Sinking Deep [UNDER MAJOR EDITING]

CHAPTER 1

SINKING DEEP
(Serendipity)

Klinngg klinngg!!

Tumunog ang bell ng pinto ng coffee shop nang itulak ko ito. Galing pa ako sa library nagpahinga sandali, nagbasa, nag-aral—dahil paparating na ang midterms. Kailangan kong pumasa. Kaunti nalang ang oras ko at ayokong mawalan ng tsansa sa kotse na ipinangako ni Daddy.

"Grabe naman si Daddy, bakit ba hindi nalang agad ako bigyan ng sasakyan? Para hindi na ako nagko-commute," reklamo ko habang umuupo sa unang bakanteng upuan na nakita ko.

Punuan ang shop, halatang peak hour. Pareho lang naman kami ng ibang estudyanteng galing library lahat nagka-cram, lahat nagtatangkang bawiin ang sem na buong buwan nilang tiniis. Maliban na lang siguro sa mga tinamaan ng katamaran. Pero andito pa rin ako, umaasang may papasok sa utak ko habang hihigop ang kape.

I'm Freyja Elie Mercedez, second year Art student taking Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting. Bata pa lang ako, pintura na ang mundo ko. Sumali na ako sa kung ilang contest, division man o national, at halos lagi akong may medalya o trophy na uuwi. Hindi man artist ang parents ko, sila mismo ang nagtulak sa akin sa kursong 'to dahil sa talento ko.

At ngayon, nagre-review ako para sa midterms dahil gusto ko ng kotse. Simple lang naman ang kondisyon ni Daddy;  pumasa ako. Kapag bumagsak, goodbye dream car. 

Kaya heto ako sa coffee shop, humihinga. Nagpapa-relax muna bago sumabak sa reviewer. Dito kasi ako laging lumulugar. The ambience felt like a warm embrace. Every corner looked aesthetic, and the soft background noise made it easy to focus and relax at the same time.

Studying was so much better in a place like this, even though my mind was half-stressed and half-motivated.

My thoughts drifted until I noticed Min, one of the café staff, walking toward me with her usual bright smile. She held the menu in her hand, moving with a familiar ease that never lost its warmth.

"Good morning, Frey. What's your order?" she asked.

We're the same age, but our lives are very different. I never had to worry about school fees or basic needs, while Min works here to pay for her own tuition. We go to the same school, and she is already a third-year student who keeps pushing herself because she has no one to rely on.

I truly admire working students. They carry a kindness that feels genuine and a determination that does not easily break. Even without the privileges others enjoy, they continue to chase their dreams with steady effort and self-reliance.

"A cup of cappuccino with icing on top and two cupcakes with no sprinkles," I replied, handing the menu back to her.

"Parang hindi ka blooming ngayon, pansin ko, " sabi niya habang nakatingin sa mga mata ko.

"Alam mo naman na madaming student na nagre-review for midterms, kasali na rin ako doon. Tsaka huwag mo na pansinin ang eyebags ko papansin lang ʼyan." Nai-istress kong sabi sa kanya.

"I know but don't push yourself," sagot niya. "Your coffee will be ready in a minute. Just wait and relax." She said while maintaining her professionalism.

"Thank you, " Tugon ko sabay kuha ng small paintboard sa messenger bag ko at paint brush rin para saan pa edi mag paint.

I always bring a miniature paint board and a small brush set with a tiny color palette because painting is already part of my routine. I usually paint random things since the board is only three inches in size. I keep all of my finished mini paintings in my room, each one labeled with the date, time, and place where I painted it.