Song: Better- ZAYN 

Breakfast

I was so focused while Lucas was touring us around the hospital. Kahit na kabisado na ang pasikot-sikot dito ay talagang nakikinig ako sakanya.

Every time he'll give us some trivia—whether it's about when this hospital was built or who's the owner—I tried my best to look interested even though I am aware about it already.

"So, this is the on-call room," Lucas opened the door for us. Si Carmela ang unang sumilip doon. "You are free to use this every time you want to take a rest. Just make sure you'll wake up when there's an emergency."

I giggled because of that. Napabaling naman sila ng tingin sa akin, nag-tataka kung bakit ako tumawa. My co-interns all raised their brow at me. Tinikom ko nalang ang bibig ko at nakisilip nalang rin sa loob ng on-call room gaya ng ginagawa ni Carmela.

Hindi nga naman nagbibiro si Lucas kaya anong tinatawa-tawa ko?

"I wonder kung nangyayari din dito 'yung nangyayari sa on-call room ng Grey's Anatomy." Carmela whispered meaningfully in my ear.

I shushed her, hoping that no one heard her say it. Seriously? May time pa talaga siyang isipin ang tungkol doon?

But I don't think that happens around here. The walls aren't soundproof kaya kung may gagawin mang kababalaghan dito ang ibang staff, tiyak na may makakarinig sakanila.

At isa pa, sino ba naman ang gugustohin na makarinig ng mga nagchuchukchakan diba?

Lucas toured us next towards the surgery rooms. We even saw some live action going on inside one of the surgery rooms because there's an on-going orthopedic surgery.

When Lucas finished touring us around the hospital, we stopped by the nurses' station so he can hand us our pagers.

"Just a few reminders before you go," Lucas started.

I was the first one to pay attention to him so I felt proud. Napansin niya rin ata iyon kaya mas lalo akong napangiti.

"If you received a 911 page, always... always remember to page me first. Don't handle the patient alone. You need my or any attending's supervision. Remember, you are still an intern. You still have so much to learn. And if you have questions, don't hesitate to ask me. That's the reason I'm here. I'm here to teach you things that you still don't know."

I wanted to cheer him on at that moment. Nakakamangha lang dahil kitang-kita ko sa mga mata niya na gustong-gusto niya talaga 'tong ginagawa niya. At bagay na bagay rin sakanya ang propesyon niyang ito.

I feel like a proud mother. Akala mo ako iyong nagpaaral sakanya para makaramdam ng ganito, e.

Kinurot naman ni Carmela ang tagiliran ko nang makita niyang nakangiti ako habang pinakikinggan si Lucas. I glared at her.

"Aw!" I hissed.

"You're too obvious! 'Yung iba nating kasama halos walang reaksyon, ikaw lang 'tong nakangiti."

"Well..." I trailed off. I was about to open my mouth when suddenly Lucas called our attention.

"Ms. Donovan and Ms. Patricio, you want to share something?"

My co-intern's heads immediately turned to us. All of them were giving us this questioning look, probably wondering what Carmela and I were doing.

Unang araw palang, napagalitan agad!

"Oh! Nothing, Doc. We're good." I answered for the both of us.

Ngumiti ako at patagong sinipa si Carmela nang akmang bubulong pa sana siya ulit sa akin. Tumango nalang si Lucas at inayos ang suot na salamin. He checked something from his board folder. Kasabay naman noon ay ang pagtunog ng kanyang pager.

Tiningnan niya iyon at agad na napabuntong hininga nang makita ang page sakanya.

"I've got an emergency. Just be sure to be here at 8. Don't be late! It's not good to make bad impression on your first day." Aniya.

Nagkatinginan kami ng sandali bago siya tuluyang tumakbo patungo doon sa emergency. Si Carmela, agad akong nilingon.

"Sigurado akong mas maaga pa sa 8, nandito ka na."

Mapangasar akong ngumuso at nagkibit ng balikat. She knows me too well. She knows that I'm going to do anything to keep my crush impressed by me.

"Kung pwede lang dito na rin ako matulog, e." Biro ko.

Suminghap naman si Carmela at manghang napailing nalang ng ulo. We started chuckling. Sabay na sana kaming lalayo mula sa nurses' station nang biglang sumulpot sa harap namin ang isang co-intern.

Carmela and I were both surprised. The guy's mouth parted.

"Oh! I'm sorry, I didn't mean to startle you. I just want to introduce myself. I'm Alex... Alex Reyes."

He extended his hand to me. Nakita kong tinitigan ni Carmela iyon bago iangat ang tingin sakanya. Ako ang naunang tumanggap ng kamay niya.

"Hi! Nice to meet you. I'm Felicity Donovan. But you can just call me Fel."

I smiled and shook his hand. Alex squinted his eyes a bit, as if my name rings a bell.

"Donovan? So, you must be the owner of this hospital huh?"

"Uh, my brother actually. Not me," I chuckled lightly. "I'm basically just one of his employees now."

Alex smiled and turned to Carmela next. Hindi pa inaabot ni Alex ang kamay niya ay nauna nang iabot ni Carmela ang kanya.

"Carmela Patricio."

I scoff. Hmm... I can sense that she's interested with this guy. Hay nako, Carmela! Sa PGI-ship pa talaga lumandi!

"Nice to meet you."

Sunod na nagpakilala ang iba pa naming kasama. The other two were older than us, siguro late na rin nag-simulang pumasok ng medschool. That's not a problem though. Life is not a race and you can still achieve your dreams at your own pace.

"Buti at dito niyo naisipan mag-apply for PGI?" sabi ko.

"Well, we've heard a lot from this hospital. Bukod sa magagaling ang mga doktor, may pakiramdam din talaga ako na marami akong matututunan dito." Ani Yen, isa sa mga co-interns namin.

I smiled to myself. Kung nabubuhay pa siguro ang Lolo't Lola ko, sigurado akong matutuwa sila kapag narinig nila 'to. They poured all their hard works for this. At nakakatuwa dahil maganda ang naging bunga ng pinaghirapan nila.

Sino din naman ang mag-aakala na dadating ang oras na dito magtatrabaho ang mga apo nila? Ang isa pa'y namana ito at pinaganda lalo ang naging takbo.

Nang matapos magpaalam sa isa't isa ay dumaan muna ako sa opisina ni Kuya Gio para kunin ang iniwan kong gamit kanina. I wonder if he's going to come home with me. O baka may puntahan pa siya at asikasuhin 'yung hotel na pinapatayo niya para kay Ate Zaj?

I don't know. Maybe I should just text Kuya Dom to pick me up. But then maybe he's busy with Serena... nakakahiya naman kung mang-iistorbo pa ako.

I sighed heavily as I wait for the elevator to reach Kuya Gio's office. Ang hirap naman kapag ikaw nalang ang natitirang walang partner sa pamilya. Maybe I should get myself a boyfriend?

Ligawan ko na kaya si Lucas? Hmm... just kidding!

Binati ako ng sekretarya ni Kuya Gio nang makita niyang patungo ako doon. I smiled at her.

"Hi, Fel! Nice to see you again!"

"Nice to see you too, Irish!" bati ko habang habang binubuksan ang pinto ng opisina ni Kuya Gio.

Once I got inside his office, I saw him already preparing to leave.

"Oh! Just in time, Fel! Sabay ka na sa akin. Mom organized a dinner for us tonight. Everyone's going to be there."

"Oh, really? Everyone? Tapos na ba ang shift ni Ate Margaux?"

"I don't know with her. Ang sabi niya makakapunta daw siya."

Hindi na ako nagtanong pa at nagkibit nalang ng balikat. Maybe she asked someone to cover her shift for her.

Nang makuha ko na ang gamit ko ay agad na akong sumunod kay Kuya Gio. Ang sabi niya dadaanan niya lang daw saglit ang pamilya niya bago kami dumiretso ng bahay. So, when we arrived at their home, I moved to the backseat to let Ate Zaj take the shotgun.

"Hi, Fel!" bati niya sabay nakipagbeso sa akin.

"Hi!" I greeted back. Nginitian ko naman si Steven na nakaupo sa kandungan niya. "Hello there, cutie!"

I pinched his cheek and he giggled a bit. Sunod ko namang binati si Giovanni na naupo sa tabi ko at agad na pinagmayabang sa akin ang drawing niyang robot. I praised him for it because I can see that he has a talent with arts.

Nang makarating kami sa bahay ay naabutan namin si Serena at Mama na nag-aayos ng hapag. Sabay silang napabaling ng tingin sa amin nang marinig nila kaming pumasok.

"Hi, Mom!" I greeted happily and kissed her cheek. Sunod kong binati si Serena.

"How was your orientation? Saan ang una mong rotation bukas?" tanong ni Mommy.

"Pediatrics. And my orientation went super well, Mom!"

Medyo nagtaka pa ata siya sa naging tono ko dahil napakunot ang noo niya. Pero agad rin namang napawi iyon nang ngitian ko siya.

"Dominic, please be useful for once! 'Di puro lamon ka lang nang lamon diyan!" narinig kong pang-aasar ni Kuya Gio nang makapasok na rin siya ng bahay.

"Wow ha! Kita niyo 'yon, kids? Ganyan kasama ugali ng Papa niyo." ani Kuya Dominic na agad binaba ang hawak na cellphone upang batiin ang mga bagong dating.

Humalakhak silang dalawa at nagbatian na rin. Kuya Dom carried Giovanni to play with him. Pinagmayabang niya rin ang drawing dito. I went to them to greet him as well.

"Hi, Kuya!"

"What's up, Fel?" pinasadahan ako ng tingin ni Kuya Dom bago naningkit ang kanyang mga mata. "You seem to be in a good mood."

I smirked. "You wouldn't believe what happened today."

Umayos siya ng tayo. Kung kanina, nakay Giovanni pa ang atensyon niya. Ngayon, nasa akin na. I waved my hand to dismiss him.

"I'll save it for dinner. Magpapalit lang ako ng damit."

He hissed and shake his head. Hay naku! Kapag siguro nalaman niya na under ako ng supervision ni Lucas, maniniwala na 'to na may pag-asa kami.

After I changed into a more comfortable clothing, I went downstairs to join them for dinner. I was surprised when I saw that Kuya Jaxon and his family arrived! I didn't know he's going to come home today! He was one week late for my graduation party!

He was busy greeting everyone when I went to greet him.

"Kuya Jax! 'Di sinabi ni Ate Margaux na uuwi ka ngayon." Salubong ko sakanya.

Nilingon niya ako upang bumati at yumakap. "Yeah, biglaan lang din. And congrats on your graduation! I heard you're going to have your internship at Gio's hospital?"

"Yes. Naikwento na pala sa'yo agad ni Ate."

He scoffed. "I'm her walking diary."

We both chuckled. Nakita ko naman si Ate Margaux na kakapasok lang dito sa dining area. Mukhang nagpalit ng damit at inayusan si George.

"Anyway, I gave my gift for you to your Ate. Ang sabi niya kasi siya na ang bahala na magbigay sa'yo. Ask it from her after dinner."

Pabiro ko siyang pinanliitan ng mata. "Hmm... anong regalo kaya 'yan, Kuya? Baka naman buhangin ng Syria ang dala mo."

He laughed at my ridiculous joke. Umiling siya at sinabi sa akin na dito na niya nabili iyong regalo niya para sa akin.

Our dinner immediately started after that. Kuya Gio has been talking about the construction of their hotel non-stop. He was really amazed with how Ate Kelsey designed the building and how Kuya Benj was so hands-on with the construction.

Si Kuya Dom naman, panay ang kwento tungkol sa distillery niya. It's amazing how his brand is already being recognized internationally. Siguro nakatulong din nang si Serena na ang naging brand ambassador niya.

Sobrang goals nga nila nung launch ng bagong product ang distillery ni Kuya. Imagine the both of them supporting each other's career. I think Kuya Dominic really is in his happiest whenever when he's with Serena. I'm really glad they found each other.

Si Ate Margaux, ayun at pagod daw sa dami ng ginawa kanina. Pero kahit na gano'n ay nakuha niya paring puntahan si Kuya Jaxon para salubungin ito sa pagbalik niya.

"How about you, Fel? How did your day go?" tanong ni Kuya Gio.

Agad naman akong nag-angat ng tingin nang tanungin niya iyon. I smiled and fixed my posture as I get myself ready to tell them how happy my day went.

"It was... amazing." I said too enthusiastically.

Nang dahil sa tono kong iyon ay kuryoso silang lahat na napabaling ng tingin sa akin. All eyes and ears are on me now, handa nang makinig sa akin.

"They gave us our group assignments today and our first rotation tomorrow is in pediatrics which super exciting because you know I love kids," Kuya Gio scoffs because of that. "I'm so glad because I'm in the same group as Carmela so we'll still be together all the time. And guess who's supervision I'm under?"

Their foreheads creased.

"Who?" tanong nilang lahat.

"Lucas!" I giggled.

Napuno ng bulungan ang hapag nang sinabi ko iyon. I saw my father shaking his head while drinking his water. Si Mommy natatawa nalang. They are aware of my feelings with Lucas so it's not a big deal with them.

"Ay sus!" si Ate Margaux na bahagyang tumawa at umiling.

Si Kuya Dom naman lumapit pa kay Kuya Gio para may ibulong. Ang noo ko naman ang kumunot nang marinig ko ang malakas na pagtawa ni Kuya Gio.

"What?" I asked curiously.

"Too bad, Fel. That's the nearest thing you'll get to be under him." sabi ni Kuya Dom.

My jaw dropped at his ridiculous joke. Nagtawanan naman sila sa sinabi niya. I almost threw my table napkin at him. I can't believe he just said that! May mga bata dito oh!

"Ugh! You're so annoying, Kuya!"

And the dinner ended with him getting on my nerves.

I woke up so early the next day. Pagbangon ko, agad akong dumiretso ng banyo para makapag-ayos na. I know our call time is at 8 but it's better if I'll arrive earlier than that. Sinabi din ni Carmela na maaga siya kaya baka sa ospital nalang din kami kumain ng breakfast.

After I got ready, I asked Kuya Dominic to drop me off to the hospital. Mabuti nga at gising na siya noong bumaba ako kaya mayroong maghahatid sa akin. Mukhang may lakad ata sila ni Serena ngayon.

"Ano ba 'yan, Fel! Wala pa akong ligo!" reklamo niya pagkatapos niyang patunugin ang sasakyan niya.

"Bakit? Ihahatid mo lang naman ako ah? Di ka naman bababa at wala namang aamoy sa'yo."

"Tss... kahit na. Sabog-sabog pa ko oh!"

I sneered and just pusher him inside his car.

We decided to grab coffee while we were on our way. May shoot pala si Serena ngayon kaya siguro maaga din gumising si Kuya para samahan siya. I seriously need to stop bothering everyone in our house para lang magpahatid at sundo.

I'm just not really used to driving alone yet. Kung may magdadrive man, palaging may kasama para mag-gabay. Siguro baka oras na din 'to para sanayin ko ang sarili ko. We don't have a driver anymore dahil sabi ni Dad, hindi na daw kailangan dahil sanay na naman na daw kaming lahat na magmaneho.

"Bye, Kuya! Thanks for dropping me off!" I said and kissed his cheek. I grabbed my bag from the back seat before I went out of his car.

"Baka naman ibang bagay ang atupagin mo ha? Just because you're under that Lucas guy's supervision doesn't mean you will focus on other things, Fel! Baka imbes na sa pasyente nakatuon atensyon mo, sa kanya ka nakatingin!"

Why does he sound like he's so stressed out? At anong tingin niya sa akin? Irresponsible?

"Ewan ko sa'yo!"

I shut his door and went inside the hospital.

I texted Carmela that I already arrived. Sa cafeteria ko nalang siya hihintayin. I arrived earlier than my call time so I guess after eating my breakfast, I can check some of the clerks.

Who would've thought? Parang dati lang, kami ang nasa pwesto nila. Ngayon isa na kami sa gagabay sakanila. I've been through what they are going through right now so the best that I can do is to check and help them from time to time.

Carmela arrived after 5 minutes. Sabay na kaming kumuha ng pagkain. Pagbalik namin ng table napansin niya ang Starbucks paper bag sa tabi ko.

"Is that for me?" turo niya.

"Oh! Uhm, next time na 'yung sa'yo."

Nanliit ang mga mata niya, mukhang may pinanghihinalaan na kung para kanino iyon. Well, I just thought of giving him some... food and coffee that can help him get energized as he continue with his duty.

I know it's unnecessary but I just want to be... thoughtful.

Parehas kaming nabigla ni Carmela nang sabayan kami ng co-interns namin. I smiled and greeted them. I moved a bit to give space for the others.

"I guess we're the earliest ones here huh?" ani Alex sabay ngumisi.

"That's what responsible people do. Come early to work." Sagot naman ni Carmela sabay baling sa akin. She raised a brow and winked at me.

Alex must've noticed that so he smirked even more. Sumulyap siya bahagya kay Carmela bago ibinaling ang tingin kay Yen na nagsimula na ng usapan ngayon.

How come Carmela is so good at this? Whenever we're in the club, she never fails to grab a guy! Magugulat nalang ako may sinasama na siyang lalaki sa table namin! She doesn't even lift a finger and yet men will automatically flock on her.

Meanwhile there's me... may nagkakagusto naman pero di rin nagtatagal. Maybe because they couldn't stand the fact that I prefer career over them. O di kaya, sadyang may iba lang talaga akong gusto kaya di ko rin sila nabibigyan ng pansin.

While finishing up my food, I saw Lucas enter the cafeteria and sat on the table beside us. He was on his phone, the reason why he didn't notice us. Kung hindi pa siguro siya binati ng mga kasama ko, baka wala na talaga siyang pakealam sa paligid.

He smiled at us. Saglit na nagtama ang tingin namin bago niya ulit ibaling ang tingin sa kanyang telepono.

Carmela kicked me under the table. I creased my forehead and gave her a questioning look.

"What?" I hissed.

Tinuro niya ang paper bag ng Starbucks sa tabi ko gamit ang kanyang nguso. Then I realized what she meant by that. Mukhang nandito si Lucas para kumain. This is the perfect time to give this to him!

I gulped the remaining food inside my mouth. Pinunasan ko muna ang aking bibig bago tumayo at lumapit kay Lucas. I could feel my co-intern's eyes on my back.

"Uh... hi!" I greeted.

Lucas stopped typing something on his phone to look at me. Nginitian ko siya.

"Hi. Good morning, Dr. Donovan." He greeted formally.

"I just wanted to give you this. I hope you don't mind."

Ipinakita ko sakanya ang paper bag na dala at inabot sakanya iyon. His mouth parted a bit. He's probaby not expecting me to give him something.

"It's also my way of thanking you for coming to my graduation party despite your busy schedule." palusot ko.

Maybe he already finds it weird that I'm out here sponsoring him a breakfast! I need to save face!

"Oh... okay. You didn't have to."

I chuckled. He looks a bit hesitant but in the end he still got it from my hand. Nilapag niya na ang pagkain sa lamesa.

"No, it's fine. Dumaan din naman kasi kami ng Kuya ko kanina kaya sinabay ko na."

Tumango siya. Nanatili naman akong nakatayo sa gilid niya. I was waiting for him to at least take a peek of what I got him but he didn't.

"Kain ka na," I pointed at the foods that I got for him. "Baka lumamig 'yung... kape."

"Ah, salamat. Pero hinihintay ko pa kasi si Demi, e. Kainin ko nalang pag dumating na siya."

Hindi ko nalang pinahalata sakanya na nagulat ako. I didn't want him to see it in a bad way so I kept my smile.

Wow! That one hurt. He was actually here to eat the breakfast that I gave him with another woman.

Okay lang... Okay lang naman. Sino ba ako para pigilan siya sa gusto niyang gawin?

"Ah... ok..." I trailed off. "Sige... uhm... una na ako."

Pagbalik ko ng lamesa namin, bulungan agad ng mga kasama ko ang narinig ko. They were asking me how it went but I was too ashamed to be here so I asked Carmela to stand up and leave with me.

"What happened?" Carmela asked, panicking.

Galit kong itinapon sa basurahan ang kapeng binili ko kanina.

It's just so weird that I'm acting like this even if I'm not in a relationship with him. I shouldn't claim him as my territory but I couldn't help it!

Gano'n na ata kalala ang pagkakagusto ko sakanya para umakto ako ng ganito. Maybe it's a bad idea that I decided to have my PGI-ship here. Masisira ang ulo ko sa tuwing makikita ko si Lucas kasama si Demi!

"Nothing. Tara na. Maghanda na tayo."

We will have a meeting with another doctor  before we start our rotation for today. Simula nang mangyari iyong kanina, bigla akong nawala sa mood.

Busangot lang akong nakikinig sa doktor habang nagsasalita siya. My co-interns are still so keen on knowing what happened and why I stormed out after I gave Lucas his breakfast.

But I wasn't in the mood to talk about it so I didn't entertain any of their questions.

Tapos na ang meeting nang pumasok si Lucas sa loob. Nang makita ko siya agad nalang akong nag-iwas ng tingin. I fixed my coat.

We didn't leave the room yet because maybe Lucas is here to assign something to us. Hinintay namin siyang matapos makipag-usap.

"Your crush looks full because of the breakfast you gave him." Alex whispered teasingly.

I sneered at him. "Shut up!"

He only chuckled and fixed his coat.

Nang matapos makipag-usap si Lucas, agad siyang dumiretso sa amin. I tried avoiding his gaze but it was so hard! Parang may magnet ata sa mata niya para mapatingin ako sakanya palagi.

At isa pa, ayoko ring isipin niya na nailang ako dahil lang sa nangyari kanina. Baka ma-turn off! Isipin nun nagtatampo ako agad, e, hindi pa naman kami.

Oo. May 'pa' kasi... malay mo naman diba?

"I'm glad that you are all complete and no one's late." he started. My co-interns chuckled but I didn't. "So, first things first..."

Lucas then proceeded on instructing us about our job for today. May inaassign siya sa OPD, mag-assist ng ibang pediatric doctors, at mag-check ng admitted patients.

Ako nalang ang natitirang wala pang nakaassign na gagawin at ineexpect ko na baka charts at paper works lang ang ipagawa pero mas nagulat ako nang banggitin niya ang magiging trabaho ko ngayong araw!

"And Dr. Donovan... you're with me today."