Alive In Space

Prolouge

".. and he has said 'we're flying to Mars'. We are flying to Mars with international partners and commercial partners. We're going to utilize the resources of Mars and this time, when we go to Mars it's gonna be sustainable. In other words, we are going to stay."

A round of applause from the audience made the host smile wider. Sumenyas siya para bahagya silang patahimikin ulit.

"We're gonna stay with robots, landers and rovers and we're gonna have humans going back and forth to the surface of Mars from what we call Nova, which is a spacestation in orbit around the red planet in deep space. So, there's a lot of things happening at NAASR and those people that are gonna be flying them, the next generations of astronauts to walk in space and on another planet are here with us today. So let's bring out our astronaut candidates and let's get started."

I took a deep breath as a bright spark of light hit my face.

My hands are shaking. Nervous.. but proud. I don't know what I was supposed to do when we finally reached the stage, standing infront of uncountable people. My fellow candidates waved, some of them smiled but I just.. stared at them. Wala akong maisip kundi kaba at kung napapanood ba 'to ng pamilya ko ngayon. The thought of them cheering for me instantly puts me at ease.

"In fact, a lot of people around the world are excitedly waiting to know who you are and what you're gonna do on behalf of NAASR and the entire world. So thank you for being here and for participating in this and as you can see, a lot of enthusiasm are coming from our audience. Please, have your seats."

Naupo kami sa mga nakahandang upuan dito at naghintay lang sa sasabihin ng host. Nilingon ako ni Harper na nasa tabi ko lang saka ngumiti ng pilit. "Nervous," she mouthed.

"Okay, so if you could give us a moment to tell us about yourself, your name, where you came from and in what point of your life um.. did you realize that becoming an astronaut is a dream to pursue? So Emily, start with you."

"Thank you for having me.." she continued speaking to answer the host's question. Hindi ko sila ganoon kakilala, we actually just met a few weeks ago. We have a long way to go and a lot of time to spend with one another but that's not something that I'll think about at this moment.

Parang hindi man lang sila kinakabahan habang nagsasalita tungkol sa sarili nila. Wala naman akong stage fright o takot sa public speaking pero sa dami ng camera na halos isalampak na sa mga mukha namin ay siguradong makakaramdam talaga ng kaunting kaba. I can't help but to close my eyes when the lights went flashing before us.

Ngumiti nalang din ako nang ipasa na sa akin ang mic. Ako na ang pinakahuli kaya halos lahat sila ay nakatingin lang at naghihintay sa sasabihin ko. I've never felt so important in my life.

"I am Kirsten Solstice Cortez, a former surgeon. I mean, I'm not retired yet so not a 'former' and um.." tumigil ako saglit nang may ilang magtawanan. Kinakahaban ako, letse. Napalunok ako at saka huminga ng malalim para mabawasan ang kaba ko.

"They call me Dr. Cortez because, well obviously I am a doctor. I am a candidate from the Philippines where I grew up, graduated and eventually worked for a few years. Um.. I never thought of being an astronaut, it's not even what I wanted to be as a kid. Plans definitely don't work in life and it's not an easy straight path. It was an opportunity. That is what brought me here, an opportunity, a chance."

Nakailang kurap na siguro ako dahil sa maliwanag na ilaw na nakatapat sa akin.

"I wanted to live, not to just simply exist. Travel the world, if not then the universe. Experience everything I possibly can."

Some of the audiences looked at me curiously.

"It's.. it's not my dream, nor my parent's or my friend's. I just want to have fun and do everything as long as I still can. Yesterday, I was a college student, then a doctor, now an astronaut. I'm actually planning to become a cashier woman after this 'cause I've never done that before and I would love to do so."

Gumaan ang atmosphere sa loob ng hall na 'to kaya napangiti nalang din ako.

"Life is just too short to spend it all doing the same thing forever. I want to be outgoing but still walking through the right path. I had a lot of regrets because I did not have this idea in my head when I was a child or a teen. An opportunity never came to me at those times so I hold onto nothing. I promised to travel through space instead 'cause I've already wasted half of my life being busy existing. I want to live, not exist and I am.. I am living."

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If you're wondering what NAASR means, it's National Administration of Aeronautics and Space Research.