R E D ! [Under Revisions/Editings]

"What's Next?"

It was 2006..

Time ran so fast. Sometimes, I'm the one chasing it, but most of the time, I'm chased by it.

I graduated college with flying colours, with a GPA of 97.5 percent. I am top of the class, and the only student who graduated, Magna Cum Laude.
Since our University followed a Trimestral Curriculum, I finished Doctor of Medicine in just 4 1/2 years, including my post-graduation internship.

My dream of becoming a doctor was just a step away. Still, I needed to pass the the Medical Licensure Boards to be officially called as Dr. Red Santos. But it would still take another 3 months of study in a review center for the Medical Licensure Exams.

Many MD graduates failed (35-40 percent/year) the Medical Licensure Boards not because they were ignorant or they don't learned something. They failed because fear grips them so much, and that fear created a huge void in their mind that lead them to doubt on theirselves and their own capabilities.
Fears steal dreams, and the only way to overcome fear is through PASSION.

To become a doctor was my passion, and fear cannot take that away from me. Like I have said, I carved it on the grave of my folks, and now, also carved on every casket of poor Filipino who cannot avail the LUXURY of hospitals, doctors and medicines.

By the way...

Well, if you were still quite intrigued about me and Marie, yes, she became my girlfriend in 2005, after 6 months of dating and courtship, under the permission of our dear CUPID, her father himself, Dr. Azriel Arañego.

But like what I have said before, on the day after my graduation, Dr. Azriel Arañego, my friend, and in many ways my mentor, passed away because of a massive heart attack. He was just barely 57 years old, that time. It was raining when he was buried in Manila Memorial Park, as if the heavens were also mourning on a death of a very good and humble man.

Marie cried and wailed so hard. "Why did you left me all alone Dad!!!", she screamed while people were throwing Sunflowers on her father's casket, 6-feet under.

I have to console and cheer up Marie for many weeks. She won't eat. She won't speak. She would just cry and cry and cry while embracing me so tight in their beige, leather sofa.

But somehow, after a few weeks, I'm glad that my tragic stories and how I stood the test in the midst of it, gave her some solace on the death of her beloved father. I told to myself that day, that somehow, it was true, that :
Sometimes, bad things happen for a good reason. We don't see the purpose of it immediately, and we often times ask, "Why", but later on, we will see the answer to it or for it.

I lost my mama and papa when I was a little kid, on both tragic deaths. Now, me and Marie, were both the same. We both lost our father and mother. But somehow, that became the common ground for our relationship to be more mutual and stronger.

Then..

I spent 3 months on reviewing and preparing for the Medical Licensure Board Exams. It was a tough time for me, since I still needed to console and visit Marie from time to time, if she was having a progress.

Then one day, after weeks of mourning and grieving.. "She was one heck of a Marie" once again. Wounds were turning into little scars, though little by little. Gradually, I saw the progress that I am hoping and praying for.

Then...

It was the long awaited day for me - The Medical Licensure Boards had finally arrived.

I saw many bright MD graduates, all gathered up, keening for a slot of being on the top notch list.
Well, if you're name were considered in the Top Ten of the Medical Licensure Boards, not only that you'll have plenty of job offers chasing you, but your name and your University will also be aired in the Television, Radio and even the Newspapers in all country.

I asked some of my fellow MD graduates there, "Why would you want to be on the top ten?"

Money..
Fame..
Glory..
Pride..
Decent job..
Decent home..
Decent future..
Decent life..

That was all the answer I gathered - all sum up.

Me..
I want it, because I promised on an old man who had interviewed me and accepted me as a beneficiary of the University's Academic Scholarship grant, that I would be the best doctor in the country, and I'll put the name of our University... not as one of the best... But on the top of all the best!

The faces of my mama, Dr. Arañego and Marie were all in my mind before the exam. It was not some kind or some sort of pressure, but more of an ember to stir up my passion..

Then..

The test began..

Tik.. Tok.. Tik.. Tok..

(To be continued)