The start

Chapter 01

Stella

Walking along the hallway, passing through the series of chain. Seeing how people, concealed, sneaking and running away. Seems like they are chasing by death and time, figuring out many why's and cracking codes upon having numerous battles in their life.

Exhausting pain begins to thrive throughout my whole system. I was sleepy and hungry at the same time. Tickling sound I made as I opened the door.

“Are you going home?”  Rhea asked and started to loosen up her sleeves and putting on her coat. Continues nod, I answered.

“Yep, I’m done for today? You, still on duty?” she sighed and gives me a thumbs up sign. “You better go home once your shift is done, Tita Lucy is still ill, isn’t she?”

A brown envelope can be seen on my desk. ‘What’s this?’ a sudden thought from my mind.

“She’s here right now Stell.” my brows arched, curiosity is written on my face.

“What?!” I shrieked.

“Uh uh, she’s been here an hour ago. My brother is with him, no worries! Maybe later, after my shift, I shall go. Timing sucks, you know?” she groaned and put a light make-up on her face. I looked at her closely and accurately saw how nervous and scared she is. She’s still shaking in fear!

“I’ll take your shift.” she paused, intimately stared at me for a moment. “I’m not kidding, go and take good care of your mom.”

The hesitation is visible. I motioned a shoo sign and swayed my hands. Ah, stubborn little kid. “Rhea.” I declared and that’s my final blast, in an instant, she ran!

See? She didn’t even--- “Thanks Stell! I owe you this one!” Oh! She really did thank me. I didn’t even bother to look at her, my gaze quickly focused on the envelope in my desk. As a curious human being, I ripped it off and a sweet, glorious smile escaped from my lips. He made it! He literally made it, Shit! I’m so happy! The long wait is over! The invitation is here! Given the situation, I promptly grab my phone and composed a message. Shit! This feeling, we are already catching up, in a year or two we’ll finally be able to reach our dreams, together.

“Congratulations baby! This may sound like an excuse but emergency happens, I am sorry. Don’t wait for me, I’ll be home at 2, just eat and sleep. You definitely need the energy for tomorrow’s exhibit. I love you.”

I read it aloud in my mind and tapped the send button afterwards. Minutes after, a beep echoed around this room. He’s really waiting for me, ah! My baby such a cutie pie.

“Got it! I am waiting for my prize. Anyway, I’ll just watch and let’s see if I can wait for you. I love you, be safe.” that’s his message attached with a heart and sad emoticon. Never in my life, I thought that I’ll be doing things against my principle, I was raised as a discipline child yet as I grow up, I tend to do things averse to my beliefs. I mean, things does seem impossible to someone. I already labeled myself as the worst.

Well, does love needs to be always right to be true? I guess not.

“How is she?” concerned tone is evident on my voice, she was like a mother figure to me too. 

“Luckily, she’s out of danger for now. What happened earlier is a severe one and once it happens again… I do not know… I m-mean, what if, she will not make it the second time around?”she whined, and abrupt tears instantly fall on her eyes.

“Hush, Rhea.” Hastily, I immediately tapped her shoulders. Perhaps, a sign to tell her that things will be taken lightly sooner or later but even me, myself, cannot be so sure because there is no guarantee about it.

“You can go home later at twelve.” she stated after drinking the water I gave her. My eyes widen, I thought it’s 2 am? “What?! Isn’t it 2 am?” I exclaimed.

“Nope.” she shook her head. “I was with Anjo a while back, he said he’ll take the remaining two hours so you can go. Thank you so much Stell.” a smile plastered on her face, I hugged her a little as I continue to caress her hair. After that… “Okay, I’ll just do my rounds. Text me when Tita Lucy woke up, ayt?” she waved her right hand, a gesture to tell me to go. True to my word, I did what I told her and didn’t imagine how time flies so fast. I saw Anjo waved his hands to me, bread is on his mouth. Well, how do I describe him? Maybe, a baby pig! I laughed at my own thoughts. “I got you right now Stell. Go home safely, my friend.”

“Ahh!” All of a sudden, I felt the pain spreading in my entire body. I am physically tired for I was on duty for almost 8 hours! However, I’m home now, I can now rest, of course on his hug and…! What a silly thought you have in yourself Stella! Take a pause, will you?

After I’m done parking my car, I can feel the urge to run, maybe, the pleasure of seeing him after the long day keeps on lurking inside me. It wasn’t a devil though, rather it’s the satisfaction. Right at that moment, the instance as I stepped on the elevator, I silently wished that he’s still awake. We can still celebrate together right? Midnight snacks, if that’s what you call it. I keep on humming our favorite song as I entered our pass code, it’s dark in here. Is he sleeping already? I was supposed to open the lights when I saw…

Him, he’s literally here, there is a two silhouette I can spot. The glimpse of them, laughing and watching while the show is ongoing.

“She’s not here babe, I’ll take you home at 1.” his dusky voice is present. “Really?! That’s good babe, at least we can still spend some hours together.”

I’ve seen how he slowly tighten his hug on her, to the woman who isn’t me. The girl continued giggling, a second after…

“By the way babe, where’s the bathroom? I feel dirty, you literally… Argh! You sneaky pervert!” she blurted out as she jokingly punched him on his chest.

“Maybe later babe, please?”

Even if it’s gloomy I saw how his eyes pleaded! I’ve known him for years! I definitely memorized all of his features, his scent, touch, kisses and his laugh!

I was supposed to be angry, as an ordinary girl I’ve should just slap her right now. But why do I feel like I don’t have the right?

Little did I know, I already nudged the switch button.

“Stella.”

Am I mad? Come on Stell, you should be! He cheated on you! He fucking did! But why do I feel like this is a repetition of myself. Like…

This is what I deserve?!

“Babe.” I got the chance to saw his girl, I smiled at her. God-damn it Stell! What is happening to you?! Her face is so innocent, like me. I cannot find the desire to shout. I was neither frustrate nor something, I was just… just… lonely, lonely that after all those years, he still chooses to cheat.

“Oh, I am s-sorry! Am I interrupting you guys? Maybe this isn’t my room.”

Did I stutter? Stella! What have you done? Why aren’t you angry?!

“Stella. Let me explain.”

I gradually examined his face, that face I was in love with. My companion, my own rest and my world. Instead of hearing what he was supposed to say, I found myself running. I was near on catching my breath when a sudden pull got me. It was him! Fuck! I literally got familiar with his scent!

“Stella, let’s talk shall we? Hmm?”

As I stared on his face, I felt some tears rushing through my face, it was hot. “Look Ste---.” I slapped him, yes Stella! That’s what you need to do right?

“You cheated on me! YOU FUCKING CHEATED ON ME!”

Then it hits me, the time I mentioned the cheating word, I now realize why I can’t be angry with her! Why I can’t find the urge to slap her! For I know I was like her, six years ago. This is the same scene I witnessed with him!

“Stella, look. This isn’t---.”

“So this is my karma?” his face looks bothered, confused, he didn’t get what I’ve just said.  “Come on Tristan, we’ve encountered these years ago, didn’t we?”

My hands are trembling but I still continued to ask him with honesty.

“Stella, what are you talking about?”

“Don’t play dumb Tristan! WE PLAYED THIS ROLE SIX YEARS AGO!!” a shock on my voice got me so whipped, where are we? Ah, parking lot! Same scenario, fucking same scene!

“Stella, you are not making sense! This isn’t about us, don’t be so hard, hmm?”

“Then who? If this isn’t about us then who? Tell me! We cheated on her! We’ve played the fire before Tristan, I told you we’ve been this scene years ago! Why can’t you understand?! I exclaimed.

“Stella, calm down please! Let’s go back, let’s talk without shouting okay? Come o---.” another slap. “I told you to fucking calm down, why can’t you?”

“Rhea. We’re best of friends, you know that.”  I smiled bitterly as I recalled what had happened before. “Stella, we’re done with her, you’re overreacting!”

“NO! I am not! Can’t you remember? She caught us before right? My best friend was in love with you, and I was with you while WE ARE CHEATING on her! This is the exact scene Tristan! Now? Are you satisfied?”

“Stella…” his voice is so relaxed, damn!

“Tristan, you’re my life. I dedicated my life to you, I did things I never thought I would. I disregard all the criticism I encountered, I played blind and deaf at the same time, just for you. Tell me, what did I do wrong? Huh?  I felt the sudden tears rushing through my bare face.

I do not know if I am shouting or crying, I cannot even recognize my own voice. Even at this point I can never imagine my life without him, he’s the only person I can hold. And even if it’s wrong I will still choose to be with him.

“Stella, let’s end this.”

My eyes widen, no he's lying. He'll not be going to leave me. I'm sure of that! He then begins to cupped my face, he started talking.

“You know that all the moments I’ve had with you Stella, is one of the best that I will always treasure in my heart. I never thought I would love someone like this, this deep, this hard, but things aren’t supposed to be like this. I am already hurting you.  This isn’t right. Stop holding on, I ain’t worthy for your love.”

Drops of tears can be seen in my face! NO! This is not happening!

“D-don’t do this. You’re not breaking up with me!” I hold his hands tightly. He just smiled at me, how can he smile like that? How can he freaking smile like that?!

“And, even if… It was wrong.” he continued. I felt the sudden lack of oxygen within me as I breathe heavily.  “I really had a great time, with you.” as he uttered the last word, my knees slowly got weaker, without his quick touch, I literally will fall.

“Please…” he pleaded. “Please, let me go.” he whispered beneath my ear.

“T-tristan! Please! Don’t do this to me! Come on, I was just upset. I promise, I won’t do it again. I will not mention her again. We are not breaking up!” I declared, with a high pitch tone. “C-come on, baby. Who is she by the way, you’re number Two? Three? Four?!

My voice cracked still, I continued. “I get used to it Tristan and b-besides… I’m still you’re home.”

If tears would build up relationship, please tell me that we can still work it out. I cannot let him go! How do I learn to let him go when he’s the one I hold onto?

“You deserve someone better.”

Slowly, he walked away, leaving me dumbfounded. He is already stepping on our way to closure. “T-tristan! Please! Don’t do this to me. Hey, n-no! Please!”

My voice is the edge of losing its tone as I pleaded, yet he continued walking. I want to run, fast as I could but why do I felt tired? My feet aren’t working? Or is it my heart not functioning?

There, I found myself crying again. Tears over pooled my eyes. I continued to whimper, I wasn’t like this! I wasn’t born like this in the very first place! The next thing I knew, I am already driving.

“Dra. Ocampo! We need you here right now!”

My eyes were half asleep as I answered the phone. “Why? What happened?!” 

“We are performing two surgeries at the same time! Can you make it until 9:20?!

Feeling dizzy, I still managed to stand up and do my routine while talking on the phone.

“Just make it stable, I am coming.” 

As I start driving, realizations strike me. Maybe, I was really born to steal someone’s property, as my name. STELLA, STEAL.

I am Stella Louisse Ocampo, a cardiothoracic surgeon. Funny, how I can literally stitch others heart when I cannot even fix my own.