The Future I See With You

Chapter 1

"I'll see you around bub!"

Tumayo sa pagkakaupo niya sa aking desk si Kean pagkatapos niya makita ang aking resulta sa SHS ng Ateneo. Dumeretsyo siya sa akin at dinaganan ako sa kama ko. I made him look at my results because I can't handle the rejection, if ever. But I passed! It was a long shot, but I did it! I jumped on my bed and smiled as wide as he did!

"Oh my gosh??? Real ba??" Naiiyak na ako sa tuwa kasi sa wakas makakasama ko sa iisang paaralan ang aking pinakauna at pinakamatalik na kaibigan.

I would finally have more time with my best friend and meet more people. I have been with the same batch of people for the last 12 years of my life. I love them, really. They became my sisters from many other mothers. The teachers also didn't just stay as professional relationships— I formed bonds with them over the many years I had in my high school. But since kindergarten I have been with the same set of friends, I see the same set of faces every day... I think it's time for a fresh perspective.

"Yeah! Finally! Oh dear, Lord! Thank you!" He shouts as he lifts me off of my bed and hugs me so tight I'm literally swept off my feet. He turns around and puts me down on the floor. I rush to my desk to see the results for myself. And there it is. My name beside the 'Congratulations! We are happy to welcome you to Ateneo de Manila University. You have been accepted into the General Academic strand with Arts and Design.'

"Mommy! Si Reign pumasa sa ADMU! Makikita ko na siya sa campus namin!" Sigaw ni Kean sa labas ng kuwarto ko para marinig ng nanay ko na nasa sala sa baba.

Yes, he calls my mom, mommy too. And I call his mom, mama, like how he does. We've been friends for 16 years now and I'm 17 years old. That's literally our whole lives, kaya ganito kami kacomportable sa isa't isa. Kaya ganito kami sa pamilya naming dalawa.

Narinig ko na may kumalampag sa sahig sa baba. Alam kong kapatid ko yon na baka nahulog sa sofa o kung saan. Then I heard heavy footsteps coming nearer and nearer from the stairs to the threshold of my bedroom. My door swings wide open and I see my parents and brother catch their breath... mostly just my brother and my dad.

"Pasado ka? Talaga anak? Sa Ateneo ka na mag aaral?" Hingal na bigkas ng aking tatay.

"Yey! Ate, you learn how to drive na rin so that you will bring me to school and uwi me also!" My brother jumps in joy. Ayaw lang niya ng sermon nila mommy pauwi pag nallate na siya dahil nakikipag laro pa sa mga kaibigan.

"Great job! I'm proud of you anak." My mom says as she walks closer to me with a smile that reached her eyes. Minsan ko lang marinig mga salita na yon galing sa kanila. Ang sarap pala sa pakiramdam. She hugged me sideways when she got near me.

"Totoo po, eto po, tignan niyo. Sa General Academics with Arts and Design po ako. And thank you, mommy." I show them the screen of my laptop and thank my mom for her compliment by side hugging her tighter.

"At ikaw Mattheo! Natatakot pa ako mag drive! Bakit hindi ang kuya Kean mo ang sabihan mong mag lessons na para pati ako naipagmamaneho na niya." Parinig ko sa kaibigan ko.

"Luh, takot daw. Walang takot takot! Sabay tayo dali! Bago mag pasukan mag lessons na tayo!" Sabi niya sa akin habang lumalapit sa kabilang gilid ko. I made a face at him and he just made it back.

"Oki fine!" I replied while rolling my eyes. When he reached me he caressed my back and I leaned my head on his side."Great job bub! You did good! Now we can enjoy ourselves more!" Kean says as he keeps caressing my back then pats my head before kissing it.

This is so surreal. I'm finally going to my dream school! My best friend will always be by my side. This was just a dream of ours before ... to be in one university. Studying together here at home or at his home. And having a common group of friends. Hanging out with them. Damn. Kakaiba talaga kapag naaabot na ang pangarap.