He left. I organized my things, making sure everything was in order. "Okay, tapos na," I muttered to myself, feeling a little overwhelmed by the stack of documents on my desk. I stayed in the office, poring over them. "Kailangan kong ma-review lahat ng ito," I thought, "ang dami naman!"
A knock on the door startled me. "Pasok," I said, trying to sound calm and professional.
I was surprised to see Lawrence enter, carrying a plate of food. "Lawrence? Anong ginagawa mo dito?" I asked, bewildered.
"Tita Amanda said you didn't have breakfast, so I brought you some," he explained, placing the food on my desk. "Nakakaawa ka daw kasi, hindi ka pa kumakain," he said, his voice soft.
He took a seat, his gaze gentle. "So, how's your first day as chief resident?" he asked, his voice almost too sweet.
He picked up a small vase from my desk, twirling it in his hands like a child. "Ang hirap pala, no? Doble ang trabaho ko dito kaysa sa America," I sighed.
He placed the vase back down, a smirk playing on his lips. "Obvious naman sa mga papers na yan na magiging busy ka," he teased.
"At least sanay na ako. Ikaw, may ginagawa ka ba? Busy ka ba sa work mo?" I asked, curious.
He just smiled. "Nah, chill lang ako this week. Break muna ako."
"Mabuti ka pa, nakakarelax ka. Samantalang ako, todo-trabaho," I sighed.
"You're not going to leave my office anytime soon, are you, Lawrence?" I asked sarcastically.
"What? You want me to leave? In America, I could stay in your office all day," he said with a pout.
I slapped my forehead. "Lawrence! This isn't America. Gamitin mo naman yang utak mo," I said, feeling a little exasperated.
"You're so mean to me," he pouted.
"You can pester me at home. So please, get out of my office so I can finish my work," I said, trying to sound calm.
He just grinned at me. As he rose to leave, he stopped at the door.
"Make sure you eat that. It was a lot of effort for Tita Amanda to cook, and for me to bring it here," he said, giving me a playful wink.
He finally left, leaving me alone.
He had changed so much. He was even more handsome, and it was obvious that many people were attracted to him. "Ang gwapo niya talaga," I thought, a little envious. I wondered how Gio was doing. "Naalala pa kaya niya ako?"
Did he hate me?
I left the office after reviewing all the documents. "Okay, tapos na. Pwede na akong lumabas," I thought to myself. I went to check on the junior residents, observing their work. They were all performing well, polite, and respectful. "Ang gagaling naman ng mga juniors natin," I thought, impressed.
I walked around the hospital. Then, I saw him. The person I'd been longing to see all year.
Gio.
He looked completely different. Gone was the sweet boy I knew. He was now a hot, intimidating man.
Our eyes met, but he quickly looked away, pretending not to recognize me. Like I was a stranger. "Hindi na niya ba ako kilala?" I thought, hurt.
His gaze, which used to be so full of life and love, was now emotionless and serious. "Ang laki ng pinagbago niya," I thought, a lump forming in my throat.
He glanced back at me, then started walking towards me. My heart pounded in my chest. I tried to hide my emotions, not wanting him to notice the turmoil inside me. "Kalma lang, kaya mo yan," I whispered to myself.
He was getting closer, and my heart beat faster. I started walking towards him too.
We were about to meet, but he just walked past me.
I had expected a simple "Hi," but he didn't even acknowledge me. "Nag-expect ako ng sobra," I thought, feeling disappointed and pathetic.
After what I did, he must be angry with me.
I went back to my office, trying to calm myself down. "Kailangan kong mag-isip ng ibang bagay," I thought to myself, trying to distract myself from the sting of rejection. But on my way, one of the juniors called me. "Doc, may naghahanap po sa inyo sa main hall."
"Sino kaya iyon?" I wondered. Maybe it was Lawrence again?
I went to the main hall. There he was, Gio, standing in the corner, talking with Kuya Alex and Thony. Thony had also changed a lot. I wondered how he and Alexa were doing. "Kamusta na kaya sila?"
Kuya Alex saw me and signaled for me to join them. "Oh, nandito ka pala," he said, greeting me warmly. "Doc, this is the new chief resident of CVMC. She's the one who replaced me for now. Tell them everything about the project we're planning," Kuya Alex said, before walking away.
Now it was just us three, Gio, Thony, and me.
The air between us was thick with unspoken tension. "Nakakahiya naman, sobrang awkward," I thought to myself.
"Punta na tayo sa office ko," I said, trying to break the silence.
We all went to my office. Daniel was still quiet, his eyes focused on the floor. "Mukhang galit pa rin siya," I thought, my heart sinking.
I tried to make conversation, but it felt forced. "So, how's your work here?" I asked Gio, hoping to break the ice.
He looked up, his expression still unreadable. "It's... fine," he said, his voice flat.
I felt the weight of his silence hanging over me. "Ang hirap pala pag hindi ka na niya mahal," I thought, a tear threatening to escape.
Thony, sensing the awkward atmosphere, tried to lighten the mood. "So, Doc, what's the project all about?" he asked, hoping to change the subject.
We talked about the project for a while, and the tension between Gio and me seemed to ease a little. "At least nakakapag-usap na kami," I thought, feeling a glimmer of hope.
But even as the meeting ended, the air between us felt charged. I knew he was still angry with me.
After they left, I sat down at my desk, trying to focus on my work. But every time I looked up, I saw his ghost in the empty chair. I couldn't get him out of my mind.
"Kailangan kong kalimutan na siya," I thought to myself, forcing a smile. "He's not worth my tears."
But the truth was, I couldn't seem to let him go. He was still the one I loved, the one who haunted my dreams, the one who had stolen my heart and left me broken.
The memories came flooding back. The stolen glances, the whispered secrets, the late-night talks that stretched into dawn. I remembered the day we first met, the way our eyes locked across the crowded cafeteria. I remembered the thrill of our first kiss, the sweet taste of his lips, the way his touch sent shivers down my spine.
I remembered the way he held my hand, the way he looked into my eyes, the way he made me feel like the only girl in the world.
But all that was gone now. He was a stranger to me. And I was a stranger to him.
I looked down at the pile of paperwork on my desk, a symbol of my new reality. My life had changed. I was the new chief resident, but I was still the girl who loved Gio.
And that was a love I knew I could never escape.