The Adviser & The President

ii.

"You're skipping classes again." The sound of the wet mop against tiled flooring echoed inside the 5th floor girl's bathroom. The 'slosh-slosh' of the water oddly felt calming, a distraction to the girl sitting on the sink as she kept kicking her legs back and forth. It was early morning, few college teachers milling around and even fewer students awake at what seems to be like the crack of dawn. MoMa at this hour felt quiet, serene, and. . .nice. A gap in time of a place she can no longer be familiar with — at this hour, MoMa felt like before.
There are some moments in our lives that we just automatically stop to feel something. For example, hanging out with friends or family as you laugh together, you'll think one moment: "I hope this never ends", before going back and enjoying the present. Or maybe you're touching the dark oak desk in your new office, finally a successful person, and you'd look out of the window and smile (maybe cry a little) and say: "I did it", before experiencing all kinds of ups and downs in your life in line with the career of your choice. You stop to feel the moment; you stop to feel alive. It's very rare, those times though — for you're ungrateful.

But that's what human beings are. They are ungrateful for the day-to-day happenings that kept on repeating in their daily lives because they know that once more, they'll see or experience it the next day. The toothbrush on the sink cowers in sadness, and the comfortable springy bed sags — having been forgotten. Do you believe that the unforgettable moments in our lives, are those we perceive as important? You might choose to remember the man kneeling in front of you, hand adorned with a golden ring, instead of the feeling of your pajamas after a long tired day. You might choose to remember your sister's graduation day, but certainly not the every fight with you that shaped who she is today. You handpick important memories because you know they're called 'Once in a lifetime' experiences. The kind you can never experience again — the feelings you can never feel again. That's why they're so important. Because you rely on everyday routine for the other memories, you rely on their repetition (the fact that you know that once more, it will happen). It's why they have no room in your head. (You're able to feel them instead.)
But. . .for the longest time, the girl we are with today, hasn't had that 'stop to feel something' event in a long time. The only thing close to it is the physical manifestation of nostalgia. Which she perceives as the cool, fresh air, the dark yet light sky of the early morning — and the halls peaceful, devoid of people, other than the memories she can't ever bring back. MoMa was nostalgic, in the hour of 6 in the morning.

By this, she wouldn't be reminded of the present. Inhaling a lung of air, she pulled the jacket more towards her. "It was one time only, and I wasn't even the first one to raise a fist."
"You still raised a fist. And don't give me that 'one time only'. You haven't been to any classes since the start of the school year." The lady paused at her mopping, equally short hair framing her sassy eyebrow lift and the prominent mole above her lip. She was plump, wearing the school's blue maintenance uniform and was called Ate Elton. Her dark skin paired beautifully with her kind heart. Besides, she tolerated the girl, so that got to count for something. "I know because the others have been talking about you, dear. Not just them, but the admins too."
"Can't they just not talk about me?" She was always uncomfortable with the unwanted attention. "Well, inday, if you weren't so infamous then they won't. You should've expected this to happen since the beginning you started acting like that and rumors are bound to fly fast. I'm surprised you aren't used to it by now."
"Rumors? Please, you mean chika," she grumbled. Hopping down from the sink, she went outside of the bathroom, still in earshot and stared outside of the large window overseeing the school. The birds flew at a distance, and the clouds look pale and lovely. Dark with the first embers of sunlight yet to be seen. Nostalgia.

"What we eat everyday." Laughed Ate Elton, no doubt enjoying the "flying rumors" around the school. Tasks and overall jobs can be boring, so a little bit of spice wouldn't hurt. That's where rumors about people come in. They're interesting, yes, and can even be something to bond over, but you have to acknowledge that it can be devastating to a person (and the girl knows that very well). "But seriously, dear, you need to take your studies seriously. You're in high school now, and regrets only come in the end." The lady tips the pail over, the water 'slish-sloshing' across the glossy floor. Her voice still echoed, reaching her ears even from outside the bathroom. It was always this way, always this talk. The girl has heard it a thousand times and a million times over. But even so, it was quite a wonder why the lady never tires of berating her for her education. It became a routine, this one. Something to drone out on, just like what she was doing right now (only a tiny bit of guilt remains in her. . .okay, maybe a lot).
"You have to graduate, get a good job, so you won't end up like me."
"What's wrong with you?"
"Me personally? Nothing dear, I'm beautiful and fresh as a summertime daisy," the girl hid her amusement, "but I would rather not sacrifice my back and injure my hands to make only ends meet. Thank the Lord I have graduating kids. You have an opportunity, dear, take it." But by this point, the girl shuffled to get a closer look outside. Even from as high as the 5th floor, the walkway towards the chapel was seen clearly — and what she saw made her stomach drop.