nag-iisa siya sa sitwasyong ito.

Bago pa ako makapagsalita, bumalik sa consultation room si Dr. Daniel Cruz.

“Mr. Villanueva, I've reviewed your initial results.”

Agad na umayos ng upo si Gabriel.

“Can you explain what it means, Doctor?”

Inilapag ni Daniel ang report sa mesa.

“Your beta-hCG level is significantly elevated. However, I want to make it clear na hindi sapat ang result na ito para magbigay ng final diagnosis.”

Napatingin ako sa doktor.

“Could it be a laboratory error?”

“Possible, but we shouldn't assume that. May ilang medical conditions na puwedeng magdulot ng elevated beta-hCG levels in men. One possibility we need to rule out is an hCG-producing germ-cell tumor.”

Nakita kong napahigpit ang hawak ni Gabriel sa cellphone niya.

“Are you saying I have cancer?”

“I'm not saying that. Elevated hCG can have different causes. Kailangan muna nating malaman kung saan ito nanggagaling bago tayo magbigay ng diagnosis.”

“What tests do I need?”

“We'll repeat the quantitative beta-hCG test, check your AFP and LDH levels, and arrange a physical examination and ultrasound. Depending on the findings, we may also recommend additional imaging.”

Tahimik na nakikinig si Gabriel.

Bilang abogado, sanay siyang humingi ng malinaw na sagot bago gumawa ng anumang desisyon. Pero ngayon, ibang Gabriel ang nakikita ko.

Hindi ang abogadong kayang makipagtalo sa kahit sinong opposing counsel.

Kundi ang asawa kong natatakot sa posibilidad na may seryosong nangyayari sa katawan niya.

“Doctor,” tanong ko, “could his nausea and fatigue be connected to this?”

“Possibly, but those symptoms are not specific to one condition. We need to investigate further.”

Tumango ako.

“Then let's proceed with everything necessary.”

Napatingin sa akin si Gabriel.

“Rafael, I can speak for myself.”

Napangiti ako nang bahagya.

“I know. I'm just making sure you don't forget to take care of yourself habang abala ka sa pakikipagtalo sa lahat.”

Napailing siya.

“Lawyer talaga ang pinakasalan ko.”

“Unfortunately for you.”

Napatawa siya nang mahina.

At kahit saglit lang, gumaan ang pakiramdam ko.

Paglabas namin ng clinic, halos hindi nagsalita si Gabriel.

Binuksan ko ang passenger door at hinintay siyang makasakay.

“Hungry?”

Umiling siya.

“Something light? Soup?”

“Rafael, wala talaga akong gana.”

“Okay. Hindi naman kita pinipilit.”

Sumakay ako at pinaandar ang sasakyan.

Ilang minuto kaming tahimik bago siya nagsalita.

“What if it's something serious?”

Napatingin ako sandali sa kanya.

“Then we'll deal with it.”

“What if I need treatment?”

“Then we'll find the best specialist.”

“What if—”

Inabot ko ang kamay niya.

“Gabriel, enough with the what-ifs. Wala pa tayong final diagnosis. Let's take this one step at a time.”

Napatingin siya sa aming magkahawak na kamay.

“I'm sorry.”

“For what?”

“For making you worry.”

Napangiti ako.

“Part of being married, isn't it?”

“Unfortunately.”

“Excuse me? You should be grateful you married someone as patient as me.”

Napatawa siya.

“Patient? Rafael, you're the most demanding person I've ever met.”

“And yet you still love me.”

He shook his head, but I caught his smile.

At kahit sandali, nakalimutan namin ang mabigat na problemang naghihintay sa amin.

Pagbalik namin sa firm, agad kaming sinalubong ni Yu Sang.

“Good afternoon! Gabriel, how are you feeling?”

“Fine.”

She narrowed her eyes.

“That's the same answer you've been giving us for weeks.”

“Then maybe you should stop asking the same question.”

Napatawa si Yu Sang.

“See? That's the Gabriel I know.”

I shook my head.

“Please don't encourage him.”

“Rafael, you're supposed to be on your husband's side.”

“I am. That's why I'm trying to convince him to rest.”

Gabriel rolled his eyes.

“I can hear both of you.”

Nagtawanan kami bago bumalik si Yu Sang sa desk niya.

Pagpasok namin sa office, inilapag ko ang bag ko sa sofa.

“May appointment ka ulit bukas.”

“I know.”

“Don't cancel it.”

“I won't.”

“Promise?”

He looked at me.

“Are you my husband or my legal guardian?”

“Both, apparently.”

Napailing siya.

“You're impossible.”

I approached him, placed both hands on his shoulders, and kissed his forehead.

“And yet, you married me.”

“Unfortunately.”

“Love you, too.”

He laughed and pulled me closer.

“You're becoming too clingy, Santiago.”

“Only with you.”

For a moment, I forgot about the medical results and the problems waiting for us.

But I knew I couldn't let him neglect his health just because he was determined to finish every pending document in the office.

Bandang hapon, tumawag si Atty. Marco.

“Rafael, I need you in my office.”

Napatingin ako sa cellphone.

“Is something wrong, Attorney?”

“It's about the new documents submitted by the Mendoza family. Bring Gabriel with you.”

I glanced at my husband.

“Understood.”

Pagpasok namin sa opisina ni Atty. Marco, agad nitong inilapag ang isang folder sa mesa.

“May bagong development tayo.”

Binuksan ko ang folder.

Nandoon ang isang complaint mula sa counsel ng Mendoza family, kasama ang ilang dokumentong nagsasabing personal na nakipagkasundo si Gabriel kay Lara bago pa man opisyal na maitalaga ang firm sa Meridian case.

“What's this?” tanong ni Gabriel.

“According to their allegation, you received confidential corporate documents from Lara before our firm was formally engaged.”

Napakunot ang noo niya.

“That's false.”

“I know. But we need to establish where these allegations came from.”

Sinuri ko ang mga dokumento.

May pangalan ni Gabriel sa isang kasunduan at pirma sa huling pahina.

“Forgery,” agad kong sabi.

Tumango si Gabriel.

“I never signed this.”

Atty. Marco leaned back.

“That's exactly what we need to prove.”

“May iba pa ba?” tanong ko.

Tumango siya.

“The opposing counsel has also requested disclosure of communications between our firm and members of the Mendoza family.”

Napahinga ako nang malalim.

“That's going to be a problem.”

“Which is why we need to review every communication, meeting, and document related to this matter.”

Tumayo si Gabriel.

“Attorney, I want to make something clear. I never received any payment from the Mendoza family, and I never agreed to conceal any corporate transaction.”

“I understand, Gabriel. But we need evidence to support that.”

Tumango siya.

“Then we'll find it.”

Napatingin ako sa kanya.

Kahit may personal siyang pinagdaraanan, hindi niya hinahayaang maapektuhan ang trabaho niya.

That was one of the things I admired most about him.

Unfortunately, I also knew how stubborn he could be.

Bandang hapon, habang nasa conference room ako, nakatanggap ako ng tawag mula kay Dr. Daniel.

“Mr. Santiago?”

“Yes, Doctor?”

“This is about your husband's previous medical records.”

Napatuwid ako.

“Were you able to retrieve them?”

“Not all of them. But I found something unusual.”

“What is it?”

“According to our archive index, Mr. Villanueva was admitted to a private clinic two days after your wedding.”

Napatingin ako sa glass wall ng conference room.

“Yes. We already know about that.”

“There's another entry. A request was made to release his medical records to an authorized representative.”

“Who requested them?”

“That's the problem. The request bears your name.”

Nanigas ako.

“My name?”

“Yes, Mr. Santiago. There's a signature attached to the authorization.”

“That's impossible. I never requested those records.”

May ilang segundong katahimikan.

“I suspected that might be the case. I've sent you a scanned copy.”

Pagkababa ng tawag, agad kong binuksan ang email.

Nandoon ang isang dokumentong may heading na:

CONSENT AND AUTHORIZATION FOR RELEASE OF MEDICAL RECORDS

Binasa ko ang mga detalye.

Ayon sa dokumento, personal kong hiniling ang pagkuha ng medical records ni Gabriel at itinalaga si Lara Mendoza bilang authorized representative.

May pirma sa ibaba.

Pangalan ko.

Rafael Santiago.

Pero hindi ako ang pumirma.

Agad akong tumayo at nagtungo sa opisina ni Gabriel.

“Gabriel, we have a problem.”

Napatingin siya.

“What happened?”

Inilapag ko ang dokumento sa mesa niya.

“Have you seen this?”

Sinuri niya iyon.

Unti-unting nagbago ang ekspresyon niya.

“Why is your name here?”

“That's exactly what I want to know.”

“Did you request my medical records?”

I looked directly at him.

“No. I never signed this.”

Kinuha niya ang dokumento at muling binasa.

“Lara Mendoza…”

Tumango ako.

“She was listed as your authorized representative.”

Napahawak siya sa noo.

“Rafael, I never authorized her to obtain my medical records.”

“I know.”

“Someone deliberately created this document.”

“Apparently.”

Natahimik kami.

Maya-maya, tumingin siya sa akin.

“Do you think this is connected to the Meridian case?”

“I don't know yet. But whoever did this had access to confidential information about you.”

“And your signature.”

“Exactly.”

Napaupo siya.

Lumapit ako at hinawakan ang kamay niya.

“Don't worry. We'll find out who's behind this.”

“Rafael, what if they're hiding something serious about my condition?”

“Then we'll find it. Pero this time, nobody gets to keep the truth from us.”

That evening, bumalik ako sa clinic para personal na makausap ang records officer.

Gusto kong malaman kung sino ang nag-request ng medical records at kung kailan isinumite ang authorization.

Pagdating ko, sinalubong ako ni Daniel.

“Mr. Santiago, I was expecting you.”

“Did you find anything?”

Iniabot niya sa akin ang photocopy ng records log.

“The authorization was submitted three days after your husband's admission.”

“By Lara Mendoza?”

“According to the receiving officer, yes.”

“Did she present identification?”

“Yes. Her identity was verified.”

“Then why did you accept the authorization?”

“Because the document appeared complete and bore the signatures of both the patient and the requesting representative.”

Napakunot ang noo ko.

“Both?”

Itinuro ni Daniel ang ibabang bahagi ng form.

Doon ko nakita ang ikalawang pirma.

Kay Gabriel.

Napahigpit ang hawak ko sa papel.

“Did my husband sign this?”

“I can't confirm that. But the hospital accepted the document as valid at the time.”

“Can we see the original?”

“It's currently missing from the archived file.”

I looked at him sharply.

“Missing?”

“Yes. The digital copy is also incomplete. Someone accessed the record recently.”

Nanigas ang panga ko.

“Who had access?”

“Only authorized personnel. We're still checking the access logs.”

“Then I want a copy of every record related to this request.”

Daniel nodded.

“We'll arrange that, subject to the proper authorization.”

Bago ako umalis, may isa pa siyang sinabi.

“Mr. Santiago, there's something else.”

I turned toward him.

“What?”

“The original laboratory result from that admission was never included in the file released to Ms. Mendoza.”

“Where is it?”

“That's what we're trying to find out.”

Pagdating ko sa apartment, nadatnan kong nasa sala si Gabriel.

May hawak siyang baso ng tubig habang nakaupo sa sofa.

“Where have you been?”

“I went back to the clinic.”

He immediately sat straighter.

“What did you find out?”

Inilapag ko sa mesa ang mga kopya ng documents.

“Someone used our signatures to obtain your medical records.”

Napatitig siya sa akin.

“Our signatures?”

“Apparently. The authorization bears both our signatures.”

“Rafael, I never signed that.”

“I know.”

“Then why would someone put my signature there?”

I sat beside him.

“That's what we're going to investigate.”

He looked down at the documents.

“Maybe Lara knows something.”

“Possibly.”

“Then we need to talk to her.”

Tumango ako.

“But carefully. Hindi natin alam kung sino talaga ang kumokontrol sa sitwasyong ito.”

Gabriel leaned against my shoulder.

For several seconds, pareho kaming natahimik.

Then he looked up at me.

“Are you angry with me?”

Napakunot ang noo ko.

“Why would I be?”

“Because I didn't tell you about the clinic visit.”

I turned toward him.

“I'm upset that you kept something important from me. Pero hindi ibig sabihin noon na bibitawan na kita.”

His eyes softened.

“I don't deserve you.”

Napangiti ako at hinaplos ang pisngi niya.

“Unfortunately, you're stuck with me.”

He laughed before leaning forward to kiss me.

Malambing at matagal ang halik niya, na para bang gusto niyang kalimutan muna namin ang lahat ng nangyayari.

When we finally pulled apart, I rested my forehead against his.

“I love you, Gabriel.”

“I love you, too.”

For a moment, everything felt normal again.

Until my phone vibrated.

Si Atty. Marco ang tumatawag.

“Rafael, are you alone?”

Napatingin ako kay Gabriel.

“I'm with my husband. Why?”

“I need to speak with you privately.”

“About what?”

“About the authorization document.”

Napatingin ako sa mga papel sa mesa.

“What about it?”

“I had our IT department examine the scanned copy. The document wasn't created by the clinic.”

Napatuwid ako.

“What do you mean?”

“Someone prepared it using a file from our firm's internal archive.”

Naramdaman kong nanlamig ang batok ko.

“How is that possible?”

“That's what we're trying to determine.”

“Who accessed the file?”

“I'm sending you the access report.”

Makalipas ang ilang segundo, may message na pumasok sa cellphone ko.

Binuksan ko ang attachment.

Nandoon ang listahan ng mga empleyadong nakapag-access sa archived folder nitong mga nakaraang araw.

Isa-isang sinuri ko ang mga pangalan.

Hanggang sa may isang pangalan na nagpahinto sa akin.

YU SANG.

Napatingin ako kay Gabriel.

Napansin niya agad ang pagbabago sa mukha ko.

“Rafael? What's wrong?”

Hindi ako agad nakasagot.

Muling tumunog ang cellphone ko.

Isa pang message mula kay Atty. Marco.

Don't confront her yet. There's something else you need to know.

Binuksan ko ang ikalawang attachment.

Ito ay kopya ng original authorization request.

At sa ilalim ng pangalan ni Yu Sang ay may handwritten note.

THE MEDICAL RECORDS MUST NEVER REACH GABRIEL.

Napatitig ako sa screen.

Bakit may access si Yu Sang sa confidential file?

At bakit may ganoong instruction?

“Rafael?” mahinang tawag ni Gabriel.

Dahan-dahan kong iniabot sa kanya ang cellphone.

Nang mabasa niya ang pangalan ni Yu Sang, tuluyan siyang namutla.

“That's impossible.”

“Do you know something about this?”

Umiling siya.

Pero bago pa siya makapagpaliwanag, tumunog ang cellphone niya.

Isang message mula sa unknown number.

Binuksan niya iyon.

Isang pangungusap lang ang nakasulat.

ASK YU SANG WHAT HAPPENED TO YOUR ORIGINAL MEDICAL REPORT—AND WHY SHE KNEW ABOUT YOUR CONDITION BEFORE YOU DID.

Napatingin ako sa asawa ko.

Hindi lamang ang medical records niya ang nawawala.

May taong matagal nang nagmamanipula sa mga pangyayari sa paligid namin.

At maaaring mas malapit pa ito kaysa sa inaakala namin.

Dahan-dahan kong kinuha ang cellphone niya.

“Gabriel, tomorrow morning, we'll talk to Yu Sang.”

He nodded, but I could see the fear in his eyes.

Then another message appeared on my phone.

This time, it was from Atty. Marco.

Rafael, I need you to understand something. Yu Sang wasn't the one who created the authorization. She was only following instructions.

Napakunot ang noo ko.

I typed my reply.

Whose instructions?

The answer came almost immediately.

Mine.

Napatigil ako.

Hindi ako makapaniwala sa nabasa ko.

I slowly looked at Gabriel.

At sa unang pagkakataon, hindi ko alam kung sino ang mas dapat kong pag-ingatan.

Ang taong matagal nang nasa tabi namin sa firm...

O ang senior partner na pinagkatiwalaan namin pareho.

Because someone inside our own firm had been controlling the truth about my husband's medical condition—and I was beginning to suspect that the person was the one who taught us how to trust in the first place.