Chapter 5 : We meet again

“Mrs. Thersa… you’re carrying a baby girl.”

 “God has blessed you with another daughter. After so many miscarriages, this is truly a miracle.” The doctor's voice was gentle, her eyes warm as she smiled at her

The words echoed in Thersa’s ears, but instead of joy, a deep, sinking feeling settled in her chest.

“A… a girl?” Her voice was barely above a whisper as her eyes widened in shock. Her hands trembled as she pressed against her belly.

The doctor continued smiling. “Yes, congratulations once again….”

But Thersa wasn’t listening anymore. Her vision blurred with unshed tears as she slowly slumped onto the chair, her breath uneven.

A girl. Another girl.

Her heart pounded. She knew what this meant. She knew how Mondragon would react.

A sob built in her throat, but she swallowed it down as she forced herself to breathe..…

….…….

Rafael drove steadily through the busy streets...As he neared an intersection, his sharp eyes caught sight of a woman crouched on the sidewalk tightly holding a little girl in her arms. The child’s face was pale, her small body trembled.

Without hesitation, Rafael pulled over and stepped out. The woman looked up with her eyes, looked worry...

“She’s burning up,” the woman stammered, her grip tightening on the child. “I…I was trying to get a taxi, but no one would stop.”

Rafael didn’t think twice. “Come with me.”

The woman hesitated, but seeing the urgency in his gaze, she nodded. He took the child carefully from her arms and led them to his car.

Once they got inside the car he said. “She’ll be fine,” he assured the woman. “I’ll make sure of it.” with that he dorve away….

…...

"I will send Mr. Mondragon an email now," the doctor said as she walked toward her computer, ready to type.

Theresa, still in shock, stared blankly as the doctor took her seat at the desk.

"No… no, no!" Thersa suddenly stumbled forward, panic surging through her as she reached the doctor's side.

The doctor turned, startled. "Mr. Mondragon asked me to send him the gender as soon as I found out," she explained, fingers hovering over the keyboard.

"You can't let him know, he doesn't know I'm here ", Thersa said even though she felt anxious

The doctor frowned. "He’s the father. He has every right to…."

"I want to surprise him with it," Thersa blurted out, her voice louder than she intended.

A brief silence stretched between them before the doctor let out a small chuckle. "Oh… that’s sweet of you." She turned away from the computer. "Alright, I’ll leave it to you then."

Thersa exhaled slowly, masking her fear with a weak smile. "Thank you, doctor."

Alright, will be out of town for a month...I wish you the best the doctor....I will be back to give you the letter...she added and walked out

….……

Rafael stood at the doorway, his hands in his pockets as he watched the woman sit beside her daughter’s hospital bed. 

"Her fever will go down in no time," Rafael said..

The woman turned to him, eyes glistening with gratitude. "Thank you, sir… You are an angel," she said...

Rafael gave a small nod, glancing at the child once more. "Everything has been sorted. You won’t have to worry about the bills," he said as he stepped back toward the door.

The woman gasped softly feeling overwhelmed. "I don’t know how to repay you"

"You don’t have to," Rafael interrupted

Then, without another word, he turned and walked out

…..

As she stepped out of the room, Thersa walked slowly down the quiet hallway, her hands clenched tightly at her sides. 

The doctor's words echoed in her mind

"You're having a girl, Ms. Theresa."

Her breath hitched and before she could stop it, a tear slipped down her cheek, followed by another. She wiped them away quickly as she kept walking.

Everything around her was on Do Not Disturb...the faint hum of nurses passing by, the distant beeping of monitors, the murmur of hushed conversations. Yet, she didn’t seem to notice any of it.

Her steps slowed even more

….

"Yes… Sure, I’ll be there soon," Rafeal said, his phone pressed to his ear as he stepped into the hospital hallway from the other side. His gaze remained fixed ahead.....until he saw her.

Slowly, almost instinctively, he lowered his phone and slipped it into his pocket.

Thersa, still lost in her thoughts....walked forward at an unhurried pace. As if sensing something, she lifted her head and her eyes met his.

Her fingers tightened around the strap of her bag

For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

Neither of them moved.

They just stood there, locked in each other’s gaze, as the world around them faded into the background.

As Rafeal took a step forward, Thersa stole one last glance at him. Her grip on her bag tightened even more before she swiftly turned to her left and took that path, her pace quickening as if trying to escape the moment.

Something inside Rafeal stirred and before he could think twice, his feet moved on their own. He broke into a run, heading toward the path she had taken. When he reached the spot where she had passed moments ago, she was nowhere in sight. His eyes darted around, searching....until he caught sight of her at the bottom of the stairs, walking away with a hastened pace.

Without hesitation, he hurried down the stairs, his steps quick....

Sensing him behind her, Thersa instinctively quickened her pace, her heartbeat racing without even looking back...

Before she could go any further a firm grip caught her wrist. In one swift motion, Rafeal pulled her toward him and she stumbled forward, landing against his chest.

''Hey''..he murmured 

She swallowed hard as her trembling hands rested against his chest...

Then, with a sharp breath, she pulled away from him.

"Why do you keep running after me?" she boiled out with a trembling voice..

Rafeal held her gaze without saying anything...

"Please, stay away from me," Thersa said and turned to walk away

But before she could take another step, his voice stopped her.

"Why do you keep crying?" he asked softly.

Thersa froze. Her body stiffened as if his words had struck something deep inside her. She bit her lip as she tried to hold back the tears, but it was useless. A broken sob escaped her lips, and before she knew it, the weight of everything crashed down on her.

Her shoulders shook as she covered her face with her hands, trying to muffle the sound of her pain.

Without hesitation, Rafeal stepped forward and pulled her into his arms, his strong arms wrapped around her...

"It's okay," he whispered, his hand gently cradling the back of her head as she buried her face in his chest. "You don't have to hold it in."

And just like that, Thersa let go. She sobbed uncontrollably, her hands clutching onto his shirt. 

Rafeal tightened his embrace, resting his chin on top of her head to let her cry....

She cried and cried, her sobs shaking her whole body.

Then, slowly, Thersa pulled away and wiped her tears with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

"No, no, no," Rafeal said softly and shook his head as he cupped her face with both hands. "It's okay."

His eyes searched hers, filled with a tenderness that made her chest tighten.

"Why are you crying so much?" he asked gently. "Have you lost a loved one?"

Thersa hesitated, her gaze shifting downward, trying to avoid his piercing eyes. She blinked rapidly, her lashes wet with fresh tears.

Rafeal tilted his head and watched her carefully. "So I can pray to the universe to bring them back to life," he said, "just so you won't have to cry again."

A small, unexpected chuckle escaped Thersa’s lips.....

Rafeal smiled at her reaction, his hands still cradling her face. "There you go," he murmured. "That’s better."

For a moment, they just stood there..…

"Sir," a voice called.

Thersa pulled away quickly and turned to the side and took a few steps away so the woman wouldn’t see her.

"I forgot to ask your name," the woman said as she approached Rafeal.

"Rafeal Wood," he answered.

"Thank you once again," she said and reached out for his hand.

"No need, ma’am," Rafeal replied.

"You saved my daughter’s life, and I will forever be grateful to you," the woman added.

Thersa stood still for a moment, hearing the woman’s words. Then, without looking back, she walked away.

"Hey... not so fast," Rafeal said as he paced after her

Thersa stopped and slowly turned to face him.

"Come with me," he added and took her hand and pulling her along with him.