Life Unscripted

DRIFTING BOND

I encourage her saying all hopes wasn't lost. With time, she started being herself, the ever-cheerful Rose. She would accompany me and my mom whenever we went to purchase my school items, which I would need while in school. She promised to try again and make sure she gets to college also. I felt proud of her because that's one of the reasons I loved her - she doesn't give up easily, just like myself. I don't let go easily.

Months passed, and it was time for me to go to school. My parents gave me the usual father and mother talk, and I felt different waves of emotions. Of course, I was happy to leave, but at the same time, I was scared of leaving my parents, my siblings, who were always there for me when I needed anything. I would be on my own, making decisions myself. I felt I wasn't ready for that stage, but I had always dreamed of being free. I guess it's easier said than done.

The day I was to travel to school, I had my parents taking me there. I cried while they were leaving, and I don't even know the reasons for crying - different waves of emotions. Rose couldn't see me before I left; she had things to do, but she gave me my biggest surprise - she came all the way to spend a day with me, to allow me to get accustomed to my school environment. I was so happy and glad I had someone to talk to, someone I actually know. Even if it was just for a day, it meant a lot to me. We had fun, talked, laughed, and cried because we would be missing each other. We thought about how we always wanted to be roomies and share college fun together, but most importantly, she was happy for me.

She eventually left the next day, and then the reality of life began to hit me - "screaming, I'm on my own." I had just myself and my roommate, Stacy, whom I barely knew. Well, I didn't need anyone to tell me because the first few weeks of my arrival, I found it difficult in meeting up because I woke up late, had to think of what to have for breakfast, get to school, figure out my lecture hall, and I was glad I'm one bold type, so asking and making friends was easy. In less than a month, I had everything figured out; it was no longer stressful, at least not as it was in the beginning.

Going back home from lectures was always relieving, as I knew Stacy would have figured out what we would eat. Stacy was like an elder sister to me; she would always make sure I'm okay, despite her poor background. She wasn't bad herself. One day, I came home and met Stacy sleeping. I guess she was tired, or her period might have come early, since she always experiences severe pains during her periods. So, I decided to help out with the chores, and I was so tired that I decided to rest a bit. While sleeping, I heard some voices in our room. At first, I thought Stacy had woken up, but the voices were that of Stacy and someone else. I didn't want to wake up, but drifting back to sleep was difficult. I was kind of eavesdropping on their conversation, and I overheard the other person saying, "So she eventually decided to make herself useful rather than showing off like she's been born with a golden spoon."

I couldn't hear Stacy's voice anymore, so I decided to peek, and my eyes fell on Natasha, a friend of Stacy's who lives in our dorm. She never really liked me, always seeing me as someone who's overly spoilt and shows off, which I'm not. Since I'm not responsible for the kind of friends Stacy should keep, I can't tell her who to befriend or not. Natasha's eyes met mine, and a flash of shock passed through her eyes, contemplating if I overheard their conversation or not. Stacy, on the other hand, had an expressionless face; I couldn't read what she felt.

Well, I acted like I didn't hear what they said about me, but I was troubled within me. As someone who likes confronting people, I felt wronged. I had to say something, but I wasn't going to give Natasha the satisfaction of seeing me and Stacy argue. So, I waited for Natasha to leave before confronting Stacy.

It was bedtime, and Stacy was planning on sleeping, but she could see the restlessness on my face. I walked up to her bed and spoke softly, "I actually overheard your conversation with Tasha, and I felt bad, as that's what you think of me."