MY WHITE COAT DIARIES

CHAPTER 40: Pinky Finger

"Okay lang kuya Ace. Kaya ko namang mag-commute. That patient needs you. Only skillful doctors could handle those cases. Sige na, go! They need you there. Patient's first! Diba sabi mo? Putting patient's first is a mission, not just a motto. Go complete your mission Doctor Thompson." Tapik nito sa kanya sabay nguso sa elevator para bumaba na siya.

"Wow! My Kara is learning so fast. Yan yung linya ko nung first day nyo ah." While he caressed her hair tenderly.

"Ano ba Kuya! Masira yung pagakakapony ng buhok ko. I'm not your little Kara anymore na bibigyan mo lang ng lollipop eh titigil na ako sa pag-iyak. Missy and I are a grown up woman." Pinitik ng dalaga ang kamay nito.

"Woman? So my little Kara turned into a woman already?" He couldn't help to caress her hair kahit pa mamula na ang kamay nito sa kapipitik ni Kara.

My Kara. My little Kara. My cute little Kara. My baby Kara.

She smiled while remembering those days.

Can a three year old girl really define crush? Because if it's possible, that was Ace's role in Kara's early stage of life. Her first crush that used to give her butterflies in her stomach. Simply seeing him is like a cloudnine moments she always treasured. Though the feeling is not the same back then, he is one of the significant person in her life. Her close confidante, an older brother and sometimes a father figure. And most of all, a dream and ideal guy. She wanted a boyfriend who is exactly like him.

"What?" Natatawang tanong ni Ace sa itsura ni Kara.

"Alam mo kuya, kung magkakaroon ako ng boyfriend...gusto ko talaga yung kagaya mo. Tsss! Kaya lang ang hirap maghanap ng kagaya mo. Wala ka bang clone?" Seryosong sabi ni Kara.

"Why do you need a clone and why do you need someone like me if you could have me."

"Tigilan mo nga ako sa mga jokes mo kuya, baka mamaya kiligin pa ako."

"I'm not joking, seryoso ako Kara. I can be your boyfriend. Anytime...just tell me when you are ready." Kindat nito sa kanya.

"Alam mo isa pang banat mo kuya, kikiligin na talaga ako. Kaya tumigil ka na, baka mamaya maniwala na ako."

"Eh di kiligin ka, di kita pipigilan. Tsaka, ano bang gagawin ko para maniwala ka sa akin? Do I need to-

Ace sighed when his phone ring again.

"Bumaba ka na, mas importante ang pasyente kesa sa mga banat mong yan. Tama na ang mga jokes mo, baka mamaya makalimutan kong kuya kita. Sige ka! Madadagdagan ang paparazzi mo. Ayoko makipag-kumpetensya kay Nancy. Sasakit lang ang ulo mo sa aming dalawa kapag nag-joined forces kami."

"Seryoso ako, what do you want me to do Kara? Hmmm? Let's go on a date? Off tayo sa susunod na araw...gusto mo-"

But his phone ring again.

"This is annoying!" Pinatay niya iyon pero tinungo din ang elevator.

"Okay lang ako kuya, promise. I am happy for Missy and Drew. You don't need to date me, baliw ka talaga!" Tinulak na niya si Ace sa elevator at mabilis itong nagsara.

Nagpalipas siya doon ng kalahating oras pa bago nagpasyang bumaba at umuwi. Malulungkot lang kasi siyang mag-isa sa condo. Wala doon si Drew, siguradong gagabihin ito dahil sa date nila ni Missy. Kinausap din niya ang sarili at ikinundisyon ang utak. Kailangan niyang maging mas malakas pa sa mga susunod na araw. Hindi siya dapat papadala sa emosyon niya. Tama si Ace, ito pa lang ang simula. Marami pa siyang pagdadaanan sa mga susunod na araw.

"Bakit ganun Lord? Ang complicated na nga ng buhay pag-ibig ko? Kumplikado din pati trabaho ko." Bumuntong hininga siya at nagpasyang umuwi na.

When Kara came out of the automated sliding door in front of Alacantara Medical City, the sound of a speeding car that greeted her caught her attention. A white Lotus Evora GT410 sports car 2019 model blew his horn.  She ignored it because she didn't know who it was. She is not familiar with that car. None of her friends, colleagues or acquaintances had that kind of vehicle. She may have just been mistaken as someone. She continued to walk but the car quickly followed her.