Chapter 47
Huminga ako ng malalim habang tinitangala ang matayog na gusali ng Laforteza General Hospital. Hindi ko inaasahan na dito pa rin pala ako babagsak.
Initially, LGH wasn't my first choice. I included it on the second matching after the first matching didn't go well. Hindi ako natanggap sa ibang ospital na pinili ko. It was disheartening, but I gave it a lot of thought before applying for the second round. I included LGH because I know it was also worth the shot, and I wasn't expecting to get accepted since it is still a big hospital.
Hindi ko rin inaasahan na marami sa mga kaklase ko ang pinili rin ang LGH. It's a big and highly regarded hospital but still, I thought everybody wants to be in PGH or stay in UERMMMC. Ang kasama kong napadpad sa LGH ay si Heart lamang. Ava, Kayden, and Liam continued their medical journeys in other hospitals.
"You're staying in LGH?" Kunot noong tanong ni Kuya nang bisitahin niya ako.
"It was the first hospital that accepted me." I pursed my lips.
Tinitigan niya ako ng matagal. I was busy fixing my requirements for the next step but because of his stare, I slowed down a little. Sa klase pa lamang ng tingin niya ay alam ko na ang pinapahiwatig niya. Bumuntong hininga ako at halos umirap.
"It has nothing to do with Malik, Kuya." I rolled my eyes. "He doesn't even know that I'll be an intern at their hospital. We don't talk."
"Why did you consider LGH then?" He crossed his arms.
"Maraming rason," seryoso kong sinabi. "Lahat ng pinili ko, I made sure that they are all right choices, and they would contribute to my growth as a future physician. LGH is topnotch, and on top of that, it had the warmest treatment among all the hospitals in my clerkship."
Ilang segundo siyang tahimik bago tumango. "Sinabihan mo na si Mommy?"
"I'll talk to her after I finish all the requirements. Or maybe before my actual internship begins."
Kasama si Heart at ibang kaklase ko, sabay sabay naming inasikaso ang application namin sa LGH. I talked to Mommy a week before I start with internship. Nang sinabi kong hindi ako pumaso sa ibang malalaking hospital at as LGH tinanggap, wala siyang ibang tutol do'n.
"It's a big hospital. It's one of the best in the country. Good choice, Ailani." That was all she said.
Hindi ko alam kung magugulat ako sa reaksyon niya. I know my mother, and she had always had something to say about my decisions and my life. But ever since that night in Kuya's condo, she never talked to me regarding school again. It was like a quick turn-around, and I wasn't used to it, but I still prefer it over her old self.
I was anxious during my first day as an intern. Together with a few of my batchmates who got accepted at LGH, we were assigned to our first rotation. My first week was benign, and I can say it was a good start.
"Ailani, referrals daw sabi ni Doc Rosario." Si Sheki.
Humikab ako at agad na tumalima para asikasuhin ang referrals na sinasabi nila. Today's my last week in this rotation at lilipat na ako next week sa ibang department. Sa Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology ako pumunta. Pagkatapos asikasuhin ang referral ay umalis din ako agad.
Naglalakad ako sa hallway papuntang elevator nang mapagtanto ko kung sino ang naglalakad salungat sa direksyon ko. It was Vance, Malik's friend. May kausap itong nurse na kasabayan niyang naglalakad.
Hindi ko alam kung babatiin ko ba ito o ano kaya naman ay bahagya akong tumigil. Makakasalubong ko sila pero wala ang atensyon niya sa akin dahil abala siya sa pakikipag-usap. Just when I thought that he wouldn't notice me, he lifted his head and turned a little to my direction.
