In the Midst (Daughters Series 1)

Chapter 3: His Life Story

Ariel Benecio

Daryl and I were talking while walking to the cafe. Sa konting minuto palang na kasama ko siya ay alam ko ng hindi siya boring kasama. He knew how to start a conversation and how to keep the conversation going.

I could also tell that he was a gentleman. Inalalayan niya ako tumawid sa pedestrian lanes like he was protecting me from other people. He would also walk beside me all the time at nung makarating na kami sa cafe, he would open the door para papasukin ako. There was something in his character that touched my heart. This was not it should be that's why I tried so hard to ignore what it was.

"Thank you," sabi ko sa kanya dahil pinaghila niya ako ng upuan after we ordered our drinks. Siya narin ang nagbayad kasi nga libre niya daw ito sakin.

He sat on the chair in front of me. I admit that he's a good looking man. Ang tangkad niya din at maganda ang built ng katawan niya. He looked fresh but too formal. Siguro dahil sa suot niyang long sleeves.

"So, Ariel. What were you doing in the hospital? Bakit ka nandoon?"

Natauhan ako at napatigil ng kakatitig sa kanya. Sana naman hindi niya napansin na I was studying his features.

"Ah, I was just doing my routine check up," sagot ko. He did not need to know about the details. Isa pa, I was not sure if mapagkakatiwalaan ko siya. And kakakilala palang namin, I usually don't like talking about my condition sa taong hindi ko close.

"I see," tumatangong sabi niya saka uminom ng coffee na binili niya.

"Ikaw? Anong ginagawa mo sa hospital?"

"I work there," sagot niya.

"Anong work mo doon?" Tanong ko. Kaya pala naka-formal siya na suot.

"I am a doctor. A pediatric surgeon to be exact," sagot niya na kinalaki ng mga mata ko. Doctor pala siya.

Napatango ako at sinabing, "Alam mo bang gusto kong maging doctor dati? My mom is an OB-Gyne kaya naisip ko na gusto ko rin maging kagaya niya. It changed when I... Basta nagbago nalang. Ayun, I work in my dad's shop instead. It was not my first choice but I love it there too." I did not tell him the real reason kasi nga I did not want to tell him about my condition.

"I can't blame you. Marami talagang plano ang nagbabago. But it is nice to know that your mom is a doctor. What's her name? Maybe I know her. Does she work in the hospital?"

Umiling ako. "Her name is Arabella Benecio. No, she works in a different hospital. My mom has a kind heart. She prefers to work in a public hospital and help the needy. She charges them less amount of payment. That's why I admire her. She chose a profession wherein she is so passionate about, so passionate that she doesn't care how little she earns as long as she is happy serving the needy."

"I haven't heard her name. But that's nice to know that she is using her profession to help others. I haven't met her yet but I can tell she is very kind based on what you said. No wonder you admired her a lot."

Napatango ako sa sinabi niya. I couldn't agree more.

"How about you? Doctor din ba ang parents mo kaya ka nag-doctor?" I asked.

"No, none of my parents are doctors. Bata palang talaga ako ay ito na talaga ang gusto ko kaya dati palang, I already told them that I am not going to manage their business because I will be a doctor."

"Masaya naman ba sila sa pinili mo?"

He nodded. "Yeah, they are but..." sabi niya saka biglang tumamlay ang mukha niya. "but I am the one who is not happy. Sometimes, I question myself if tama ba itong pinasok ko. If tama ba itong pinaglaban ko."