Take Me to Church

Chapter 9

Flashback (Postcollege - Dennise First Year Med School) Part II

"Dennise, hija, how's Med School?" tanong ng Dad ni Den sa kanya while having their lunch. It's a Sunday kaya kumpleto sila sa bahay. It's their usual topic sa hapagkainan.

Dennise faced her staight faced Father and said "It's okay Dad. I'm having a hard time at Physio but I'll get by."

Dennise's Mom put down the utensils she was using and faced her daughter "'I'll get by' won't get you anywhere, Dennise"

Mike looked at his wife and held her hand "It's not an easy program, honey" he said smiling. "Just do your best, anak" he said looking at his daughter this time.

"What I'm trying to say here is, this is for you Den. This is not child's play anymore. If you want an assurance for your future, if you want to maintain this life style, you need to work hard" Her Mom said with concern in her eyes.

"I know Mom" sabi ni Den and smiled.

She is used to this. Talking about her academic life in front of the table, making herself uncomfortable because of sudden questions, silence if there is nothing to be asked to her. She's used to it.

Don't get her wrong, she loves Medicine even if it feels like an obligation not a necessity. She learned to love it because of her Lolo and her Dad. What bothers her is the pressure she's recieving from her Mother, the pressure to be great just like her Lolo and Dad. She understands her Mom, they need to live up to the expectations of the community because she's a Lazaro.

I wish we could talk during meals like Aly's family she said in her mimd while playing with food. She felt a hand touch her leg under the table, looked at her brother with questioning eyes.

"Are you okay, Ate?" asked Marlo with such innosence.

"I'm okay, Mar" she smiled sweetly to her brother.

Seeing her family in one table, seeing her brother beside her is enough to remind her to be better everyday, to be a great Doctor not just because she needed to live up to people's expectations but because she needed to be there for her family when they needed her medically... Someday.

"Ate, when will Ate Alyssa come over? I miss her." Marlo said while placing his head over the table. Alyssa has been Marlo's playmate everytime she went to their house. "Best friend" pa rin amg pakilala ni Den kay Alyssa sa pamilya niya.

Dennise noticed her Parents look at each other from her peripheral view but she didn't shed a single attention to it. She wanted to tell her Parents about it but she's too afraid of rejection. She knows that her Parents are not into those kind of stuff and maybe they'll hate her for that. She doesn't want to disappoint them.

"You want me to tell her to come over?"

Dennise saw a spark on Marlo's face "You'd do that? Kahit Sunday?"

"I know she wouldn't mind. Wala rin naman siyang office ngayon"

"Yeay!" sigaw ni Marlo.

Dennise looked at her Parents. They seem to have no reaction.

"Why don't you ask Mom and Dad if it's okay with them that Alyssa would come over"

"Kailangan pa ba Ate? Ate Ly is like their daughter too. Always naman nandito si Ate Ly"

Dennise took a glimpse at her Parents one more time and still no sign of emotion can be seen in their faces.

"Yes kailangan"

"Mom! Dad! Can Ate Ly visit? Ate Justine won't play with me kasi. Please."

"As long as your Ate won't get distracted" sabi ni Mommy Arlie as she continued eating her salad.