One day

2

DISCLAIMER: This is a work of fiction, Names, characters, place, events, and incidents are  products of the author's imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. 

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""Sorry, we cannot admit you to our masters program, you need to submit your lacking requirements first  before we allow you to be officially enrolled."

Paulit ulit na nagpplay sa utak ko. Anong gagawin ko ngayon? last day na ng enrollment. Di ko na mahahabol yung requirements sa undergraduate school ko kasi it will take two to three weeks to process. Anong sasabihin ko sa nanay ko? Sa mga kaibigan ko? Sa pinagttrabahuan ko? Akala ko pa naman magiging green archer na ko. Akala ko lang pala. 

"Ma, di ako nakapag enroll sa masters." Umiiyak ako habang sinasabi. Gusto ko talaga ng literature. Iniisip ko na yung thesis ko, anong magiging topic ko. Saan ako mag aaral. Mga classmates ko. Pero lahat yun nawala nalang ng parang bubbles. Pero alam mo yun, gusto mo sya, pero hindi ka ganon ka sure.

"Try law school, try lang. Take Philsat. If hindi ka pumasa then it isn't for you." Suggest ni mama. Biglang parang gustong sumabog ng utak ko. Like, yes, childhood dream pero mas gusto kong mag white coat kasi nakakaganda compare law school with eye bags and stress look all day. Ang thought palang, parang pagod na agad ako. 

"Ma, halos mabuang na nga ako sa mga students ko, pano pa kaya law school. Hirap akong mag memorize, and kahit direction lang ang bobo ko. Ma, naman!" Sagot ko habang umiiling iling. No. Ayoko. Ngayon pa nga lang mukha na kong pagod, pano pa kaya pag nag law school na ko dba. Mukha na kong Tita na nasiraan ng utak. 

A few moments later, I found myself registering for the PHILSAT. Actually, this will be my second time, I forfeited my first exam for I knew that time na I would not pass. Nanghingi lang talaga ko ng money for the sake lang na may magawa ka after graduation. 

I grabbed my phone and messaged Penny. Penny is my bestfriend since grade school. We met during camping and became instantly inseparable up to this day. She is taking up BS Biology and is planning to  take up Medicine. That's the plan. I remember that her kuya is in law school. I need advice. I need tips. 

"Message mo nalang si kuya. I'm busy right now. Love you. hehe" Reply ni gaga. Nasan na naman kaya to. Penny is an epitome of beauty. She has the looks, the wit and the heart. I looked up to her and admire her. So I would never doubt why men are really into her. 

"Hello Kuya. This is Van. Penny's bestfriend." I was hesistant, sending for baka di nya ako kilala or do I sound rude, or whatever. I just pressed send and wait for a reply. 

"Yes. Kilala kita.Why?"

Jose Antonio Donato Ramos. Jad. I liked him. LIKED. I got over it. I think. But I secretly liked him in high school. I wanted it to be a secret for almost everyone in my class knew and liked him back then and I don't want to be one of those girls who were gushing over him. 

So, I explained to him my entire situation including the agreement between me and my mom as well as my hesitations. 

"HAHAHAHAHA. You'll do well in law school. Alam ko."

My heart melted. Charot. Ang rupok naman sis. But he's really a breath of fresh air. Ang dali nyang kausap, no, more like ang sarap nyang kausap. 

"Why do you want to be a lawyer" I asked. 

"Hmm, ikaw why do you want to be a lawyer?" he countered.

"Hindi ko gusto yung idea at first, but now, with what is happening in our country, I want to be the voice of the oppressed. Like I want to do more." I said. But honestly, that's what I'm feeling right now. Since the day na I registered for PHILSAT. Ang bilis ng t***k ng puso ko always if may nababasa ko or naririnig related to law, law school, injustices, and any similar thing. 

Past midnight, and yet magkausap pa kami. I was just supposed to ask pero inabot na kami ng madaling araw. Ito na ba ang start of something new, I shrugged off the idea and laughed. No. Never. He has a girlfriend. Nakikita ko sa mga post and Stories nya. Sayang. Charot. 

"Kailan ka pala uuwi dito?" He asked. It's been six months since my last uwi in our province. And actually I have no plans not until december because of course it is our family's tradition. 

"Baka december or I don't know or hindi." I replied. He's in our province, and in his second year in law school, so I think he gained experienced and tips enough to share it to me.

"Umuwi ka na. Di mo ba namimiss ang dagat and fresh air dito." 

"Of course, I miss. Pero saka na siguro. Busy pa eh"

"Message mo ko pag andito ka na, I'll give you a ride or a tour."

I rolled my eyes and pressed my lips together. Sabay dasal, Lord, alam mo namang marupok ako dba. Wag ganito. Bet ko na po sya dati pa. At dahil nga ng umulan ng karupukan, may dala akong timba, I said.

"Sure. Inform kita." 

"Good night, Van. Magpahinga ka na." He said. It's three in the morning. Ang bilis ng oras, or di ko lang namalayan kasi masarap syang kausap. 

"Sweet dreams, Jad."