I'm coming back to Manila

1: Lihim

Calamba, Laguna

Weeks has passed, days, Mikaela wasn't sure but he was still enthralled about what 'Doctor' told him. He was in Filipinas. A country at the Southeastern waters. A tropical climate country that was not used to the cold winter breeze like he knows in Europe. The weather be damned because it mostly consists of heat and rain. Mikaela was still adapting on the climate but one of these days, the heat would certainly be the cause of his death.

But luckily, he had found a shelter to live in. Doctor humbly welcomed him into his home. A two-floor stone made house. The interiors and floorboards were made of woods which he try to step in a squeaking sound reverberating in the entire corners of the making the blonde foreigner question if it's really safe to live in. The doctor was fond on Mikaela's curiosity. He couldn't blame him. He was raised in Russia his whole life and never would he expect that his life will drastically changed. Let alone be shipped off to an unknown country.

True to his profession and his name, Mikaela could visibly see a corner of the house covered with white sheets. Cabinets full of apparatus: glass beakers, scissors, vials with liquids that made Mikaela cringed. He also had some left-behind items like blood splatters visibly seen at the floorboards, white puffy humps of cotton and sharp utensils sharpened thoroughly and a bed unoccupied.

"Doctor?" Mikaela asked. Curiously looking at the stacked of vials and bottles at the lacquered cupboard. Looking at what the blonde was looking, he understood the fuss. "Those are the chemicals and medicines that I use when I conduct house operations. You must be thinking as to how I conduct these operations when I certainly don't look like one, no?" The blonde blushed. Never did Mikaela thought that he was a professional. His way of clothing was different and unprofessional-like. Embarrassed at the fact, Mikaela could not look the Doctor. Giving the impression that the Doctor was correct, he walked towards the Russian disheveling his fluffy hair. "But..." the blonde mumbled. Doctor ehhhed, didn't quite catch his meaning. "Is it alright for me to stay in your home? I mean... I can find another place to stay and be on your way but seeing that I am not familiar with this country," He fidgeted - trying to come up with a valuable excuse to say.

"Heavens, Mikaela it's quite alright. You can stay in my house as long as you see fit." Doctor assures the blonde. Saying that he can stay. Mikaela was grateful, truly, but he was worried about the expenses. Surely for a physician like him, he requires money for food and other expenses as well as those medicines. He knows they're quite expensive to be bought. He didn't want to be a burden to the Doctor but with his little knowledge...

"Please Doctor. I can work for you. I can give you assistance, you can hire me as your apprentice if you would be so kind in exchange for letting me stay here, I can help with your medical operations.

I am a fast learner, that's what my mother told me." At that statement, the old man was startled. He didn't know if he'd agree but since he will be here for quite a long while, maybe he could give it a shot. Mikaela did once dream to cure the wounded. Doctor put his finger in his chin - in deep thought about Mikaela's offer. "Hmm...another apprentice ehh? " He said. Another? There was another one? The doctor smiled and nodded. "Alright Mikaela Tepes. I accept your offer." And shook his hand. Mikaela nodded, feeling excited about the new experience but there was still doubt. Can he pull this off? But he must in order to survive. That's what his mother ordered him to do.

Survive and never come back to Russia until the war is over.

Please be safe mother. Until then, I am going to fulfill my duty here to survive.