Stitches and Scars

Chapter 3

"A career as a surgeon is considered a game. They say that you either have what it takes to play it or you don't. My mother, on the other hand, was one of the all-time greats. One of the chosen star players. One of the people who has everything it takes to play and win. And as I join this game myself, I realize that few more people could be added to the list. Though, this may not be the case for me. Because now, I think I'm a little screwed."

Nurses and other patients started to stare at Vice as he walked down the hospital halls. As soon as he stepped out of the elevator, his confidence was radiating off of him and any other men would almost feel a little intimated by his charisma.

"Good morning, doc," a couple of nurses greeted him as he approached the nurse's station. They then handed him his patients' charts for him to check.  "Ito na po yong charts ng mga pasyente ninyo. Kasama na po ang mga na-admit kahapon. At hinahanap din po pala kayo ni Chief kanina."

"Really? Did he mention why?" tanong ni Vice habang isa-isang tinitignan ang mga nakalagay sa charts na inabot sa kaniya.

"Tungkol daw po sa bago niyong pasyente."

Tinignan naman si Vice ang kaharap niyang dalawang nurse, "Do you have that patient's chart?" he asked that made them both beam.

"The new batch of interns under Dr. Dixson are still running some tests on her, doc. Nasa kanila po ngayon ang chart ng pasyente," sagot ng isang nurse, who was trying her best not to smile a lot.

"All right then. If someone starts looking for me, just tell them that I'm going to talk to the Chief, okay?" Vice smiled before walking away.

Matapos ang ilang minutong pakikipag-usap sa kanilang Chief of Surgery, Vice confidently walked out of the office grinning at himself.

"Well, well, well. Something's a bit different with you today," another doctor greeted Vice nang makasalubong niya ito sa hospital corridor. 

"Good morning din sayo, Dr. Crawford," Vice smirked, disregarding the latter's earlier comment. "How's one of your kiddie patients?"

"His heart transplant went very well and he'll be discharged next week. All thanks to you," giit ni Billy habang sabay silang naglalakad.

Billy is currently one of the hospital's finest and excellent pediatric surgeons.

"That's good. Yong bata pa naman na yon yong isa sa mga una kong pasyente dito after my transfer, so monitor him closely for me, will you?" Vice said that made Billy roll his eyes as a joke. They're friends but he's aware of how arrogant Vice can be.

They were about to change the conversation when another doctor joined them. "Rinig ko may bago na namang mga set of interns. May napili ka na ba, Dr. Viceral?" biro nito at inakbayan pa ang kasama.

Natawa naman si Billy kay Vice, "Ngayon alam ko na kung bakit panay ang pagngiti nito. Thanks for the information, Dr. Navarro."

"You know what, ewan ko sa inyo," pagngisi ni Vice at mas binilisan ang paglalakad. Alam niyang siya na naman ang aasarin ng mga kaibigan. 

Ngunit agad naman siyang nahabol ng dalawa. "O baka naman may napili ka na pala kagabi," pag-akbay naman ni Vhong. They were both aware that Vice went on a drinking spree last night.

"Who's the unlucky girl? Was she pretty?" Billy asked but Vice just smiled and ignored him.

Natawa lang naman sina Billy at Vhong dahil sa kakaibang ngiti ng kanilang kaibigan. "Damn, that chick hit you hard, did she?"

Nagpatuloy lang naman ang pang-aasar ng dalawa habang hindi maiwasan ni Vice na mapangiti ulit nang maalala ang mga pangyayari kagabi at kaninang umaga. For some reason, he can't seem to get Karylle out of his thoughts.