The Princess Found Her Last Husband (Filipino)

5- Her feet

"Good afternoon, Dr. Jay. Please come in," Kristine greeted and let the doctor come in to their room.

"Good afternoon to all of you," Dr. Jay responded and looked at everyone in the room.

"How is my husband, doctor?" Kristine asked quickly na may pag-aalala sa mukha niya habang hawak-hawak ang kanang kamay ng asawa niya.

Dr. Jay cleared his throat first before answering the former's Queen question. "Well, based on the findings in his brain angiogram, he has a temporary disruption of blood flow to the brain that is known as transient ischemic attack. Which means that he has a high blood. I strongly recommend that he should stay away from stress or any food that can trigger his high blood. I'm going to give a strict diet until further notice. Okay?"

"Okay," Kristine shortly replied, obediently.

——

"He's all settled now, you can now all go home. I'll take care of him from here, and I'm sure you are all tired too. See you again when I see you all," sambit ni Kristine sa mga anak, apo, at daughter-in-law niya na si Wendy.

"Okay. Just call us, okay?" Neil mentioned at nagpaalam na sa mother niya.

Nagpaalam na rin si Princess Lorainne, Wendy, at mga bata.

Pagkauwi ni Princess sa condo na tinutuluyan niya ay bigla naman tumunog ang phone niya at nakita niya na tumatawag ang matalik niyang kaibigan na si Rachel. Naupo muna siya sa couch at saka sinagot ang tawag nito.

"Yes, sis? Napatawag ka?" matamlay na tanong ni Princess dahil napagod siya buong araw kakabantay sa hospital.

"Are you okay? Bakit parang pagod na pagod ka?" tanong ni Rachel in a speaker sa kabilang linya habang nagtutupi siya nang mga damit ng anak niya.

"Dad had a stroke, but don't worry, nakauwi na siya kanina lang. I am just...tired because of my feet," balitang hatid ni Princess at hinilot-hilot niya ang kaliwang paa niya gamit ang kanan niyang kamay since ang kaliwa ay nakahawak sa phone.

"Alam mo matagal mo na nirereklamo 'yang mga paa mo. Kung ako sa 'yo magpa-check up ka na. Huwag mo na hintayin na lumala pa 'yan, sis," advised ni Rachel.

"I really don't have time for it at maraming ganap ngayon. Maybe when I have time. Nga pala, bakit ka napatawag?" Princess then shrugged her shoulders, dismissing the topic and diverted it to her friend.

"Oo nga pala. Napatawag ako dahil I need your opinion. Si Alek kasi ay niyayaya ako na tumira sa bahay niya kung nasaan ang Mommy niya kasi gusto niya raw kami makasama. Ano sa tingin mo? Sasama ba kami sa kaniya nang anak niya, or huwag muna?" kwento naman ni Rachel na may pag-aalala rin dahil hindi siya makapagdesisyon ng maayos sa alok sa kaniya ni Alek.

"Ikaw, gusto mo ba?" prangkang tanong ni Princess.

"Sa totoo lang...hindi. Ayaw ko," nag-aalangan na sagot ni Rachel na napatigil sa ginagawa niya.

"I can sense the dilemma in your answer. Is it because of his mother, Sophia?" straightforward na tanong ni Princess dahil kilala niya ito.

"Um...yeah. Alam mo naman na not in good terms kami hanggang ngayon ng mother niya. Ayaw ko naman makipag-plastic-an sa kaniya kapag nandoon kami. Panigurado ay uutus-uutusan niya lang ako since nasa poder niya kami," banggit ni Rachel thinking of the future if ever they live under one roof.

"Malay mo naman. Pero sinabi mo na ba 'yan kay Alek?"

"Oo, I already did."

"At anong sinabi niya?"

"He said na pansamantala lang naman kami roon hanggang sa makaipon siya at once na nakaipon siya ay saka kami aalis at titira sa isang bahay na kami lang tatlo," kwento ni Rachel ayon sa sabi sa kaniya ni Alek.

"Ayun naman pala, eh. Ang tanong...naniniwala ka ba sa kaniya?"

"Well...yes. Simula nang nagbago siya, nag-iba na talaga siya. Hindi na siya 'yung lalaking laging tumatakbo kapag may kasalanan or responsibilidad siya. Maasahan na siya ngayon lalo na sa anak namin. He provides everything for our daughter," direktang sagot ni Rachel na inalala lahat ng mabuting ginawa ni Alek sa kaniya simula nang magkabalikan silang dalawa.

"There you go. Problem solved. But still, it's your choice. Either way, kung anuman ang gusto mo'ng gawin, I will support you. Alam mo 'yan," nakangiting komento ni Princess.

"Thank you, sis, for helping me realize things. Sige na, matulog ka na at alam ko'ng pagod ka buong maghapon. Call or chat me if you need me, okay?" nakangiting tugon ni Rachel na nakapagdesisyon na rin.

"I will. Likewise. Good night. Bye," paalam ni Princess at binaba na niya ang tawag.

Pagkababa nang tawag ay tumayo siya at pumunta sa kwarto niya to flop on the bed kahit na hindi pa siya naghilamos.

Pagdating ng umaga, pagtapak ni Princess sa sahig ay napa-aray siya dahil sa sakit ng mga paa niya.

"Gosh, ano ba nangyayari sa mga paa ko? Hindi pwede 'to. I need to go to work," aniya at pumunta nang banyo to take a bath na pinasawalang-bahala ang sakit ng paa niya.

Eventually, nakarating na si Princess sa pagmamay-ari niyang bakery at binalita sa kaniya nang isang employee niya na dumating na ang bagong supplies nila na bread for their pastries.

"Okay, I'll check them. I'll be there in a minute," sambit ni Princess at umakyat na sa opisina niya.

And in just a minute, nasa likod na si Princess to check their supplies at gusto niya makita na kumpleto at tama lahat ng natatanggap niya tulad ng napagkasunduan nila nang supplier niya. Buong maghapon siya nakatayo para magbilang at sigaruduhin na maganda lahat ng products na ginagamit nila na binibigay nila sa customers nila. Hands on din siya sa pagbebenta nang pastries, lalo na sa pagbe-bake. Napapakain na lang siya kapag kailangan niya tikman ang produkto niya bago niya ilabas to make sure the quality taste. Until the night then comes, nagpaalam na siya sa employees niya at nagmaneho pauwi.

Pagkarating sa bahay niya ay naupo siya sa couch at ininda na naman ang mga paa niya na sobrang sakit kaya naman hinilot niya ang mga ito when she suddenly thought of salonpas to ease her pain a little. And so, she put salonpas on both of her sole at napapikit siya sa ginhawang epekto nito sa mga paa niya.

"Gosh, may interview pa pala ako bukas," she whispered, and sighed dahil magiging busy na naman siya bukas.

Kinabukasan ay nakaupo siya habang inaayusan ng isang hairstylist at makeup artist.

"Is it okay, your highness, to ask about your personal life like your love life?" the host asked for permission.

"Let's not talk about that," hindi nahiyang sagot ni Princess, seriously.

"Okay. How about...how big your profit is now? Is that okay?" the host confirmed again.

"Yes, that's okay. No problem," nakangiting responded ni Princess at natapos na ang hairstylist sa buhok niya and the makeup artist sa face niya.

Thereafter, the director gave a signal for the start of their program.

"Good morning, everyone. For today's segment, we are here with the famous and respected Princess of our country, Ms. Lorainne Rashid-Al. Good morning to you too, your highness," the host greeted cheerfully.

"Good morning, too. Hello, everyone," maayos at mabait na bati ni Princess sa mga viewers.

"So for everyone's knowledge, your highness is a famous pastry chef. And we are here to know her secret for the tasty pastries she makes. Can you tell us the secret?" the host acknowledged with a smile on her face.

"Secret? I think the secret is me. I am really hands on to my business. Actually, I already have many branches here in our country, and all are delighted when they get to taste the products I am offering them," Princess enunciated.

"Talking about that, your highness. Is it true that you are the one sometimes that serving them?" the host asked with a surprise facial expression.

Princess chuckles at that statement. "Yes, that's true. I really like serving my costumers," she sweetly mentioned.

"Wow. That's really charming of you. Do the customers ask for picture taking sometimes?" the host giggles with that question.

"Yes, they do. And that's fine with me. I don't mind it at all," Princess smiled after answering the question.

"There you go, everyone. Now we know what's the secret of her successful bakery shops. Don't forget to take a picture with her whenever you get to visit her shop," the host complimented with a big smile on her face. She then looked at Princess again and smiled too. "Thank you so much, your highness, for letting us interview you even just for a short time," she mentioned sweetly.

"I'm happy to be here. Thank you, too," Princess answered with a genuine smile across her lips.

Itutuloy...