Stitches and Scars

Chapter 15

"The thing about plans is they don't account for disappointment. When life throws us a curveball, whether it's in the OR or elsewhere, we have to instantly adjust. Some of us handle it better than others. Some of us switch to plan B without hesitation, and make the best of it. Sometimes, what we want turns out to be a letdown, forcing us to rethink our decisions and our path. And in those moments, we realize that what we need is a completely new plan."

Vice pushed open the door to the dimly lit bar, hoping to find a quiet corner to gather his thoughts. As he scanned the room, he was surprised to see Alice sitting at the counter, nursing a drink.

"Dr. Dixson?" he said, approaching her. "Well, I didn't expect you to be here."

Alice looked up, equally surprised but her face remained neutral. "I could say the same thing."

Vice sighed and sat down, signaling the bartender for a drink. "You have no idea. I think I'm going crazy." He took a deep breath, struggling to find the right words to say. "Karylle kissed me. Kaye kissed me. Karylle and Kaye kissed me today. Both my girlfriend and my wife kissed me on the same day."

Alice raised an eyebrow but her expression remained indifferent. "And do I look like I care?" she said, her tone flat. "Sounds like a mess, but honestly, your personal drama isn't exactly my concern, Dr. Viceral."

Vice rubbed his face, looking more exhausted than ever. "But I think everything's going to be fine. Kaye will go back to Europe, and when that happens, Karylle and I will just have to start over again. Magiging okay din ang lahat. Everything's going to work out just fine, right?"

Alice gave him a long, hard look before shaking her head slightly. "Isa lang ang masasabi ko — you are so damn stupid for a world-renowned heart surgeon."

Vice managed a weak smile at his colleague's bluntness. "Ouch but I guess, you're right. I just needed to hear someone else say it."

Alice took another sip of her drink and sighed. "Look, you're a great surgeon, but you're not exactly a genius when it comes to personal relationships. You need to figure out what you really want and stick to it, or else it'll just end up hurting someone even more."

With that, she turned back to her drink, leaving Vice deep into his own thoughts.

~•~•~•~

The morning after, Alice led her five interns, including Karylle, to the room where Karylle's mom was staying. Alice stopped just outside the door, turning to address the group. "Alright, Jericho will be presenting after the patient's tumor resection. The rest of you, just pay close attention."

Karylle shifted uncomfortably, her eyes darting towards the room. Alice gave her a reassuring look before pushing the door open.

Inside, Karylle's mom was sitting up in bed, her gaze distant and confused. As the group filed in, her eyes immediately landed on Karylle. "What is she doing here?" she asked sharply, her voice with a mix of confusion and irritation. "Ayoko siya dto. I don't want her on my team. She's just a child."

Karylle froze, the words cutting deep. The other interns exchanged uneasy glances, unsure how to react. "Seriously, mom?" she said.

Karylle's mom shook her head, looking more agitated. "No, no, she's just a child. Go to your dad. She can't be here. She can't be a doctor."

Karylle swallowed hard. Alice placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Karylle, step out for a moment," she said softly. "Wait for us outside."

Karylle nodded, quickly leaving the room to collect herself. Alice turned back to the group. "Rosales, you're up. Present the case."