Identifying Our Trope (Metanoia Series #1)

36

Chapter 36

I'm here at the hospital. I've been in residency for weeks now. I could say that it's fun? But still, sometimes my traumas would get triggered when I'm talking to some patients here while I'm doing my rounds— this is a psychiatric hospital.

But of course the number one rule in psychology, never self diagnose.

Most of the patients here were teenagers. It's sad how teenagers nowadays are prone to these mental disorders.

People call patients in a psychiatric hospital 'crazy', 'they are out of their mind', 'they're just seeking attention'. Why can't people be open minded? Adults would say that these mental illnesses were not real and people dealing with it are just faking it.

'Nung panahon nga namin mas malupit mga guro wala naman 'yang mga depression at anxiety na yan.'

Well, that's because these mental illnesses weren't acknowledged during your times.

I only have 1 hour left then I'm done with my duty already. It's August 14, tomorrow is Lucas' birthday. I wonder how he's doing. Kahapon nakauwi siya mga alas dose na. Minsan kasi kumakatok siya sa pinto ko kapag dumating siya.

Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit pero kapag darating siya sa akin siya didiretso— parang sinasabi niya na nakauwi na siya. Pero depende pa rin kasi minsan nakakatulog ako, sa ngayon naman ay parang inaantay ko rin siyang uwi.

Magsasabi lang siya na nakauwi na siya tapos iyon lang. Yun lang talaga, ewan ko ba— parang tanga kaming dalawa.

Buti walang overtime at tapos na rin ang rounds ko kaya makakauwi na ko. Kinuha ko ang damit ko sa locker room ko at nagpalit. Kasabay ko ring umuwi ang isang resident rin na babae, hindi kami totally close but we sometimes talk.

Sumakay ako nang cab at saka naisipan na dumaan sa isang bake shop.

"We're here, madam." the driver said.

I already paid then I immediately walked towards the baked shop. It's a good thing that a bakery is still open at this hour.

"Good evening, ma'am." the guard said.

Ngumiti na lang ako at saka naglakad papunta doon sa mga cake sa counter. I just bought a chocolate circle cake but the icing was white, with some crushed chocolate bar on top and glazings.

Pinalagyan ko na lang ng message doon.

'Cheers to 28 years, my Lucas!'

Nang makuha ko na yung cake ay nag can nalang ulit ako at nagpahatid sa condo ko.

Nakalabas na 'ko ng elevator at naglakad na lang papunta kwarto ko nang bigla bumukas ang pintuan ni Lucas kaya napa-atras ako.

Nagkatinginan kami kaya mukhang nagulat rin siya sa akin. Bakit nandito siya? Ang aga naman niyang umuwi?

Nakita ko kung paano siya napatingin siya sa dala kong box ng cake. Hindi naman visible kung ano yung nasa look kaya di niya nakita iyon.

"What's that?" he asked.

Parang nanginginig pa 'ko at nagsalita ng may naisip akong dahilan.

"Ah, one of the residents gave me one, nagkasabay kasi kaming umuwi—"

"A guy?" he cut me off parang nanlaki pa ang mata niya.

My lips parted, thinking what I should answer. "Umm... yeah..."

His brows immediately furrowed, "Why would he give you that?" bakas ang pagkairita sa boses niya.

"Why not? Sa ganda kong 'to? Ngayon nga cake lang eh, 'di mo pa mga nakita yung mga dati." nginisian ko siya.