Hussein De Russo's Chattels

Chapter Sixteen

Kaori

My body froze when someone knocked on my door. Nag-aayos ako ng buhok nang may kumatok at ng tignan ay si manang lang pala.

"Bukas na ho siguro ako makakauwi, manang. Hectic ang schedule ko sa ospital," ani ko.

"Ganoon ba? Anong sasabihin ko kapag pumunta dito ang mapapangasawa mo?"

My face flattened. I didn't really like that idea. A week after we arrived her in Japan, mom immediately introduced me to my fiancé. A man three years older. He was polite and I can sense that he's kind too. Nagkausap kami at nalaman kong hindi niya rin gusto ang ganitong set up. He said he agreed to marry me because of his ill mom. Pwede naman daw kaming maghiwalay after five years or so.

"Just tell him I'm working my ass off so that I won't ask huge amount of money from him when we get married," I answered.

Aoki came from an elite family. Mayaman at respetado ang pamilya. Kilala sa larangan ng pangangalakal. Social media influencer din sng kapatid nito at kilala ng karamihan.

I arrived at the hospital earlier than expected. Mom referred me to this hospital and immediately got the chance to work here. Hindi ginamit ni mommy ang estado niya kung bakit ako natanggap dito. I needed to pass all the requirements, the interview and all to work here. Pangarap ko 'to.

I've been working here for almost a month now. Si Kady iyak ng iyak noong nalaman na matatagalan pa bago ako makabalik ng Pinas. She also told me that he already left Philippines. Baka bumalik ng Italy.

A few nurses here became my friends. Some of them were Filipinos. May iba ring galing sa iba't ibang bansa. Niki's from India, Ken is from Canada, and Rosa is from Mexico.

"Kaori! Your fiancé was here looking for you," Ken approached me.

Shit. Nagkasalisi kami.

"I arrived late, he must have thought I'd come here on time," I heaved a sigh. "How long was he here?"

Six AM ang schedule ko. Nagising na ako ng eight dahil ang bigat ng katawan ko. Ayokong gumising ng maaga. I wasn't that productive lately. Pagod ako sa lahat ng bagay.

"A few minutes. Twenty? I'm not sure. But he was waiting for you. Then he left," she nodded.

"Hm. I'll call him later. This day will be stressing for us."

"I was already here before five in the morning and I look really really worn out. I can't with this work!"

Napailing ako at natawa. Nagpaalam ako na magbibihis lang sa locker room. I changed into my nursing uniform and looked at myself in the human size mirror. Hapit sa katawan ko ang uniform namin. Making my body features look thinner. Nakaayos na rin ang buhok ko.

"Pinapabigay ni Aoki."

Lumapit si Samantha sa 'kin at inabot ang isang bento box. Aoki really is thoughtful.

"Dumaan siya?"

Sam nodded. "Hindi ka na daw niya hihintayin kasi may pupuntahan pa siyang meeting."

"Okay. Thank you!"

The day passed by with me being so busy. Papalit-palit ang pag-check ko sa mga pasyente. May isa akong pasyente na bata at nakakatuwa dahil bibo ito. She's five and was rushed here in the hospital because of high fever. Bumaba na rin naman ang lagnay nito. The doctors still needs to run some test to her.

"Rain received a few chocolates. Was it from you?" Niki asked.

Kasalukuyan kaming kumakain sa cafeteria ng ospital. It's past two already and I'm really hungry.