"Guys how many reports did we had already? I lost count" sabi ng isa kong ka-team.

"I don't know na rin but I think we should get going, the battlefield is waiting for us" sagot naman ng isa ko pang ka-team na babae.

We are almost done way in our 3rd year of med school, I got used to it but it is still really exhausting.

"Sophia let's leave together, tutal sa lab din naman punta ko" pagyaya ni Rio isa din sa ka-team ko.

Buong araw kami naging busy at halos bihira na rin kami magkita nila Ella, Keily at Lance everytime na may free time kami tapos tuwing uuwi na kami halos wala ng umiimik sa pagod.

"Guys let's go?" Napatingin ako kay Lance dahil sa pagdating niya, siya nalang hinihintay namin so we can go home.

"Tara na, may exam pa tayo bukas" I said weakly.

"Bilisan na natin mukha na tayong nalantang gulay lahat" Ella said while fixing her things. Keily seems so tired hindi na umiimik e.

I really need to rest, I've been thinking a lot of things lately. Nahihirapan na ako sa pangtustos ko araw-araw madami na rin kasi akong ginive up na trabaho ko at yung sa tagaytay na lang yung meron.

"Soph, would you want to go somewhere you can let everything out? You deserve it" Lance suggested while dropping me off sa gate, I looked at him trying to read what's going on with his mind.

I just gave him an unsure smile, I don't know if I can afford a vacation. Hindi ko rin alam kung paano babayaran lahat ng bayarin sa school. Nakakapagod naman.

I took a quick shower and sat down to start massaging my calf, sumasakit kasi.

"Sophia, may bisita ka!" narinig kong sigaw ni Lola Fatima kaya agad akong tumayo at pinagbuksan ng pinto si Lola.

"Sino po yun La?" I looked around to see who is it.

"Anak.."

I almost cried when I saw the person standing before me.

"Pa.." sa tagal naming hindi nagkita ni papa hindi ko alam kung paano maguumpisa andami kong gustong ikwento at sabihin.

"Oh siya iha maiwan ko na kayo" nabasag yung katahimikan ng nagpaalam ng umalis si Lola.

"Pasok kayo pa, pasensya na sa kalat"

"Kamusta ka na anak?"

"Ayos lang po pa" I badly want to say na nahihirapan na ako, na pagod na ako, na miss ko na sila pero nahihiya ako. Ako yung kusang umalis.

"Anak patawad"

I felt warm liquid started to run down my cheeks. I can't hide it anymore matagal ko nang gustong ilabas ito. Alam kong hindi ko pwedeng sarilihin lahat.

I hugged my father tightly and I cried like I was her little girl again.

"Pa sorry po kung hindi ako nakakabisita sa inyo nila mama sa probinsya" I said as I started to calm down.

"Kami ang hihingi ng tawad anak, dapat kami ang nagtutustos sa pag-aaral mo, dapat kami ang tumutulong sayo pero mas pinili naming pakinggan yung ibang tao kesa sa sarili kong anak" I saw how sincere my father was.

"Naiintindihan ko naman pa, wala tayong matatakbuhan noon at kaya kong gawin lahat para sa pamilya natin"

"Anak hayaan mo kami ng mama mo na tulungan ka, lalo na sa pag-aaral mo. Madami kaming pagkukulang sayo at gusto namin makabawi"

I smiled softly.

"Pa matagal ko na po kayong napatawad, magsimula na lang po ulit tayo"

After the conversation that we had, nagluto si papa ng mga paborito kong ulam dahil namalengke na daw muna siya bago pumunta dito.

"Anak maghain ka na patapos na ito" sabi sa akin ni papa, tumayo na ako agad at kumuha na ng mga plato dahil gutom na gutom na ako.

"Bulalo, paborito mo" sabi ni papa habang inilalagaysa mesa yung bowl na may laman na bulalo.

"Hmmm.. it smells so good" I remembered something as soon as I took a sip of the broth.

~~~~

"Oh I thought you're hungry, why are we here?" Ali asked as she opened the car door for me, I told her to park sa may car washan sa tabi ng karinderya.

I chuckled before nodding at her.

"Oo boo, I'm really hungry and I want bulalo" she looked at me instantly.

"Exactly, bakit natin uunahin magpa car wash? is bibi looking dirty to you na boo? I can do it later, you have to eat first" she curiously asked with furrowed brows.

I giggled with her innocence.

"No, bibi is looking good and yes I need to eat boo, we need to eat kaya halika na" I pulled her wrist papasok ng karinderya.

"Woah wait.." she stopped in her tracks as we entered. Halos mga drivers kasi talaga kumakain dito lalo na pag lunch time.

"This place is fire boo" she smiled.

I laughed at her.

"I know right"

"Yeahhh literally.." she removed her white windbreaker leaving her in her gray shirt na halata namang nababasa na ng pawis.

"Lika dali you have to try their food here" we sat down after ordering their signature bulalo.

Ali just kept looking around, it's a very sunny saturday, she just came from the gym kanina when I forced her to eat outside, nagcrave ako bigla e.

I got tissues before patting it on her face as she looked around, nagulat naman siya halatang busy magobserve ng paligid. She's too cute doing these simple things.

"You're sweating buckets boo" I smiled.

"Hmm" she just hummed still looking oblivious with what's happening around.

Medyo maingay yung mga tao pero organized naman dito palagi, paborito namin ni papa to na kainan ng bulalo.

"Okay wow, you know your shit boo" she commented while eating, parang gutom na gutom e.

She needs to experience this, she looks so happy and shy at the same time, pinagtitinginan kasi kami ng mga tao e halos kami lang yung babae.

She wiped her sweat once more before eating again, she looks so hot. Kasi naman hindi sanay ng walang aircon sa kaninan e. Namumula na siya halatang naiinitan ng sobra so I said bilisan na niya para makaalis na kami.

"Hey no, no I can take it, I love it here" she grinned at me still looking uncomfortable pero halatang she's trying which made me laugh.

"I just don't favor the part where everyone's oggling at what's mine" she pouted.

"Stop hahaha" she just smiled at me as I tried to cover her mouth, baka akala nila iniisipan namin sila ng masama e.

"Hmm yeah fine fine" she giggled.

The food is so much better when I eat with you Ali..

~~~~

"Anak, magiingat ka ha at 'wag mong pababayaan yung sarili mo, kumain ka lagi ng nasa tamang oras" paalala ni papa sa akin.

"Opo pa,'wag po kayong magalala kaya ko naman po ang sarili ko" I said while hugging him.

"Basta kapag may kailangan o may problema ka, tumawag ka sa amin ha"

"Opo pa, ingat po kayo" sabi ko habang kumakalas sa yakap namin.

Nagantay muna ako hanggang makaalis na yung bus na sinasakyan ni papa. Sa apartment na rin kasi natulog muna si papa kagabi kaya ngayon siya uuwi.

I looked at my watch to check the time. It's 6:25 am already, nagabang na rin ako ng masasakyan sa tapat ng bus station dahil may pasok ako ngayong sabado. Nakapagbihis na rin naman na ako at dala ko na rin yung mga kailangan ko sa hospital.

Nakarating ako sa hospital around 6:50 am kaya naman dumeretso na ako sa locker to change my clothes onto scrub suit dahil may rotation ako ngayon sa OR.

I started doing my reports and patient rounds until someone approached me.

"Doc! Doc! May problema po sa kapatid ko!" the woman said hysterically.

"Sige po, ichecheck po natin kumalma ho muna kayo" sabi ko sa kanya trying to calm her down.

I looked at the patient's chart to see his attending physician and I called the doctor immediately. I checked his pulse rate and checked his pupil for response and looked at his monitor.

"Status" I looked immediately at the doctor. He was the doctor who yelled  at me sa ER.

"BP's dropping and the Oxygen SAT's are dropping" I quickly said trying to hide my face, baka maalala niya ako yung aanga anga noon e.

"Ready the OR"

A nurse quickly ran to reserve a room for the operation. The patient was quickly transfered and we are already wearing our scrub suit. Nagumpisa na kaagad yung surgery.

"BP's 40 over palp, he's dying doc" An OR nurse said.

"The bullet passed through the posterior thorax, we have to find where the blood is coming and we have to clip it" another doctor said.

"Give me a scalpel and sternal saw, I'm opening up his chest to pelvis" said by the attending doctor of the patient.

"Doc, I think you need to check him between the second and third rib on the left side. The bullet nicked the left supreme intercostal artery. The wall has blown" I said as I realized yung nabasa ko sa charts niya kanina, a gun shot wound to the abdomen, natanggal na yung bullet pero tuloy tuloy parin yung bleeding.

"You think we'd trust you with this?How are you even sure about what you're saying? you're a student, ako ang doctor niya" the doctor asked full of arrogance.

I hid my annoyance and gupled.

"I tried to follow the path of the bullet and the organs na nadamage, it's just my observation doc but right now I don't see any other choices.." I tried to voice out my thoughts.

He just scoffed at me, before looking away.

"Doc? the patient's bleeding out" pagsingit ng OR nurse.

"I'm opening up the left rib.. " he followed my observation, nakahinga ako ng malalim.

"I got something.. clamp" he ordered.

"O2 is back to normal, status is good.."

He looked at me seriously.

"Good job" I just smiled lightly.

Pagkatapos ng nangyari sa  patient na na'rush sa OR kanina, wala naman na masyadong nangyari. Nagobserve kami ng operation kanina and made a report about it. I also sent some blood and urine samples to the lab.

The whole day was tiring and challenging

But I would never get tired of treating and helping people.

It's already 4:30 pm when I finished the last report that Dr. Claire needed. I went directly to the locker room to change my clothes back to my normal attire and I also untie my hair revealing it's wave.

Nagantay ako sa bench malapit sa entrance ng hospital para kina Lance magkakasama na kasi silang tatlo.

"Hi Soph!, kain tayo guys?" pagaaya ni Keily.

"Don't have extra money pass muna" sagot ko dahil totoo naman na i'm on a tight budget.

"Why don't we just go to my condo? I have stocks there that we can eat or cook" Magandang idea na sabi ni Lance dahil gutom din naman ako.

"Good idea para makatulog ako kahit saglit" sabat ni Ella.

I just nodded bago kami naglakad papunta sa sasakyan ni Lance.

"Hoy Lance! anong klaseng stock naman to kung hindi instant, gulay!" sigaw ni Ella from the kitchen.

"Arte mo pa ah, check the freezer may ice cream dun" Keily immediately went to get some so naiwan kami ni Lance sa sala.

"Soph? malapit na rin naman matapos third year natin, we'll finally be doctors after graduating next year" he smiled.

"Hmm, oo nga di ko rin naramdaman yung mga taon" it's been almost 5 years since Ali and I broke up, pero bakit yun parin ang iniisip ko everytime I think about the time that had passed. I just shook my head to take away the thoughts.

"Have you been well? I mean you don't look good these past few weeks" he asked, voice full of concern.

"Okay ako ano ka ba, it's just been really tiring sa hospital and you know the financial demand of life hahaha" I know I've been really down dahil sa kakaisip about what's next for me, napapansin na pala nila yun.

"Oh.. well I can help" he suggested.

"Sus Lance ayan ka nanaman e" I giggled, ayoko namang makaabala sakaniya.

"What? I want to help" he insisted.

"Hindi na Lance, saka nakausap ko na si papa, they'll be helping me with my med school hanggang makatapos ako"

Tumaas yung kilay niya looking surprised.

"Really? you're already in good terms with your family?" he asked.

I hummed and smiled softly.

"Wow, okay.. but if ever, just don't hesitate to tell me please"

"Oo wag kang magaalala alam ko marami kang pera sayo talaga ako hihingi ng tulong hahaha" I joked, he's very generous talaga pagdating saming tatlo e.

"Oh ano namang sikreto niyo ha? bat di kami kasali?!" pagsingit ni Ella na may dalang mga baso na may ice cream bago ito binaba sa lamesa at umupo.

"Wala, napaka hilig sa chicmis e" I rolled my eyes before taking the glass at kumain na.

"Anong chismis?! anong hindi kasali?! hoy kayo sinasabi ko sainyo!" Keily ran to the sofa threatening us while we just laughed it off.

"Call me if kailangan mo na ako ha" Lance dropped me off sa apartment after nila Ella at Keily, 8:54 pm na pala pumasok na ako ng room ko saka binaba lahat ng gamit.

I checked my phone and saw na may message si papa.

"Nak magpapadala kami bukas ah, sa account na gamit mo noon pa. Mag-iingat ka palagi ha"

I almost teared up when I read his text, it feels so good having our relationship back.

"Thank you Pa, ingat din ho kayo. Tatawag ako bukas miss you" I charged my phone bago magshower na at gawin yung mga reports ko na hindi pa tapos.

My phone suddenly vibrated as I was writing sa log book ko. I checked it to see Ella's message.

"Gurl may paparty daw sa last day ng klase yung batch, I know di ka updated so here I am, updating you" I can almost see her rolling her eyes as she typed this message.

"Saan ba?"  I replied.

"Sa Sofitel, sosyal nga kasi yung nagorganize pero wala naman atang babayaran, bet na bet nga e"

"Okay den, thanks for 'updating' me" I smiled.

"Yea right, night" I sighed before going back to my work. Ano naman kayang nagaabang sa party na yan.

The alarm went off already, it's 5 am once again. I got up and got ready for my shift.

I checked my messages sa phone and saw one from the bank na may account ako.

"10,000 pesos has been transfered to your account" nanlaki yung mata ko sa amount ng pera na nabasa ko, saan to kinuha nila papa.

I immediately texted him.

"Pa masyadong malaki yung pera na pinadala niyo, kaya ko pa naman po pambayad lang ng rent yung kailangan ko"

Nagaabang na ako ng jeep, 6:55 na rin pero wala paring reply si papa. I just shrugged it off and pocketed my phone.

The daily routine flew quickly ng walang masyadong emergencies, I'm really thankful about that though. I could use a rest day.

Lunch time na when I decided to call my parents.

"Hello Pa?"

"Nak? kamusta?"

"Pa bat di ka nagrereply? masyadong malaki yung pinadala niyong pera"

"Ano nak? hindi pa kami nakakapadala, kaaalis ko lang ng bahay iniwan ko kay mama mo yung pera na ipapadala niya mamayang hapon" I suddenly furrowed my brows.

"P-po? pero-"

"Hello nak? bakit?" I blinked a few times.

"Wala pa.. uhm thank you po ulit, pakisabi kay mama, kakain na po ako ingat pa" I dropped the call and stared at the wall sa may hallway.

I decided to check the message from the bank again. It's still there, I'm so confused right now, who would sen that money? baka nagkamali lang?

I sighed loudly before standing up para hanapin na sina Ella at makapaglunch.

Sobrang mas busy talaga pag pahapon sa hospital e, it's very smooth pero sobrang bigat ng trabaho, I plopped down sa passenger's seat ng kotse ni Lance, we're all kind of tired today, like always pero parang mas magaan lahat ngayon.

"Soph? have you heard about the Buenavista's bussiness?" Ella suddenly spoke from the back seat.

She immediately caught my attention.

"What about it?" I was focused sa sinasabi ni Ella.

"Wow attentive ka te" she joked.

"Ella what is it about?" I tried to sound serious, napansin ko naman na napapatingin na rin si Lance at nakikinig, Keily's just looking at us curiously.

"Well, I heard lang naman ah.. diba may bago nanaman silang pinagiinvestan? I mean I could be wrong but their company is getting bigger, faster than before" she replied.

"Siguro magaling talaga si tito Lorenzo maghandle no?" Keily commented as I just looked at them.

"Yeah.. he looks just like that" I said.

"I'm happy for Ali, malapit na rin siya makatapos ng bussiness studies, for sure may mamamana na siya" Ella smiled.

I suddenly caught a glimpse of Lance who's looking uncomfortable upon the topic.

"Hmm.. sure, her dad has the best plans for her" I stared outside at the car window, how are you Ali? Have you learned to love what fate have given you? I'd like to know if you're actually doing fine after all this.

I then heard a scoff from beside me.

"Did you just scoff at us Lance?" I heard Ella seriously asked.

I looked at him blankly.

"What? of course not haha" he chuckled.

I looked away and just focused my attention sa pagiisip ng reports ko and upcoming exams, patapos na ang 3rd year, I hope to end it with a blast.

"Gurl ano na?! di ka pa ba tapos? on the way na kami jan" I hurried fixing my make up, may paparty party pa kasing nalalaman e, black tie pa, kakapressure naman.

I put on my gold ankle strap heel and dusted my black core cocktail dress with gold outlines, I grabbed my white beaded purse na kakabili ko lang para sa party na'to before checking my whole look.

I decided to curl my hair kahit medyo wavy na siya para lang magtagal yung  hairstyle ng buong gabi. Mahirap nang magmuhkang sabog sa party ng batch.

Then I heard Lance's car honking sa labas kaya nagmadali na akong umalis ng apartment at sumakay ng kotse.

"Wow! gandang binibini naman niyaaan!" pagbibiro ni Ella as I entered the car.

"Dami mong say talaga e" I sat down fixing my dress.

"Sexy naman!" Keily commented.

"Hiya naman ako sa pa slit nitong si Ella no!" I laughed, Ella's wearing a white midi backless dress holding her black shiny purse.

She posed at me showing her back para lalo akong asarin, then I heard Lance laugh.

I looked at him, his hair is down and not pushed back tonight, still revealing half of his forehead. He's looking so good in a velvet black tuxedo, and black pants, his black semi butterfly bow tie is tied neatly around his white polo with gold cufflinks. His black and rum colored shoes is completing his look, I actually didn't notice I was staring at him.

"Ehem" I heard Ella's voice which made me instantly look at her.

"Huh?"

"Wala, malelate na tayo" she replied.

I heard Lance chuckled before we drove off.

We're already at the lobby ng hotel waiting for Lance, nagpark lang siya sa labas.

"Tagal naman ni Lance e" Keily complained as she pulled up her wine red off shoulder fitted dress.

"Kase! off shoulder pa nga, may oa criss cross ka pa sa tiyan e, lamigin ka sana" Ella commented.

"Bahala ka uuwi tayo pag nilamig ako" sagot ni Keily.

"Cr lang nga ako guys, paantay ako ha" I excused my self bago dumeretso ng restroom.

Naglalakad ako while looking for my phone sa purse ko when I bumped into somebody.

"Ahh!" I held my shoulder and tried to balance myself.

I then felt hands held me sa braso ko, I looked up to see kung sino yung nabangga ko.

"Uhm sorry miss, di ako nakatingin sa daanan e pasensya na" he's wearing a denim pants and black hoodie at nakacap.

He was about to go when I stopped him.

"I'm sorry but you look awfully familiar.." I know I've seen him somewhere, but I wasn't sure.

He looked at me nervously.

I furrowed my brows trying to figure out and remember who he is.

"Uhh-"

"Is there a problem here?" nagulat ako nang pumagitna si Lance saamin.

"Lance.."

"Ahh hinde, pasensya na nabangga ko ata yung girlfriend mo.." the guy replied.

"Well then back off already" Lance said sounding mad.

"Lance, it's fine di rin ako nakatingin sa dinadaanan ko" I reasoned, mukhang nagkakainitan sila e. Pero bakit hindi dineny ni Lance na hindi kami?

"Pero kuya hindi ko po siya boy-"

Lance suddenly pulled me away from the guy and held my back to gently push me sa restroom.

"Do your bussiness, I'll wait for you here" he said as he stood outside, I tried to look if nandun pa yung guy pero nakaalis na siya, so I proceeded to go inside.

"Guys! have you tried looking for Ella? kanina po yun paikot ikot ah" Keily said as she got back from the restroom, katatapos lang ng dinner and nagpaalam si Ella kanina pa that she'll be roaming around lang.

"Let her be, baka sumusunod lang siya sa mga nagke cater ng wines paikot ikot" Lance joked.

"Don't worry, I'll go around, baka lasing na e" I said before standing up. I felt a hand on mine and saw Lance looking at me worriedly.

"You sure? I'll go with you-"

"Hindi na Lance, stay here with Keil, di naman ako mawawala" I smiled before proceeding to look for Ella, apakakalat naman kasi ng babaeng yun.

I just walked around trying to spot a sign of Ella hanggang makarating ako sa may balcony ng hotel floor na'to.

I spinned around still looking for her when I felt na may tumapik ng balikat ko.

I turned around and saw the same guy kanina na nakabangga ko. Paano siya nakapasok sa party? kabatch ba namin siya?

"Uh hi miss, sorry ulit kanina ah, anjan ba yung boyfriend mo? baka magalit kasi e, I just came looking for you to give you this back, nahulog mo ata kanina sa baba" he handed me a ring.

I quickly put yo my hand looking if I lost my ring but.. wait, I wasn't wearing one.

"Ahh.. I'm sorry ah pero hindi sakin yan- and hindi ko boyfriend si Lance, he was just being a protective friend.. sorry din ah"

"Oh, is that so?.. but this ring.. I saw it nahulog kanina nung nabangga kita" he insisted.

"Oh but no, really hindi ako nakasuot ng ring" I replied smiling.

"Really? why don't you see for yourself first?" he said, I suddenly stopped and stared at him smiling.

I slowly reached for it and stared, observing it.

Is this..

I looked at him teary-eyed.

"H-how did you-" I stuttered.

"She says you look good, as always.."

~~~~~~~

uwu :<