Hehe, I "LOBED" the various reactions I got from my last chapter. Okies, I'm not that evil. So, I won't let you wait for long. And it's not Lucas, guys. I hated the guy's guts on Season 6 so rest assured, he won't be here.
Here, it is. But, please be attentive on this chapter. Remember, this is happening at the same time but on different time zones, okay?
** Once again, thank you for the reviews. Your comments are enough to make me keep going with this Huddy story. Special mention to my kababayan, Horen_Downey. Salamat for your "kuwelang" (cool) comments. If only, you can understand what she's saying, #Huddies, you'll have a laughter trip, too.
DISCLAIMER: Nothing is mine. All belongs to the genius but madman, David Shore and Company. But, I do own Nana Sela and Jacque here.
CHAPTER 5 – WHEN DREAMS SEEM REAL
It took Cuddy a minute or so, before she felt that her voice was cooperating with her again. She was about to call out House's name when suddenly the person who made the noise behind her speaks, "What are you doing here?"
To say that Cuddy was utterly shocked when she heard House's voice behind her was an understatement. Her mind might be playing this hopeful trick on her because there is no way House would be standing behind her, right? This is just but another blow of reality to her bleeding heart that her tired mind had conjured to come up with an illusion that House was indeed back and is just standing a few feet behind her. Her one and only love and her heart's innermost desire might be looking at her back right this very moment.
And so, Cuddy had to force her body to actually take that risk and turns around to properly see that her ears were just not playing tricks on her. She had never wished for anything to become true in her entire life than this precise moment.
To her ultimate surprise, House was indeed standing a few feet from her and looking so lost and confused, too himself. Cuddy wasted no time and immediately run towards the one man she longed to see and locked him in an eternal embrace that will help convey all those words she couldn't find the strength to speak now. She buried her face at the crook of his neck and whispered words in a chant-like manner. "I'm sorry… I'm sorry… I'm sorry…."
House, just continually stood frozen at his spot. His genius mind couldn't fathom this strange turn of events. How is it possible that the one woman he can't keep off his mind is now standing and locked in an embrace with him? If this is a dream, then he wishes to never wake up. If this is another delusion, he wanted this to last for as long as possible. This felt so good for it to end.
But like everything else around him, House finds it in his self to question every single clue that presents to him as something that is weird. His need to constantly search for answers won in the end. This mystery puzzle needs to be solved as soon as possible.
And so, with reluctance because he doesn't want to lose Cuddy's warm embrace, he slowly forced his heart to listen to what his brain was trying to tell him all along. There are questions to be answered and his mind won't settle for nothing but to solve them immediately. He can still hear Cuddy's chanting voice and he knew that she was in tears and in total wreck. He had to be very careful here because he wouldn't want to upset her again and have her running away from him in no time.
Still, it took a minute for House to actually find his voice and then he carefully whispered, "Cuddy…you have to let go first."
Almost instantly, he felt Cuddy shaking her head as if to say NO and her chant was becoming louder now. More I'M SORRY chants between sobs can be heard within the four walls of his apartment.
House, feeling that his little patience was being tested, tried to speak louder and more sternly now. "CUDDY, let go. We have to talk." He gently tried pushing her away and unlocks her death-grip around his neck.
But, as soon as Cuddy felt that House was about to free himself from her embrace, she tightened her grip as if never wanting to let go. She wouldn't allow him to run away from her again. He went back and there's no way that she's going lose him one more time. In a louder and more stubborn voice now, she said, "PLEASE, HOUSE. DON'T LET GO."
About to give up, House tried to appeal to her once again by using her first name, "Lisa…"
In response, House heard an unfamiliar voice calling him by his first name, too and that person was actually touching him. Now, in a state of panic because he wouldn't want to lose Cuddy, he tried to pry away from that someone's touch and tried to call for Cuddy's name again. "Lisa…"
Fate might have really hate House because almost instantly, he no longer can feel Cuddy's embrace and her voice were swallowed by the air surrounding him. One last desperate attempt, he called out her name again, "CUDDY.."
And then, House felt that he was suddenly jolted awake by someone else's death grip upon his left shoulders. "GREGORY… hey, wake up.." He heard the worry on that unfamiliar voice again. House opened his eyes and still in a state of blurriness, saw Jacque's pale face looming over him on his bed.
She spoke again. "Hey, you were murmuring a name in your sleep. Are you okay?" Uncertainty was still evident in her voice as she continued to stare back at House's disoriented stare at her.
She went to touch the man's face in front of her when she heard him speak, "I'm okay. What are you doing here?" House didn't appreciate the fact that someone else had witness his moment of disorientation a few minutes ago.
He was staring back at Jacque's eyes with a bit of anger now. And then, he saw the woman backed away from him and stood up from his bed before hearing her say, "Nana asked me to wake you up for dinner. Come on. We'll wait for you at the dining room." With that, she left him alone again.
House just let out a sigh and stared up at the ceiling recalling what he just dreamed about. It feels so surreal as if Cuddy was really just standing within the same room with him. He could still hear her chanting voice saying I'M SORRY over and over again. What was she sorry for? That is one thing he can't comprehend from his dream. He knew that he was the one that is at fault with her with the horrible thing he did before he left, so why was she the one apologizing on his dream? What does that even mean? Or does that even mean something? Was that even relevant at all to this twisted situation that they are in?
So many questions and yet he can't come up with definite answers. More confusing thoughts are coming in to his mind now trying to understand deeper what his dream meant.
House might have stayed longer in bed contemplating his dream without much conscious thought because he suddenly felt someone else's weight on his bed again followed by a familiar voice this time around, "Gregory, hijo. Are you sure you're okay? You look pale really." Nana Sela's voice now rang to his ears.
"I'm okay, Nana. I'm just about to go out. I'm sorry. I'll be there in five minutes." House tried to reassure the old woman after seeing her worried expression. He's not yet ready to open up to her and share his thoughts. This woman can read him like an open book and if he's not going to be very careful, in no time, he'll be forced to pour out his heart and mind to her.
He went to sit up and rub his damaged thigh. He was about to take out his bottle of Vicodin from his jean's pocket when he heard her voice saying, "You do know you can tell me everything, right? Whatever it is that's bothering you, I'm always here to listen."
House turned around to look back at his Nana Sela's intense gaze. Then, he immediately looked away again. "I know, Nana. Just not this time, please." Try as he might, his Nana Sela is another person that he can't lie to just like his own mother. Then he stood up and went to the bathroom to freshen up and dry swallowed another 2 pills.
Everyone was silent during dinner. Nana Sela was sitting at the far end of the table for six while House sat across from Jacque. He was pleased to know that no one mentioned about his "episode" right before dinner.
House truly missed Nana Sela's Filipino cuisine and he was more than glad that he was served with his favorite pork Adobo dish. This is Nana Sela's specialty. For their drinks, he was served with freshly-squeezed Mango juice since it's the fruit's season now in this tropical country.
The 3 people on the dining table were determined to finish their dinner without saying a word. But, when dessert was served which is another delicious specialty of Nana Sela called Buko pie, the old woman suddenly spoke from her spot. "Gregory, what are your plans?"
House who was more than enjoying the silence didn't register first what his Nana Sela asked from him. He looked up when he noticed that the two women were now staring at him. "Pardon me?"
It was Jacque who spoke this time. "Nana was asking you about your plans here. How long are you planning to stay?"
House swallowed the piece of pie he was currently chewing first before answering them, "Ahmm, I don't know. It depends if I can practice medicine here." He addressed his answer more to Jacque than to his Nana Sela because he was still avoiding the possibility that the old woman might know that he was trying to hide from something or rather someone. And then, he looked down at his plate again.
Jacque smiled at his reluctance and then in a cheerful manner told him something he didn't expect from the younger woman as based on her pale appearance. "Well, on that part, I might be of great help to you. I'm actually the Chief Administrator at St. Luke's Medical Center."
House suddenly looks up from his plate and stared in awe at Jacque. "What?"
This time around, it was evident that Jacque was having a great time looking at this grumpy doctor's reactions. "Ahmm, I am Dr. Jacqueline House, an Endocrinologist and Chief Administrator of St. Luke's Medical Center. So, I can actually help you secure all those pertinent papers that will allow you to practice medicine in the country." She said with much pride as she somehow tilted her chin up while still looking directly at House.
House, who still can't believe that this fragile person in front of him was actually an accomplished woman just continually stared back at her. Then, he heard her speak again. "Like I said before, you can now close your mouth." Jacque couldn't help herself but to make fun of this broken man.
Nana Sela was having fun herself seeing the interaction between the two doctors from across the table. And then, she decided to cut House some slack, "Now, Jacque. I told you to be easy on the guy." Then, she turned to address House. "Yes, Gregory. She's a doctor, too. And a stubborn one like you, too if I may add. She might be able to help you about your concern."
House after being left out from his trance then answered, "Okay. But, I do have one condition. I don't want for my stay and practice here to be published to International journals."
On that comment, he saw that both women raised their eyebrows. Jacque beat the older woman into responding, "And why would that be? Hiding from someone back home?" She was more than curious to know why this world-renowned Diagnostician seems to be so elusive.
House answered her a bit abrasively, "None of your business." He didn't want to explain to them his reasons. But, he knew that they would not just let him off the hook just like that without saying something a bit. And so, he tried to explain, "Something just happened and I just don't want the International Medical Media interfering my stay and practice here." Then, he looked back down at his plate hoping that will be enough for the two women for now.
Nana Sela tried to catch Jacque's eyes from across the table when the older woman saw that she was about to say something more. Then, she said, "Okay. Jacque will make sure that the International Medical Media won't know about your stay here. But, you do know that she can't keep that for long, right? Your name is widely spoken on the Medical field, Gregory. Soon, they will hear that you chose to practice in this Third World Country. That reason alone will create a huge media buzz."
House, still looking at his plate answered her, "I know. And thank you." He looked up and stared at Nana Sela then to Jacque. The young woman just nodded her acknowledgment. Then, House stood up and said, "If you'll excuse me. I want to go back to my room." Without waiting for their reply, he stood up from the table and slowly went back to his room.
** APARTMENT 2B
It took Cuddy a minute or so, before she felt that her voice was cooperating with her again. She was about to call out House's name when suddenly the person who made the noise behind her speaks, "What are you doing here?"
Cuddy immediately turned around when she heard a female voice from behind her. She didn't recognize the voice at first but she was able to detect the foreign accent that goes with the English question she received.
It took a few seconds for Cuddy to actually recognize the Russian masseuse that House married 2 months ago. She can't even remember her name. The young woman was closely studying her from where she was standing a few feet across from her.
She was surprised a bit when she heard her speak again and addressed her with her title, "Dr. Cuddy, I asked what are you doing here?"
Cuddy released a breath she wasn't even aware she was holding. And then, in a much calmer voice, she answered her with another question. "What's your name again?"
The woman might have felt a bit insulted that she doesn't remember her name because she rolled her eyes. "It's Dominika."
"Right." Cuddy began to say. "Well, I didn't know you were here. I just want to…"
Dominika cut her off while she was trying to explain. "Never mind. No need to explain. I guess, that's none of my business. I just went to pick up some papers and a few things I left here." The young woman saw that the doctor was obviously very confused about her presence here right this very moment. "I'll go on my way now."
She went to turn around and leave when she heard a low voice that she wasn't even sure if it came from the same woman she was talking to. "Do you know where he is?"
Dominika glanced back to see the doctor not looking at her but on the floor. It's as if she was debating against herself if she should ask her that question or not. She took empathy on the forlorn expression that she can see on her face. She gave her an honest answer. "No. I don't."
Cuddy just nodded her response to the answer she got from her question.
Dominika turned to leave again but she couldn't help herself but to give this woman a little hope. And so, she added, "Look, I don't exactly know what happened between the two of you. But, I do know that Greg was hurting."
Upon hearing House's first name from the younger woman's lips, Cuddy looked up and stared at her. She was about to call out this woman for daring to call her man's name when Dominika once again preceded her. "Yes, I know. I probably know more just by observing the two of you. Only a blind person can't see the longing you two both carry on through your eyes when you think the other one wasn't looking. Remember, I was with the two of you in your office when he asked you to sign a document. Even from a new observer, it was obvious that both of you were hurting and still care for each other."
Cuddy, hearing all these went back to staring at the floor. She doesn't want to see the compassion she can read from the younger woman's eyes. She's too proud to take them. But, she was still all ears to everything that Dominika was saying.
"During the wedding, I honestly thought one of you will do something to stop it. I saw how Greg followed your movement through his eyes when you turned around before we exchanged our vows. I knew he was just standing there like a ghost going through the motion that was expected of him."
Cuddy still felt herself cringed when she once again heard Dominika addressed House by his first name. She wanted to correct the woman but she just doesn't have the energy now. Instead, she felt tears were slowly streaming down her cheeks.
The younger woman continued with her tirade of words. "And after everyone went home that night, I told Greg that I really do like him and wanted more from our fake wedding. I started kissing him and he kissed back…"
On this part, Cuddy wanted to cover her ears. She doesn't need to hear all these. She doesn't even know why Dominika was saying all these things now. What was her goal here? To hurt her more? To take revenge? This is too much for her to take. She was too emotional right now to deal with this.
She was about to reprimand the younger woman and tell her to stop when she heard the BUT part of her sentence. "But, when he opened his eyes and stared back at me, I knew he wasn't thinking of me when he kissed back. All along, it was you on his mind. That's why it's as if he was suddenly burned when he realized I wasn't YOU. He stood up and left me on the couch. Ever since then, there was no contact between us except when I do massage his leg. But even that didn't become regular because he chose to drown himself more with alcohol and his drugs. I guess, he's feeling guilty every time he thinks of you and me massaging his leg."
This time around, Dominika gave Cuddy her back before she finally added, "I hope you find him. And when you do, please don't ever let go of him." With that, she went to leave without turning back again.
Cuddy heard the door closed before she collapses on the piano bench. She was really crying openly now after hearing all that Dominika said. She knew House was hurting but she doesn't know as to what extent. Hearing someone else's statement about House and how he was trying to cope after she left him made her heart aches more for the man she actually loves for decades now. How can she claim that she loves him and yet failed to see his innermost pain? How can she be this blind when all along her man was crying for her help? Did she really try to be this passive towards him in the pretense of protecting herself to more pain?
So many thoughts running through her mind and Cuddy felt like she was about to collapse any moment. She forced herself to stand and slowly with blurry vision due to her non-stop tears, she entered House's bedroom. What she saw on top of the small table beside his bed brought more giant tears to her eyes. Staring back at her as if to mock her for her stupidity is a picture frame of the same "Family" Photo inside the necklace's locket House left for her. Cuddy was looking at her smiling face on that photo with Rachel and House's grumpy stare.
In shaky feet, she approached the small table and with more trembling hands, she lifted the picture frame. She gradually brought herself to sit on House's bed and hug the frame near her heart. More audible cries can be heard now and as if reminding her more of her mistakes, nature might have been mourning together with her right this very moment when she heard rain drops starting to pour outside House's bedroom window.
She cried all the way more and went to lie down on House's bed taking in his manly scent that was still present on his sheets and pillows. Her tears were freely streaming down her cheeks now like a river flowing. She had been crying for like two hours before exhaustion finally took over and she surrendered herself to the call of the gods of sleep.
There you go. Woah, this is my longest chapter ever. I planned to cut this into 2 chapters but I realized that I wouldn't want to leave you guys in another cliffhanger again. So, show your appreciation on the reviews? LOL.
** Just a warning for the coming chapters. There is a reason why this story is labeled under "M" rating. Succeeding chapters will now travel down the road of Angst and Drama. We'll see more tears ahead of us before we get to see rainbows and roses.
Thanks for reading,
Helen