"Are you sure you'll be okay?"
I chuckled upon hearing his question. Hindi na siya nagbago, praning pa din. Isang taon na ulit ang lumipas. Everything's fine.
After the revelations of Alise, kuya decided to talk to her. They both decided to sort things out. Kaso nga lang, hindi na sila nagkabalikan. Well, they're both happy already.
"Oo nga." I chuckled.
Hindi pa rin siya mapakali. Malapit na ulit ang second anniversary namin pero kailangan kong pumunta ng Australia para sa kasal ng ate ni Alise. Unfortunately, hindi invited si Ismael kaya maiiwan siya dito.
Nasa airport na kami ngayon. Hinatid niya talaga ako dito dahil napa-praning siya. May pasok pa dapat pero dahil nga malakas ang kapit ng pamilya ni Alise sa school, nakalusot kami. Pinauna lang kami sa pagkuha ng finals at pinayagang mag early summer vacation.
"Wala ka dito sa anniversary natin. Last year di tayo naka
"Nasa'n si Daddy?" I worriedly asked Llianne nang makarating ako sa Hospital kung saan siya na-confine.I probably looked so haggard right now. After receiving the call, I hurriedly packed my things and left Melbourne. It's a good thing that Tito Adi, Alise' father helped me with my ticket. Kaso nga lang, nahuli pa rin ako dahil matagal ang lipad magmula Australia papuntang Pilipinas."Nasa private room na ate."She looked so tired and worried. Her eyes were also swollen, siguro dahil ilang ulit na siyang umiyak. I held her hand and pulled her with me. Pinuntahan namin ang room ni Daddy.Nang makarating ay halos manlamig ako sa kalagayan niya. There were too many apparatus. I saw mom sitting besides Daddy's bed and she looked so lost. Nakatingin
"Mommy, ano na ang gagawin natin?" Nagising ako nang marinig ko ang nag-aalalang boses ni Llianne. I opened my eyes and tried to see what's happening. Labis na lamang ang takot na naramdaman ko nang puro itim lang ang nakikita ko. I already opened my eyes right? Bakit wala akong makita?. "Mom," I called for her. I tried to look around but I really can't see anything except darkness. Sinubukan kong hawakan ang mga mata ko pero nakabukas naman ito. "Mommy." I panicked May humawak sa mga kamay kong nanginginig. Hinawakan ko din iyon ng mahigpit. I'm scared that I can't hold something too. I'm still trying to understand what's happening. Bakit wala akong maki
"Babalik na ako ng Melbourne kapag gumaling ka na."Humarap ako sa direksiyon ni Alise kahit na di ko siya nakikita. Nakakapanibago pa rin na puro kadiliman lang ang nakikita ko but I'm getting used to it. Siguro dahil na rin sa ilang buwang ganito palagi ang nakikita ko."You can go home now, Alise." I sounded so bitter while saying that.Sa totoo lang ay kailangan ko silang lahat. Naiinggit ako dahil sila, normal pa rin pero ako, heto nakaratay at di makakita. Hindi ko alam kung ano ang reaksiyon ni Alise sa sinabi ko. I know that I shouldn't act like a bitch but I can't let her waste her time while taking care of me."No, I'll stay," matigas niyang sagot.I sighed heavily. I don't deserv
"Mom, bakit ang hirap?"I asked mommy when she sat beside me. Nasa harap namin ang kabaong na kinalalagyan ni Daddy. Halos magmukha kaming lutang lahat. Kung wala siguro ang mga tito ko na nag-asikaso ng lahat, walang mangyayari. We've been too lost. We can't accept the fact that we can't see Daddy anymore."It's because we love him," she answered me while wiping her tears.Ilang beses ko nang narinig ang linyang iyan. Ilang araw na din akong walang ginawa kundi magluksa. I've been into a lot of painful things but this one keeps on breaking me. It's as if my love for him was quite strong to the point that I can't imagine myself waking up the other day without him."Kara, condolence," one of my friends told me.
"Kara! Bakit ka nakaupo diyan sa hallway?"Nagulat ako nang makita ko si Alise na nagtataka habang nakatingin sa akin. Mabilis akong tumayo at pinagpagan pa ang suot ko kahit wala namang nakakapit doon."Wala, natumba lang," I lied.She looked at me with full of curiosity. It's as if she knew that I just lied. I sighed heavily and tried to show a smile."Kanina ka pa pinagtitinginan diyan. Buti na lang at nabasa ko agad ang text mo tapos maaabutan kitang nakaupo diyan." She laughed a bit."Wala kang duty?" I asked her, trying to change the topic.She smirked. "Meron, I'm bored. Nando'n naman si Taine."Inirapan ko siya dahil sa katamaran. Gamot na nga lang ang hinahawakan, tinatamad pa. And yeah, Taine decided to change her course nang mag fourth year kami. She stayed at CCAM. Alise finished her studies in Australia. Kakabalik lang din niya last year at di
"Woah! So you're the ex?"Mas lalong nadagdagan ang hiya ko nang tanungin ako ng kasama ni Ismael. Even Eikel was looking at me trying to figure out if it was really true. Narining ko ang malakas na tumawa si Alise."I was just kidding," pagbabawi niya sa sinabi niya habang natatawa pa rin."Yeah, I can't even remember her being one of my exes," Ismael said with full of sarcasm.Bakit parang ang bitter ng pagkakasabi niya? Tumingin ako sa kanya at nabigla ako nang maabutan ko siyang nakatingin din sa akin. He's too serious kaya ako na mismo ang naunang umiwas ng tingin.One of his exes huh, madami pala. I smiled bitterly and looked down on my food.Umupo na rin sa Eikel sa harap ko at linagyan ng kung ano-anong pagkain ang plato ko. Sa sobrang inis naman ay kinain ko lang yun."You're allergic with potatoes," Ismael suddenly interrupted.M
"Sasabay ka ba?"I nodded to answer Alise' question. Tumatambay na naman siya dito sa lab namin. She's inviting me to have lunch with Taine. Hindi na rin kami masyadong nagkikita kaya pumayag na ako. Sabay naman ang schedule naming tatlo."Kumusta pala si Ismael?" she suddenly asked.Napatigil ako sa ginagawa at mabilis siyang tiningnan ng masama. She crossed her arms trying to make a shield."Woah, parang noong nakaraang araw lang confident ka pa na di mo kailangang mag move on." She teased me."Nagbago na ang isip ko. He's a jerk." I hissed."A jerk that you love. Okay, accepted," she murmured."Alise!" pagsusuway ko sa kanya.She chuckled and tapped my shoulder. Umiling-uling pa siya na para bang hindi siya sure kung paniniwalaan niya ako."Kay Dr. Santiago ka nalang! Tagasundo na, surgeon pa!" tumawa ulit siya ng malak
"I can't believe this."I walked faster and left kuya behind. He already knew about my issues with Chytzy 9 years ago. He knew how that woman bullied me and made my college life a living hell!Upon reaching the dinning area, I saw Chytzy and Mom baking some cookies. Just what the hell! Everyone is aware that I hate her. I was once a little full of sympathy but I realized that her actions from the past were not totally right! Maybe I'm too soft back then to just let her bully me."Wow, you're trying to get into my family now," I said with full of sarcasm.They both looked at me when they heard my voice. The smile within Chytzy's face vanished. She should at least greet me, right?"Anak, nandito kana pala!" mom said with shock in her voice."Yes, mom." I tried not to sound bitter.I kissed her cheek and turned my gaze to Chytzy who's looking at me apologetic
I've been into a lot of struggles just to be with her. Everytime I see her, my heart will beat faster. Hindi ko inakalang darating ang araw na mamahalin ko siya ng lubusan.It all started that day."Pre, susunduin mo na naman ang kapatid mo sa SEU?" I heard Alden's voice from behind.I was busy aiming for the target board when he came. Nasa practice room ako ngayon ng archery. I focused again on the board until I hit the center spot."Sana all, sharpshooter." I heard him again."Susunduin ko, malamang," sagot ko sa kanya habang inaayos ang bow at arrow."Ang tanda na ni Andrei, sinusundo pa." He hissed and crossed his arms.I raised a brow and let him rant. Sanay na ako sa kanya. Kapag nagkaroon ka ba naman ng kaibigan na baliw, magtataka ka pa?Sabay kaming lumabas ng CCAM. Naghiwalay lang kami ng landas nang nasa parking lot na. Nagpaala
"Saan mo gustong pumunta ngayong umaga?"I sat beside him. He's currently watching some cartoons. Mas nauna siyang nagising sa akin kaya nauna din siyang bumaba. Kinusot ko ang mata ko, halatang inaantok pa."Let's visit my friends, please," I asked him with my puppy eyes.Ginulo niya ang buhok ko at tumawa ng mahina. I pouted and crossed my arms trying to act like I'm mad."Kung saan mo gusto," he said softly.I excitedly went back to my room, nagmamadaling mag-ayos. I badly missed my friends. I'll surprise them this time.After a quick shower, I blow dried my hair and wore a white, pintuck mini dress paired with my black Roadster heeled boots. Hinayaan kong nakalugay ang mahaba kong buhok. Naglagay lang ako ng clip sa left side, just to pin my baby hairs.When I went downstairs, I saw Ismael comfortably sitting on the sofa, still watching another cartoon
" Sunbae, nasa labas po si Dr. Santiago."I urgently faced Erika when she said those words. She smiled awkwardly at me when she noticed that I was totally shocked. After we talked last time, we never had the chance to talk again. I rarely saw him these days. I don't know if he's just avoiding me or he's really busy.Despite of the awkwardness, I chose to go out and face him. I sighed heavily when I saw him leaning on the wall, just behind the door of the laboratory. His hands were on the pockets of his white coat, slightly bowing his head."Eikel," I called him.He swiftly moved and looked at me with his tired eyes. He faked a smile and came closer."Can we talk?" he suddenly asked.I seriously don't have enough reasons to turn down his request so I nodded and followed him.After a few minutes, I found myself sitting in front of him. We're on a café
"Nagbibiro ka ba?"I asked Ismael after he said those words about marrying me. I can't deny that my heart pounded after he said those words. I'm open enough to understand marriage pero di ko inisip na sasabihin niya nga."I'm not. I'm always serious when it comes to you, Kara. I want to marry you," he seriously said."Baka naman naiinggit ka lang sa kapatid mo." I mocked him.He smirked and leaned closer. Parang balewala ata ang lamesang humaharang sa pagitan namin."Why would I?I have the best girl in the world. In short, I have you," he said and chuckled.My face heated upon hearing that. Gosh, I'm not a teenager anymore but his words can really bring butterflies to my stomach. Umiwas ako ng tingin sa kanya kaya mas lalo kong narinig ang mahihina niyang tawa. Bumalik na din siya sa pwesto niya kaya ibinalik ko ang tingin sa pagkain ko."Kumain ka na. Bak
"Pose ka rin dito, Kara!"Nasa dalampasigan kami at trip ni Alise mag pictorial kaya nakisabay na rin kami ni Taine. Ilang beses na niya akong pinipilit mag-pose ng kung ano-ano. Some tourist were actually looking and that made me felt awkward.We're wearing a two piece. Napilitan akong hubarin ang ipinatong ko dito kanina dahil sa kakulitan ni Alise. I was about to walk away when she pulled me."I don't want this, Alise. Marami na ang nakatingin," I awkwardly told her."Natural! Maganda tayo at sexy!" she said and rolled her eyes.Sa huli, wala rin akong nagawa dahil mapilit siya. Si Taine nga ay ginawa niya pang model. Nakikisakay naman ang isa kaya natutuwa si Alise. Kahit kailan talaga, pahamak siya.I was already enjoying while watching them when someone sat beside me. It was a couple of seconds when I realized that it was Ismael. He looked so grumpy and pissed off.
"Nasa'n na ang maleta mo?"Parang tanga ako habang wala sa sariling naglalakad papalapit kina Alise at Taine. They looked at me with confusion. Tinanong agad ako ni Alise nang nasa harapan na nila ako."Kay Ismael," I said.They both laughed and giggled. Eikel turned his gaze to our spot. Maybe he's wondering why did Alise and Taine laugh out of the blue. I sighed heavily and tried to forget about what happened in the bus."Come back na ba?" nakangising tanong ulit ni Alise."Hoy! 'Yong kuya ko pa!" mabilis na sagot ni Taine.Parang kanina lang halos ipagtulakan niya rin ako kay Ismael tapos ngayon, ipapaalala na naman niya sa akin na nandiyan pa ang kuya niya. I was about to say something nang dumating si Ismael habang bitbit ang maleta ko. Nakasunod na rin si Alden sa kanya na nakatingin sa akin ng nakakaloko."Maleta mo," Ismael said and gave me my lugg
"Sasama ka ba sa outing?"Alise asked me while I'm busy sorting the results of the five CT scans I performed two hours ago. The director asked all of us to have an outing this coming friday. Three days din 'yon kaya nag-aalinlangan ako.We're too busy actually but he assured us that the second team including the second shifters will be left here. Kumbaga, mauuna kami sa outing this weekend and pagkatapos namin, sila naman. Salitan lang."Ewan." I shrugged and continued my work."Ano ba naman 'yan! Dapat sasama ka! Bawal kang maiwan." She rolled her eyes and left."Nagtanong ka pa kung ikaw din naman ang masusunod," I whispered to myself.
"Bakit tulala ka,sunbae?"I unconsciously looked at Erika who's now confused with my sudden change of attitude. I'm still thinking about what happened the other day with Ismael. Hindi ko yata ma absorb lahat."Wala, nabigay mo na ba kay Dr. Gonzaludo ang result ng X-ray ni Mrs. Lusioni?" pag-iiba ko ng usapan."Yes,sunbae." She smiled.Buong araw yata akong tulala at wala sa sarili. No'ng mag lunch ay di rin ako sumabay kina Alise. Parang tanga ako habang wala sa sariling kumikilos. Buti na lang at nandito si Erika."Hey, are you okay?" Eikel asked when he noticed that I'm silent the whole time.Nasa office kami ngayon. It's 8 PM and wala masyadong nagpapa-scan kaya nagpahinga na muna ako. Erika will call me if anyone will come."Yes, sorry." I smiled at him and apologized."Okay lang. Pahinga ka na," sabay tu
"Okay ka na ba?"I made a face and looked at my brother who's still looking worried. It's been a week since the accident. Nakawala daw ang baliw na 'yon sa ward nina Ismael. Maybe it's not a good thing na iisang floor lang kaming lahat.The director was very worried because his niece got attacked and one of his employees got hurt that's why he decided to move the Psychiatry Department to the 5th floor. They will occupy the whole floor para wala wala ng manyari na ganito sa susunod.After Ismael's last visit, di na rin siya nagpakita. I sighed heavily when I remembered him. Eikel never said a word so I guess he's trying to weigh things first."Magpapahinga naman ako sa bahay, kuya," I finally said and stand up.Medyo okay na rin ang sugat ko kaso di pa ako nakakagalaw ng maayos. Nasa business meeting din si mommy sa Iloilo kaya si kuya ang nagsundo sa akin. Llianne was also busy with her st