P.R.N

3

Faces of relief, regret, confusion and tiredness are all I see from the people who took the Pharmacy Licensure Board Examination with me. It was the end of our second day of boards. Mahirap. Magsisinungaling ako kung sasabihin kong hindi ako nahirapan sa boards dahil mahirap. Kung hindi ka nag-aral nang mabuti, hindi ka papasa.

I was greeted by a confetti when I got home.

"Congratulations, our future pharmacist!" Sabay-sabay nilang sigaw sa mukha ko. Tory ran to me, so I carried her.

"Congratulations, Ate Vienne ko." She kissed my cheeks after saying that.

Tita Karen was also there. I smiled at everyone. "Thank you po."

"Am I late?"

Napalingon ako sa dumating. It was Cole—holding a cake. I just stared at him. He's wearing a plain white t-shirt and a gray sweatshorts. This guy and his sweatshorts.

"Congratulations." He greeted me. I only smiled at him.

They started hugging me as a congratulatory gesture. To be honest, I don't think I did great, but of course, I wouldn't tell them that because they will worry.

"Shall we eat?" Pag-aaya ng nanay ko.

--

"Ate Vienne, eat more."

Napangiti ako nang lagyan pa ni Tory ng ulam ang plato ko. I pinched her cheeks. Napatingin ako kay Cole at nakitang nakamasid siya sa amin ni Tory. When he saw me looking at him, he raised an eyebrow.

I raised a brow at him.

"What do you want as your college farewell gift, hija?"

I shrugged. "Books for NMAT, I guess."

Natawa sila sa sinagot ko. I wasn't kidding, though. I'm gonna take the next NMAT exam.

"You need to relax, anak! Maybe a trip abroad?" My mother offered.

"Ma, Amanpulo nalang. Let's just chill." I answered.

Cole's amused face caught my eyes. I gave him a "what" look and he just shrugged at me.

"Are you sure, hija?" I nodded at my Mom.

I'm probably just gonna sleep there.

The brunch ended with them planning the Amanpulo trip. I was about to go upstairs to rest when Cole called me. Nang tignan ko siya ay nakita kong dala niya ang mga NMAT materials niya at inaabot niya ang mga 'yon sakin. Napangiti ako ng tipid bago ko ito kunin sa kanya.

"How was NMAT?" He just shrugged at me. Yabang.

"How was your boards?"

"Hard, but fine." Pagkatapos ay tinalikuran ko na siya.

"You're welcome!" Pahabol niya sakin. Napangiti ako.

"This is your payment, right?" Sagot ko nang hindi na lumilingon.

--

It's been a week after the boards and I am now facing my computer because the results are out. Fucking hell. What if I fail? What do I tell my parents? I let out a deep sigh before clicking the website.

What the fuck is my surname again?

Fuck.

Para akong binuhusan ng malamig na tubig nang hindi ko nahanap ang pangalan ko sa list of passers. Did I fail?

Hindi ko na namalayan ang oras. I was just staring at my computer— thinking how to tell my parents that I failed. That their Magna Cum Laude actually failed the boards. Saan ba ako nagkulang? I've spent countless sleepless nights studying my life off. Hindi lang sa review center. Kahit noong nag-aaral ako, I was only focused.