Two months passed and we have switched from community rotation to internal medicine. We're back to overnight duties in the hospital and have become more busy and tired. Add to that the stress that the upcoming comprehensive exam brings.
I just finished doing my last task and now I'm staring blankly into space after around 36 hours of duty, waiting for Andrei. It was a toxic night and so I had no sleep at all. I badly want to go home, wash up and sleep.
I almost jumped off my feet when my phone sent a notification. I checked my messenger and it's from Kurt who sent four photos of him. He's asking me to choose two photos that he will post on instagram.
'Why don't you just post all of them?'
Ever since he invited me over to his sister's unit, we've only seen each other once or twice. Our communication has been constant though. His drama has been doing good and he's been doing small projects in between. Good thing, my overnight fame has long been forgotten by the showbusiness world.. or at least I had not trended again after that incident. However, I still keep receiving messages from strangers - some are asking about Kurt, some are encouraging our non-existing relationship, and others threatening me if I ever dare steal Kurt from Lexi. There was even a time when I received flowers from his fans. That's when I found out a portion of his fandom has created a subfandom that supports Kurt and me. It's kind of crazy how these people's imagination could run wild, making stories as to what's going on between me and Kurt based on Kurt's whereabouts.
Now here's his weekly dose of having to choose photos to post online. He's required by his manager to post constantly but his posts has to be checked by the management first. I hardly recognize the differences of the photos he's sending me, sometimes I just randomly pick especially when I'm dead tired.
He replied: 'Choose 2.'
In those two months, I have learned that he's kind of the stubborn type of guy. Sometimes.. no most of the time... things must go his way.
'1st and last.'
Right after I sent it, he called me.
"What's up?" I asked.
"I'm near your hospital... really near. I'll pick you up. Do the vlog tonight with Kaye."
Of all the times possible why now? I closed my eyes in frustration.
These past two months, Kaye has been constantly reminding me about her vlog and during one of those toxic duty nights, I mistakenly said yes to her. Ever since, Kurt and I have been delaying it but I guess we ran out of reasons already.
"Tonight? I haven't slept for 36 hours, Kurt," I said. "Besides, I look awful."
"I'm sure you don't. You can just wash up first and put on light make up then finish the vlog really, realy fast."
I faked crying. I'm really, really tired I don't think my brain can still function for a question and answer type of vlog.
"Hey, I'm already here in front your hospital lobby. I bought us food. Let's just eat first and figure out how we can dodge the vlog, alright?"
I hang up. You see, her sister is as stubborn as him. One cannot say no to her or she'll pester you for life. I managed to stand to fix my stuff just as when Andrei came in.
"Alriiiight! I'm done," Andrei announced with hands up in the air. "Raya, you should have not waited for me."
I looked at him with serious eyes. "I didn't bring my car, you were supposed to drive me."
"Oh, right," he said laughing. He proceeded to fix his stuff as well.
"But it's fine. Kurt's going to pick me up." I wore my bag and started walking to the door.
"The actor is not on duty, huh?" He said following me.
"Apparently," I replied. I noticed that the elevator just arrived at our floor so I ran for it. Andrei quickly followed behind. The elevator was almost packed but we managed to squeeze ourselves in. We rode in silence; talk about elevator etiquette. When it opened to the lobby, we hurriedly went out.
Andrei walked beside me and put an arm over my shoulder. "Raya, what's the real deal between you and Kurt?"
I was surprised by Andrei's query since this is the first time he showed any interest about me and Kurt. "Huh? There's no real deal."
We continued walking as he held the door for me while his other arm was still around me. "Really?"
"Really. I'd tell you the deal if there is." Of course I'd tell him if something's going on with my life; he's my confidante afterall. Kurt's car is parked right in front the lobby. I looked at Andrei and pointed my chin towards the car's direction.
He tapped my shoulder twice and said, "Goodbye, munchkin. See you on Sunday." He started walking away, towards the parking lot.
"Goodbye, pumpkin!" I shouted so he could hear. He answered with a wave, without looking.
I pushed my feet to walk towards Kurt's car. Mustering what's left of my energy, I opened the door and hopped in.
"Hi," I greeted Kurt facing him so he could see how messsed up I look.
He answered with a smile, saying "You don't look tired at all. If I did not pick you up from the hospital I wouldn't think you were from a 30 something hours duty." Then he started driving.
I shifted my position so I can comfortably rest the side of my head on the headrest. Kurt stopped driving and reached across my side, grabbing my seatbelt and securing it. He settled back and started driving again.
My phone rang from my pocket. I reached for it with closed eyes and opened the right one a little so I can click the answer button.
"Kaye," I plainly greeted her.
"Rayaaaa! I'm so happy we're finally doing it tonight." She screamed from the other line.
"I'm so excited too," I summoned my sleeping spirit to say that statement as energetic as possible. "Can I go take a bath first at my unit then walk over to your place right after? I don't want to do the vlog at this state, your viewers might smell me."
"Just take a bath here. I don't trust you'll make it here alive.. I mean awake, if you go home. Alright? Bye!" Then she ended the call. See how stubborn these siblings are?
I sighed heavily and looked at Kurt, whose eyes were already on me. I closed my eyes to rest for a few minutes.
***
"Raya, we're here," Kurt said nudging me.
I moved my neck a little, then opened my eyes a little. I just had the worst type of sleep for us doctors. It's that kind where your sleep was so short, it only gave you a headache when you woke up, and you wish you had not slept at all.
Karl removed my seatbelt for me then grabbed some stuff from the backseat. I was still busy waking up the other parts of my body and soul when he went out of the car, closed his door and ran over to my side. He opened my door and waited for me to come out.
"Thank you," I said as I got out of the car, while massaging my neck.
I'm pretty sure I half-asleep walked to the elevator because when I opened my eyes, we were already in front of their unit.
I grabbed Kurt's arm before he could open the door's lock. "Hey, I really want to wash up to wake up my senses. I have undies, just let me borrow clothes okay?" I released his arm.
He opened the door and Kaye was sitting on her study area. She turned her head towards us and gave us a big smile. Kurt put his stuff... which is food on the dining table.
"Rayaaaa!" Kaye approached me with wide arms.
I took a step back and shook my head. "You don't want to touch me I just came from the hospital. I'll take a bath first," I said as nicely as I could.
Kurt approached her in my place and hugged her. Kaye was happy to receive his brother's hug. Kurt then walked toward the closet.
"Alright, so let's start right away after you take a bath. I think it would be nice for the vlog if we're on our uniform. Don't worry I'll let you borrow mine," Kaye said excitedly.
Kurt walked towards me and gave me a towel and a pair of clothes. "Nope. We're gonna eat dinner first after her bath." Then, he pushed me towards the bathroom.
I went in and Kurt closed the door behind me. I'm sorry Kaye but I'm going to kill as much time in the shower as I could. I'm going to take a bath like any from duty night I had. This is my 'me time' and my delaying tactics for your vlog.
I removed my clothes and went into the shower.
***
I looked smaller wearing Kurt's sweatshirt and shorts. Not that I'm complaining but they're too comfortable I could sleep here in the bathroom and never come out tonight. That would be too rude though since they're waiting for me to eat.
I went of out the bathroom and put my bag beside the sofa. The siblings are waiting for me in the dining area. Kaye is writing on a paper while Kurt is playing with his phone. I sat on the empty chair between the two.
"I'm sorry you had to wait. Your clothes are so comfortable I was so tempted to sleep on your bathroom floor," I joked which caught their attention.
The food looked so appetizing, I could feel my salivary glands dancing in my mouth.
"When was your last meal?" I was startled by Kurt's stern voice.
I must have looked weird staring at the food intently. Kurt was asking me with his arms crossed in front his chest.
I scratched my head and answered, "I'm not sure. Around 4am today?"
Kaye started eating, so I started as well without looking at Kurt's direction. He has a thing about us doctors not eating on time so I just ignored his mad-looking gaze.
The soup exceptionally helped ease my growling stomach. Once I finished it, I attacked the rice and meat with vegetables on my plate.
"Kaye, let me see your script," I told Kaye.
"Here," she said handing papers to me. I repeat, papers. "You can bowse through the questions. But it would be better if we're spontaneous, you know?"
I stared wide-eyed at her script. She was serious when she said 50 questions because there really are 50 questions. "I really suck at question and answers so I need to have an idea about it."
Kurt stole the papers from my hand and read it as well.
My hand was left holding nothing on air as I stare at him with disbelief.
"What?" He said. "You finish eating first."
"Are you the one being interviewed here? Come on, give me those," I said still not putting my empty hand down.
Instead, Kurt high fived my hand and pushed it towards my plate so I could continue eating. You see, I'm afraid someday I'll just grow tired of the stubborness of these two.
"Kaye, do you really have to ask this one?" Kurt asked Kaye as he reached across the table to show her which question he's pertaining at.
"Oh," Kate answered. "I can change it. How do you think should we rephrase it."
They continued exchanging ideas while I ate in silence. I think it would be best to leave the reviewing of questions with the celebrity. He knows better. After all, Kurt insisted he should be present during our shooting so he can note the stuff to be edited out or filtered.
It was a hefty meal and it was really good. Well, any food would taste good after a toxic duty. I crashed on the sofa after cleaning up the dining table. I don't know how long I debated against Kurt on who should do the dishes. I was offering to do it since he bought the food but he was insisting he won't let their guest do the dishes. In the end, he said he didn't trust me that I won't break the plates with my half-asleep eyes.
I browsed through the questions again, holding the papers above my face. I tried to construct answers in my mind so we could finish faster.
***
My eyes opened to the sun shining brightly through the window. I mustered my energy to crack open my eyes as I was confused with the situation. I finally fully opened my eyes and I realized I was sleeping on Kaye'a bed, with Kurt's clothes on me. I hurriedly sat up straight to survey the unit.
"Good morning!" Kate greeted me from the kitchen. "Come, eat lunch with me," she said holding up a meat pierced through her fork.
Lunch?! What time is it now?! How long did I sleep? Were we able to do the vlog last night?
I noticed that the living room is ready and set up for our shooting. There's a yellow background on the wall behind the sofa and a camera prepped on a tripod facing it.
I stood and walked to the kitchen, remembering that no shooting happened last night. "Oh my god, I am so sorry Kaye. I did not mean to fall asleep. Let's just do it now." I said with my palms facing each other in front of my face.
She laughed and said, "Girl, it's fine. I should be the one saying sorry for insisting to do it last night when you were from duty." She tapped the chair beside her to ask me to sit and pushed a plate to my direction. She put rice on my plate and offered me a barbecue. I started eating the good-looking meat right away.
"When we found you asleep we did not bother waking you up because you looked dead tired. I asked Kurt to carry you to my bed so you can sleep comfortably."
I almost choked myself when I heard that Kurt carried me. I must have been in comatose condition to not feel that I was transferred from the sofa to the bed. I drank water as I have been coughing from accidentally swallowing the half-chewed meat.
"Where's Kurt?"
"He went back to his unit last night after we called it a night. He's joining us later for the shoot," she said in between chewing.
***
Right after eating, I went into the bathroom to freshen up and change into Kaye's uniform. Before I removed Kurt's clothes, I took a selfie with a peace sign and sent it to Kurt with a 'sorry for sleeping on you, guys'.
The moment I stepped out of the bathroom, Kurt arrived. A familiar-looking, tall, beautiful guy appeared behind him.
"Hanz, this is Raya. Raya, Hanz," Kurt plainly introduced us.
Oh. My. Gosh. Could it be Hanz Constantino? I realized my mouth was still hanging open when Hanz approached me and offered a handshake. He's a really great actor and much more good looking in person. I shook his hand as we looked at each other.
"That's enough," Kurt said, breaking the handshake. He pushed my chin up with his pointer finger so my mouth closed. "Why are you acting like that? That's not how you reacted when you first saw me."
My trance finally broke. "Sorry I'm starstruck."
"Kaye," Hanz greeted Kaye.
"Hanz," Kaye replied. Kaye did not even give a damn that a famous actor is in her unit. She must be used to celebrities since her brother is one.
I suddenly felt shy that I have to do this vlog in front of him.
"Raya, come here. Let's put make up on you."
I walked towards Kaye who's busily putting make up on her face in front of her closet's mirror. She faced me and put some blush on my cheeks. Then, she put lipstick on me.
"Okay, that's it. You don't need much make up, your skin already looks great," she told me. "Alright, we're ready, bro!"
I sat on the sofa and stole a glance at Hanz who's sitting leisurely at the dining area.
"Hey, Kaye! You better make it fast so Kurt and I can have some fun," Hanz shouted.
Kaye acted like she did not hear anything and sat beside me.
Kurt positioned himself behind the camera and looked at me. "Relax. Don't feel pressured," he said with a reassuring smile.
"Raya, it will be a continuos recording. It'll be like we're just chatting. Don't mind the camera, okay?" Kaye held my hand and squeezed it.
"Okay, ready!" Kurt said. I took a deep breath to release my anxiety. "Recording. 3, 2, 1, action!"
"Hi, everyone! Welcome to my vlog. We're here on another episode of 50 questiooons!" Kaye delivered her opening spiel naturally. "Today, our guest is my senior from my medical school. I'm really happy because she gave us some of her time although she's busy with junior internship. Please welcome, Raya Valdeeez!"
Kaye smiled at me and I smiled back at her, then I smiled at the camera.
"Thank you for inviting me, Kaye," I said.
Kurt left the camera and joined Hanz in the dining area. Without the actors' eyes on us, I felt more comfortable.
"No. Thank you, because you're here when you could be at home sleeping or studying. I know you have an upcoming comprehensive exams so I won't take too much of your time. Let's start right away!" She read the first question from her script. "You know, every med student gets asked about this. For my first question, why did you decide to take up medicine?"
"You know what, my mom actually made me do it. She's a doctor herself, so she convinced me and my sister to take a health science course in college. So we did. My sister pursued medicine. So i was kind of expected to do as well. But back then, I wanted to pursue my profession. But my mom somehow... how do you call this... she was persistent," I explained.
"Wait, so you did not really want to take med?"
"I did not. I'm not like everyone else whose childhood dream is to be a doctor. I despised it as a child since my mom barely had time for us," I explained. "But I eventually fell in love with medicine, you know. I'm thankful my mom, pushed me to do this."
"Ohh, that's an interesting story," Kaye nodded her head.
She proceeded with asking questions about how I prepared for med school, how my college course helped me and why I chose our school.
"What are the things you had to sacrifice when you entered medical school?" She asked.
"A lot! I missed family gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, reunion with friends," I started. "I sacrificed leisure activities, hobbies.."
"Like what?"
"Back then, I was so fond of hiking, you know? I'd go up frequently with my friends when we have time. But now you know, when you have time, you spend it for studying and catching up on your backlogs."
"I knooow! When I have "free time", I'm either catching up on acads or sleep." We both laughed. Only medical students get this humor.
Kaye asked about my study habits, reading materials, favorite subject, and how I release my stress. I was really enjoying this interview with her. I got comfortable with how the conversation was going, like we were not being recorded.
"Okay, my next question is what do you want to do after boards?"
"Oh, tough one," I thought for a moment. "I think I want to be a Doctor to the Barrio and serve in rural communities."
"Ohh! That's really nice. I've heard a lot about that track. But you're going to be assigned far away, right?"
"Yup, those doctors are being sent to geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas, where healthcare is most probably inaccessible. The metro is already packed with doctors, you know? Why not go where our fellowmen needs us, right?"
"That's so true. There are still areas in the country where healthcare is unheard of and that's really sad," Kaye responded. "You know what, I'm going to add that to my choices."
I smiled at her, touched by the fact that I have inspired someone to serve.
"Okay! The next portion of this vlog is Fast Talk. You just answer whatever comes first in your mind."
"Okay, should I be nervous now?"
"Naaah, just enjoy," Kaye raised her eyebrows up and down at me. "Are you ready?"
"Let's get it!"
"I can't hear you! Are! You! Ready!" Kaye shouted.
"I'm ready!" I shouted as well.
"Your go-to sudy place?"
"Coffee shop."
"Go-to coffee?"
"Caramel macchiato."
"Lights on or lights off?"
I laughed, "What context?"
"Just answer, Raya! No explanations."
"Lights on!"
"Your favorite hospital rotation so far."
"OB-GYN."
"Comfort food?"
"Crepe."
"Mountain or beach?"
"Mountain," I answered with a smirk.
"Night or day?"
"Night. I love looking at the stars."
"Would you rather have more time or have more money?"
"That's easy.. time so I can make more money."
"Cats or dogs?"
"Neither." I hate animals.
"Showbiz or non-showbiz?"
I laughed at the question. "In our language?" I pointed at ourselves alternately. Kaye nodded her head in response. "Non-showbiz."
Kaye clapped her hand once and said, "Alright! That ends this episode of 50 questions." She looked at me and held my hand. "I had so much fun Raya. Thank you so much for joining me today."
"My pleasure, Kaye."
Kurt walked towards the camera.
"I hope we could do another vlog next time."
"Haha! Ha ha ha.. ha.. ha," I faked a laugh.
"Alright, that's it for today guys! Join me again next time!" Kaye waved on the camera.
"And.. cut!" Kurt announced.
I hurriedly stood and ran to the camera, "How was it, Kurt? Was I too anxious?" I thought he was going to play the recorded video but he walked away without answering me.
I followed him to the dining area and sat beside him.
"Kurt, were my answers okay? Or was it too much?" He still ignored me. What's wrong with this man? I just had a really terrifying experience in front of the camera and he would not even give me words of affirmation.
"Hey, what's that question about showbiz or non-showbiz?" Hanz suddenly asked.
"Oh that one," Kaye said. "It's an inside joke in the medical community, like we are in the showbusiness, and non-doctors, like you guys are the non-showbiz people. So I asked Raya.. In our language.. if she'd rather date a showbiz or non-showbiz person."
Kurt finally lifted his gaze from his phone's screen. He propped his elbow, rested his head on his hand and looked at me. "You looked so natural in front of the camera. Also, your answers were really good. Don't worry about it too much."
The sudden shift in his mood did not comfort me at all. I narrowed my eyes at him in response.
I don't really know how I did in that vlog. I guess I'll have to wait until Kaye releases it. Wait, I don't think I can watch myself so I'll just leave it here.