In our twenties

In our twenties: life will be different

In our twenties: life will be different

The vigorous prime of our life is in our twenties, where we usually do all the things that we really wanted because we are all so energetic to do extraordinary things. At this stage, some people start looking for their real purpose in life. Busy looking for the things that can make them feel real happiness. Some people are even busy looking for their partners in life. Because our twenties is the time where everyone become so competitive about life. So busy chasing success.

But what I am doing in my twenties? Well, just like a normal person; I eat, study, sleep, hang out with friends and so many normal things that a normal person is doing because when I was twenty I just recently graduated from my dream university, which basically makes me so happy. Because who wouldn't be happy if you graduated with flying colors in one of the best universities in the Philippines, right?

Seems normal, isn't it? But honestly, just like any ordinary person, I've really gone through a lot of things during my twenties. 

Anyway, to make the story short. I thought life would be easy after graduating. I thought graduating as a c*m laude would guarantee me to find a good job, but hell, it's just a prank. Life can be so harder than your boyfriend's p***s when it's in his erection. I thought I've already suffered enough in the university, but little did I know that the worst is yet to come.

I experienced a nightmare. A nightmare which I thought would end me. But whenever I see this girl in a large portrait hanging on the wall I couldn't help but smile. I really admire her for surviving all the dramas in her life. I was really dreaming of being a successful independent woman just like her. Turning your dreams into reality was never easy, that's why I really admire her so much because despite all the dilemmas in life she encountered she remained tough and now has become a woman who was able to achieve her career and passion. So admirable, isn't she?

"I've never been so proud of someone. How did you manage to survive again?" I mumble as I stared at the woman in the picture who's happily smiling.

I tilted my head and the nostalgic memories flashback once more.

February 2020, the news about the coronavirus pandemic spread all throughout the world, but some were taking it lightly since not everyone at that time was affected, only China. But where I am at that time? Well, I am in a four-walled classroom of a review center, busy preparing my brain for my upcoming board exam.

"Tet," Novaleen called my nickname gently. We're seatmates, by the way.

I stopped writing some notes and barely gave her my attention. Yep, just barely since the class is still ongoing and I have to listen to the lecturer. I am multitasking, obviously.

"Look... Some people are discriminating against the Chinese for spreading the virus," she added.

"This is not actually the time where we should discriminate against other races. They basically need help since they are in crisis, but we can't blame others also, they might be so scared of the virus that's why," I commented before writing something back on my paper.

"What are you two talking?" usisa ni Christine sa akin. Katabi ko lang kasi siya kaya rinig na rinig niya ang mga sinabi ko.

"Wala. About covid 19 lang," sagot ko.

"Speaking of that... Nakapasok na raw 'yong virus sa Pilipinas," sabi ni Christine.

"Seriously?"

Tumango naman siya sa akin. I haven't watched any news recently since I was really busy studying so I haven't heard about the virus coming into our country. At dahil na nga sa sinabi ni Christine ay hindi na namin halos mapakinggang mabuti ang sinasabi ng lecturer dahil naging abala na kaming limang magbabarkada sa pag-uusap tungkol sa virus.

"For those people who aren't interested in listening, the door is widely open!" simpleng parinig ng lecturer kaya nagmistulang natunaw na ice cream kaming magkakaibigan sa kahihiyang inabot. Ang ingay na pala namin.

And by the way, before I forgot, I am Princess Alexandra Magallanes. I am 21 years old. A fresh graduate from one of the prestigious universities in Mindanao. And the ladies I am talking with earlier are my besties, Christine, Novaleen, Odessa, and Merceditha. We all took up History, and our main goal as of the moment is to ace the board exam for teachers.

Sabi nga ng iba, once you have a certain goal in life, you will certainly achieve it. But I never expected that the waves of life is too harsh to handle, that even if I've already planned ahead hindi ko pa rin matiyak kung saan ako patutungo.

Ako iyong tipo ng tao na go with the flow lang sa agos ng buhay pero darating talaga tayo sa punto ng buhay natin na hindi na natin alam kung sasabay pa ba tayo sa agos ng buhay o susuko na lang at magpakalunod dahil masyadong mahirap sabayan ang agos.

Dati akala ko, when you reach your twenties life would become easier. That life would be gentler. But I was just bluffing myself all the time because life is so unpredictable. When Coronavirus slowly spread in my country, I don't really know what to feel. I am scared and worried not because coronavirus is here but because I am not now certain if there would still be a great future waiting ahead for me. Because I and my friend's goals of acing the board exam shattered when the PRC declared that our exam was postponed.

We really don't know what to feel. Should we cry? Should we be sad and get depressed by it? All I know is that at that time I am feeling mixed emotions. But deep inside, I was happy, I will not going to lie. Because I was thinking that this pandemic has just given me more time to study, but life becomes harder than I expected.

Disappointments, stress, and frustrations started to rise to a different level, which is so difficult to handle. Indeed, in our twenties, life will be different, and this is just the beginning.

To be continued...