Stitches and Scars

Chapter 16

"So, you fight. You fight with all your strength until you're completely exhausted. At some point, you come to the realization that you're too worn out to even keep going. It's important to understand and accept our limitations, acknowledging that we can't always push beyond them. It's hard but it's our reality. Understanding our limits is crucial. And sometimes, the wisest and most courageous choice we can make for ourselves is to simply walk away."

Vice reached out to Karylle, but she recoiled, opening the car door and stepping out. "Karylle, please, get back inside. Let's talk about this."

Karylle stood outside the car, arms crossed. "Obviously, there's nothing left for us to talk about. You are clearly having second thoughts. You're not sure about this and I can't be with someone who's not sure about us."

Vice got out of the car as well, moving towards her. "You know, it's not that simple. Things like this get so messy."

"Messy? I don't care how messy it gets, Vice. I only care about you being honest with me for once. If you're not ready to let go of your wife, then just let go of me instead," Karylle's tears were about to fall, but she held her ground. "You can't keep us both around, and you know that!"

"Karylle, I'm trying to be honest here. I just need more time. Just give me more time."

"No, what you need is to make a decision, and I won't be dragged along into this anymore," she said, stepping away from him. She raised her hand to hail a passing taxi.

"Karylle, don't do this," Vice pleaded, desperation in his voice. "Please. Pag-usapan natin 'to."

"I'm done. I'm done with you. I'm done with whatever this is," she said as the taxi pulled over. She opened the door and got in, looking at him one last time. "Goodbye, Dr. Viceral."

The taxi drove away, leaving Vice standing alone on the sidewalk, watching as Karylle disappeared into the distance.

~•~•~•~

"Assignments, people," Alice announced, standing in front of her interns with a clipboard in hand, ready to assign their tasks for the day.

She was about to speak again when Kaye walked in, interrupting the briefing. "Has anyone seen Dr. Viceral this morning?" she asked, her eyes scanning the room. Angel and Anne shared a knowing look, while Karylle, absorbed in her own thoughts, barely registered her presence.

"His name's on the OR board. He should be here somewhere," Alice replied, making Kaye continue walking. As she left, her eyes met Karylle's briefly before she disappeared down the hall.

"Rosales, Milby, you're both in Neuro today. Dr. Pascual has a full schedule, and he could use your assistance," Alice said, directing her attention back to the interns.

Alice then turned to Angel and Anne. "Locsin, there's a cardiac patient waiting for you up on two. Curtis, keep an eye on the newly admitted patient with the abdominal pain. I don't want any problems today. Go."

The four of them got going, leaving Karylle with Alice. "Your mother's being discharged this evening. Have you made arrangements, or do you need more time?"

Karylle shook her head. "No. I already contacted the nursing home that brought her here last time. They'll be coming to pick her up at seven."

"All right. Then you're with Dr. Viceral today in Cardio," Alice said, starting to walk away but pausing when she saw Karylle's protesting look. "Don't look at me like that. He asked for you. Take it up with him."

Alice left, leaving Karylle standing there, a mix of frustration and anticipation on her face.

~•~•~•~