Pieces of Pastiche

Kabanata 28

Kabanata 28

Linggo, buwan, taon. Lumipas lang lahat sila ng hindi ko namamalayan. A week after my father's operation, he died. Mom was very devastated when my father died. Both of us didn't expect it. Kahit ako, sobrang sakit para sakin nung mamatay si Papa. Even if we don't agree with a lot of things, he is still my father who adopted me and accepted me.

"Anak, I'm sorry...Sorry for forcing you into that marriage. That's for Kyla, not you..." Ani Mama sa akin. Hindi ako nagsalita. Hindi ko na iyon maisip muna dahil hindi ko alam paano ako magrereact sa pagkamatay ng ama-amahan ko. Niyakap ako ng nanay ko.

"I will call the engagement off. Wag ka nang magalala sa shares ng Tito Ferdinand mo dahil ibinenta ko na ang firm natin."

The engagement was called off. Binenta na ni Mama ang firm and she was so sorry to me for placing me in a situation that's not for me. She's sorry for expecting me to act like Kyla.

"Dr Wildrige, here's a call from Dr. Buckingham. You're needed at the conference."

"Thank you, Marissa."

It's been 2 years since my father died and I decided to accept the 2 year contract Dr. Buckingham offered me. I stayed here in America to be trained. I trained under his care and I learned a lot.

"Good job, Dr. Wildrige. I don't see the need for you to train under my care. You are already great as you are!" puri sa akin ni Dr. Buckingham isang araw matapos niya kong panoorin mag isa sa isang rare spinal surgery. I smiled at him.

"I still have a lot to learn, Doctor."

"Ah, that's right. Everyday we are learning. I am learning too. From my patients, from my students, from everyday struggles."

Syempre, dahil ako'y nagtatrabaho kay Dr. Buckinghum, I also got to work with Dr. Amanda Wilson.

"You're done with your surgery?" mataray niyang tanong sakin. I just nodded in response. Umirap siya.

"Basic."

Pero sa dalawang taon namin, never kaming nag usap ng casual. We do work professionally and I am surprised na mabait na siya sakin. Not necessarily na mabait dahil hindi rin naman niya ko kinakausap pero pakiramdam ko nakikipag kompitensya ako sa kanya.

Umattend ako sa conference na sinasabi sa akin ni Marissa. Nakausap ko na si Dr. Charles kanina. Nakakainis naman, sa dinami dami pa ng makakasama ko sa conference, si Amanda pa eh mapapanis lang laway ko doon!

Katabi ko si Amanda na busy sa phone niya. Nagpaka busy na rin ako lalo pa't hindi pa naman nagstastart ang conference.

Nagring ang phone ko at nakita kong si Sandro ang naroon. I took it and answered it.

"Hello mangiiwan!" I rolled my eyes as soon as I heard Sandro's voice. Kahit pa napairap ako, napangiti rin naman ako agad. Sandro, Aurora and Lorenz were the ones constant in my life. Kahit pa nung umalis ako sa Pilipinas, kahit kailan ay hindi nila ako iniwan at patuloy lang nila akong inintindi.

They know the reason why I left Archer but even so, hindi ako nakarinig sa kanila ng kahit anong pangkukutsa. They perfectly understand where I am coming from.

"Pakasalan mo na kasi si Aurora para wala nang nangiiwan sayo." I said as I was writing down some pointers sa papel ko. Tumawa si Sandro sa kabilang linya.

"Ipapadala na daw sayo ni Aurora ang invitation para sa kasal." Sabi pa niya.

"Parehas kayo ni Lorenz eh no? Binuntis muna bago pakasalan."

Lorenz is now happily married to Mikaela. Nasundan na rin ng supling si Lorence and it's a girl. They named her Aela from Mikaela's name. Si Sandro naman ay may anak na nga kay Aurora. They decided to be together nung nasa Africa pala. I'm glad finally Sandro realized Aurora's worth to him.