Drastic Waves in Bondi

Chapter 35

Chapter 35

I've been having hectic schedules all throughout this semester. Para bang gusto ko na lang i-drop ang ibang subjects ko, but I'm already halfway finishing them so bakit kailangan ko pang i-give up 'to?

I basically joke my situation last summer now. Kung naka-survive nga ako no'n sa pagkalulunod ko, ito pa kayang mga minor subjects na feeling major? Hell no! Pero kailangang mag-comply with all the requirements. As if I have a choice.

It's been two months since I got back from school, pero parang lumulutang pa rin ako sa lahat ng ginawa ko during summer. Sometimes I suddenly woke up in the middle of the night because of a terrible nightmare. Kaya nagugulat na lang iyong roommate ko dahil minsan humahangos na lamang ako nang paghinga.

Binabanggit pa niya na para daw akong nalunod kung paano ako huminga. Nang sabihin ko naman sa kanya ang aksidenteng nangyari sa akin, ang initial reaction nito ay nagulat—obviously, hindi niya inaasahang mangyayari iyon sa akin.

The trauma of the beach engraved on me. Ilang beses na rin itong nangyayari sa akin, hindi ko lang sinasabi sa kanila dahil paniguradong mag-aalala sila sa akin. Ayoko namang pag-alalahanin pa sila. And I don't need some counsel to overcome the trauma. I love the beach and I would do it again for the sake of saving someone else. It just that, bad timing lang talaga 'yong oras na 'yon.

This trauma might wake me up every now and then, at least I know I made it out alive.

"Thesia, are you coming with us?" Dustin asked.

"Where?"

"At the cafeteria," he said.

"Sure, sure. I'll meet you guys there."

Nauna na namang umalis ng room ang mga kaibigan ko. Inayos ko naman ang gamit ko dahil kailangan ko pang kausapin ang professor ko patungkol sa ilang projects. Dumiretsyo na naman ako sa table niya at tinanong ko na ang dapat kong itanong.

I took note of everything he said. Before I could leave the room, he called me.

"I just wanna say something about the piece you have written last week," he said, and as I tried reminding myself from it, napangiti ako. "I'm actually impressed with the way you have written that article. Wherever you got the inspiration to write it, you have an incredible future in journalism, Carseldine."

"Thank you, sir! I really appreciate it and... it's based on true life."

"Oh, for real? That's fascinating. Do you have any plans on publishing it online? I believe it will get many views. You're a good storyteller. I'm not saying this just because you think I am biased about it, but you've got the talent."

"Wow... that's what I was aiming for. And about publishing it online, I don't know. I don't have any plans for it yet. I think, for now, I'd like to keep it for myself."

"You do what you gotta do, Carseldine. Congrats, again. And if you may excuse me, I'll be going to my next class now."

When my professor and left me alone, I was left in so much awe. I know what I've written there came from my heart. Hindi ko naman maiisapang isulat iyon kung sa tingin ko hindi siya worth it ipasa. That article was only between me and my professor as part of my activity. Through those words, he saw the things that happened that people haven't been able to see. I just couldn't hide my smile that I could still pull it off.

I'll be one of those popular journalists who will be known for their masterpiece and I couldn't wait for it to happen.

When I met my friends on the cafeteria, they immediately asked me what brings the huge smile on my face. Paupo na sana ako nang dumating ang kararating lamang ang isa ko pang kaibigan at napunta sa akin ang atensyon nito.