To Trust the Dawn

Epilogue (Last Part)

Epilogue (Last Part)

"I really see a huge potential in you, Mr. Sullivan."

Pasimple akong napangiti nang marinig ang papuring 'yon mula sa professor namin sa Film 153 Cinematography. He was watching our group's film project where I am the director and editor, at hindi ko alam kung bakit espesyal niya akong ipinatawag pagkatapos niyang mag-dismiss.

"Thank you, Sir," I replied, smiling. Nandito ako ngayon sa office niya at nakaupo sa harap ng table niya.

He's one of my favorite professors because I really see his passion in filmmaking while imparting his knowledge based on experience and expertise to the aspiring student filmmakers. He's in his mid 30's, and he has already a PhD in Media Studies.

He paused the video of our film and looked at me. Nakasalikop ang kaniyang mga palad at nagbigay ng munting ngiti sa 'kin na parang may naisip. "Naisip ko sanang ikaw ang kukuning student director para sa upcoming regional short filmmaking contest na magpa-participate ang university. Ako kasi ang na-assign na in-charge. May na-invite na akong ibang members ng production team, including the screenwriter and the actors. May na-conceptualize na ring istorya ang writer. Are you interested to join?"

Napakurap ako at hindi agad nakapagsalita. A filmmaking contest... It has been my dream ever since last year in my first year. Ang babaw yata ng luha ko dahil nangingilid ang mga ito. I tried to stop them from falling as I smiled at Mr. Garcia.

"Yes po... Masaya po ako na ako ang napili niyo at pinagkakatiwalaan n'yo rito despite how many of us in the department." Hindi pa rin mabura ang mga ngiti ko.

Napangiti siya nang bahagya. "Well, you all really are talented. Each of you has different and unique styles, pero mas bumagay sa contest at sa storyline ang style mo bilang director."

Wala nang mapagsidlan ang saya ko. "Thank you for this opportunity, Sir."

He delightly nodded. "I can't wait to work with you. Our first meeting will be tomorrow. I'll add you to our groupchat."

Halos mapunit pa rin ang ngiti sa mga labi ko kahit nang makalabas na ako mula sa office niya. I took a deep breath. Saglit ding naglaho ang ngiti ko nang mapagtantong... ngayon lang ulit ako nakakangiti nang ganito. I felt my tears welling up in my eyes as her voice just suddenly popped in my head.

"Nakita ko 'yong film n'yo noong Grade 11 sa MIL... ikaw ang cameraman at director. Hindi sapat 'yong salitang 'maganda' para i-describe ang film na 'yon. Maganda 'yong shots, angles, cinematography... lahat. Halatang passionate 'yong gumawa. Hindi mo pa talaga alam na ito ang passion mo? Parang ibang tao pa siguro ang unang nakakaalam."

Hindi ko namalayang bumagsak na pala ang mga luha ko kaya sumilong muna ako sa isang puno sa malapit malayo sa mga estudyante. I deeply sighed and intently closed my eyes. When I opened them again, I wiped my tears. Kasabay no'n ay bumalik ang ngiti ko, pero nanginginig pa rin ang mga labi ko.

A mix of blue and orange hues were plastered on the horizon at this time, the scenery of the sky that we both witnessed on that day where we talked about the future... where she made me realize my dream for the first time. It's exactly 5 PM now, the same time where we fearlessly lie on the roof of our mansion.

I missed her so much. Tatlong linggo na rin ang dumaan mula nang huli ko siyang makita sa airport. It still hurts me whenever I remember how the plane took her away from me and how she looked at me that day as if I was a stranger. Pero nasimulan ko na ring alagaan ang munting pag-asang tumubo sa dibdib ko na... magkikita rin kami ulit balang araw.

Nalaman ko na nasa France siya ngayon. Nakita ko na nasali sa caption ng post ng pinsan niya na si Daphne kung saan siya pupunta. She was tagged in the post. I was still able to see it because... she didn't unfriend me on Facebook. Napansin ko nga lang na hindi na siya active roon. It pained me, but I think it's better... because she wouldn't be able to see traces of our memories. Masasaktan lang siya kung maaalala niya ako.