For Years, I Love You

Chapter 32

Chapter 32

Confession

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I chose the wrong course, they said. They told me that I should change it to make my life better. That taking such a course won't help me at all.

But why would I listened to them? I only want to do what I want. My parents don't even try making me change my course. They even support me with all their might, so why would I listen to them?

"Wow, dalaga na si Tali! Anong course mo, hija? Valedictorian ka no'ng high school, 'di ba? Siguro, nag-med ka, ano? STEM ka, e!" My mother's friend asked upon seeing me.

I was with Mommy at the mall, shopping on a weekend. We were bonding together when her friend came over. She noticed me standing beside my mother, then recognized me when I greeted her.

"Animation po ang course ko," I replied, smiling.

"Animation? Ano 'yon? Drawing drawing 'yon, 'di ba?" Her forehead creased. "Bakit hindi nag-med, hija? Sayang naman ang talino mo! Hindi mo naman magagamit 'yon sa animation na 'yan! Drawing drawing lang 'yan!"

"Ano ka ba, amiga!" Mommy chuckled. "Animation ang trabaho ng asawa ko! We're financially alright because of that! Isa pa, mahirap ang animation. Kaya mo bang gumuhit? I think kahit puno nga ay hindi mo kayang gawin!"

They said I see the future too far from reality. They told me to be practical, but my parents always tell me to follow my dreams, so I did. I pursued BA Animation at Lee Academy. At first, I hesitated, but since animation was our source of living thanks to my father, I realized I can do more.

I love drawing. I love animation. I love what I'm doing, so people who only tell what to do only earn a smile from me. Kasi ano bang alam nila? Ano bang kaya nila?

They only say that because they don't have the privilage to do what I do. Understanding them, I only try smiling at them. Wala kasi silang alam. Hindi nila maiintindihan. They don't understand my love and passion in animation.

"Nako, amiga! I'm telling you! Walang mapapala si Tali sa animation na 'yan!" Mommy's friend sneered. "E, may boyfriend ka na ba? Baka mapa-barkada ka lang d'yan sa course mo na 'yan, ha?! Balita ko pa man din, puro rebelde ang nasa fine arts, amiga! Ingatan niyo 'yang si Tali at ang ganda pa man din!"

Mommy laughed. "No, amiga! Mababait ang mga blockmates nitong si Tali! In fact, madaming kaibigan si Tali sa school nila! You don't have to worry at all!"

"Siguraduhin mo lang, ha?" Mommy's friend looked at me. I looked at her, anticipating of what she was about to say. "Do you already have a boyfriend, Tali?"

"Wala pa po," I shook my head.

"Wala pa?" She arched an eyebrow. "Bakit naman? Ang ganda ganda mo! Siguro, ang mga gusto mo kasi ay 'yung mga nasa med, ano?! O kaya mga law student! Nako, Tali! Dapat lang!"

"Ah, hindi po," I smiled as I shook my head again. "Gusto ko po kasi ay student journalist, e,"

"Journalist?!" Her eyes widened. "Nako, Tali! Delikado 'yan! Baka mamaya, may bumaril na rin sa 'yo kapag journalist ang mapangasawa mo!"

Agad akong namula dahil sa sinabi niya.

Asawa agad?! Hindi pa nga kami, e!

People often asked me if I have a boyfriend or not. It felt like they were trying to tell me to get one already because I am getting older. However, I'm still at college. Bata pa ako. Hindi rin naman ako nagmamadali.