Garden of Wounds (Panacea Series #1)

Chapter 38

Thirty-eight.

Don't tolerate any kind of mistreatment. Huwag mong hayaan ang ibang tao na gawan ka ng kasuklam-suklam na mga gawain. That's the purpose why we have ourselves. We have ourselves to protect our own. People are made to betray us, to belittle us, and to hurt us— and you, as a human being who loves herself, huwag mong hayaang dumating ka sa punto na pati ang sarili mo'y talikuran at traydurin ka na rin.

That was the hardest phase of our life— 'yong hindi natin kakampi ang ating sarili.

Kung mauulit man ang nangyari sa akin noon, paulit-ulit kong ipapaalala sa aking sarili na ako ay mahalaga. Yes, I am loved and valued. I don't need anyone to prove that thing to me. Myself can do that. Myself can prove me that I am worthy and lovable.

"What the fuck..." I said slowly when I read the applicant's application file that was sent by Elaine through e-mail.

Agad kong hinanap ang contact number nito na nakalagay sa kan'yang application file. I dialed the number and wait for her until she picks up the call. Naghuhuramentado ang aking puso dahil sa pinaghalong kaba at saya. If only I knew that Margarette was the one who actually wants to work in my clinic, kahapon pa lang ay tinawagan ko na siya!

"Hello?" Margarette, from the other line.

"May I speak with Ms. Margarette?"

"This is Margarette," she speaks formally.

"O, hi there, Ms. Margarette! I have already received your application file and checked it immediately—" she didn't let me finish my sentence.

"Wait, wait. Is that you, Elvira?"

I chuckled. "Kilala mo pa rin pala ang boses ko..."

Nakarinig ako ng pagbasag sa kabilang linya. "O, my God! O, my God!"

"You can start next week."

"Wait, wait, bago 'yan," I heard her breathing deeply. "I'm sorry for what had happened before. Sobrang nakakagalit talaga pero naka-move-on na kaming lahat doon. Sorry talaga," she said in her sincere tone. "Pero totoo? Tanggap na ako?!"

I laughed. "Yes, I know your capabilities, Marg, saka ano ka ba? Naiintindihan ko naman 'yon."

"We can catch up later. A-attend ka ba sa party ko? Did Zavion invite you to come? Kung hindi, I'm inviting you!"

"He did," my cheeks burned.

"Tangina..." She cussed. "He didn't tell me!"

"You can ask him," I said softly. "So... I'm gonna hang up the call. I need to do something."

"Okay, sure, sure, Elvira. Punta ka mamaya, ha?"

"Of course," I answered before ending the call.

Nasapo ko ang aking noo. Gumaan ang aking pakiramdam ngunit mabilis lang 'yon napawi.

Hanggang ngayon, ramdam na ramdam ko pa rin ang panlalamig ng aking katawan nang tanungin ako ng isang nakakagimbal na tanong ni Atharv. I don't know what to do. I don't know how to answer him. I just know that he's all curious and wants to seek an answers from me... but then, I sighed in relief when Kazuo went into my room to ask for a keys. Naabutan niya kami sa gano'ng pangyayari at nahulaan niya agad kung ano'ng mayro'n.

"What's that, Gaddiel? Mga pictures ni Mommy mo? Ay, sino 'yan? Si Zavion? Ayan 'yong may crush dati sa Mama mo, ah! Nakatago pala 'yong pictures niya sa 'yo, Elvi!" He said jokingly as he walks towards my son. "Sayang nga lang. Ang pogi pa naman niya kaso hindi siya nagustuhan ng Mama mo. May iba siyang crush that time..." He let out a loud laugh.