Disgrace

Chapter 6: Kitty-Kat

Katrina

"Doctor ka po talaga, Ate Kat—-I mean, Dr. Isobel?" Hindi makapaniwalang tanong ni Tanya sa akin—--or should I say, Nurse Tanya, since she's part of the emergency medical unit that I am leading now that I've accepted Vlanca's job offer. I started my work week by introducing myself to the hospital staff, they all seemed friendly and glad that I was there, except my cousins who apparently work in the hospital. I could alread feel my ears burning from how they were whispering to each other while Vlanca introduced me this morning.

"Why does everything think of me that badly?" I couldn't help but ask her as we sat here in the nurse's station.

"Well, pinagkalat po kasi ni Mama na pókpok daw po kayo sa Chicago."

Nanlaki naman ang mata ko habang hindi ko maiwasang matawa. What did I expect from my dear Tita Marites? Of course, she thinks I am a próstîtuté just because I like wearing croptops and shorts.

"You know what, it's fine. Tell her I am an escort. Bigyan niyo naman ako ng konting dangal, okay?" Sarkastiko kong sagot bago ako tumayo at napailing. So much for my first day.

*.*.*.*.*.*

Hindi ko naman maiwasang bunutin ang cellphone ko mula sa aking bulsa dahil walang tigil iyon sa pag-vibrate. When I turned the screen on, I saw that it was messages from my former co-workers in Chicago, and from Jack, too.

I nibbled my lower lip as I stared at his messages. He was just as shocked as the rest of my co-workers when I told them over Facetime that I quit from the hospital. They supported my decision since I told them that it was for my family, but even then, Jack's still texting me. Asking if he could see me, if he can come over to the island, and even asked if there's an opening for a neurosurgeon position.

I'll deal with him later. For now, I took a deep breath and shut the door of my Toyota Tacoma. I got rid of the rental Corvette since it might look cool but it is definitely not practical for a physician like me who is always on the go. Besides, it's good for off-roading, too. One of these days, I'll take the boys for a ride in the mud and see how far the truck can go.

Speaking of my nephews, when I told Theo and Gabby that I'd be staying for good, they were both over the moon. Gabby is already planning all the sleepovers we're gonna have and what movies we're gonna watch after school.

"This is magical.." I said to myself as I looked at the tear-drop-like decorations of shiny crystals on the ceilings of the hotel's biggest event's room. White roses snaked on the banisters and posts of the place, a purple light illuminated beautifully on the cream colored motifs on the tables and chairs. I thought for a moment the front desk pointed me in the wrong room when I told her that I was here to see Diana Isobel, but then after a few more steps, I saw my sister arranging the flowers on the table.

I saw a smile on her lips as her hands expertly worked on the flowers. She looked younger and the Diana I knew when she's like this, doing what she loves and has no care for the world.

And as though she could feel the uninvited gaze, my sister whipped her head back at me, her hands stopped working on the flowers. Immediately, I felt the arctic-like breeze of her gaze. She eyed my work uniform, we were so opposites of each other; Ate Di in her black and creaseless pantsuit and me in my deep blue scrubs. Her brown eyes lingered on my embroidered name on my breastpocket for a moment.

Dr. Katrina Isobel, MD, FACEP, FCCM
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Emergency Medicine Unit Director