Subscribe (Offer Offer duology #2)

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"So after the talk we would go out for dinner?"  Reia asked through our phone call

I nodded unconsciously "No, I promised Coelth a date today. To make up for everything. After ng date saka tayo lalabas."

"Damn how long have I waited for this to happen again?"  Nic on the other end

I heard Reia scoff "Like almost four months?"

"Aaaaah I miss partying with you guys!" Nic exclaimed

"Hindi tayo mag-paparty ano ba. Mag-paplano tayo para sa birthday ni  Coelth next week!"

"A doctor I look up to once told me, hindi lang talino ang kailangan natin para sa propesyong ito." I faced the huge crowd of students in front of me. One of them asked me if intelligence is truly everything in this field. "And guess what?  It's true."

I used to be like them back then.

Some were attentive, some were leaving, some were dozing off, and some were absent in mind.

I am currently giving an inspirational talk to aspiring students from our alma mater.

"Why?" I continued "Dahil ang lakas ng loob ang puhunan niyo."

All of them are silent "Not for the gore scenes inside an operation room but for the life you are fighting for inside that battlefield." Somehow I managed to attend this talk today. On normal days I would turn this down and let Reia talk in the spotlight but she told me 'Gawd! You need a breather momma you should go for it! Or hindi ka namin pasusuwelduhin.'

"Are there anymore questions?" A student raised her hand.

Hesitation was painted on her face but she was being encourage by the ladies beside her.

"This is probably off topic pero sang-ayon po ba kayo sa sinasabing doctor to doctor relationship?" Shyly the student asked at mukhang biglang nabuhayan ang iba pang mga estudyante sa usapang pag-ibig.

Pakiramdam ko tuloy ay isa akong teacher na iniintriga ng mga estudyante ko para lang hindi matuloy ang kanilang quiz.

"Well for me, profession is not an issue because it is in the way the couple handles it." Paliwanag ko rito. "But I won't deny the advantages of being in the same field. You know what I mean?"

May isa uling nag-taas ng kamay.

"Yes?" I pointed at the boy who raised his hand in the middle of the sea of students to acknowledge him.

"Are you in a relationship Doc?"

Sabay-sabay na nag-ayie ang mga bata na tila ba nanonood ng isang K-drama.

I smiled at the guy. "Yes." Mostv of the ladies in the room squealed.

Another student raised her hand "Same profession Doc?"

I shook my head saying "Engineer."

I checked my wristwatch then looked at the students.

"Oh, mag-lunch na pala!" I exclaimed. Hanggang 11:00 Am lang ako dapat pero napahaba ang talk ko dahil 11:37 na ng umaga. "I still have a date to catch, enjoy your meal!" I then waved my hand and went backstage.

"So did  you enjoy your talk to the students?" Coelth asked me while we were eating lunch.

I nodded happily with him. I felt so giddy today as if I wasn't a hot mess.

Is it because of the enthusiasm the students gave off earlier or is it because I went to a date for the first time in three months?

Nah, I guess it's both.  It has been a while since I had a breather for  the stress. Lagi nalang ako sa ospital o kaya naman ay sa bahay. I think hindi na nga ako halos maarawan! I have never been this pale before!

"Good thing ayos lang na umalis ka muna sa trabaho?" I told him before taking a bite of y chicken alfredo

He was looking at me intently like he is so fascinated that I am sitting with him on a table eating lunch.

"You do know na ngayon lang uli tayo kumain nang sabay, right? And you also do know that I own the firm. I'd cancel work for you remember that." he then chomped on his fried chicken

Well, I couldn't blame him for that. Madalas ay kakain kaming walang imik dahil katatapos ko lang magkaroon ng mental breakdown o kaya naman ay galing kami sa psych ko noong umalis siya ng walang paalam.

I felt a pang of pain when he said that he would cancel work for me because God knows how many times I have taken this man for granted for my job.

"I'm sorry for taking you for granted." I reached his hand from across the table.

He smiled.

"Apology is not accepted." He made his voice sound serious but his attempt failed

My brows furrowed as I looked at him trying to look pissed but he quickly added to his remark.

"Ipangako mo munang aalagaan mo na ang sarili mo not to me but to yourself. That you would eat on time, won't stress yourself out, and stop blaming yourself. By then I will accept your apology." This time, dinaig na niya si papa sa kaseryosohan na tila ba may krimen akong ginawa.

"I promise to myself."