Take Me to Church

Prologue

Take Me to Church

First timer: Bear with me. I don't know how this works.

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The wind howled through the window. The girl sat huddling her knees waiting for the storm to be over. Another day has passed; another day should be faced with total equity. She seemed too caught up in this routine. Money, fame, luxurious life, she wanted it all. Yes, she did.

"Sweetie, anak, tama na yan. I know you have these moments. I know you're still crying yourself to sleep. I know you need to let it out but please, take care of yourself, anak." Sabi ni Arlie while talking to her daughter that is sitting on her bed, sobbing and looking outside the window watching the rain.

"How can I be so stupid Ma?" the daughter asks shifting her gaze from the open window to her Mother.

"You are not stupid, Anak. You just made a choice. You should never regret making a choice over something or someone because at one point in your life, that choice is what you wanted." Sabi ni Arlie habang hinahagod ang likod ng anak. "Sleep this off, okay? You have work tomorrow." Dagdag ni Arlie and kissed her daughter on her forehead. I'm sorry anak, I hope you find your true happiness. Sabi ni Arlie sa isip niya while slowly closing the door and having that one final glance sa anak niya bago tuluyang lumabas ng kwarto.

The girl was left in her room, curling up like a baby. She stopped crying but the pain never went away.

"Paging Doctor Dennise Lazaro, you are needed at the ER right now. Again, Paging Doctor Dennise Lazaro, you are needed at the ER right now."

Dennise looked at the speaker inside the patients' room upon hearing her name. After the paging, Den looked back at the adorable 13 year old boy lying on the patient's bed and sweetly smiled. "Okay Adrian, drink your meds okay? You don't want your Mama and Papa to worry about you naman di ba?" Den said while leaning closer to the 13yr old boy. "Yes po Doctora" Sabi ni Adrian but Den pouted. "I mean, yes po Ate Den." Adrian smiled sheepishly. "Good boy" Sabi ni Den while smiling tapping Adrian's head.

Den turned around facing Adrian's parents. She walked away from the boy to have some privacy with his parents. "Ma'am, this is a request for Adrian's follow-up check-up. I need to monitor his cell count. Bring this to the Lab lang po para makunan na siya ng dugo." Sabi ni Den while handing the request to the patient's parents. Adrian, the 13yr old boy has ALL (Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia). "Thank you, Doc." Sabi ng Ina habang mangiyakngiyak na tumingin kay Den. She smiled at the parents knowing that her smile will give them a little breather. She knows it won't make them feel at ease but at least they'd find a little comfort.

Before she went out of the room she turned around and faced Adrian, giving him a sweet smile, letting him know that she will go ahead. Den was behind the closed doors when she let out a deep sigh. *Sigh* "Grabe ang lalim naman nun, Besh" Den was startled. Only to find out that her so quirky best friend is standing behind her. "Ells! Ano ba? You scared the hell out of me you know." Sabi ni Den while holding her left chest. Ella just let out a laugh. "So, ilang oras ka nanaman bang umiyak kagabi?" Ella asks Den in a serious tone. "Ako? Umiyak? Wala no!" Den said denying everything. "Hay nako Besh. Bahala ka nga. Paano na yung sinasabi mong 'Mas-alam pa ng kaibigan ang mga nangyayari kesa sa mga taong involved'?" Ella said. "Psssh." was the only response Den could give.

Den has this belief na a person could never really assess himself. She believes na other people can assess you more than yourself. Hindi mo man napapansin na sarili mo but your friends will know. They will always know.