Remember That Midnight

PROLOGUE

"Tea for peace of mind?"

That question snapped me back to reality. I didn't even realize I was spacing out until Alice slapped my arm slightly. She sat across the table, placing a cup of tea in front of me.

Knowing Alice, I know she wants gossip right now. I've known her for a long time plus we were classmates in our pre-med program, and I can tell that I have memorized how her mind works.

"Ano? Kaya pa? Mukhang pagod na pagod ka na," aniya.

She flipped her long brownish hair, then she moved closer. Bumaba ang tingin ko sa aking mga daliri at marahang pinaglaruan iyon. Ngayon ko lang naramdaman ang matinding pagod dahil sa trabaho. That four-hour operation took my remaining energy. The only thing that I would like to do now is go straight home and take a rest. But I'm still on duty, so I should throw those thoughts away.

Being in this field for years, I must say I'm used to all these things. It's hard of course, but this is what I chose. This is what I wanted. I took this path because this is my dream. There's no room for regrets.

Kung may pinagsisisihan man ako, iyon ay ang mga hindi ko nagawa noon.

"Soraya, makinig ka naman!" Alice tapped the table between us.

"Hmm?"

"Sama ka sa'min mamaya," she sweetly smiled.

"May gagawin ako. Next time." I answered shortly. Huminga na lang ako nang malalim at inisip ang gagawin ko mamaya. Muli kong nilingon si Alice at tahimik na umiling sakanya.

"Soraya naman! Minsan lang 'to dahil busy tayong lahat tapos hindi ka pa sasama."

I chuckled. "Next time nga..."

"Minsan lang naman. Our friends will be there, Soraya. Spare some time for us, please. You can't just spend your whole life drowning yourself in work. At least try to socialize outside."

I sighed. Mapilit talaga ang babaeng 'to.

"You're making excuses. Aminin mo!" dugtong pa niya.

I'm not. Totoong may gagawin ako ngayon. Hindi trabaho kundi personal na lakad. Death anniversary ngayon ni Mama. I will visit her later after my duty here. Hindi ko na lang siya sinagot dahil sigurado akong magtatanong lang siya nang magtatanong at hindi ako handang sabihin ang rason. I personally dislike sharing informations about myself. If I can keep it then I will.

They know many things about me but not my deepest secrets. Not my past...

I went back to work after a few minutes of break. Nilaan ko ang oras at atensiyon ko sa trabaho, pilit na iniiwasan si Alice hanggang matapos ang trabaho para hindi na siya magtanong.

"Work time is over, Doc. Uuwi ka na?" salubong saakin ni Nurse Dy. Tumango ako at hindi na pinahaba ang usapan.

"Sure ka, Soraya? Hindi ka talaga sasama?" muling tanong ni Alice. Tumango ako. "Minsan lang naman 'to. Hahanapan kita ng jowa don." she added.

Tumawa ako at umiling. I don't need that at the moment. "Hindi talaga pwede, Alice."

"Saan ka ba kasi pupunta? Ito naman! These days madalas kang tumatanggi, ha. May boyfriend ka na ba? Nakalimutan mo na kaming friends mo?"

I shook my head and grabbed my phone from the table. "Basta. Sasama ako next time. Promise." I smiled.

"Sure?"