Kabanata 2

I prepared everything before going to work again. I'll keep myself busy in tight schedule para maiwasan ang stress. And I made up with dad on the phone last night. He just let me off. Mabuti nga at goid mood siya kagabi. I'm afraid of his voice and his authority. Everything about him looks like a mayor governing his city. 

Umalis ako sa unit ko and I arrived at seven-fifteen am in St. Martha. Schedules are tight here. Marami na namang itinakbo sa emergency room. It's okay for me, sanay na ako. I also expect uncountable numbers of death. 

The strange noise of siren became loud. Binilisan ko na ang paglalakad at baka malate na naman ako. 

I was walking down the hallway to my office when I heard someone suddenly called my name. The voice is familiar. Lumingon ako upang tignan. It's rude if I just continue walking, pretending I didn't hear anything. 

"Courtney!" 

Oh, that's Chanel. She's wearing her white coat and her stethoscope hanged on her neck. Her long hair chesnut hair cascaded on her shoulders and walked towards me wearing her signature smile and black stilettos. What is she doing here?

I stopped walking and smiled. I waited for her to reach ma, hinugot ko na rin ang aking face mask mula sa aking bulsa at isinuot ito. 

Naalala ko, dito pala siya na-assign for her internship. I'm glad, dito sita napadpad. I feel alone at work kasi busy si Lilia. Speaking of... hindi ba niya kasama yung senior niya? O baka hindi pa niya nakikilala? If ever na free time niya ngayon, mamamasyal na naman dito sa loob ng ospital. 

Sometimes, she slacks off like Thariah. They have the same vibe. 

"What are doing here?" I asked her. Her smile suddenly changed into an insulting one and it infuriates me. Yung ngiti nakaka-irita na ayaw na ayaw ko talagang makita, ganun siya ngumiti ngayon! 

What's with her, hindi niya kasama yung boyfriend niyang prof? Oh, I remember sa med school pala yun at nagtuturo. Alangan naman na bantayan niya na lang lagi si Chanel. How stupid of me. 

"You're being rude! I have been deployed here for an internship. Luckily dito ako nadestino. I missed you, girl! Lagi ka naman kasing busy. Halos lagi ka ngang absent sa mga night outs natin, eh. Hindi mo na rin ako binisita." I can feel the sadness in her face. Lagi talaga akong busy. Sometimes I just make some excuses para hindi ko makita pagmumukha ni Harley. 

We fight. That's inevitable because she's too petty. 

"For a career-minded woman like me? Hindi ko na maasikaso mga hang outs. Unlike Thariah, she always wanted to get drunk late nights kahit na may pasok siya sa kanyang firm kinaumagahan. But, anyways pupunta naman ako mamayang gabi to celebrate with her. I guess it is time for me to wind up, sit still and relax. I want to experience fun again." Yeah, she's throwing a party tonight and I have to attend. Saka lang ako pumupunta pag may okasyon. Tonight isn't even a formal occasion to celebrate. 

I wonder if it would taint her reputation as a lawyer. Maraming bawal sa political society. They are very strict. 

"Kaya hindi ka nagkaka-boyfriend, eh," she said and chuckled. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin at tinakot sa hawak kong folder. Hampasin ko na talaga 'tong babaeng 'to ng record. I mean, I don't care about boys for now. I'm enjoying my career since two years palang naman ako rito. I haven't reach my goal yet in creating a beautiful world for doctors. 

Marami pang panahon ang pag aasawa. Hindi pa talaga sa ngayon. 

"Just kidding, 'to naman pikon agad! I was gonna tell you that Dr. Venor will be my senior. Sige na, I have to go." Lumabas siya kaagad mula sa opisina ko. It took me few minutes to internalize what she just said awhile ago. 

What did she just said? Si Arville ang magiging senior niya? Oh my God, she's not in good hands I'm telling her. That man is a womanizer. He bedded different women in luxurious motels. I have to warn her! 

Mabilis akong lumabas mula sa aking opisina at hinabol ko siya. Humihingal ako dahil medyo malayo na siya sa akin. Arville is not kind. He is cruel. He will do everything just to get what he wanted. 

"Bitch, wait!" Buti na lang tumigil siya sa paglalakad. Tumakbo ulit ako papunta sa kanya at hinawakan ang kanyang kamay. I looked in her eyes. 

I almost fainted!

"What?"

"You're not in good hands. Y-you k-know A-arville i-is a male slut! You know, womanizer." Napakamot siya ng ulo dahil sa sinabi ko. I guess she didn't expect my news. I never told her about it before. If Arville tries to flirt with her, I might give him a hard punch on the crouch. Baka nga nagpakita lang siya ng magandang asal just to please her. He's good in hiding with his mask. 

Alam ko kung gaano siya kapusok sa sex. Hindi niya ito kayang pigilan at pati rito sa ospital makakaya niya gawin iyun.

"Don't worry I can do judo. Tsaka pa'no mo nasabi na man-slut siya?" Oh, I remember hindi ko pala nasabi sa kanya yung pangalan ng manliligaw ko dati na isa dahilan kung bakit ayaw na ayaw ko sa mga lalake. 

I sigh and took a deep breath before I start to explain her everything. Hinila ko siya ulit papunta sa opisina ko upang walang makarinig sa mga pag-uusapan namin. 

"He's my ex-suitor. Yung na-ikwento ko sa'yo noon na gumagawa ng milagro sa operating room kasama ang isang nurse. We supposed to have a date that day pero-"

"Yeah, I remember. I'll be very careful, don't worry about me. I can handle myself. By the way naka-uwi na si Calli at Harley. They're even invited sa party ni Thariah. Hindi ka ba niya sinabihan?" Ano, naka-uwi na pala sila. Hindi man lang nagsabi 'yung gagong 'yun. Bestfriend pa naman niya ako pero hindi man lang ako sinabihan na uuwi pala kasama si Harley. 

I don't expect she will inform me about their arrival. Masyadong mainit ang ulo niya sa akin. I don't think she can even face me with kind greeting and respect. Masyado niyang binabakuran si Calli. As if I'm up to telling him about romantic stuff, eh wala na nga akong oras kila Thariah. 

She's too jealous and insecure of me. She hated me being happy. 

"No, Harley didn't informed me either." Napakamot na lang siya sa kanyang ulo dahil sa sagot ko. I don't care, maybe Harley doesn't like me pa. We're friends, but because Calli is my best friend. I guess her jealous became gravious. 

Duh, as if I wanna get married. At hindi pwede sa boy best friend ko. It feels odd and awkward. Nakakasawa na mukha niya, pakakasalan ko pa. Isaksak niya sa baga niya. 

Harley is too obsessed with him. She manipulated him until he said yes. Parang Stockholm Syndrome lang ang naging labas ng relationship nila. 

"Don't tell me, you're still not in good terms with her. Grow up bitches, matatanda na kayo para mag-away." I raised my left brow dahil sa sinabi niya. Did she think it was my fault then, that her hatred for me became uncontrolable? 

"You know, I don't hold any grudge against her. She's too competitive, as if I have an interest with my boy best friend." I smiled after delivering my short speech. Of course, that's sarcastic. To be honest, I don't like Calli's exes including Harley. They get jealous of me and try to ruin my name. I do not approve their pathetic reasons. 

They kept on whining like pigs and crying like kids na para bang naagawan ng kendi. Still, I hope the best for the both of them. 

Engage na sila so she must stop holding grudges against me. I'm trying not to be rude to her dahil nahihiya ako kay Calli. Besides, matatanda na kami. Wala kasi siguro siyang boy best friend kaya siya ganyan. I treat Calli as my brother. Baka gusto niya rin maging kapatid ni Calli? She's complicated to understand. Mabuti nga at nakakaya pa siyang i-handle ni Calli. 

"And the fact that they're already engage-"

I cut her out by explaining, "That's the point Chanel. Wala ng pipigil pa sa kanila. So, she doesn't need to be bothered with my existence. Kaibigan niya rin ako. Wala akong balak sumulot," 

I hope she stop holding grudges. Napaka selosa niya. At sana, hindi na siya magkaroon ng carbon copy na kasing gaspang ng ugali niya. Hoping her kids will be as kind as my boy best friend. I won't hesitate to be the best ninang for them. 

"That's a fact!" segunda pa niya. I think, naiintindihan niya na ako sa ngayon. 

Bigla namang pumasok sa isip ko si Misery. Kumusta na kaya ang babaeng iyun?

"Anyways, what about Misery, she's already married pero wala pang anak. What happened?" I can't help to get worried about her. Matagal na silang kasal pero hindi pa sila nagkakaroon ng anak. Baka may baog sa kanila. Maybe, dahil gusto pa niyang mag-ipon para sa mga anak niya, o baka wala lang talaga siyang time muna sa pag-aalaga ng bata. 

Her career is her passion. I don't think mabibitawan niya yan dahil sa pag-aanak. Maybe his husband respects her decision of not having baby yet. Just my intuition though. I haven't heard any news about them since they got married dahil hindi niyan siya nagkwenkwento. 

"Missy? Don't worry about her. Ginagawan na nila ng paraan yung sa kanila. Magiging ninang na tayo, soon! Pupunta pala sila sa party so you could ask her later." Para akong nabunutan ng tinik sa sinabi niya. Ow, that's good to know. Hindi talaga ako maiinggit kahit anong mangyare. 

Some of my friends already settled down. They will have family na. I'm still alone. Others have boyfriend na rin. Kami na lang ni Demionne ang wala. 

"Okay, I'll ask her later," sagot ko. Bumalik ako sa aking computer. Hindi pa siya lumalabas. I think gusto niya pa makipag-usap sa akin tungkol sa mga kaibigan namin. It's not that I'm busy tho. I can still spare time to have a bond with her. 

"Sav, ikaw na lang walang boyfriend sa ating anim. Hindi ka ba naiinggit?" I rolled my eyes on her. Ilang beses ko bang sasabihin sa kanya na I have no time for boys? I'm enjoying my single life and still focusing on my career. 

Ang kukulit talaga nila. 

"Oh, please stop teasing me about that. You know I have no time for that yet," I said, and then she chuckled. Habang abala ako sa page-encode, patawa-tawa lang siya habang inaasar ako. 

"Bahala ka, lalagpas kana sa kalendaryo niyan." I laughed at her a bit. Umalis na rin siya. I thought hahaba pa ang oras ng pag-uusap namin rito, pero baka balak niya ng asikasuhin ang internship niya. Lalagpas sa kalendaryo kung lalagpas. Love can wait, I don't need to rush things. 

Bahala na si Lord sa akin. My destiny won't fail me, I guess. At least I'm not hopeless romantic. Just a chill and proud single lady for now. 

At the bar... Supposed to be maraming costumers rito ngayon. I also think it's very loud and messy. Pero kami-kami lang naman. So, kaunti lang kaming dadalo sa party ni Thariah? Mabuti na 'yun para walang istorbo. Exclusively for friends only. Naalala ko, supposed to be hindi dapat siya nagpapa-party sa bar. It may affect her name lalo na't isa siyang abogada. 

Baka binayaran muna nila tong bar para makapag bonding kami. It's better. At least I won't meet different kinds of ugly guys na manyakis. And those who invite you for dance, tsaka mga nagbabalak dahilhin ka sa kanilang unit, to do something sexual of course. 

"Savannah!" Narinig ko yung sigaw ni Calli. He's too loud for a man. Per ayos lang. Wala namang ibang tao rito. Tumingin ako kay Harley na naka-upo sa tabi niya. She just rolled her eyes. Oh, how rude of her. She still think of me as a rival to his fiancé. Bahala ka diyang mainis. It's not my fault that you always got infuriated with my existence. 

Pero pwede naman siya maging plastik kahit ngayon lang. I don't mind either. As long as hindi niya ako pinakiki-alaman. 

"Woah, hi Calli. Welcome home," saad ko sa kanya. Yayakpin niya na sana ako pero ibinalandra ko yung kamay ko sa harapan niya. Alam ko kung ano na naman ang iisipin ni Harley. She overthinks a lot and get jealous. So much for a rude, terrible, territorial woman. 

Naturingang CEO pero walang ethics at manners sa labas. She just shows how rude her attitude was. Being like this won't do her any good. Papangit lang reputasyon niya sa iba pang tao. 

Baka nilayasan na rin siya ng kanyang mga empleyado. If I will work on her company and she show me this attitude, I'll file resignation immediately. I'm not use in testing my tember with this kind of boss. 

Tumingin lang sa akin si Calli at tinignan ako sa mata. Lumayo naman siya kaunti. I guess he understand my signal. 

"Don't. Hello din sa'yo Harley." Pagkatapos ko siyang batiin ay umupo na ako sa tabi ni Thariah. I smiled at her. She didn't smiled back. Instead, ikinuwit niya yung braso niya kay Calli. I sighs and took one last deep breath before enjoying the night. I just wish this will be over soon. I'm stress with my work and meeting this bitch here won't do me any good. 

"Congrats girl. Naipanalo mo nanaman kaso mo," I greeted Thariah. Lumapit siya sa akin and she kissed my cheeks. She's so sweet. But loud. I guess, I'll just have to have fun. For Thariah sake and her small celebration with us. 

"Salamat, Sav. Thank you for attending kahit busy ka," she said. Alam niya kasing busy ako. She seems so happy that I came in her party. Hindi ako madamot. Busy lang talaga. Now, I have compensated for those times na hindi nila ako nakasama. I will still compensate more time for them to have bonding. 

"It's okay. This is important to you so you must celebrate with us completely," saad ko. Hindi na ako kumibo muli at hinintay na lang ang mga order. Joshein kissed her. Ako lang ata ang single dito.

My eyes darted on Harley's face. She's not looking at me. Baka nahihiya. Pero naiinis parin talaga ako sa kanya. She's not up for making peace with me. She just knows how to piss me off and that's her best talent. 

"Hoy, Courtney! Single pa din ah!" Hay nako, Chola. Kaka-uwi lang mang-aasar na naman. I've decided na huwag na lang siyang pansinin at makipag-usap na lamang sa mga kaibigan naming gusto ako kausapin. Wasting time on that immature selfsish brat won't do me any good. 

Inayos ko ang pagkaka upo. I tried to do my best to be comfortable sa couch pero hindi talaga. 

"Yeah wala pa din akong boyfriend. In short, single pa rin," sabi ko. We're all here but I'm the only one who doesn't have a partner. Pinanoof ko lang silang lahat habang nakikipag lampungan sa isa't isa. This scene, I will experience it soon. I just need to stay patient. Right man will come. Maaring ngayon, wala pang nakatandahana para sa akin, but soon I will challenge myself to in a healthy and normal relationship. Hindi katulad ng mga nasa novels na punong puno ng plot twist. I have advantages to my wit. I know how to use them properly. At least for now. 

I know I'm beautiful, I have stable work, a professional, but I don't have a boyfriend. I'm still gullible. I temember Arville. Hindi pa nagiging kami, may nakalanturan ng iba. I just let him do what he wanted and never mind my condition. That's ironic for me and unfair. Very unfair. 

"Savannah Courtney! You're already 29 but you don't have a boyfriend yet. Want us to find someone for you?" Misery asked me and she ran towards me after saying that. I've missed her, a bit. Pero hindi talaga ako natutuwa sa kanya minsan. 

Her tight hugs gives me relief. At least I feel home for now. Sila ni Chanel pinaka-close ko, eh. They've show me what real friends are for. They are very much proud of me and jealousy doesn't never comes into their minds pag ako na ang pinag-uusapan. They know my story and how I've been deprived of family attention. Pinupuno na lang nila iyon para sa akin. 

"Oh my gosh! I miss you so much girl! Kailan ako magiging ninang?" tanong ko. Gaga talaga 'to. Wala man lang pasabi na babalik ng Pinas. Meron nang Skype at email, bakit hindi niya ginagamit? 

Oo na at wala pa akong boyfriend. They are pretty much aware about my priorities. I know they understand me. I mean we are connected in Yahoo. Why didn't she tell me?

Dapat sa akin niya unang sinabi na uuwi siya. 

"Blind dates are failed to find her match. Ang gwapo nga ng mga inireto ko, eh. Maybes she's blind. She always reject them!" sigaw ni Thariah. 

I'm not blind! I just don't want an instant date! If ever I'm ready to find one, I want someone to ask me for a date. But now, I still wanna enjoy my career. Also, I'm a busy woman.

I'm no damsel in distress. We don't leave in a dystopian world. Eventhough I came from a wealthy family, and we own all of the 23 largest hospitals here. Iba pa yung mga ospital namin sa ibang bansa. 

I still treat myself as a normal one. Because that's how I must treat myself. My family's money is not mine. Never will be. It's better that I should make money myself to support my own wants and needs.

"Busy pa ako sa career ko. I'm still enjoying!" segunda ko. Ngumiti lang sila at iniba na yung topic.