Legal Guardianship

Pagkapasok ko pa lang sa office ng makita kong balisa ang aking assistant.

"Why are you so tense, Lori?" mahinahong tanong ko sa kanya habang pinipihit ko ang doorknob sa aking main office clinic papasok.

"Eh Doc may bisita po kayo sa loob." sagot ni Lori na bakas sa kanyang mga kilos at mukha ang pag-aalala.

"Bisita? I'm not expecting anyone." sambit ko sa kanya na nagtataka. On leave pa rin kasi ako utos ng aking department head pero si Baby Zee ay in-assign lang sa akin until further notice.

"Oo Doc eh, abogado daw po." kabadong saad ni Lori. "Doc may nagawa ka po bang mali?" dugtong pa nito.

"Not that I know of." sagot ko sa kanya habang hindi sigurado. "I'll handle this Lori, don't worry. Kumain ka muna sa cafeteria." saad ko sa kaniya na tumango lamang ito pero bakas pa rin sa mukha ang takot.

Umalis na si Lori at tuluyan ko nalang pinihit ang pintuan pabukas nang aking clinic. Ngunit laking gulat ko kung sino yung naka-upo at naghihintay sa akin sa loob.

"Doctor Divata, it's nice to formally meet you. I'm Attorney Ashton Salazar." bati niya sa akin habang inilalahad ang kanyang kanang kamay at tinanggap ko rin naman ito.

"Pleasure is all mine. You are the guy who Sophia dance with at a birthday party diba?" pormal kong tanong sa kaniya habang ibinababa ang aking kamay sa paghahawak niya.

"Yes." he said while looking away at nagblush nang kunti.

So I'm right, there's something going on between them.

He cough lightly and composed himself once more at tumingin sa akin ng diretso.

"I am here to say something important to you." sambit nito sa akin na ikinatango ko nalang sa kaniya.

"Okay, please have a seat. Do you want tea, coffee or anything?" I said while gesturing him to sit down.

"No thanks, I am in a hurry." sagot nito at umupo ng maayos at may hinahanda na mga papel.

Lumakad na rin ako sa upuan na harap niya at umupo. Tinignan ko lamang siya habang hinahanda ang mga papel na dala niya at inilagay sa lamesa.

"So, these are the papers for legal guardianship. I would like for you to sign them and review all the terms and conditions written below." pormal na saad niya habang in-slide niya ang mga documents na nasa table patungo sa akin.

"Legal what? I don't know what you are talking about." gulat kong sambit sa kaniya habang lumalaki ang aking mata sa aking narinig.

"Doctor Divata you are appointed as legal guardian of Miss Evi Cruz's son." he said while remaining calm at my bewilderness.

"Attorney Salazar, I think you're mistaken. There is no such thing that I will become a guardian of whom you're talking about." sambit ko sa kanya habang natataranta sa mga pangyayaring ito.

"I am not, please look at the papers then." saad niya habang nawawalan ng pasensya sa aking inaasta.

I pick up the papers from the table at binasa iyon. Nakalagay nga doon ang full name ni Evi at sa akin. She signed them saying na ako ang magiging legal guardian ng kanyang anak if something happens to her. This paper was signed 1 month ago, the time na ako nag pangalan sa kanyang anak.

"This is ridiculous. Do you think I can handle taking care of a baby? I didn't even experience being taken care of by a mother." I said as anger arose within me.

"I don't know Doctor Divata, I am just doing my job as an Attorney." naiinip na sagot ni Atty. Salazar at inilabas ang kanyang ballpen. "Will you just sign the papers then? I have so many things to do." dugtong pa nito sa akin.

I let out a shaky laugh hearing what he said. Hindi ko kayang tanggapin ito. Ni hindi ko alam maging isang ina dahil wala ako nun. Tapos in a middle of the day ay makakatanggap ako ng isang news that I will become a legal guardian of a baby?

This must be a joke.

"No, I will not." I said while putting the papers down at a table at umiling.

"Then file a motion to set aside the order if you feel so wronged and this is unjust. You have to prove to the judge that the order was obtained due to fraud, misrepresentation, mistake, excusable neglect, or misconduct of a party. But this motion must usually be filed within 6 months of when the order appointing the guardian was entered. If granted, the judge will "redo" the guardianship proceedings to correct any errors that occurred the first time." pag-eexplain niya sa akin at tumayo.

Natulala na lamang ako sa sinabi niya dahil parang ang hirap at mahabang proseso nun.

"I should go then Doctor Divata. Call me if you need help or any concerns." he said habang inaayos niya ang kanyang suit at inilahad ang calling card sa aking harapan.

Tinanggap ko iyon at tumango na lamang sa kaniya. He excused himself at tuluyan nang umalis. Habang ako ay nakatunganga pa rin sa mga papeles sa table at pinag-iisipan ito.

Why would Evi do this?

Alam naman niya diba na I am a career-driven woman tapos ako pa i-appoint niya maging legal guardian ng kanyang anak.

Di ko na alam anong gagawin.

Pero mas pinagtataka ko ay kung bakit may maliit na parte sa akin na masaya that I will have a baby soon.

The baby that I named.

The baby that made me do unexpected things for him.