What Changes?
CHAPTER 4
What Happens After The Different Types of Conversations?
I am patiently waiting for Daddy on our dining, it’s nine in the evening and I’m not eating dinner yet, I’ve been waiting for him and I don’t really eat alone.
“I’m sorry anak, may nangyari lang kanina. How’s your day?” He greeted. I smiled at him before shoving the thoughts inside my head.
“Pretty normal Dad, what happened to your patient nga po pala? Naabutan ko sina yaya kanina naglilinis.” He sighed, it is normal for us to talk about patients even we’re eating, sanay na rin ako at isa pa, magdodoktor ako.
“Nasaksak, damaged ang intestine mabuti na lang at umabot sa hospital. Naawa ang Diyos.” Napatango naman ako.
“Exams niyo pa pala next week sabi ni Cymer kanina, I just want to remind you to take a rest.”
“Opo, hindi pa naman po ako nag-re-review, don’t worry I’m not stressing myself.”
“Good, baka multuhin ako ng Mommy mo sabihin noon sa akin hindi kita inaalagaan.” Natatawa pa niyang saad. Napailing na lang ako.
I’m not care nor love deprived. I am actually blessed to have him, he’s not even a kin but he’s doing everything for me. He never harm me, a very rare sight for a person who still does efforts to someone who was an accomplice in killing his beloved.
“Ano ba iyan Daddy, I’m not a kid, I can take care of myself ikaw dapat ang mag-alala. Am I not a burden to you? How can you eat in peace, sleep sound and breathe the air in the same room as the person who broke your heart?” I couldn’t help but ask. Hindi naman kasi talaga kapani-paniwala na ganiyan ka comfortable sa akin.
I mean, he has already proven me how pure he is as a person, how immense his love because he wears his heart on his sleeves but still, it randomly crosses my mind. Tao ka po ba Dad?
He gave me a warm smile, “No Harold, you’re the silver lining I have in that relationship.”
It warmed my heart, I shook my head. “Not mad? Today’s Mom’s death anniversary.”
“No. You’re too young to carry that kind of burden Harold, I never blamed you because I love you. Hindi kita semilya pero anak pa rin kita. There’s something in me you’ve changed and whatever happened it didn’t made me love you less. You just don't see it, but I hope someday you’ll know it.” He looked at his phone, a doctor is calling.
“I’m sorry but I think you need to finish the food alone. Code white kami anak.” I just nodded and told him to take care. I sighed before finishing the food.
Harvin Miguel Q. Salamat. The number one surgeon in the country who came from the home of the best doctors in Spain.
Nakatayo ako ngayon sa tapat ng kotse ko hinihintay iyong dalawa, nakasanayan na kasi namin na isa lang ang magdadala ng kotse everyday. Since kapitbahay nga kami. Except of course when we need to do errands for our parents.
“Did you even sleep?” I looked at Cy and he looked sleepless, exhausted and he’s pale. Guess it happened.
“Oo naman bro ako pa ba?”
“Heaven again?” Binatukan ko si Justin, manhid ang loko.
“Hell, let’s go, did you guys reviewed hema?” I shook my head. Next week pa naman iyon so next maybe on weekends.
“Exam later.”
I blinked my eyes several times, how did I forgot such important schedule? But still, I think I did ace the exam.
“Kabado!” We’ve been here on our building’s lobby for ten minutes, still coward to set glimpse on the bulletin board.
Although a lot has been congratulating us we are still afraid to see the results. It was our last exam before graduation and we are so pressured since our parents are notable in this profession we are setting our foot into.
“Kireyn’s the magna cum in the college of nursing.” I looked at Justin and snatched his phone, he’s right. I chatted her my congratulatory message before gathering some strength.
Nauna na ako sa paglakad at malayo pa man ay kitang kita ko na ang leaderboard. Perks of being tall.
Rank 1. Cymer Aron S. Villar
Rank 2. Justin F. Alcazar, Harold Miguel K. Salamat
Rank 3. Razel Fabre
“Hala putang ina bakit ako ang rank 1?! Mali iyan! Teka, sino ang nag-compute?!” Napakaingay ni Cy hindi niya matanggap na lamang siya sa amin ni Justin samantalang siya naman talaga ang pinakamatalino sa amin. Puro lang din kasi polusyon ang utak niya.
“Bakit nasa rank 2 si Just at Harold?! Bakit ganoon?!”
“Bro have mercy for my ears, let’s go. Stop ranting! You deserve the first spot!” Justin stated annoyed.
“Hindi p’re mali iyan!” Napailing na lang ako bago umalis, pupunta na lang ako kay Kireyn para naman makaramdam ako ng kapayapaan.
“Harold! How’s your rankings?” Kireyn welcomed me, she’s eating shabu shabu which I thought she wouldn’t like. Guess I still have more to know about her.
“It was great, Cy’s on the top followed by me and Justin. Though, Cy is back to his old self.” I winced.
“Cy’s always like that, do you already have a school you’re planning to enrolled in, for med?” It has been laid to me, the plan is clear to me. I nodded my head.
“Where?”
“Will you join if I said?” I teased. “San Lorenzo Medical University.” That’s where our parents graduated and according to them, mataas daw ang standards ng school na iyon kaya naman mas na-excite kami.
Mas masaya mag-aral lalo na kapag mas mabigat ang pressure.
“Wow, I’m trying sa Fatima School of Medicine but I’m not certain if I will be accepted.”
“You will, your grades are above the average and you’re intelligent, masipag, mahilig mag-aral. Kaya mo iyan.”
“The problem is, wala sa mga classmates ko ang nag-apply sa Fatima, tapos sa Salmu pa kayo. It’s harder for me.”
“Maybe it’s really time for you to move out of your comfort zone? I know it’s easier said than done pero pwede mo naman subukan. ’Di ba?” Tumango siya pero naroon pa rin ang lungkot sa kaniyang mga mata.
Ngumisi na lang ako bago siya inakbayan. “Tara sa labas, Starbs na lang tayo para ’di ka na ma-stress diyan.”
Sinilip ko ang mukha niya at nakita ko ang biglang pagliwanag noon. Well, Kireyn and her love for coffee.
Nakahinga ako nang maluwag nang makarating kami sa lugar na iyon habang nananatiling nasa balikat niya ang braso ko.
Akala ko after ng awkward confession na iyon ay may magbabago sa amin. Wala naman pala. Mas lalo lang akong naging kumportable kasama siya.
But I don’t know if we are on the same page, though.
—pencalstamesa 🌻
AE | AERIS D.
BINABASA MO ANG
His Dicentra | ✓
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