Stay with me?

Chapter 29:

Author's Note:
The follow chapters will include SWF 2 na po!
Handa niyo na ang mga kilig, Bada babes!

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3 months na ang nakalipas simula nung umuwi sila Bada dito sa Pilipinas. Hindi na din kami nakakapag-usap ng maayos pagkatapos ng Paskuhan. We just left the moment as it was and didn't even want to ruin it. Hindi 'ko na din sila nahatid sa airport dahil una, I don't want to see them leave. Second, it's either sasama ako sakanila o sasabihin 'kong wag na silang umalis. Lastly, may pasok ako. Last month, the clinic that I've always dreamt of has finally been built. There were patients coming in and out that were looking for me pero hindi naman ako pwede na sa clinic lang kaya naman may mga kapalitan ako. I visit every Wednesdays and Fridays, then the rest of the week, I'm in the main hospital. I'm just glad that I'm helping a lot of less fortunate people.

I was going on about my day when I was called upon by our HR once again. This time, hindi na ang finance advisor ang kumausap sa akin kung hindi ang mismong head ng HR department.

"Goodmorning, Doc. Valdez" sabi nito sa akin. "Goodmorning, Miss Cruz." balik 'ko naman sa pagbati niya. "We were informed that you took the exam for your license in Korea last 3 years but due to unfortunate events.. you know what happened." sabi nito sa akin which I was shocked about. "Uhm, yes. I know what happened. Does it have something to do with my current job at the moment?" kabado 'kong tanong. "Oh, nothing to worry about Doc. But do you mind if we ask WHY you took the exam?" she said, emphasizing the word "why". "Aahhh. As you know, I'm half Korean so I wanted to go back to my home country." pagsisinungaling 'ko. Ms. Cruz nodded and took a folder from one of her desk drawers. Napataas ako ng kilay dahil I was curious about that exam has to do with my current work. "We're glad to inform you that we're going to transfer you overseas. This hospital has agreed to partner with us. You will still be working as a pediatrician and an ER doctor in Seoul National University Hospital. Don't worry about the exam, you are already eligible to treat patients even without taking the exam. Marunong ka parin naman mag korean diba?" dire-diretso niyang sabi. Tumango lang ako. "Well that settles it. Congratulations, Doc! We're so proud of you." sabi nito sa akin.

Paglabas 'ko ng office nito ay halos nakatulala padin ako na naglalakad. I couldn't process everything that just happened. Hindi 'ko na kailangan mag exam? Magttrabaho na ulit ako sa Seoul? Ano??? Nakalimutan 'kong tanungin kung kailan ako aalis kaya naman ay bumalik ako sa office nito. "Oh, I will e-mail you the details, Doc. 'Wag ka po mag-alala." tumango na lang ako at bumalik na sa trabaho 'ko. Hindi padin ako makapaniwala na makakapunta ulit ako sa Seoul after all these time. Akala 'ko kasi Pilipinas na ang para sa akin. Fuck. Hindi 'ko alam kung paano 'ko ito sasabihin kapatid 'ko, at syempre pati na rin kila Aiki.

After a few moments of doing some paper work, nakareceive na ako ng e-mail regarding the contract that I have with SNUH. Aalis na pala ako after 3 days. I will be working under a Doc. Wang and my contract also says na 2 years ako duon. I'm currently having mixed emotions about all of these. Lumalamang ang pagiging excited 'ko, pero nahahaluan ito ng kalungkutan, takot at kaba.

Lumapit ako kay Kian pero wala pa akong sinasabi ay niyakap na ako nito. "Aalis ka na, Doc? Iiwan mo na 'ko?" sabi nito sa akin. I saw how sad he was dahil kung siya din ang aalis ay mararamdaman 'ko din ang lungkot. He's like my brother already! Siya ang pumalit kay Doc. Gab na ngayon ay nasa US na. Kian stood up as my bestfriend when nobody was there. "Sunod ka, ha?" sabi 'ko rito habang nakahawak sa balikat niya. Huminga muna ito ng malalim at tsaka tumango na parang mas namotivate ito na galingan sa trabaho niya.

Saktong sakto ay off 'ko kinabukasan kaya naman ay pwede akong mag empake ng mga gamit 'ko. Naglilista na ako ng mga kailangan 'kong iempake at nagiisip na din ng mga kailangan 'kong bilhin para sa sarili 'ko. I wasn't worried with the place to stay dahil sagot na din daw iyon ng ospital. I just needed a car for transport pero saka na 'yun dahil kukuha pa ako ng lisensya. I'll just stick with bus rides for now and some walking. Another good thing about this contract ay lahat ng mga expenses ko for transportation and some utility bills will be reimbursed by the company itself. Free food and gas for my future car!