"Come home to me.."

I couldn't find the right words sa kung ano ang isasagot ko kay Ali. Nilingon ko siya at nakita ko nanaman kung gaano kasakit at kahirap ng sitwasyon namin ngayon.

"I'm sorry... I can't"

Nagtama yung tingin namin ni Ali and I saw how deep in her eyes she wants to say she's hurt and wants me to take it away. I'm sorry Ali, I really am.

Those brown eyes that made me feel like I can be whoever I want. I'll miss you Ali.

~~~~

Nagising ako na umiiyak, halos araw-araw yun ang panaginip ko. How I wish it'll never end na magstay na lang ako sa panaginip ko kasama si Ali kahit masakit.

It's still early, around 4:30 am palang naman pero nagdecide na akong magayos dahil ayokong malate and I don't know what to expect sa Med school.

"Oh my God!!! Soph!! Congrats! kita mo ako kanina sa stage, kumaway ako sayo! shet I can't believe Cum Laude akong grumaduate Lord very amazing blessing talagaaa!"

Sinalubong ako ng sigaw ni Keily sa labas ng hall after ng graduation ceremony.

She's as bright as always, the way she waved at me from the stage, it's like highschool all over again.

"Oo nga e di ko rin inexpect na gagraduate ka" sarcastic kong sagot as I hugged her.

I also did not expect this, we graduated with flying colors. Sobrang nakakaproud, we have been dreaming together ever since. Now we move on to another.

"Aba hayup ka ikaw nga di ko inexpect na mag ma Magma Cum Laude ka jusko! anong sikreto ha!? nilandi mo mga prof naten no?" inasar asar pa ako ni Keily habang tuwang tuwang hawak ang kamay ko.

"Tumahimik ka nga jan.. secret lang" binulong ko sakanya pabiro.

We laughed together bago kami nilapitan ng mga parents namin congratulating each other.

I looked at the crowd of graduates around with wide smiles, I can't help but think of Ali.

She's the Summa Cum Laude of her batch, how I wish I can go to her, hug her and tell her how proud I am.

"Ma? cr lang ako saglit ah" nagpaalam ako kina mama habang nakikipagchismisan parin kina tita and Keily.

Hindi naman ako naiihi o ano, I just wanted to look at myself in the mirror. I dit it, another step nearer to my dreams.

I can't help na maalala nung nagsisimula palang kaming lahat, such young minds always bright about sa future.

I sighed. We've been through so much.

Palabas na ako sa cr when I got startled kay Jake.

He's smiling holding a bouquet of roses.

"Congrats babe" he's in denim pants and white polo shirt.

I smiled back.

After Ali and I came back from Batangas, we never contacted each other anymore. She respected my decision of breaking up with her, then I tried patching things up with Jake.

For my family. He's changed, he apologized for what happened and started to fix himself.

So I gave him a chance to really redeem himself, pabor sakanya yung pamilya ko, so I'm paving my way to favor him too.

"Thank you" he kissed my cheek as I took the bouquet.

"Sorry hindi ako makakatagal babe ah, may paguusapan kami ni dad e"

He's currently very busy sa pagengage sa company nila, nagstart na siya iimmerse since naggraduate siya last year, di daw kasi magtatagal ipapamana na sakanya.

"Okay lang babe, andiyan din naman sina mama para kasama ko"

"Sige na den babe ah dinaan ko lang yan, mamaya nalang yung iba pang regalo mo" he smiled bago umalis na.

I suddenly sneezed. Hay hindi niya parin natatandaan na allergic ako sa flowers except tulips, konti kasi pollens.

Nadatnan ko parin sina mama na nagtatawanan. I went directly to Keily sa gilid.

"Keil, oh may nagpapaabot" inabot ko yung bouquet.

She smiled widely before jumping.

"OMG! hahahaha Ma oh! may secret admirer ako hahaha"

I still haven't got to the part na may sentimental value na sakin yung mga binibigay ni Jake, it's more like pakikisama parin, who am I kidding?

I will never forget na siya parin ang dahilan kung bakit nagulo lahat between me and Ali, the reason bakit sumama ang loob ko sa family ko and all that drama.

It's just better this way, pretending is hard, but I've been doing it for almost 2 years now. Still..

The heart never forgets.

For the past years, we've grown so much. Isa-isa na rin naming natutupad mga plano namin sa buhay.

After graduating nabalitaan ko na pumunta na ng New York si Ali to pursue business. That's the last thing I heard about her.

Si Keily at Ella naman sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa Med school dito sa UP Manila. Lumipat na si Ella dito sa UP para magkakasama daw kami at mas okay daw na may support system galing sa isa't-isa.

Si Bri naman all is well din ang buhay sa Canada, nakadecide siyang ituloy yung passion niya sa Fashion since hindi naman siya mauubusan ng opportunities don.

Naglalakad na ako papunta sa building namin for our first class when I received a text from Ella.

"Bakla saan ka na? Bilisan mo."

"I'm already infront of our building, reserve me a seat"

"Okay. Ingat!"

After reading the message I hid my phone and started running. I don't want to have a bad first impression sa professor.

Pumasok na ako sa room and I already felt how everyone is tense yet excited. I looked around to see where Ella and Keil is at nang mahanap ko sila agad akong lumapit at umayos na ng upo.

"Anong ganap? Bakit wala pa yung prof?" tanong ko habang kinukuha yung binder ko sa bag.

"Girl hindi ka updated? So disappointing" maarteng sabi naman ni Keil.

"Just spill it." pagkibit balikat ko.

"Well ganto kasi, andito na siya kanina pero may pumasok na isa pang prof, tapos yon may pinagchismisan sila sa labas" Ella explained while writing something sa notebook niya.

"Kala ko naman kung ano, oh e ano namang sinusulat mo jan? kala ko ba wala pang nalelesson kasi chismosa prof naten?" tanong ko.

"Sinusulat ko pangalan niya, nasabi niya kanina bago umalis" sagot ni Ella.

"Aba aba, naglilista ng target hmmm?? di ka na babagsak niyan" pagsingit ni Keily habang tumatawa.

"Hoooyy! hahaha shh ka lang" sinakyan naman ni Ella yung katarantaduhan ni Keily kaya nag apir sila habang tumatawa.

"Hello again class" nagulat kami nang pumasok na ulit yung prof kaya nagayos naman kami ng upo, pero may kasama pa siyang isa na pumasok ng room.

"So sorry for the disturbance, this is Professor Gonzales from the College of Law in our university and together with him is his son.." sunod na pumasok yung tinutukoy ni sir na anak nung isa pang sir.

He's tall, pushed back dark brown hair, defined jaw line pero di masyadong sharp, thick eyebrows, hooded eye lid, amputi niya almost like may lahi.

He's wearing a white polo tucked in sa navy blue slacks and leather shoes.

"Huy bat angsosyal naman ng dating? mas mukha pa siyang professor e" rinig ko na bulong ni Ella.

"Shh maingay naman kayo, pogi naman ihhh" kilig na singit ni Keily.

Napaka talaga Keily kahit saan e.

"Alam mo wala ka talagang pinapalampas e" pangaasar ni Ella.

"Ano ba guys malay niyo siya na talaga hngg" kinurot naman siya si Ella sa tenga kaya napa aray nalang siya at tumahik still nagiinarte.

I rolled my eyes before looking back sa harap.

"Goodmorning everybody, I came here with my son to apologize and explain bakit siya nalate.." nagsalita na si sir Gonzales.

"Aba special" pag puna ni Ella, nakita ko namang napairap lang si Keily bago ngumiti ulit sa harap.

"Lance came from US, he just landed kaya hindi siya agad nakarating"

"Ha? e di pa nga tayo nagsisimula ng klase e" humirit nanaman si Ella kaya I gave her the look which made her roll her eyes.

"As a professor in this university ayoko lang magcause ng issues around campus about unprofessionalism, that's why I came here personally to introduce him, thank you all and please treat him well.." I'm not sure but I think I saw the Lance guy roll his eyes sa tatay niya.

"Okay! so with that we start our orientation"

Nag'start na yung program and hell! Ang boring nung nagsasalita parang bagong gising. Nakaramdam na rin ako ng gutom kaya after this dadaan muna ako sa canteen to buy something to eat.

"I'm hungry, daan muna ako sa cafeteria guys mauna na kayo" paalam ko kina Ella.

Naglakad na ako kaagad papuntang cafeteria. I'm craving for soy milk and egg pie kaya yun na lang bibilin ko.

I was reaching for the original flavoured one when someone else grabbed it and quickly went to pay sa linya.

"Luh epal" napairap nalang ako.

Pumila na rin ako sa likod ni kuya mangaagaw ng soy milk.

"35 pesos" sabi ni ate nagtitinda.

"Oh uhm- right.." nataranta namang bigla si kuya. Kumukuha ako ng pambayad sa wallet ko kaya di ko nalang pinansin.

"Iho? 35 pesos lang" inulit ni ate.

"Yes, opo 35 pesos.." napakunot ang noo ko sa narinig ko kaya tumingin na ako sa nangyayari.

Si Lance pala yung guy, and it looks like wala siyang barya, inaabot niya yung 1000 peso bill kay ate e.

"Nako wala pa kaming barya iho e maaga pa kasi.." pagpapaliwanag ni ate.

"Po? uhmm.." rinig ko yung taranra sa boses niya at halatang medyo hirap pa sa pagbigkas ng tagalog.

I unconsciously smiled, naalala ko si Ali and the time sa trycicle driver.

"Ah ate ako na po, isabay niya nalang po ito" inabot ko kay ate yung 100 peso bill.

Tumingin sakin si Lance na mukhang nacreeped out.

"Uh.." naawkwardan ako bigla, di naman kasi niya ako kilala e.

He then smiled widely na abot sa mata.

"You're such a saviour, thank you" sabi niya bago ako yakapin at umalis habang iniinom yung soy milk niya.

Nagulat ako sa nangyari kaya pinanood ko lang siya naglakad paalis.

"Ah iha.. sukli mo oh" inabot ko na yung sukli ni ate bago umiling at binalewala nalang yung nangyari.

Naglakad na ako para sumunod kina Ella sa next class.

"Guys balita ko madali lang tong class na'to" bulong ni Keily habang nagpapakilala yung prof.

"Ano ka ba walang madali sa med school no" sagot ni Ella.

"Sabi kasi nila puro memorization lang dito sa anaphy" pilit pa ni Keily.

"Ish stop your stereotypes Keil" umirap nalang si Ella.

"It's good now that you know me, now let me know you and your capabilities" seryosong sabi nung prof.

"Ha? anong ibig sabihin ni ma'am?" tumingin ulit samin si Keily.

"I have a list here of names of people in this class, can I start with Keily San Pedro" halos nanigas yung buong katawan ko nung narinig ko yung pangalan ni Keily.

"Ha? hoy anudaw?" natataranta siyang tumayo.

"Deputiks, one down two to go" napatago ng mukha si Ella.

"Uy nafirst blood siya hahaha" mahin kong sabi para asarin si Keily na haltang kinakabahan.

"So since we're just starting, gusto ko lang magtanong ng subjective questions.."

I started to read my book baka kasi biglang scam yung subjective ni ma'am e.

"Why do you want to be a doctor Ms. San Pedro?"

"Uhmm, first it was a childish dream but then became something I would like to make my family proud of.." she half laughed.

"Who am I kidding, nasa Pilipinas tayo, if not doctor, nurse, if not, lawyer.." she smiled proudly.

"But as of now, my main reason is completing myself, I realized na mahihirapan ako in this path but then again I can't see myself na hindi doctor pagtanda, helping people the best way I can dahil sa pinag aralan ko.."

She smiled sweetly.

"Plus I know I'll look good in that white coat ma'am" she pointed sa suot nung prof.

"Well, okay.. I really do hope ganyan parin ang confidence mo in the next years of med school ms. San Pedro, be seated."

"Ewan ko kung tinatakot tayo ni ma'am pero takot na ako" bulong ni Keily pagupo.

We chuckled.

"So.. Mr. Lance Isaac Gonzales, what makes a good doctor for you?"

All eyes were on Lance now, he stood up confidently putting his ballpen down before smiling.

Smiley face ba talaga siya. He looks serious kasi e.

"A good doctor requires a lot of traits, compassion, empathy, skilled.." he enumerated.

"We enter this path with the thought of wanting to help people, but is helping people enough to call us good doctors and are we helping people to be called doctors or are we doctors who the people need?" he sounded confident and straight forward.

"What do you mean Mr. Gonzales?" ma'am asked with a questionable look.

"You know it all too well ma'am, doctors have good.. good salaries"

"And what do you imply by that?" the prof seems pissed already wala pa namang pinapatamaan si Lance.

He smiled widely with raised eyebrows.

"Well, it's that good doctors think the latter, it's our duty and service to do so. A doctor must not only be determined, but passionate and motivated. Selfless beings who will never get tired of the word sacrifice.."

His expression changed to serious.

"And a good doctor never just does it for the money" he sat down right after he finished his statement.

"Good point Mr. Gonzales"

He rolled his eyes.

"Atapang naman si kuya" bulong ni Ella.

"Oo nga ih, pogi talaga" kilig na singit ni Keily.

I rolled my eyes sakanilang dalawa bago nakinig nalang.

"Malapit na ako babe"

Binasa ko ulit yung text ni Jake for the fourth time.

Kanina pa kasi ako nagaantay, susunduin niya daw ako kaya nauna na sina Ella at Keily after ng last class namin.

I was sitting sa bench near our building just looking around.

"Hi babe" bati ni Jake after getting out of his car at sinalubong ako.

I smiled weakly.

He was about to kiss me sa labi when I turned my head away.

He scoffed before me to face him.

"Jake ano ba? pagod ako" tinanggal ko ang kamay niya sa pisngi ko.

He bit his lip, evident yung frustration sa mukha niya as he frowned.

As I was looking away, I caught a glimpse of some guy looking at us before looking away.

Nagulat nalang ako when si Jake yung nagadjust, he moved in front of me at hinalikan ako ng mabilis.

Wala naman akong nagawa kaya pumasok nalang ako sa kotse.

"So? anong plano mo ngayon?" I asked Jake, sanay na kasi akong pagkasundo niya sakin it's either pupunta kami sa bar or itritreat niya ako sa restaurant or somewhere else.

"Wala, ibababa nalang kita sa apartment mo babe babalik ako sa office ni dad" napapalagi ata yung paguusap nila ah, mukhang malapit ma talaga siyang mag take over sa businesses nila.

I'm not against it, atleast this way makakarest ako, magisa.

"Oh okay" I answered.

"But I'll try na dumaan late at night" he smirked at me.

I sighed, is it happening again?

~~~~~~~

uwu :/