Chapter 28
"Why do you want to become a doctor?" Troy asked.
It's Saturday and we're at a coffee shop outside the city. We know it's still risky to go out together but we're being extra careful. I'm actually extra paranoid. Nakakatakot na may makakilala sa amin. But it's harder if we can't spend time together.
"My grandpa was a doctor. He was a neurosurgeon," I replied. "He was one of the best. Ang dami niyang natulungan. Ang dami niyang buhay na nasagip. But while he was busy treating other people, no one knew he was sick."
I can still remember how much I cried when we knew he was sick. We were still in High School back then. When we got home from school, we were surprised to see all our relatives. Lumabas na pala 'yong result ng biopsy ni Lolo. It was malignant. Everybody cried. We were all devastated. Pero si Lolo, he didn't cry. He even said it's okay because he already lived a wonderful life.
One time, he asked his grandchildren to spend time with him, and we had a talk. Isa-isa niya kaming tinanong kung anong gusto naming profession in the future. Faith wanted to be a Lawyer, Love wanted to be a journalist, the rest wanted to be a teacher, a businessman, an actress and etc. No one mentioned about wanting to become a doctor.
I was still at a phase in life that time where I'm still exploring things. I was still trying to find out what I really wanted. While Lolo was saying we should do our very best to be who we want to be, in my mind, I was thinking about how I wanted to be like him. I want to save lives. I want to cure people.
That's when I realized I wanted to become a doctor, a neurosurgeon, just like him.
"He must be very happy to know someone's gonna follow his steps," Troy commented after I told him my story. Napangiti na lang ako.
"I was actually thinking I was doing it for him. But as time goes by, I realized I wasn't just doing it for him. I'm also doing it for myself. Alam kong 'don ako sasaya," I mumbled.
"I'm proud of you," he suddenly said. He reached for my hand that's resting on the table and squeezed it.
"Thank you," nakangiti kong sagot. "Have you thought about what you wanted to specialize?" I asked. I was actually really curious about it.
"It's either Pediatrics or Obstetrics and Gynecology. But more likely, Pediatrics," he replied.
"You like kids?" I queried, and a smile was formed on his lips.
"Hindi halata 'no?" He laughingly asked and I nodded. Siguro hindi ko lang masabing mahilig siya sa bata because I haven't seen him with one. "Well, I do love kids. I think I'll be good with kids."
Suddenly, the thought of him being the father of my future children entered my mind. I haven't really thought about what our future's going to be like. Kaya ganoon na lang ang pag-init ng mukha ko nang pumasok 'yon sa utak ko. I had to look away so he won't see how much I'm blushing.
"Are you okay?" He asked. I wasn't looking at him but I could sense he was smiling.
"I wasn't thinking about anything," I said. It was too late when I realized how defensive I sounded.
"I didn't say anything," he replied with a grin.
"Kainis ka," I murmured. Itinuon ko na lang ang atensyon ko sa kape ko. Ramdam ko pa rin kasi ang init ng mukha ko. He just laughed at me.
"Why? What were you thinking?"
"Wala."
He laughed again. Pinagtinginan pa kami dahil sa lakas ng tawa niya. Mukhang aliw na aliw siya. Kahit wala namang nakakatawa.
