Seeking the Wellspring of Heart

09

CHAPTER 09
Misperceptions

In the span of just one week, I've become an official ZSU student. Since then, I've been focusing more on my work in order to save up and live independently--I'm thinking of getting a unit or renting an apartment malapit sa school.

Things aren't going well at home. My parents treat me so coldly that I couldn't even talk to them. I simply told them that I got into the university, and as usual I received some harsh words from Mommy, while Dada remained silent.

"Make sure na may mapatunayan ka, kasi wala akong kadugong wala pang nararating,"

Those are words na lumabas sa bibig ni Ate noong sinabi ko sa sakanya. Why am I even trying? Sa huli, ako pa rin ang dehado. Deserve ko ba 'to?

I don't understand. Does failure dictate what lies ahead for us?

Failure can be a powerful catalyst for growth and discovery. Rather than viewing it as a setback, we should embrace failures as opportunities to explore new possibilities.

I failed my major subject, yet I got to work with people na tinuring akong kaibigan o kapatid. Nakapasok akong ZSU and eventually made friends. Natuto akong isipin kung ano ang mas makakabuti sa'kin. It was indeed painful at first as if everything was falling apart, but as time goes by--okay naman pala.

Embracing the serenity to accept what we cannot change and instead channel our efforts into the areas where we can truly make a difference.

Hindi ko kontrolado ang isip at nararamdaman ngayon ng pamilya ko. Their anger may linger for a while. But what can I possibly do? Keep pushing forward.

Mahirap kalaban ang pamilya lalo na kung tungkol sa pangarap. Sila dapat ang unang suportado sa tatahakin nating pangarap, dahil sa kanila tayo unang natuto.

Kaso, mas mahirap kalabanin ang sarado ang pag-iisip. Papaniwalaan lang nila ang alam nilang tama para sa kanila, kasi kahit anong gawin mo, talo ka dahil iba ang paniniwala mo sa kanila.

The reality is that, not everyone thinks the same way and people have a tendency to overlook the fact that everyone is different from one another. Unfortunately, it is difficult to change such ingrained perspectives.

"Ingat sa pag-uwi!"

Kinawayan ko sila Ate Mery, Kuya Eli, at Kuya Jem bago lumabas. Tapos ang duty ko ngayong araw. Almost 3:30 pa lang dahil maaga akong pumasok kanina, sinalo ko yung first two hours duty ni Kuya Eli, late kasi siya dahil may inasikaso.

I'll check the unit na in-offer sa'kin ni Zhio. Kahit pa may atraso ako sa kanya noong nakaraan, tinulungan niya pa rin akong mag-hanap. Si Akon ang nag-sabi sa kanya na plano kong mag-hanap, sakto namang may kakilala siya. He also insisted na samahan ako, pero I declined. Busy ata kasi sila today sa school, kahit next week pa ang pasukan. Hiningi ko na lang ang address at ako na lang ang pupunta.

Pumara ako ng taxi at sinabi ang address. Nag-usap na kami ng may-ari na hihintayin na lang ako sa coffee shop sa tapat ng building nila. I have no clue about them, kasi through number lang ang palitan ng conversation.

"Thank you po,"

Bumaba ako sa hindi pamilyar sa'kin na lugar. Though minsan nadadaanan ko dati yung main road, pero rito banda ay hindi ko kabisado. As I look around, the ambiance is so peaceful, with a park conveniently located near the building. Still, I just hope the monthly bills are not too expensive, as this place has an expensive look to it. Mabilis kong na-spot ang coffee shop, agad akong nag-tungo rito.

I only see one customer at the moment.

Karmic

She's wearing a simple outfit. Her long, wavy hair flows freely around her shoulders. Umangat ang tingin niya at nag-salubong ang mga mata namin. Bahagya pa siyang nagulat pero nakabawi rin.