Chapter 2 | Bottled Sparkling Water

I woke up to the loud banging sound from next door. I took my phone to check what time it is. As I expected, it’s supposed to be four o’clock in the morning back in New York. But here I am, stuck in the Philippines with my ears bleeding from the sound and the high-pitched singing that adds to it.

I had no choice but to get changed. I don’t think I can get back to sleep with all the noise.

Kararating ko lang kahapon from Baguio. Still, all my suitcases are still unpacked. The boxes that I shipped before my flight are piled up together in the living room corner.

I didn’t contemplate anymore and wore my shoes. I don’t think I can endure hearing the loud singing of Aegis songs at this hour.

As I stepped out of my place, I figured out where the loud singing was from. It’s from next door, the corner unit’s.

I remember Ate Wendy, my cousin’s girlfriend, told me there’s a coffee shop sa baba ng condo. She was the one who dropped me off last night since nauna naming binaba si Ate Joy because she apparently had some practice.

I decided to try going where that is, and I hope there aren’t any Aegis songs playing there anymore or I’ll ing lose my mind.

The coffee shop wasn’t really that hard to find. It was literally a few meters away from the condo itself. It looks cozy enough, and on top of that, there’s soft music playing in the background. This will do, for now.

I entered the café and ordered some iced coffee. I found an empty spot at the corner and sat there. I checked my phone to see the notifications I have. Sabi ni Ate Joy, babawi raw siya tonight by treating me to dinner. Sumapaw din si Ate Yeri na babawi rin daw siya pagkatapos ng project niya.

A smile crept up on my face. Feeling bunso na naman ako nito. Well-fed at sunod sa luho. I replied to the group chat we have and told them I’m already awake because of the noise from next door.

Apart from my mom’s brother and his family, I don’t know anyone from here anymore. My parents wanted us to go abroad to pursue my studies after what happened. They decided it would be best for us to just be away for good.

After my patients were favored into the financial assistance just because the head of the surgery department likes me, my parents told me it would be best na tapusin na lang dito yung residency program ko. Maybe have a little break before that too. That’s what they said.

I just think it’s unfair to take all the blame. Kasalanan na ba ngayong maging maganda? Char. Mukha namang tuko yung head ng surgery department.

And if ever I decide to date, I want to date someone with a rare name. So, when we break up, I won’t hear their name anywhere. I know, I haven’t been in a relationship ever since I came into this world but I’m already taking precautions for the