Take Me to Church

Chapter 13

"Where were you last night?" tanong ni Arlie kay Dennise as she descended the stairs.

"Out. I was with a friend"

"A friend huh?" Arlie smiled.

"Yes Mom, a friend. Where's Jus and Dad?"

"Jus left early. May pupuntahan daw. Dad mo nasa taas pa nagbibihis."

Dennise noded and took a seat in front of her Mom. "I saw her yesterday" Dennise said while filling her plate with fried rice.

Arlie's eyes diverted to Dennise. You can see the sadness in her eyes. "Anak..." Arlie said while looking at her daughter.

"She's with someone now Mom." Dennise said while taking a bite from her bread "...and she's happy. She has a kid." Arlies eyes grew wide.

"How'd you know?"

"Her kid is my patient" she was looking at her Mom now. A sad smile was plastered on her face.

Arlie went to her daughter now. Opening her arms and hugging her daughter "I'm sorry, anak" Arlie said while caressing her daughter's back.

"No Mom. I understand." Dennise said and silently sobbed on her Mom's tummy.

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"Chief, pinatawag mo raw ako?" Dennise said as she entered the chief's office.

"Ah... yes. come in" sabi ni Dr. Mercado as he adjusted his glasses.

Dennise took a seat in front of him.

"So, you still plan on resigning?" Dr. Mercado said while smirking at Dennise. She just looked down in shyness.

"Dennise, I know why you planned on resigning. You'd look for her di ba? In Japan?"

"Chief..." that was all Dennise managed to muster and averted her gaze to the person in front of her.

"Hija, I've witnessed your love. I saw how she loved your family, Marlo, and most especially... you. That love is rare"

"Tito..." Dennise managed to call her uncle that.

"Just give it another try, Dennise"

"But... she's---" Dennise was cut by her uncle.

"No buts. Just try okay?"

Dennise frowned looking down at the table again.

"So, there's this clinic on Sunday" the chief said diverting the topic. "You should come"

Dennise smiled this time. Namiss niya na rin sumali sa free clinic check ups.

"Where will it be, Chief?"

"Cavite"

"Oh..."

"Dr. De Jesus will be there" Dr. Mercado smirked.

"Oh that's good. I think I'll come."

"Okay then. That's all Dr. Lazaro."

"Thank you, Chief"

As Dennise was about to close the door she heard her Tito say "Don't forget about the clinic on Sunday, Dennise!" she just smiled.

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She won't be able to have some time with Bea today since she needs to catch up with her hospital hours. Dennise finds it enticing, the fact that she have only known Bea for like 'who knows how many hrs' but she already felt comfortable with the young doctor.

After doing her rounds that day, she decided to have a lunch with Ella to catch up with her best friend.

They were seated at the hopital's cafe and people were smiling and greeting them. Perks of being a Doctor, you'd earn people's respect.