Beginning Of An End (GM Series #5)

02

"Yummy," I heard Lia, my friend said. Nilingon ko naman agad siya para tignan kung anong ginagawa niya. Akala ko ay may kinakain siya at hindi man lang ako inalok, ayun pala, sa billboard sa labas siya nakatingin. Sa malaking billboard ng topless na lalaki.

I tsk-ed and rolled my eyes.

"Ang yummy talaga niyang si Alexus. Girl, I'd do anything to taste him," she added and I can't help but cringe. Mas lalo ko tuloy naramdaman ang jetlag.

Kung alam mo lang...

"Stop saying gross things, Lia. Gusto ko munang matulog kaya huwag kang maingay. Mag drive ka na lang dyan," I said, reclining my chair and closing my eyes.

I just landed straight from Italy. After nine years, I was back in the country. Ayaw ko mang bumalik, wala na akong choice kundi ang umuwi dahil wala na akong dahilan para mag stay pa abroad.

I already graduated from medical school. I finished my internship and got my license as a medical doctor too. At alam kong hindi na ako makakapag dahilan pa para hindi makauwi. I really have to go home now.

Pero hindi ako nauubusan ng ideas. I could still apply for some programs for my residency that can bring me somewhere the county or abroad. Iyon ang gagawin ko. Hindi naman nila siguro ako pipigilan. After all, the agreement is until I'm in my fellowship. Mag residency palang ako kaya tingin ko ay papayag pa sila.

I'll go berserk if they don't.

After almost an hour we arrived at my condo in Quezon City. Dito ako dumiretso kaysa sa bahay ng mga magulang ko. Hindi rin naman nila alam na ngayon ang dating ko. Ang alam nila ay next week pa.

"You sure you'll be fine here?" Lia asked me.

I shrugged. "Yeah. This is better than going home."

"Malalagot tayo pag nalaman ni Tita na nakauwi ka na pala pero sa iba ka tumutuloy," ani niya.

"That's why she should not learn about this until next week," I told her.

Nagkibit balikat naman siya. "Basta, pag nalaman to ng mommy mo ng wala sa oras, huwag mo akong idamay ha. Baka ipa-ban ako nun sa bahay niyo forever," ani niya bago humilata sa sofa ko.

I chuckled. She knows my mom well and I couldn't blame her for saying that. Kahit ako, kung pwede lang, hinding-hindi na ako magpapakita sa pamilya ko. Hindi ko kinakaya ang mga gusto nilang gawin.

"What are your plans anyway?" she asked then. "Now, that you're back. What are you planning to do?"

I shrugged and sat on the single sofa next to her. "Apply for a program that can bring me somewhere in the country or abroad for my residency," I answered because that's really my plan.

"Lalayas ka na naman? Hindi ka ba napapagod?"

I shook my head. "I need to be away," I just need.

"Sino ba kasi yang tinatakbuhan mo na para kang napapaso lagi tuwing nandito ka sa Pinas," she asked and I just shrugged.

Lia knows about the pragmatic marriage my family wants for me. Hindi niya lang alam kung kanino ako nakapangako.

"Basta. Huwag mo nang alamin dahil hindi naman mangyayari ang kasal," sagot ko.

"Paano mo naman nasabi?" tanong naman niya.

I arched my brow. "Hindi ako papayag. I will do everything to stop it." Sagot ko at bruha, tinawanan lang ako.

"Really? You'll stop it? I will not agree? Kaya hanggang ngayon ay takbo ka parin ng takbo?" Asar niya. "Come on, Bree. Kung talagang ayaw mo, then show up. Tell your family that you don't want to get married to that man. Besides, it's been more than a decade since your engagement. Malay mo, may asawa na rin yun. Twenty-six na rin siguro yun," ani niya pa.