Mistakes We Can't Laugh About (Loser #2)

Chapter 23

Chapter 23

Note: Mistakes We Can't Laugh About is the second installment in The Losers' Club Series, hence there will be spoilers from the first book, In the Midst of the Crowd, particularly in this chapter.

Trigger Warning: Sensitive language and suicidal ideations. Read at your own risk.

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"If you pass the board exam, we will send you to the Psychological Alliance of Italy next year. Hindi in-demand ang psychometricians sa Pilipinas, pero maganda ang job offers sa ibang bansa. You can work there and get your Master's degree at the same time if you want to."

I could already feel my heart pounding against the corners of my chest as I listened to Dr. Fujimoto.

Italy . . . Europe. And PAI! The biggest psychological organization in the world! They help write books about psychology, run their own medical office, and their researchers came up with almost half of the medications used to treat mental disorders!

"We see a lot of potential in you two, and we want you to take advantage of any opportunity that comes your way. Kung hindi n'yo naman magustuhan do'n, pagbalik n'yo, the VDMH will still welcome you with open arms," dagdag pa ng doctor. "I'm only saying this because I worked in America, and if your goal is to make money, the best place to do that is abroad . . . ganoon kabagsak ang ekonomiya ng Pilipinas."

VDMH was still a catch. Ang original branch nito na clinic ay nasa Isabela pero ang mga ospital ay nakatayo sa malalaking syudad sa Pilipinas. Dr. Vina Fujimoto and Mrs. Elora Chin Dela Paz established this. Naging mabilis ang pag-asenso nito dahil na rin sa dami ng mahuhusay na mental practitioners na nagtatrabaho rito.

"Kaya mag-review kayo nang mabuti, okay?" nakangiting saad ni Mrs. Dela Paz. "It was a rare offer, and we would be glad to give it to you. One of our friends works there as a person in charge of human resources, so the process shouldn't be too hard."

Tumawa si Dr. Fujimoto. "Knowing Anne . . . it really shouldn't be too hard."

Hindi ko na nasundan ang pinag-usapan ng magkaibigan. My thoughts were straying. Italy. Europe. PAI. And all I needed to do was pass the board exam!

"Tahimik mo," pansin ni Leon sa akin nang magtanghalian kami. "Iniisip mo 'yong offer?"

I nodded as I smiled. "Ikaw, hindi mo gusto?"

"Hindi ko pa alam." Yumuko siya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain. "Hindi ko pa naiisip ngayon ang pag-iibang bansa, Mari."

Tumikhim ako. "Next year pa naman."

Dahan-dahan siyang tumango. "We'll see. Hindi ko rin naman kayang hayaan kang mag-isa ro'n."

With the offer in mind, I did a thorough review. Napakalaking oportunidad no'n para sa fresh graduate na kagaya ko. Kahit na tapos na ang review session namin ni Leon ay pinagpapatuloy ko ang pag-aaral sa gabi. I didn't take on too many clients because my salary at VDMH was quite enough to pay my bills. Kaunting tipid nga lang din dahil minimum wage earner pa rin ako.

Leon Ysmael Zamora: Sleep now.

Amari Sloane Mendoza: Nag-aaral ako.

Leon Ysmael Zamora: Can I call? Sabayan kita.

Amari Sloane Mendoza: Okay. Love you.

He reacted "heart" to my message and said "I love you too" before calling. Halos gabi-gabi kaming ganoon. Walang sawaan. Magkasama sa trabaho at magkatawagan pagkauwi sa bahay. It was almost as if he were an essential piece of my being.

"Yayain mo minsan si Leon. Hindi pa 'yan kilala ni Karsen," saad ni Mill isang gabi nang makita akong katawagan ang lalaki.

As soon as I heard the name of my friend, my heart hurt.