I think I’ve gotten used to the life of a Medicine student after more than a month. I could say that I seldom have problems nowadays when it comes to my studies, including Anatomy. I might have found the right way to study so I could now do it a bit more easily, but I had to leave behind some things I used to do because of this. For the last month that passed, I never touched my 3DS and I have never played with any games installed in my tablet. Wreck-It-Ralph was also the last movie I have watched since then (to be honest, I was actually unable to watch it, but entered the movie instead using my ability to enter any story I please) because I never bothered making time to watch other movies, unless our whole family comes from church and we think of watching a movie afterwards, which hasn’t happened this past month.

I had a really big improvement in judo. Toby was able to bring me down less often than before everytime we practice. I could also manage to last longer in matches with other classmates, even with those who are bigger than me and I was also able to bring one of them down, but I think that was only a fluke, since he wasn’t looking at my feet that time. In order to celebrate my one-time victory, my classmates treated me to that roasting house we always eat in after class, but I didn’t order too many things, because too much of these grilled chicken intestines would not do any good things to my health.

Two months after the beginning of classes, Andre and I managed to make Ash come eat with us one Friday noon. We went and had lunch in Rose and Ted’s because Andre loved their grilled pork, and I assumed Ash would be able to eat there even if he had packed lunch with him. He’s a fine companion, just a bit too quiet most of the time, so it’s difficult to keep up a conversation with him, but that’s okay. I tend to talk more when I’m with someone. I just need to call Andre ‘Elvis’ in front of my other classmates so they won’t find out about his true personality.

My scores during our quizzes weren’t really that high (not failing, but not very high; just borderline) in all our subjects, but I always go on a roll during laboratory sessions. We once did a frog dissection during our Physiology class and I was able to do it really fast. We also did a titration procedure in Biochemistry and our group finished first because I was able to do things really fast. Also, our Anatomy group is always the first to finish during dissections because it was extremely easy for me to make incisions. Because of this, Michelle resorted to calling me “Senpai” since she often asks me what to do in the lab. I really don’t know why she would call me that, despite the fact that she wasn’t Japanese. This was also the reason why Manuel bullies me less often these days; I know I still get on his nerves, and he wouldn’t dare ask for my help in the lab. It was hard enough for me to have this much schoolwork, so it’s an extreme relief that Manuel would go near me less often than before and I am already thankful for that.

Chuck was able to invite me out to play volleyball with him, Ice, and Mang Gido. Naturally, Chuck and Ice were teammates, so Mang Gido became my partner. I would have liked the experience if that was an ordinary game of volleyball. But no! We played volleyball with the three of us topless on the beach, in the middle of a heavy rain. From what I remember, I looked like the only one who wasn’t enjoying the game, but I was lucky that I didn’t catch a cold. I also couldn’t blame Chuck because it was Ice’s idea for us to do it while it was raining. I just didn’t show anyone I was really pissed that day, because I didn’t want to dampen their spirits because of that, but as we arrived home, I immediately locked Chuck out of our room and refused to let him enter until he apologizes. But before long, I had to let him in the room because I can hear his voice shaking violently and began to sneeze because of the long time he was soaking wet and topless, knocking on the door. That night, I had to sleep on the seventh floor again so I wouldn’t catch his fever.

If I’m not mistaken, our first shifting examination was over before I knew it. I really don’t know why, but all the exams were extremely difficult for me, even in Histology, while if I remember correctly, I pulled several all-nighters just to study for these. I also didn’t know how I survived that intense ordeal even though I never understood most of our lessons especially that lecture of Dr. Quamar’s involving the reflex arc.

Our last exam was in Preventive Health and Community Medicine at the end of the week. I really don’t know what to think about that test, but the longer I think about it, the more my head aches. I pulled another all-nighter for this particular subject because I’m completely unsure if I’ll pass this subject or not.

I don’t know if fate really is playful or what, but I saw Michelle with a girl who was crying her eyes out across our examination room. I went towards them and recognized the other girl as that girl who was talking with someone on the phone on our very first day, if I’m not mistaken.

Her hair is long, black, and straight. She has fair and smooth skin, chocolate-colored eyes, a small nose, and slightly thick lips. She would look really pretty, that is, if she wasn’t crying. I motioned towards Michelle, asking if I could go near them and she approved.

“She just broke up with her boyfriend a while ago,” Michelle spoke even before I could say a word.

“Er, Michelle, do you really need to tell me that, first thing?” I asked her. “And is that really supposed to be the first thing I would know about her, instead of her name? Isn’t she gonna mind –”

“N-no, it’s alright. Actually, I’d want everyone t-to know about this, and how hurt I am right now b-because of him!” the crying girl suddenly blurted out.

I couldn’t speak because of what she said, so Michelle got another chance to speak. “Anyway, this is Martin, if you still don’t know her. She’s also our classmate.”

I looked at Martin and thought for a long while. Martin? That’s a boy’s name, isn’t it? I’d really like to know what her parents were thinking when she was born. I know that I have nothing to do with how she was named, but I couldn’t help but think about it. Such occurrences are extremely rare so even you couldn’t possibly help but think about it.

I just went back to reality when I slightly shook my head and said, “It’s nice to meet you, Martin. I’m Ramon.”

Martin didn’t stop crying. Michelle also started to look worried since she didn’t know what to do. I then thought up of something so corny, but it might cheer her up a bit.

“You know, Martin, you’re probably the second most beautiful girl I have ever seen,” I told her. At this point, I’m praying that she wouldn’t ask me why so I wouldn’t have to say the reason.

“H-huh? Why second? Who’s the most beautiful, then?” she asked, confused.

“You, when you’re smiling,” I answered.

As soon as those words left my mouth, I felt like I wanted to vanish like a bubble where I stand. I know it’s extremely embarrassing to tell her that and I really don’t know why. Of all the jokes I could tell her, I went for that one.

The sound of her crying and her laughing mixed in an awkward way. “You’re so annoying, you know!”

I was already expecting her to tell me that. “Um, yes, I know. I’m sorry, I was just trying to cheer you up.”

“I was having a dramatic moment here, only for you to ruin the moment. You really are annoying!” she said while crying and laughing at the same time.

I saw Michelle also smile because of what happened. I was at least relieved because of this, but it’s still not pretty for others to see a girl crying and laughing at the same time. “It’s like I suddenly feel thirsty. Can you guys go with me to Ai Fa Qin Love Iced Tea? I’d like to buy some drinks, my treat.”

That’s how I get others to go with me to any place I want to go to. It’s like I’m asking for a favor when I ask them to go with me, even though I’m the one treating them. That way, I make them feel that I need their help and they would loosen up to me because they’d be doing me a favor, even if I’m the one who’ll pay for them.

We all walked together towards Ai Fa Qin Love Iced Tea as Martin let out a lot of suppressed feelings. Thirty minutes have passed and we’re already sitting inside when she finished her story. Michelle and I just looked at each other and I saw that she also doesn’t know what to say for Martin to lift up her spirits somewhat.

“I’m sorry if I don’t really know what to tell you to at least cheer you up, but…”

I was about to tell Martin that I’d tell her a story or something to cheer her up, but I then thought of a better plan, so I didn’t finish what I was about to say.

“Huh? What is it, Ramon?” asked a confused Martin.

“Do you like love stories?” I needed to ask this first because if she loves them to death, my plan would not push through for sure, but at this time, it didn’t look like it.

“You know, Ramon, I think love stories are what Martin would like the least at this time,” Michelle answered for Martin.

“Yeah, I knew it,” I sighed. “But I’m not here to tell or invent love stories or anything of that sort. I just like to describe the overused plot of love stories.”

Both of them quietly stared at me as if they’re really interested with what I’m about to say so I pushed through my plan.

“Didn’t you notice, the usual characteristics of the girl in a love story would be her being belligerent? Sure, she’s also beautiful, nice, and friendly, but she’s always belligerent. You guys know why?”

The two just shook their heads.

“That is because of the characteristics of the boy,” I continued. “The usual characteristics of the boy in these kinds of stories are handsome, rich, famous, a player of some sport, and most of all, has superiority complex and mysterious. Most of the time, he also has friends that are smug and arrogant so they would go and bully the girl.”

“They would bully the girl?” Michelle asked, surprised.

“That’s why the girl needs to be belligerent, right?” I reminded her. “And the way how those tow usually meet is because of some kind of accident which leads them to hate each other. For example, they would bump on each other in front of the school because the girl was in a great hurry to go to her class. Oh yeah, that’s how the story usually kicks off, right? The girl would wake up and she would then hurry up to prepare for the day.”

I could see that they’re already suppressing their laughter, but I’m still not done with my explanation.

“And then, at first, the story will revolve around the two bickering and fighting with each other even because of very small things. And of course, because they hate each other, the girl will like another guy, who’s a lot nicer than the other. But eventually, as they fall deeper in love with each other, the girl would play hard to get, and the boy would be sheepish.”

Michelle and Martin already had the difficulty of suppressing their laughter because of my explanation to them. It also looked like Martin is already forgetting her problem so I just carried on with my discussion.

“Usually, there should also be a scene where the boy would fall ill and no one would be available to take care of him except for the girl. And then, as the boy is unconscious, the girl will tell herself, ‘This animal does look like an angel.’ There, they would fall entirely in love with each other. Another important aspect of these love stories is that the boy’s parents should be working abroad. And when they arrive, they would be the antagonists to the love story.”

Both my companions finally laughed out loud inside Ai Fa Qin Love Iced Tea so other people started looking at us, but I think they’re also listening to the things I’m saying, so I just continued on until I finished it.

“And the last scene would be at the airport because one of them would be leaving the country. One would chase the other, and there, they would utter words directly copied from Mister Use.”

Even without looking at my surroundings, I know for a fact that other people are also laughing because of me. Mister Use is a very good DJ in a famous radio station in Manila and a lot of people ask him for advice about love, and I know very well that his words of wisdom can be conveniently copied by inexperienced love story authors.

When Martin finally stopped laughing, she said, “My gosh, Ramon, you’re good! In a way, I don’t really have to think much about my problem now because of what you said. I’d never look at love stories the same way ever again. Thank you very much.”

“Of course. He did win a national writing competition. Senpai should be really good at these kinds of things,” Michelle told her.

I giggled slightly with what she said. “That was a long time ago. I was still in high school that time, while I’m already in Medicine school now.”

“But still, it rocks,” Martin remarked. “Most probably, you’ll be able to write a decent love story even when you’re already a doctor.”

I honestly didn’t know how to answer her. Good thing, Michelle changed topics. I don’t really know what to say on situations like this. I’m not used to receiving compliments from others. I really don’t know why. And this goes without saying that I have no interest whatsoever in writing love stories.

We still talked for a few more hours before we already bid each other farewell. We finished early on our exams and this would be the last exam for this week, so we were given the chance to play truant today. A while later, we finally said goodbye because our rides have arrived. When Mang Gido finally picked me up, we talked for a bit.

“How’s your day today?” he asked using his gentle but stiff voice. “From what I know, this is the last day of your exams. What do you plan to do afterwards? Do you want to go somewhere before going home?”

Mang Gido knows exactly when I’m having a bad day because he will then ask a lot of questions and give a lot of suggestions as to where we would go before heading home. I then remembered what happened several years ago, back when I was still a Psychology student. Manuel and I had an intense row and I punched him on the nose before I could stop myself. He didn’t really do anything to me, but I got sent to the guidance councilor and I got suspended for two weeks because of that. My day was really dreadful. Mang Gido immediately noticed this when he picked me up. While on the road, I noticed that he kept on asking me question after question while I was in no mood to answer. I just realized that we already arrived in MOA and he brought me to National Bookstore because he knows that it’s mu paradise. I think I was able to buy two new books that night. Even if my whole day was miserable, it was still a happy memory because of how it ended.

I really am happy today. I just don’t know why I suddenly felt weak and I felt like nothing would cheer me up today, even if I think about how I cheered up Martin and Michelle’s compliments to me.

“I’m sorry, Mang Gido,” I slowly replied, “I think I’m not feeling very well. Please turn off the air conditioning unit, I’m freezing. Let’s just go straight home. I just want to lie down and sleep until –”

I couldn’t finish what I’m about to say because Mang Gido suddenly stepped on the brakes in the middle of the road. He held my forehead and said, “Jesus Christ, you’re burning hot, Ramon!”

Without warning, Mang Gido swerved and went straight to a drugstore. When he returned to the car, he gave me some medicine and a bottle of water. “Take it in immediately, you’ll feel better.”

After taking the medicine, I told him, “Thanks, Mang Gido. I’ll pay you when we get home.”

Mang Gido just smiled and shook his head. “It’s a good thing that you won’t have any classes tomorrow. You would be able to rest. What time did you sleep – oh, did you sleep last night?” he asked while starting the car.

It was my turn to shake my head. “I don’t know,” I just muttered.

I immediately plopped down my bed when we arrived at the apartment. I’m already starting to sweat a bit, but I’m still feeling weak. I was only able to remove my shirt, but I didn’t want to move anymore after that, even to change into my house clothes because I really wanted to lie down that very instant. All I was thinking is that I’m already done with all our subjects for our first shifting exams.

But before long, I’m feeling more awake and little by little, the events that occurred a month ago went back to me. The events that Granddad was telling me that I could enter any story I wanted.

I took the pendant Granddad gave me from my chest and I stared at it for a long time. Eventually, questions started to fill my head. How was I able to do it and why does the pendant choose people only every five generations apart? What happens to me while inside a story? And why did Chuck refuse to take it and how in the world did he pass on that right to me?

“Aaaaaaarrrrrggghh!”

My head started pounding in pain again because of thinking of these things. I let go of the pendant on my chest, closed my eyes, and held my head with both hands, hoping that it relieves the pain. It also escaped my notice that I forgot to remove my shoes. I just curled up on my bed because I started to feel cold again.