The Heaven's Wildcard

MAURICE

A/N: Hola, Elixirs! This will be a long chapter as I'm not quite sure when will be the next update. Regular updates might have a little adjustment from every other day to every after two days. I hope you understand that I also have other responsibilities to fulfill and be patient.Thank you so much.

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A PIECE OF PAST I

"Are you sure about this, Maurice?"

My family has doubted me since day one. Every decision that I make, they would ask me if I'm sure about it. Not that they are concerned about me being indecisive. They just don't trust my abilities.

"Medical school isn't a joke. If you think it's as easy as your Baccalaureate degree, you got it wrong. Medicine is sevenfold harder."

Palakad-lakad si Divina Gracia sa sala habang nagpapaypay. "I don't know where did you get the courage and confidence." Suminghap siya. "Paramihan ng alam sa medical school, hija. Hindi pahanginan ng ulo."

"Said you who's an airhead?"

"I'm sorry?!" Ipinukpok niya ang abaniko sa palad upang maisara iyon. "Come again, Maurice Severina?"

I zipped my bag upon ensuring that all my stuff was in. I turned my back after a sigh. "I'm enrolled. Today is my first day. Let that sink into you. I got into med school." Umirap ako bago isinuot ang backpack.

"Mamá is just concerned, Mauve. Why are you making a big fuss out of it?" Ingrid who's seated on the sofa, crossed her arms at me. "You barely survived nursing, how much more sa medicine?" She grinned. "It's not for preschoolers like you."

"Nakapasa nga ako, 'di ba? I passed and I will finish medschool. Tantanan mo ako. Kung may mas mukhang preschooler sa 'tin, ikaw 'yon. Hindi ka na tumangkad. Palibhasa, ulo mo na lang ang lumalaki."

"Don't dare to fight in front of me," ani Divina Gracia, pero hindi nakinig ang paborito niyang apo.

"Lumalaki ang ulo ko dahil nadadagdagan ang kaalaman ko. Side effect 'yan ng pagiging matalino, Mauve. I understand why you're not aware."

My jaw clenched at the same time my hands did. I can't say she's stupid because I will sound ridiculous. "Sana naman hindi lang ulo mo ang lumaki, try mo rin sa ibang parte ng katawan, sa ibang organs. Puso gano'n."

Humalakhak siya. "You're so bitter. Ang gusto lang naman namin sabihin ay kung hindi mo kayang tapusin, huwag mo na simulan."

"Ako ang huwag mong simulan, Ingrid. Baka ikaw ang tapusin ko."

"I said, stop," malakas na sambit ni Divina Gracia. Pinahihinto niya kami pero halatang ako lang ang gusto niyang kagalitan.

"Listen to me, Maurice." She stood in front of me. "Everything that Ingrid said is true. Medicine isn't for everyone. I know you're doing this to prove us wrong but it will only make you look pathetic. Huwag kang trying-hard. Matuto kang ilugar ang sarili mo base sa kakayahan. Matuto kang lumunok ng katotohanan."

I nodded. "Sure, I can do that. Pero matuto muna kayong hanapin ang pakialam ko."

Namula na naman ang mga pisngi ng matanda, senyales na nagtagumpay akong sagarin siya. "There's really nothing to expect from you." Disappointed, she shook her head. "I can't believe I let a pillock live in our house," mabigat ang paghinga na sabi ng matanda.

Habang pinakakalma ni Ingrid ang lola niya ay nagtali ako ng buhok. Unlike in nursing school, we are not required to bun our hair. But we are responsible for keeping them neat. Just in time, after I tied up my hair, Dad came.