Song: Every Time You Go Away- Lennon Stella & Kevin Garrett
Invited
Masyado atang napalakas ang pag-iyak at pag-sigaw ko kaya dali-daling nag-tungo si Mommy at Daddy sa kwarto ko. I didn't lock it so they easily got inside.
Nanatili akong nakasalampak sa sahig habang umiiyak. Hindi parin ako makapaniwala. I'm a licensed doctor now? And I'm one of the topnotchers?!
"Anong nangyari, Felicity?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Daddy.
Sa halip na sagutin agad sila, tumayo ako at sinalubong sila ng mahigpit na yakap. Pakiramdam ko nagulat sila sa ginawa ko pero wala rin naman silang nagawa pa sa huli at yumakap nalang din pabalik.
"Doctor na 'ko..." I said in between my tears.
I felt my parents stiffened. Kumalas si Mommy mula sa pagkakayakap ko upang tingnan ako.
"Pumasa ako..."
Napangiti si Mommy at pinunasan ang luha ko. Si Daddy naman nakita kong nakatingin na sa laptop ko. Chine-check kung ano ba ang tinitingnan ko roon.
"Top 5! Nasa top 5 si Felicity!" masayang sigaw ni Daddy.
Namilog naman ang mga mata ni Mommy at yumakap muli ng mahigpit sa akin. Tuwang-tuwa sa nalaman na balita. I laughed and hugged her tighter.
"Congratulations, anak! Sobrang proud kami sa nakamit mo." si Mommy.
Naramdaman ko naman ulit ang pag-lapit ni Dad para makiyakap na rin sa amin. I smiled.
"You deserved it, Fel. Thank you for making us proud."
Pumikit ako at agad naalala ang lahat ng pag-hihirap na dinanas ko upang makamit lang ang letrang 'M.D." sa dulo ng pangalan ko. I remembered all my sleepless nights, my failures, the non-stop rebuke that I received from the senior doctors, my sacrifices... everything!
It was worth it after all because it has led me to this. Without those challenges I've faced while reaching this dream, I wouldn't be where I am today.
But hearing my parents say that they're so proud of me... it was worth more than what I achieved today. It means the world to me because they are the reason why I always strive for the best. I wanted to give back all their sacrifices not just for me but also for my other siblings.
"We're so proud of you, Fel. We're so proud of you." paulit-ulit na sinasabi ni Daddy. I smiled and hugged him tighter.
Masaya pa kaming nag-didiwang nila Daddy at Mommy nang makarinig kami ng kalabog mula sa pinto ng kwarto ko. We both turn towards my door's direction to see who the intruder was.
Ang hingal na hingal pa na si Kuya Gio ay agad na napangiti nang makita niya ako. He spread his arms wide.
"Congrats, Fel! I saw you topped the PLE!" masaya niyang bati.