I was confronted by a neighbor yesterday morning, as he was purchasing a pack of cigarettes, and told me nonchalantly that the results for the nursing board examinations were finally out. Perhaps he had expected that I already knew, and was eagerly asking me if I was one of those who passed. Unfortunately, I have busied myself with other matters quite lately that I have conveniently forgotten all about it, and for a few seconds stood staring at him completely baffled by his inquiry. Suddenly realizing the gravity of the information, I literally threw at him his cigarettes, flew into the house, and went online to check if it were true. My neighbor was right, the results were indeed out. And I passed - again.

For a few minutes, there was some compulsive jumping around and considerable howling on my part, disturbing the family dog who was sleeping in a corner. My father who was hovering threateningly over me all the time I was nervously searching the net (perhaps preparing to strangle me, or castrate me hanging in front of our house, if I had failed) looked on, smiling from ear to ear. He was probably considering the traditional "lechon", or maybe of buying me a new pair of shoes, on the account of my passing the board a second time. He phoned practically every member of our family, even all the way from Sultan Kudarat, to spread the fortunate news. Perhaps, he was as relieved as I was to finally have what the papers are calling "closure" on the board exam fiasco.

After the initial stirrings in the house, the excitement of the moment died down. I returned to manning the store, absolutely pleased with myself. Pichay, our dog, returned to her old corner, after much tail-chasing and trifling about. My father returned to watching the morning news, (perhaps) as proud as a peacock. Yes, there was immense relief. Yes, there was monumental redemption. And definitely a sense of grand achievement. Yet, I still could not help but feel anger and contempt at the shameful reasons why we, who passed the examination a year ago, should take it all over again in the first place. But that, I told myself, is not important now. After risking it all, I passed - and I'm a bloody nurse again. That is all that matters.

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To all those who passed, my sincere congratulations.

“The only place where success comes before work is in the dictionary.” ~Donald Kendall