Choice of an Heir

Prologue

"Welcome Back, Cali!"

Kanya-kanyang kumusta ang iginawad nila sa'kin. Ang mga pinsan ko, sila Tito, Tita, Mama, Papa at Kuya ay present ngayon. Mukhang pinaghandaan talaga nila ang pagbabalik ko. May pa-catering pa talaga.

"Na-miss kita, hija." yakap sa'kin ni Manang. Oo, hanggang ngayon siya pa rin ang kasama naman sa bahay. Ang tagal na din niya sa'min.

"I missed you din po." I smiled at her.

"Wow the New Yorker is here." pang-aasar ni Lorence, pinsan ko.

"Sira!" I laughed. As usual, Kurt just offered a fist bump. My quiet cousin.

"Kumusta na ate?" tanong ni Kassandra, kapatid ni Kurt.

"Better than before."

"5 years na din 'no?" She asked. I nodded.

I went to New York for my residency. Miss na miss na daw ako nila Mama, that's why she requested na dito ko na lang i-take ang fellowship ko. Papa's retired already, kaya madalas dito lang talaga sila sa bahay. Kami na ni Kuya ang nagp-provide para sa pamilya, we want to pay them back kaya mabuti na rin na nakapagpapahinga na sila ngayon.

"Looking good." Ate Laine said while scanning me. I'm wearing a beige turtle neck and plaid skirt. Good thing nagpalit ako sa airport, para naman maganda ang outfit ko kapag naisipan nilang mag-picture.

"Thanks. I missed you."

"My favorite doctor!" Kuya Dexter, my cousin offered a hug.

"Dapat lang."

Kuya Derreck did the same. Magkapatid sila ni Kuya Dexter.

Lumapit na ako sa catering para makakuha ng pagkain. I requested for Filipino foods dahil ayun ang na-miss ko.

"I'm glad you're back, baby." Mama kissed my cheek.

"Me too, Ma."

Kanya-kanya tawanan, kamustahan, asaran at kwentuhan ang ginawa naming magkakamag-anak.

"Oh alis ka na?" Papa asked after taking a sip from his coffee. It's Monday morning.

"AMC contacted me, Pa. Pupunta po ako ngayon." I said while waiting for my coffee.

"Agustin Medical Center?" He asked. I nodded.

"The CEO is my highschool friend, Hector Agustin. Pwede kong kausapin."

"Wag na po." I hugged him.

Inubos ko muna ang kape ko bago magpaalam na aalis na.

Good thing ang bahay namin ay malapit lang sa Agustin Medical Center. The hospital where I did my internship. Before flying back here in the Philippines, they contacted me and told that they have a position available. I'll try my shot.

"Ah, yes. Dra. Ciara Lian De Vera. The director is waiting for you."

"Hi, I'm Dr. Harvey Agustin, general surgeon. Director of Agustin Medical Center. Nice to meet you, Dra. De Vera." He offered a hand shake and gestured me to take a seat.