"So, why did you take Nursing?"

Someone pulled a chair beside me. Everyone in this class were busy chitchatting. I just sighed—avoiding everyone's gaze.

"Simple," my seatmate replied, "To serve and to love my countrymen—the foreigners."

"Very practicalism, very bonggasionism!"

"Gaga! Syempre, para yumaman," sagot ulit ng isa, "Mas mabilis makapangibang-bansa kapag nurse eh."

My mind wandered a bit. Yeah. Totoo nga naman. Half of my classmates in Senior High took Nursing as well. The reason? First is abroad, then the salary in abroad.

So, why did I took Nursing?

Honestly, I really have no idea. I mean, well for practicality, iyon talaga ang in demand na profession sa ibang bansa, kahit dito na rin. I admit, I was also influenced by my friends to take this course—without giving much thought to whether I'd genuinely love it or if it truly suited my preferences. I just took this course.

"Kapag talaga mangibang-bansa ako, magpapatira ako sa Amerikano teh," a guy with a slightly curled hair chuckled.

"Gaga ka talaga 'yang bibig mo!" the girl shushed him. Saka sila nagtawanan, habang pasimpleng tumitig ang babae akin. She smiled. I just nodded in response.

We were strangers all right.

New school year, new classmates—yet nothing feels different. We were constantly changing sections every year kaya hindi na bago sa akin ang makaramdam nang ganito. I'm really not up to start the conversation first. I grew up like that, and I'm used to it. I know how to socialize, but putting up the courage to approach someone first? Huwag na lang.

Plus, it's really exhausting to get to know someone again.

"Hi! I think I know you. Section B, right?" the girl with a dimple approached me.

"Yes," I curtly replied. Wala talaga akong gana makipag-socialize kapag kakakilala ko lang. Sumasagot lang talaga ako kapag tinataning. But hey, I try my best not to look bored at least.

"Aerina Tan," her dimples showed again. She looked genuinely cheerful, not to mention a little loud.

Tipid akong ngumiti saka napatingin sa katabi nito na kausap niya kanina. The guy with a dark brown curly hair, and woah that height. It seems like I was only the same height as his waist. 'Yong gusto daw magpa-tira sa kano.

Natawa ako sa aking isipan.

"Hello ate, ang ganda mo naman," I was slightly stunned when he suddenly clinged his arms to me, "Friends na tayo, teh."

My mouth gaped.

"Tangina ka talaga Douglas, napaka-plastic mo. Nalaman mo lang na section B 'tong si Luna eh."

Hinigpitan naman ni Douglas ang hawak sa akin. I almost tripped from my spot.

"Syempre, I'm just practicalism and educatiable."

Agad naman akong binalingan ni Aerina, "Luna, 'wag mo ng subukang intidihin mag-english 'to ha. Nag-iimbento kasi eh."

"Anong imbento?" Douglas scoffed, "Palibhasa wala kang accent pag um-english!"

Tinignan ako ulit ni Aerina saka siya tumawa ulit.

"'Yan, 'yan 'yong gusto ko eh," natatawang sambit ni Aerina, "'Yong may COPD sa kaka-english."

"Aba gagang 'to, at least ako hindi mukhang may COPD!"

I slightly chuckled. Well, maybe it's not bad to have new friends again. I was just too attached with my friends last year. Noong second year ako, I was with my best friend since high school at ngayong third year lang kami nagkahiwalay. Actually my second year of nursing school was the best year for me. There were a lot of great memories. . .

But, truthfully speaking, if you really have decided to take the Nursing course, you should know how to adjust in your environment. Kahit pa na magkaiba kayo ng section ng friends mo, which I was doing right now, you really need to learn how to adjust. Since, if you're going to work in the field someday, you can't decide who's going to be your colleagues.

Napailing na lamang ako sa naisip.

"Lunaire," I smiled genuinely. They're going to be part of my third year life, might as well take the effort to get to know them more.

"Pak, gandara ng name. Amoy aircon. Kamusta na lang kaya 'yong sa'kin?" napanguso si Douglas.

"Bagay sayo teh, Douglas. Dog for short." Aerina chuckled.

Pumalakpak si Douglas, "Sabagay, ikaw rin teh, bagay sa'yo 'yong dog."

"Anong dog?!" reklamo ni Aerina.

"Dog-yot."

I couldn't contain and laughed with them. Siraulo talaga 'tong si Douglas.

I checked my phone and it seems our Clinical Instructor in Research is getting late. Actually, it's still the first day of school, kaya okay lang kapag hindi on-time pumasok. Orientation pa lang naman ang activity namin ngayon. Usually, one week orientation phase, then the following week na talaga officially mags-start ang klase.

Aerina and Douglas shifted their discussion to a different topic. More like, nagtatanungan na naman ang mga ito sa mga naging naka-relasyon nila.

Aerina mentioned a lot of guys who ghosted her or guys who cheated on her and the things she's done for her relationships. Salungat naman kay Douglas na puro flings that didn't even lasted for months.

These two are total contrasts.

"Binigay ko lahat ng luho, tapos, niloko ako teh!" reklamo ni Aerina. Kaagad naman siyang binatukan ni Douglas.

"Kaya kita gine-gate-keep maging kaibigan," ngumiti si Douglas, "Kasi ang tanga-tanga mo, gaga."

I chuckled lowly.

"Eh, sa mahal ko kasi!" Aerina laughed, "Nabo-bobo kasi ako pag nagmamahal ako."

"Ayan, tapos mauubos 'tong salivaness ko kaka-advise, tapos paglipas lang ng ilang minutes of meeting tangina nag-boombayah ulit sa ex."

"Gaga ka 'wag mo naman akong i-expose!"

Nagpatuloy sa pagbabangayan ang dalawa, napailing na lamang ako sa kwentuhan nila.

I also had my fair share of ex-lovers. I admit, I'm really not mature enough to handle one. I still have a lot to learn. And being in nursing school? Malabo na talaga pumasok ako sa isang relasyon ulit.

Toxic na nga 'tong course ko, magiging toxic pa ako. I don't want to burden myself enough. I had enough of relationships already.

Gosh, I sound so bitter.

"How about you, Luna? Ilang exes na ba ang meron ka?" natigilan ako sa tanong ni Aeri.

My smile faltered.

As if on cue, my phone beeped. It was Rio—my best friend. Inaaya akong mag-canteen kasi wala silang klase. I was also feeling a bit hungry, saka nakita ko rin naman na 'yong iba sa amin ay nag-cut, kasi nga first day pa lang naman.

And one more thing. Ayokong pinag-uusapan 'yong past.

It's a past for a reason 'no.

"Hey, sorry. Nag-message kasi ang friend ko, kakain muna kami." I smiled apologetically at the both of them.

"Ay sige go lang teh," I immediately hurled up my things saka nagpatuloy mag-kwentuhan ang dalawa.

Douglas reminded me to be back early at baka daw magpakita ang CI namin. Um-oo naman ako. I'm not a grade conscious student pero gusto ko rin naman makilala mga CI's ko—if they're terrors or not.

Believe me. Kapag sa terror na CI ka talaga bumagsak, practice to pray and study everyday. Naalala ko kasi n'ong first year ko, sa terror na CI talaga ako bumagsak, but luckily I survived. Tamang dasal lang talaga ang puhunan, saka labas sa kabilang tenga.

Nang makalabas ako ng room ay kaagad namang hinanap ng mga mata ko ang classroom nila Rionelle. Actually, she's from section E while I'm from section B now. Nasa third floor ng Nursing building ang classrooms namin na third years at hindi rin ganoon kalayo ang classroom ko sa classroom nila.

I called her in messenger, mas mabilis din kasi kapag kausap ko siya sa call.

"Hi Luna!" Agad akong binati ng classmate ko last year, I immediately smiled in response.

"Hi," I greeted back.

She asked for my section and my Clinical Instructors. I did the same as well. I really liked my classmates back then. Madali kasi silang pakisamahan and we really treated each other like family. I don't know pero masasabi ko talagang I had the best section during second year.

Except—nevermind.

Iyon lang.

"Una muna ako ha? May orientation pa kasi kami sa MedSurg," she exclaimed.

"Good luck, it was nice seeing you." I beamed. Kumaway ulit siya bago umalis. Binalik ko naman ang atensyon sa paghahanap sa classroom ni Rio. I was still a few meters away from my room.

Our classrooms were arranged alphabeticaly hanggang section H. Truth to be told, yearly, may isang section talaga ang nadi-dissolve sa'min. Originally, during our first year, na sa ten sections kami. Ngayong third year, six sections na lang ang natitira. Tatlong sections talaga ang nawala last year. Some shifted to other courses—some failed and had to re-take the semester.

My eyes wandered at the busy hallway. Some rooms were still a bit empty. Wala rin 'yong ibang Clinical Instructors sa ibang sections.

Napadpad ako sa room ng section E. I scanned for Rio's presence ngunit wala siya r'on. She's not even responding to my messages and calls.

I decided to go at the nearest comfort room in our floor, malapit sa section A. Wala pa naman si Rio, and I really need to retouch.

I just re-applied my lipstick and powder. Inayos ko rin ang pagka-bun ng buhok ko. Surely, orientation lang namin ngayon pero kailangan talaga naka-ayos 'yong mga buhok namin. It should be neat and tidy which is one of the things I've learned as a student nurse. Pwedeng mag make up, basta light make up lang, as long as you look simple and presentable. Saka dapat naka-gel or naka-sleek stick 'yong buhok para malinis tingnan.

I adjusted my glasses as I turned into my reflection. When I was satisfied, agad na akong lumbas ng CR.

"Luna!"

I turned my head to see Rionelle—together with some of our classmates from second year. Pati 'yong mga RLE groupmates ko nandito rin.

"Girl!" Rio nudged me, "Nakita ko ex mo!" she lowered her voice.

Nagulat ako sa sinabi nito. My feet suddenly grew cold as I scanned the surroundings—searching for something, or rather, someone.

I just realized we are near section A's room. Agad akong napamura sa isipan.

Shit talaga, Luna.

He was still in section A, for god's sake. How could I possibly forget?

Thank god, we're not classmates anymore.

"Gago, binati niya ako, ini-snob ko talaga siya for you!" Humalakhak si Rionelle, habang nanlalamig na ako.

"N-Nasaan siya?" Agad ko siyang hinigit papuntang CR. May gana pa akong tawanan nito.

"Kalma lang girl! N'ong nag CR ka kanina, nag-CR din siya. Hindi mo ba nakita?"

Thank god really.

Umiling ako, saka siya natawa ulit.

"Umiiwas ka pa rin ba? Magfo-four months na kayong wala, ah?"

Natahimik ako. I just couldn't face him. Naiilang ako, and it's normal to feel that way after break ups. Wala rin naman kaming dapat pag-usapan pa. Case closed.

I already ended it. We're just done.

Hindi ako bitter, sadyang tapos na talaga kami.

"Akala ko kayo na talaga eh, ang healthy kaya ng relationship niyo tapos sobrang bagay niyo."

I smiled a bit.

I remembered I was really stupid enough to stalk him after break up. All of his socials. Even his section and schedule this year hindi ko pinalampas.

Nasasaktan lang ako kapag naiisip ko 'yon.

"Nag-regret ka 'no?" Rio asked, which made me laugh.

Kaagad na nahagilap ng mga mata ko ang taong iniiwasan ko mula kanina. He's... with his new friends, as they started to enter their classroom. He was laughing with them, looking happy.

Parang walang sinaktan, ah?

I mentally scoffed.

"I would—never," I gritted my teeth.

Memories flooded my head—realizing the pain and betrayal already consumed me.

•••