Love Sucks, But Not Always

Chapter Sixteen

I don't know for how long I was staring at the door of my new office. I've been staring at it since I arrived here. Hindi ko alam ang mararamdaman ko. Excited ba ako or kinakabahan? I really don't know. I've been accepted into one of the best hospitals here in Manila. Excited ako dahil syempre magtatrabaho na ako. Pero kinakabahan din ako dahil hindi ko naman alam if I will do a great job.

"You can do it," Tobias said. I looked at him and smiled. I'm glad he came here with me. I don't know if I could do it without him.

"I'm really thankful you're here." I sighed.

"I will always be here. I promised you, right?" he said, and I nodded with a smile.

He promised to always stay beside me, and knowing him, I know he will always keep his promise. I don't know how I was able to move forward, to love again, to take risks, I don't know how I've done it without receiving any apology from those people who've hurt me in the past.

I slowly opened the door and entered inside. I saw the table first with my nameplate.

Jairee Alexia Sorell, Doctor of Psychology.

Napangiti naman ako. All my hard work... It finally paid off.

"I'm proud of you," Tobias said as he pulled me for a tight hug.

Napangiti naman ako dahil doon at niyakap din siya pabalik. "I know you are." I said, which made him chuckle.

"I'm also proud of you, Doctor Tobias Maverick Martinez." I beamed at him. He leaned to kiss me, which made me laugh. He likes to kiss me randomly.

"I'm still not a doctor, though. I'm still a doctor in the making." he laughed.

"But I know that you can do it. Ikaw pa ba?"

Tobias is now in his 2nd year in medical school. He also told me that Nigel is now in Law School here in Manila and is in his 2nd year too. I don't know how he is doing now and if he has a girlfriend, but I hope he is genuinely happy and is totally healed. I hope he can fall in love again but with the right person this time. I'm sure he'll meet the right person.

"Hindi ka pa ba babalik? Baka pagalitan ka na n'yan." sabi ko kay Tobias.

He looked at his wrist watch at sakto naman ay tumunog na ang cellphone niya. "You're worth the sermon, my love." he chuckled before answering the call. I can hear his superior scolding him through the phone. He gestured me na mauuna na siya kaya tumango na lang ako. Ang isang 'yon talaga.

Nang makaalis na siya ay huminga ako ng malalim at tinignan ang kabuohan ng office ko. The walls are painted white, the curtains are maroon, my table is on the other side of the room. Mayroon din bookshelf kung saan nilagay ko na ang mga libro ko.

I guess this is my life now, huh? A Doctor of Psychologist. I thought I wouldn't be able to build a future. I thought my life had stopped at that very moment of my life. My life was crushed down. But who would've thought that I would come this far? Even my dad would be surprised. I laughed at my own thought. I can't believe I doubted my past self. She was brave. Really really brave, and I couldn't be more proud of her. She made it this far. She has come this far.

I took my phone out, took a picture of my office, and posted it on my Instagram account. "Finally, a Doctor of Psychology! Padayon to everyone out there! Go get that Ph.D. or something!" I posted it with a smile. Maya-maya ay nag-vibrate na ang cellphone ko. It's a message... from Nigel. 

@nigel.f: Congratulations. Heard from Marcus that you're starting your first day as a doctor of psychology today. I'm proud and happy for you. 

I smiled before typing my reply.