The successful examinees who garnered the ten (10) highest places in the Philippine Nurses Licensure Examination are the following:

4. AMELIE THERESE SEVILLENO - ST. LOUIS UNIVERSITY - 92.00

I let out a sigh of relief. And then followed by another. And another. And another. Until the sighs turned to sobs and tears.

Ako:
Congratulations to my top-notcher girlfriend! You did it. RN ka na! I love you!

I spent hours of looking at the PNLE results. Nasa balkonahe ako ng kwarto. I looked up to the stars and imagined Amelie looking at them too.

Thank you, Lord.

Amelie:
Thank you, love. Nasa simbahan ako po. I can't believe it. I love you so much.

Ako:
I'm looking at the stars right now.

Amelie:
Me too. I'm outside. Nagsindi ako ng kandila.

Ako:
We should celebrate it.

Dumaan ang ilang minuto ngunit walang reply mula kay Amelie.

Ako:
Or I guess your family will celebrate it? I love you, Amelie.

Walang reply ulit mula kay Amelie. Huminga ako ng malalim at nag-type ng panibagong mensahe.

Ako:
Congratulations again, my love. I'm beyond proud. Tell me when you're free so we can celebrate your success. I love you.

Napasandal ako sa upuan. Ramdam ko ang lamig ng hangin. Kung nandito lang si Amelie panigurado naglalambingan na kami ngayon.

Amelie, when are you coming to visit your boyfriend?

Lumbay na lumbay na ako rito. Gusto ko na mahawakan at mahalikan ang isang Amelie Sevilleno. Dakilang Ama, sana ibigay ang aking kahilingan.

As expected, their family celebrated her success. Few of their relatives came to their house to celebrate, too. At ang iba na nasa ibang bansa ay greetings nalang ang binigay.

I am scrolling through the photos Amelie posted two hours ago. Malalim na ang gabi pero nandito pa rin ako't tinitingnan at nil-like lahat ng pictures niya. Amelie looked so happy. And she's glowing too. Baka kasi girlfriend ko.

Hindi available si Amelie kinabukasan. May biglaang lakad sila ng family niya. It did hurt when she said she doesn't know when will they be back. Sinama nalang sana ako. Magiging in-law din naman ako.

Ako:
Alright. Take care, my silly girl.

Amelie:
I miss you. Sinabihan ko si Mama na hindi nalang sasama pero nagalit. Palagi nalang daw ako boyfriend.

Ako:
E di asawahin mo ako para masabi niya na palagi nalang asawa.

Amelie:
Sira ka! But I really miss you, love love.

I stared at the small black box at my study table. Hinawakan ko iyon at napangiti na lamang sa naisip.

Ako:
I miss you too. I can't wait to see you when you come back.

Para hindi mabored ay umuwi ako sa bahay. The condo's too peaceful and I would most likely go crazy of loneliness.

"Going strong pa rin ang relasyon ni kuya. Sana ako naman. Sana lucky year ko na next year," Keeno said.

"Ber-months pa, tanga. Walang lucky year pagdating sa 'yo. Malas ka kasi." Si Krono.

"Ikaw ang nagdadala ng malas sa buhay ko. Tumabi ka, dadaan ako."

"Tang–"

I shot Krono a glare before he could even finish what he's about to say. They looked at each other and started chasing each other's asses. Napailing nalang ako sa dismaya.

"Isa..."

The two of them eventually stopped. Nagsisihan pa bago lumabas. I heaved a sigh and stared at my phone blankly. Amelie haven't messaged me today. It's been a one hell of a boring week.

"Oh? Ang aga pa, Kithian. Why are you up so early?" Mom, who just woke up, asked in confusion.

"The silence is too loud in my room."

Ngumiti si mommy at dumiretso sa kitchen. I followed her there.

"You miss your girlfriend, don't you?"

I nodded. Sobra-sobra.

"It's good that they're having a family vacation. Your girlfriend is so smart, dear. You picked the right girl, huh."

Ngumiti ako at muling tumango. Amelie is the perfect girl for me. At oo, naniniwala ako na siya na talaga ang babaeng nakalaan para sa akin.

"I can say that my heart was led by the Lord."

"Amelie's such a nice girl."

I spent the days hanging around the house. Paminsan-minsan ay may nilalakad para sa trabaho. I have a permanent work now. At iyong trabaho ko sa café, binitawan ko na para may ibang estudyante na makakuha ng posisyon.

I still visit the café sometimes though. They did gave me a good salary.

I texted Amelie later that day to let her know about the recent updates of my work.

Ako:
Hello, my love. I miss you so much. I'll be flying to Cebu next week. Not for vacation though haha. I miss you. I love you.

Amelie:
Oh my! Hi, love loveeee. We'll probably return home next week! Magkakasalisi tayo?

Next to it was a crying emoji. Marahan akong natawa.

Ako:
Baka magkita tayo sa airport haha. Please come back home to me, my love.

Amelie:
I wish I could. Safe flights then, my captain.

Ako:
First officer pa, love. But I'll surely work my way there.

Napatulala ako sa kawalan. I'll work to provide for our future family. We've talked about our future plans already. It's time for me to make a move.

I still have time. I'm doubtful with Amelie's parents because frankly saying, I feel like they don't like me for her. But who cares? I will make everything in our life possible just so we could end with each other. So we could have our happily every after.

"Ngumingisi ka na diyan, kuya."

Napabikwas ako ng bangon nang marinig ang boses na 'yon.

"What the– how the heck did you get in here?"

"Your door's not locked. Manghihiram ako ng damit."

Krono freely opened my closet and rummaged through my things. Wala na akong magagawa kaya hinayaan ko nalang. Besides, I'm too occupied with the things running in my head.

"We're going to church tomorrow at ten in the morning. Pinapaalala ni mommy, baka kasi makalimutan mo kakaisip kay Amelie. Thanks for the shirt, by the way."

I bit my lower lip, completely pissed. I won't forget. Manghihingi na rin ako ng blessing kay Lord bukas. And then I'll start planning.

I woke up early the next day. I told Amelie I'm going to church today. She hasn't answered yet so to buy her time, I went to the shower. Pagbalik ko ay wala pa ring reply.

"Good morning, Kithian."

"Morning, mom. What's for breakfast today?"

"The usual. Kumakain ka ba ng maayos sa condo mo?"

Agad akong tumango. I cook well for Amelie and I. During weekdays, I cook whatever's left in the fridge. Nagg-grocery lang ako tuwing weekends kasama ang girlfriend ko. She knows what's best for me.

"Get ready to go after eating your breakfast. May dadaanan pa tayo mamaya."

Tumunog ang cellphone ko. Nang dungawin ko iyon ay si Amelie pala.