Prologue
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAaCIwoBIjK
We fall in love more often than we realize — with food, with things, places, animals, and most certainly, with people. It happens at the least time you expect it to be. It strikes like rain — unexpected and varied. Sometimes it comes softly, a gentle drizzle you hardly notice; other times, it arrives with thunder and lightning, loud and overwhelming, And just as our world depends on the rain, love too can bring beauty —- or disaster, the kind that leaves everything changed.
In my case, I've experienced both.
"Bakit ako?" Tanong ko sa Chief Medical Officer. "Bakit hindi nalang si Charles or I don't know, ibang Doctors ang papuntahin niyo?" Reklamo ko kay Papa.
"Charles is busy here in Australia. Besides," he said, crossing his arms with that familiar tone of authority, "You're one of the best Doctors here in Australia. They need you back home." he explained.
Home, I have never really thought of that place as my home since.
"Exactly, isa ako, meaning I'm not the best. Si Charles nalang po ang papuntahin niyo sa Pilipinas Pa." pagpupumilit ko.
"Venice," he said softly now. "Ayaw mo ba umuwi?"
"Pa, it's not that." naglakad ako palapit sa bintana, tanaw dito ang magandang pamumuo ng kumikinang na syudad. "I've already built my life here, with you, Kuya Charles, and Tita Miranda. Hindi ko na kailangang bumalik do'n Pa."
"Your flight is tomorrow," he said firmly. "Go home and pack your things."
I turned around and looked at him in disbelief. I am old enough to make my own decisions! Hindi na niya kailangang mag-desisyon para sa 'kin dahil kaya ko namang gawin 'yon para sa sarili ko!
"You can't just send me back?"
"Tinawagan ko na Lola mo, she's waiting for you to get back."
I rolled my eyes at him and blurted out 'I hate you' on my way out of his office.
"I love you too." he answered with a chuckle before I was able to close the door.
The door clicked softly behind me, but the weight of his decision lingered long after. Tumigil ako sa paglalakad ng mapansin ko ang biglang pagbuhos ng ulan sa labas. Muli, tumingin ako sa labas ng malaking bintana upang pagmasdan ang syudad. The city is calm, vehicles passing by slowed down because of the sudden showers of the rain. The bright light of the moon illuminated across the city and with the help of the rain, it made the view somewhat comforting.
I looked down at my hospital ID, the fluorescent lights glinting against my name,
Dr. Alana Venice Imperial.
I let out a loud sigh before making my way out of the building. Hindi naman siguro ako maaapektuhan sa naging desisyon ni Papa? Ilang taon narin ang lumipas simula ng lahat, maybe things had changed by now. It won't be the same anymore.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfi3ErTeKKv
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdKpTcdSNhX
"Kuya, make sure to come visit me." I demanded as he placed my luggage on the cart. Charlie, anak ni Tita Miranda — my now Mom — has always been with me ever since his Mom and my Dad got married. "Oh and make sure to tag your girlfriend along." I added with a smirk formed on my lips, knowing he doesn't have one.
"Walang bibisita sa 'yo." asar niyang sagot bagi nito ginulo ang buhok ko.
I bid my goodbyes once I was ready to check in, he hugged me tightly, as if telling me that everything will be okay. Ngumiti ako ng malawak at niyakap siya ng mahigpit bago tuluyang umalis.
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeilubOb2It
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3WuD0C7zMn
The chorus of horns from outside filled the air, typical. Traffic in Metro Manila never sleeps.
I arrived just an hour ago, siguro sa mga oras na 'to, kanina pa ako lumalamon kung mabilis lang ang takbo ng mga sasakyan at hindi parang pagong. Alas sais palang ng umaga pero ang dami na agad ng tao sa kalsada — workers rushing, vendors shouting, jeepneys packed to the windows. Manila, chaotic as ever.
I leaned my head against the window, watching the city blur past. Kailangan ko ulit masanay; sa ingay, sa gulo, sa lahat, lalo na't hindi ko alam kung gaano ako katagal mananatili dito.
"Kumusta naman biyahe mo Apo?" napatingin ako kay Lola ng bigla siyang magsalita. Her voice was soft, the kind that reassures and gives warmth.
I faked a smile before responding. "Okay naman po."
"Nakatulog ka naman sa eroplano?"
"Yes po, I was barely awake the whole flight." rason kung bakit galit na ang tiyan ko ngayon ay dahil tulog ako buong biyahe. I didn't have time to eat one meal as we were just about to land when I woke up.
Kita ko namang tumango si Lola matapos ko magsalita.
Tahimik kaming dalawa habang patuloy ang kotse sa pag-andar. The city outside looked familiar yet distant, like a place I once knew but now had to learn all over again. My eyes traced the passing buildings, lights flickering against the sky as the sun slowly shines, my thoughts heavier than my luggage in the trunk.
After a few minutes that felt forever, nakarating narin kami sa bahay. The house where I grew up in, where I got to live a good childhood, is now once again right in front of me. The place where I used to run and hide from my maids, where Mom would always cook dinner for us, where everything felt right, felt like home.
I won't lie, a part of me missed this place.
"Maligayang pagbabalik Apo," masayang bati sa 'kin ni Lola pagkababa niya sa sasakyan. That gave me a smile, somehow, not everything about this place resembles memories. Kahit papaano, may natitira pang kasiyahan.
"Kaya lang, lilipat karin sa susunod na linggo."
"Po?" confused, I looked at Lola as I took my luggage from the driver. "Thank you po," pasasalamat ko sa kanya. Turning back my gaze to Lola, I asked her once again.
"Lola, lilipat?"
"Hindi ba nasabi sa 'yo ng Papa mo?" I shook my head in response.
"Isang linggo kalang raw dito dahil malayo masyado ang bahay sa hospital na tatrabahuan mo."
Dad, you sure are full of surprises aren't you?
109Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡniDmlHS998
and then Add to home screen.