"What are you even doing here?"
It was almost dinner when I decided to come and hang out in Tory's room since I was in my room the whole day.
"Aren't you a med student? Why do you have so much free time?" I asked him while crossing my arms.
"Ate Vienne!" Tory went to me for a hug.
"Good to see you, too." He sarcastically answered me. I rolled my eyes at him.
"Bakit nga nandito ka?"
"I'm sorry, Ate Vienne..." Napalingon ako kay Tory na nakalabi na.
"Why, baby?"
"Kasi po I was the one who called Kuya Cole to watch with me..." I caressed her face.
"Baby, Kuya Cole is busy kasi... You could've called me nalang. I was just in my room."
"It's okay. I told her not to disturb you." Cole answered. Inirapan ko siya ulit.
"Don't be mad, Ate Vienne..." Binuhat ko si Tory at hinalikan sa pisngi.
"I'm not mad, baby..." I assured her. "Unless you love Kuya Cole more than me na."
I saw how Cole smirked. Ass. She would never pick you over me.
"No po, Ate..." Nilingon niya si Cole. "Kuya Cole, pwede ka na po umuwi."
Natawa si Cole sa sinabi ni Tory. Maging ako'y napatawa. I pinched her cheeks lightly. "Love you too, baby." I whispered.
--
Cole joined us for dinner. Nakakahiya naman kung hindi namin siya pakakainin. Galing pa siya ng Taguig and he went here just for Tory.
"How's Medical School, hijo?" My Mom asked.
"Okay naman po, Tita. Kinakaya naman po." Magalang na sagot naman ni Cole.
It doesn't seem like it but Cole is actually serious with his studies. He just manage his time well. I think that's something I would have to learn when I enter Medical School.
I sighed. Now that I think about it, my NMAT day is coming. I've been studying for the past months, but I don't think I'm ready.
What if I don't make it to PAU? Or worse, what if I fail?
What do I do?
Do I just proceed to pharmaceutics? Or do I try again?
"Hija?" My mom made me return to reality.
"Yes po?"
"Everything okay?" She asked me. Papa was busy talking to Cole, Tory was just eating her food. I nodded at Mama. She gave me a smile that slightly hurt for some reason.
I feel like she knows what I'm thinking about.
--
We're at our garden sipping wine peacefully. Cole said he deserves this after another hell week. Sinamahan ko na lang.
It's just wine, anyway.
We were just enjoying silence when I remembered something. "Hey..."
"Hmn?"
"How close are you to Xavi?" I asked.
His eyebrows furrowed at my sudden question. "Xavi?"
I nodded.
"She's, pretty much, with Tyrone all the time, so not really..."
Silence went between us again for a moment.
"Look out for her." Sabi ko na lang.
I wouldn't tell him what happened in the hospital. Again, it is not my story to tell. I just want someone to look after her because she seemed so vulnerable.
"You guys are close already?" He asked me. I chose not to answer.
Hindi naman kailangan maging close kayo ng isang tao para irespeto mo ang boundaries mo.
Hindi na rin naman siya namilit kahit alam kong na-curious siya dahil bigla kong binanggit si Xavi.
After a while, he turned to me. "NMAT's coming up, how are you feeling?"
Mas lalo lang ako tumahimik. I sipped my wine.
"Erica Vienne..." Tawag niya ng atensyon ko.
My heart started racing. Still, I looked back at him.
"You nervous?" He asked.
What's the need to ask? Sino ba ang hindi kakabahan? That's literally the passcode to enter medical school.
A smile played on his damn lips. "Our top 4 is nervous."
Sinimangutan ko siya. "Fuck off, C."
He chuckled. "Will you move out as well after passing PAU?"
Napalingon ako ulit sa kanya. He seemed so sure that I'm gonna make it. This guy is overestimating me. But somehow, it made me feel better.
It made me feel better that he believes in me.
"Probably." I answered. "But I'm not gonna live close to you."
"Why not?"
"I love my liver."
He laughed at that. "Once you enter Medical School, I won't ask you to drink with me again."
"Ha!" I scoffed. "And why is that?"
"Medical school is no joke, Erica Vienne." Seryoso niyang sagot na may kasama pang pag-iling. "Let's switch to coffee, tho."
I smirked at him. "You really like hanging out with me, huh? Do you like me?"
"I can't?"
Okay, fuck.
I glared at him and his flirty ass. "Fuck off."
--
Papa insisted to drive me to my NMAT place. I was just looking out the window during the ride.
"Anak, relax..."
Napatingin ako kay Papa.
"You're shaking." He pointed out. I let out a big deep sigh.
"I'm sorry, Pa..."
"Oh, bakit?"
If ever I fail, of course.
"Anak..." I looked at him. "The amount of times you doubted your abilities... It's uncountable anymore..."
But what if this is the end of my luck? I chose not to respond at binaling nalang ang atensyon ko sa bintana. Naputol lang ang lalim ng iniisip ko nang mag-beep ang phone ko.
It was a message from Cole.
From: Cole
Reminder. Just in case you're nervous, Medical School is harder.
I rolled my eyes at his message. The context did not help me at all.
But it came from him.
For that reason, my mouth curved into a smile.
--
Was it really easy or did I do it all wrong?
I was quietly tapping my feet and fidgeting my fingers as I watch others take the exam. I finished a bit early because the exam turned out easy for me. All the things that I studied came out.
Almost half of the questions that Cole made me came out.
After a couple more minutes, everyone's done.
My vision was stick to the ground as I walk out of the venue. Bakit ang dali? Tama ba yung mga mga sagot ko? Mali ba ako ng analyzation?
"Look at you, looking beautiful and frowning."
Agad na napataas ang tingin ko nang marinig ko ang boses ni Cole.
He was wearing his goddamn white uniform. His hair was, unusually, fixed today. He looks so neat.
Damn it. He just had to show himself in front of me wearing his uniform, huh? It's my first time seeing him like this.
He was always wearing his casual fits when I see him. Mostly his sweatshorts, of course.
"What are you doing here? Don't you have class?"
"Free cut ko. 2 hours..." He shrugged. "How was it? You good?"
Why does he feel so light?
I didn't answer him. I just stood there, staring at him blankly. I would die first before letting him know what's on my mind.
"I'm hungry." I told him.
"Sure you are." Ginulo niya ang buhok ko. "Come on, let's fill you up."
I rolled my eyes at him.
Delikado na ako.