Chasing the Heart's Pursuit (Heart Series #1) - COMPLETED

Chapter 42

WRONG

42

My phone beeped. A sign that a new message had arrived.

I was fixing my hair when I received that message. I grabbed my cap and carefully put it on top of my bun. Nilagyan ko na rin ng mga kakailanganing kulay ang mukha ko. Isinuot ang relo bago ko tiningnan ulit ang mensahe.

Unknown:

I'm outside your apartment.

-DNNO

DNNO? This equates to Edson's pseudoname in that –

Ayaw ko nang alalahanin. Tapos na naman. Isa na lamang iyong memorya na nakabaon sa dapat nitong paglagyan. Sa nakaraan kung saan ito nababagay. Sa nakaraan kung saan ito nagsimula.

Ilang minute pa ang nagdaan bago ko naintindihan ang laman ng mensahe. Edson is outside right at this moment?

Napabuntunghinga ako nang malalim at napatango. Dapat siguro klaruhin ko ang mga sinabi ko sa kanya nung nakaraan. I admit I was vague. Not clear. Pero ganyan din naman siya sa'kin. Particularly, years ago.

I stopped at that. So, what is this exactly, Mory? For revenge? But, no! I don't have time for that. I have a career that I am protecting. And... I have a goal. I'm planning to obtain a position in the board. Sure, I got the Nursing Department but it is not enough. Maybe, I should get a doctorate in Nursing? A DNP seems like a good extrension in the name.

Hindi ko alam.

It's just that I am not satisfied with what I have right now.

Kung tatanungin ang mga tao, sasabihin nilang nasa akin na ang lahat. Promising career. Stable family business. Supportive brothers.

I reflected on that.

People are destined to be unsatisfied with what they have, right? It's in the human nature to crave for something more. If I can remember it right, it is only in a very short period of time when a person can get actually self-actualized – the moment where you're able to do self-actualization. Though, it is only for a split of seconds. It does not last.

My phone beeped again.

I'll just wait here. Take your time.

Dapat sigurong klaruhin ko na ang lahat. Lay everything on the table, once and for all. I grabbed my bag. I am wearing my comfortable clothes nad shoes. Sa loob ng hospital na kasi dapat magpalit ng srub suit. This is in pursuance to the hospital's safety protocol. Sporting my simple formal white dress and white sandals, I exited my apartment. Isinusuot ko na kaagad ang cap kasi mahirap mag-ayos sa hospital. Okay na 'yung damit lang. After all, nasa sasakyan lang naman rin naman ako.

Dumadating ako sa hospital ng isang oras bago ang pasok ko at doon na rin kumakain ng almusal. I don't have enough reason to stay in my apartment longer anyway. Though, I usually eat alone, I don't feel so bored since I can see people walking in and out of the canteen.

I checked myself once again in front of the mirror before I got out.

There, I saw Edson. Nakasandig sa sasakyan niya. He's wearing his usual clothes – a brow khaki pants and this time, a white button shirt and a black shade. I bit my lips so hard.

Mory, you're a changed person!

Convincing myself so hard, I mentally scolded myself.

He studied me from head to foot. He then looked away and whisphered a curse.

"Good morning..."

I smiled at him formally. He seems taken aback with my attitude towards him. Does he expect me to explode in front of him and act like he can still affect me?

"Fine. May kutob na ako sa gusto mong sabihin. Let's civilly hear that explanation, alright?"

He gulped. "Yes, Mory."

"How about we talk about it over breakfast?" He scratched his nape as if embarrassed to ask me. "I know a very good restaurant. You'll love their waffles there," he smiled a little as he said those words.

Staring at the volumptous breakfast in front of me, I checked the time. At least, I still have enough time to listen to his most-awaited explanation.

"So, you studied Masters?" He asked.

"Oo," tipid kong sagot at naghihintay na sa paliwanag niya.

"For only two years, right?" He probed.

I curiosly looked at him. "Paano mo nalaman?"

Kadalasan kasi magtatatlong taon dapat pero maaga kong kinuha ang iba tuwing summer. I just wanted to finish my masters that time. Ito ay dahil sa pag-aakalang magiging panatag na ako sa wakas. Pero kulang pa rin pala. Hindi pa sapat.

Kinakabahan siyang tumingin sa'kin. "I just figured it out. Lucky guess," he fakely laughed.

"I just finished my post-graduate internship. I'll have my review after as I am about to take the PLE..." he trailed.

Kahit na alam ko naman ang tungkol doon ay nagulat pa rin ako. Alam ko namang matalino siya pero hindi ko lang talaga inaasahan na tatahakin niya ang ganitong landas. He's planning to take the PLE. From what I know the Physician Licensure Examination is usually during March and September. Maybe, he'll take it in September?

"Hopefully, I'll have my Internal Medicine residency at your hospital then my fellowship as well. I'm planning to be a Cardiologist," he said as he subtly cut my waffles.

I nodded. "Maganda 'yan. But, why are you telling me this? I thought we're here so that you can explain."

Napatulala siya. Now, he looked troubled.

These past years, I learned that there are two reasons why a person looks troubled. First, he is contemplating to tell the truth because the truth is too much to take. The second one, he is contemplating to tell a lie because it is hard to make samething fake a believable one. Just these two reasons, nothing in between.

"About that... First, I just wanted to apologize, Mory. I'm at fault. I admit that."

I angrily looked at him. I am not looking forward to hearing his apologies. I've managed to live without that. Iba ang inassahan kong sagot. I want that something that could put all of these to end.

"Hindi 'yan ang ang gusto kong marinig, Edson. Not that!"

He smiled faintly. "I know, you won't be Mory if you'll want an apology only. The reason... the main reason is that... I had a problem with my family. I don't want to include you in my family's problem. I'm afraid that it'll affect you in the end. You see, I was failing that time, Mory. I can barely graduate. My dad wanted to reveal the reason why. I told him that it was all on me but he just won't believe it. He's determined to ruin that reason as well."

Tito? Edson's father is that kind of person? When I visited their house for dinner, his dad seems like a warm and nice person. He is not this scary!

But, what do I know, right? I thought I know Edson, too. I thought of him as someone who wouldn't abandon someone. But, I was wrong about that too.

Absolutely wrong.