October 13,2020

Dear Kevin,

How have you been?

It’s been four months since we last saw each other on Lovely’s birthday party. I reckon you can still
remember that we’ve got to have a good chat on different things including how you entered Med School
seven months ago. I heard that for a semester you are one of the Dean’s Lister of your college. Cheers to
that!

However, Aunt Lannie messaged me privately yesterday and told me that you are having an off-day in
your studies. She provided me some details and I can’t help but wonder and worry about your well-
being. She even called me earlier this morning because she can’t bare looking at your grades plummet
down every semester. As your long-time friend and cousin, I also share the same concern as Aunt Lannie
does.

Med School is a different arena and you completely know that. But I can’t just dismiss the fact that you
are struggling and in need of help. I know that you are feeling the stress of your course that’s why you
often resort to online gaming and alcohol consumption as your coping mechanism to circumvent against
all that stress.

College is stressful; both of us know that. I am currently studying Law and perhaps you and I can agree
that it isn’t always a smooth ride. We have different means to deal with the stress and pressure we feel
every single day. I was even diagnosed with Severe Anxiety by my psychiatrist; but luckily, I managed to
recover from that with some therapies and help from my loved ones. Kevin, I know that you are
suffering and as a Med Student you should be able to recognize addiction.

What’s happening to you is a sign of addiction. Aunt Lannie told me that you often spend your entire
allowance drinking with your friends and come home drunk at dawn. If you’re not drunk, you often skip
meals just to play long hours on online games--- thus, your tardiness is taking a toll on your grades.

These are not good things to do especially that you’re about to proceed to your internship. You can’t
carry these habits in the workplace. Worst, you can get yourself in extreme danger if you don’t regulate
these habits soon. You know too well that too much alcohol consumption can damage your liver and
often get you in some quarrels, right? I understand that our body wants alcohol at times but I’m sure
you don’t want to have a body with a decrypted liver. Also, too much exposure from screen radiation
that you get from irresponsible online gaming can severely affect your eyes. Worst, it can even cause
cancer!

Kev, I know that you don’t want to disappoint your parents and I’m certain that they are rooting for
your success more than anyone else; I do too. The things that you are doing today are dangerous and
lethal for your health. Please notice and acknowledge that these things are destroying you. Take
measures as soon as possible. You can go meet a psychiatrist to help you with that. You can also realign
your responsibilities and have a better time management.

I want you to know that I’m not telling you to stop, but regulate. I can’t just write you a letter and tell
you to stop doing what you want and go away with it scot-free. To abandon the fact that drinking and
playing online games have helped you managed your stress is quite blatant of me. Everything is okay but
do it in moderation.

I know that you’ll weather this storm! After our graduation, let’s grab some delicious halo-halo with our
cousins.

Yours truly,

Raiza