Big day “You can open your eyes now, doc”. Gema one of the make-up artist said as I slowly open my eyes and saw her masterpiece in my reflection. “Woah!”. I gasp. I can’t believe I can be this beautiful. Really? Did I complement myself? Silver hair suits me better but I know I can’t keep this longer. I’m loving it, my features soften. “Thank you”. Gema smiles and waves at me while leaving in my room. Pagkatapos kung mag bihis ay agad akong bumaba para puntahan si Chimuel, this morning I woke up and feeling excited about my best-friend’s wedding. This is it! As I knock in his room his make-up artist opens it and welcome me. I saw Chim facing the mirror but his eyes goes wide when he sees me. “When did you dyed your hair? Hindi ito maari!”. He said dramatically. Napailing ako. “Tumigil ka nga”. Saad ko ng nakangiti dito. “This is my wedding day. Ako dapat ang maganda sa araw na ito!”. Natawa ako. “Bakit sino ba sa akala mo?”. Nakataas ang kilay kung tanong dito. “Gosh! Le
So far away “Well…congratulations! Bye!”. Pabiro kung ibinigay ang mikropono kay Happy. Tumawa naman ito kasabay ng karamihan. Naiiling namang nakangiti ang bagong kasal. I smile at them, widely as I can. Holding my tears. Humugot ako ng malalim na buntong hininga. I might cry. I scanned the crowd. They are all smiling, sharing same happiness with the couple. Bumaling ako sa dalawa. “This is it huh? It is finally hitting me…can I still summon you at midnight for a drink without dragging your husband? I’m sucks to be a third wheeler”. I chuckle and pause a minute to inhale. “Aist! Why I am being emotional today? I think because I am the reason why you have to cancel your marriage last year. I’m sorry.”. Kita ko ang pag iling ng sunod-sunod ng dalawa. I smile at them. “As so you know Yuhan, I love you and I am thankful that you came into our life. Imagine the changed… from three chaotic buddies.” I eyed Happy. He is now grinning at me. “Got an additional emotionless, stoic man. Can’t
1 year later…“Scalpel”.“80% rate”“Cut”“Again”“Cut”“Close”“Heart bet?”“Normal, doc”.“Congratulation!”My heart flutters hearing those happy cheers. 1 year in Hawaii and I had a great time staying. This would be my last major surgery.“Congratulation Dr. Verde”. Mr. Min extended his arms, agad ko naman itong tinanggap.“Mukhang di ka ata masaya, doc”. Naiiling nitong saad.“Nah! The feeling is still overwhelming”.“Sabagay! Although I am not that expert, I must say you did an excellent job inside”. Saad nito at tinapik ako sa balikat.“Thank you! This hospital and my team really did well”.We are walking towards the hospital director office.“I want to drag you to Israel”. Saad nito habang binabati ang mga nakakasalubong naming pasyente.“Israel?”. Takang tanong ko.“Yeah! We have a medical mission there, together with other experts. To help those who are in the midst of war”.“Hindi ba delikado masyado?”.Umiling ito.“Hindi naman, lalo na kung madami kang matutulungan”.Tuman
HomeAfter Israel, I jump from country to country. Another 2 years had passed but still feels like it was just yesterday.Now I am staring at the letter that informing of my transfer from Tangems LA to Philippines as new assistant cardiologist. I got promoted!2 years it is…and my dreams is in my hands right now.Pinunasan ko ang tumulong luha. Hindi ako makapaniwala parang kailan lang.I called Chimuel for the good news.Finally…Finally…I’m going home for good.“Hey beauty!”.Napaintad ako ng may pumasok sa kwarto. My roommate. Haru Sandro Manalo a pediatrician. Isang pinoy din na nakipagsapalaran abroad. We became friends when he transfers from US branch to ours.“Hindi ako makapaniwala, uuwi na ako sa wakas”. Nakangiti kung sabi dito.“That’s good, I won’t have to give you a travel ticket for my wedding”. He said nonchalantly.My eyes grows widen.“YOU WHAT???”. Gulat kung tanong dito.“I’m getting married, beauty”. Nakangiti naman nitong baling sa akin.“No way!”. Saad ko na may
Unexpected turn of EventsAfter completing all the papers that I needed to turn over and saying good byes to my colleagues, I am finally boarding to Philippines although tatlong araw lang akong mamalagi muna bago tuluyang manirahan at ma assign sa Pilipinas. Uuwi lang muna ako dahil nakapangako ako kina Jano na aattend sa kanilang aniversary at sa isang exhibit o charity para sa mga bata. I didn't got a chance last time noong kami pa ni... Argh! Scrath that! Bakit nitong nagdaang mga araw ay lagi itong sumasagi sa isip ko. Kahit ang mga kaibigan namin ay bukang bibig din ito. Kung dati ay nag aalangan pa silang banggitin o iparinig sa akin ang kanilang usapan tungkol dito ngayon ay iba na. Malimit kahit nasa video call kami ay madalas nilang banggitin si Elijah. The news didn't help too. Lagi itong laman ng balita dahil sa kabi-kabilang launch ng The Ford ngayong taon.Rose and I chatted about their upcoming event in Sulu and she want me to be one of the speakers. I tell her that I’l
Elijah’s POV (a gleams)“Isn’t it too dangerous there, Rose?”.“Medyo, but gladly Elijah sent men for our team safety. Too much explosive mine hidden underground and one of the residents got into accident earlier”.“Died?”. Tanong ulit ni Lino.We were having our video meeting as well as checking Rose status who is in Israel for our foundation helping children who are affected cause of the war.“Yeah! at madaming nadamay, karamihan kabataan. Mabuti nalang may mga doctor nang nauna dito–Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata nito habang nakatakip ang kamay sa nakangangang bibig. Napailing ako. Yuhan and Namu chuckle.“Wha-what is it?”. Tarantang tanong ni Lino.“Guys! Speaking of doctor–You won’t believe who I saw today”. Rose is so excited. Parang kanina lang nalulungkot ito sa nangyari.“Alam naming yung crush mo noong high school! Arabo yun, iyong transferee”. Tawang saad ni Yuhan.“The hell!”.We laugh with her remarks.“It’s Dr. Verde dumb ass! Siya…siya yung tumulong kanina sa mga nasuga
Levy’s POV1 month later“Tito Levy!”. Bahagya akong yumuko para salubungin ng yakap si Farah.“Hi! Dear! Happy birthday!”. Masaya kung bati dito at hinalikan ito sa pisnge.“I’m so happy that you came”. Nakangiting sabi nito.“God! Levy! 72 hours of duty really?? Buhay kapa??”. Medyo hysterical na sigaw ni Chimuel. Napalingon ang mga taong nasa living room nina Jano, umirap ako ng mag tama ang mga mata namin ni Yuhan. Tumawa ako sa salubong nito sa akin, tiningnan niya ako ng masama. Kumaway ako kay Farah na nagmamadaling lumabas. Nasa pool area ang party nito.“Alive and fresh!” Pabiro kung sagot pero inirapan lang ako nito.“Ikaw lang ba ang doctor ng hospital ha?”. Masungit paring sabi nito habang nakapamaywang. “Abah!“Oo nga naman Levy”. Sigunda naman ni Jano na kakalabas lang mula sa kusina.Umiling lang ako sa mga ito at sumunod kay Jano para bumalik sa kusina.“Normal lang yan pag doctor ka”.“Bakit pag doctor kaba hindi ka na magkakasakit? Tao ka rin baka nakakalimutan mo!”
“That was intense”. Bulong ni Happy ng nasa sasakyan na kami pauwi. I don’t know how we get out on that topic. All I know it was totally awkward. Hanggang sa pag-uwi ay patingin-tingin ang lola nito sa akin. Hindi ko alam kung bakit. Baka pagbabawalan nanaman niya akong lumapit sa apo niya. Well…ginagawa ko ang lahat para makaiwas.Itatanong ba niya kung bakit ako bumalik? O kung bakit pa ako bumalik?Hindi na ako sumagot. Pinikit ko ang aking mga mata. I feel so tired. Tired of everything. Simula ng bumalik ako ay inabala ko ang sarili sa trabaho. I am getting and switching schedules with the doctors on duty. Ayaw kung mag-isa sa bahay, masyadong tahimik, nakakabingi. Busy din si Chimuel maging si Happy na ilang buwan nang naka stay dito sa Pilipinas. He has morning shows and field interviews kaya naman madalas din namin siyang kasama. Pinipilit ko ngang sa bahay na tumira but his comapany got him penthouse near their studio, pero minsan kina Chimuel din kami namamalagi.Dahan-daha