The Brainy Rebel

TBR 43 - Nathaniel

Nathaniel Salazar

It was hard. Of course. Mahirap kasi may mga naiwan ako. Mahirap kasi nasanay ako na may mga kasama at karamay. Nakatulog lang ako sa eroplano tapos paggising ko, wow. A new bottle of air to breathe, a new land to step on. It's not easy. I am a guy but I'm saying this. This is fucking hell. But I kept one thought in my mind. "I'll make everyone proud, even myself."

Pinagpatuloy ko ang Grade 12 dito sa France. Mahirap mag-adjust kasi, syempre, I'm used to Filipino universities. Pero mabilis din akong naka-cope kasi friendly ang school staffs nila. I was the valedictorian.

First year college ako, I took Civil Engineering. Pero nung nalaman ni Papa yun, pina-shift niya ako sa Entrepreneurship. Napaisip naman ako. Oo nga 'no? Nandito nga pala ako para matuto ng marketing and business stuff. Naka-isang taon din ako sa second course ko. Nung magse-second year na ako, pina-home school ako ni Papa kasi mas kailangan ko raw magtraining. And I'll waste more time if I would be studying in a university.

Life was fine. Pag namimiss ko si Maxine, tinititigan ko na lang ang stolen shots niya sa phone ko. Mahirap kasi ang communication, time difference. Pero nakadikit na sa pangalanang Nathaniel Salazar ang katangahan. Nasaktan ko si Max. I forgot our third anniversary. University guy pa ako nun. I really really really hate myself 'cause of that.

This day is very very special. It is Maxine and I's third anniversary as a couple. I'm planning to give her a gift, a ring. Ipapadala ko na lang through a courier company. Plano ko ring hindi pumasok sa afternoon classes ko today. I'm willing to trade a day of studying for hours spent with my girl.

"Then let us do the project instead."

Doon ako napanganga at napatingin sa kaibigan kong si Helga. Anong project? Wala akong alam! But I can't make that project with my friends. I'll be busy later.

"H-ha? P-project?"

Sabay sabay napatingin sa isa't isa ang apat na kaibigan ko. "Oh no..."

"Darn it! I forgot to tell you. You were absent that day." Nag-aalalang sabi ni Matt.

Baka yun yung araw na nag-absent ako dahil may tinuro sakin si Papa tungkol sa business niya. Well, maybe.

"Mr. Acker gave a group project and... a-and he grouped us, five."

"He wants it successful. And he decided to base our final grade there." Napakamot sa ulo si Benjamin. "Tomorrow's the deadline."

Nagpantig ang tenga ko sa sinabi niya at yung project na sinasabi lang nila ang natira sa utak ko. Bukas? Tapos ngayon pa lang ako gagawa? Dapat matagal ko na yung nagawa! T-teka, baka naman madali lang?

"What kind of project?"