Chapter 1 - Eleventh Wheel

It would be a lie to say I’m not enjoying this. , scratch that. I never thought I’d be eleventh-wheeling and not be complaining. Oo, nakikisaling-kitkit ako dito pero it’s the kind of company I never thought I’d enjoy. It’s nice to see a group of successful women so open about same- relationships.

I, for the whole of my life, have only been focused on studying to be at least a decent doctor. And I didn’t have a group of friends like this. The closest I have to something like this is having to hangout with my study group. And I know, deep within, there’s a part of me that longs for something like this.

I’m actually still thinking about it, getting my residency at the hospital where my eldest cousin, Ate Irene works at. I want to be a cardiothoracic surgeon just like her. As someone who just got back from the States, I’d prefer to stick with Ate Irene as my mentor.

Minsan, di ko mapigilang mainggit kanila Ate Joy at Ate Yeri, they’re Ate Irene’s younger siblings. The both of them were free to choose which career paths they wanted. Ate Joy is a professional volleyball player while Ate Yeri is a civil engineer. Coming from a long line of doctors, we were expected to carry the name untainted. I’m guessing that Ate Irene was the only one who wanted to pursue medicine. Unlike me, I’m an only child who had no choice because both of my parents are surgeons as well.

“Ah, kapag may Maria talaga sa pangalan, malaki ang tendency na hindi straight ‘yan.” I hear Ate Irene’s wife, Ate Seulgi say. I heard she was a former congresswoman and now she’s volunteering as a pro bono lawyer here in Baguio. She and Ate Irene decided to settle here after they got married. It’s a bummer I wasn’t able to attend their wedding.

“Proven and tested!” The blonde one said. Ang alam ko, her name is Ate Wendy. She’s Ate Joy’s girlfriend and Ate Seulgi’s cousin. Sa kanila ako sumabay kanina as we drove here from Manila.

“Hoy! Sira ulo ka ba? Baka ma-awkward yung pinsan ko sa pinagsasasabi niyong dalawa!” Ate Irene pinched her wife’s rib. She looked at me very apologetically and I only gave her a knowing smile in return. Kitang-kita ko pa na umaaray pa rin si Ate Seulgi sa pagkakakurot sa kanya.

“But you know, it’s not impossible. May Maria din sa pangalan ‘yan si Karina.” It was Ate Yeri who spoke this time.

Maria Karina Jimin Yoo is my full name. I cannot exactly disagree with her though. I’m just not sure about what my preference is. Yet. As I’ve said, I’ve been busy trying to survive through med school to be a decent doctor.

Lahat sila nakatingin sa akin, pero hindi ako pasisindak. I shrugged at my cousin’s remark. I wanted to appear I’m playing it safe. I looked at my half-empty glass and took a large gulp from it. I can see that everybody’s still hyped kahit na nakarami na rin ng inom.

“But curiously asking