Masyadong naapektuhan ang studies ko. Mababa ang grades ko especially sa ilang major subjects. Though pasok pa rin sya sa quota which means I can still enroll this coming first semester as BSBAA student. But the thing is, hindi sya yung ini-aim kong grades. I believe sinuwerte lang ako this time. Delikado ako nito next semester kapag hindi na umubra ang swerte ko.
“Honey, I'm so proud of you. You made it!” Mom exalted.
“The best ka talaga Sis. Yakang-yaka mo pala ang UP. Panis!” Vanessa boasted.
“We should call your dad.” Mom said as she gets her phone from the table.
“Thanks for the complement.” I smiled. “But I want to tell you something.” Natahimik ang lahat. I took a deep breath and finally declare, “I want to go back to ADNU.”
“WHAT?” Mom and Vanessa said in chorus. They were all shocked.
Hindi na ako sumagot. I just went up stair, inside my room and rest for a while. Tama ang desisyon ko. Mas makaka-focus ako kung malayo dito. Malayo kay Jeron. Another thing, if I will still continue my studies here at UP, March pa ako matatapos. But if I will go back to ADNU, by October of next school year, maaari ko ng matapos ang kurso ko and take the board by May next year. Basically, ito naman talaga ang aim ko. Para hindi na bumalik ng US si Dad. Para sama-sama na kaming lahat dito sa Philippines.
I immediately search my credentials. So far mukang completo naman ang mga documents na hawak ko. I surf the net and get the schedule for ADNU enrollment for the coming semester.
May 5 ang start ng enrollment for freshmen. As far as I know, kasama na pati transferee jan. So basically, I still have a month to request for my other documents at the OUR. I was creating my list of credentials when Vanessa comes in.
“So,” She said while looking at the computer. “It's final.”
“Yes,” I replied without looking at her.
“Bumaba ka na daw, kakain na.” She immediately went out the room. I knew it. She's not happy with my decision. I just ignore it and went down stair.
As I enter the dining area, everybody was quiet. Nobody's talking and nobody wants to. In the middle of the dinner, hindi na ako nakatiis.
“Ano ba, hindi ba talaga kayo magsasalita?” I looked at them. “Sana maintindihan nyo. Gusto kong ituloy yung goal ko na mag-take ng board by May next year. Hindi ko magagawa yun if I'm staying here.”
“Hindi yan ang gusto.” Vanessa interrupted. “All you want is to forget.”
“Matagal ng tapos ang issue na yan.” I said. “Naka move-on na ako.”
“No, you're not.” Vanessa continued.
“Of course I am.” I insisted.
“Shut up Ling!” Vanessa shouted. Nagulat ako. “Lokohin mo na ang sarili mo pero hindi kami ni Tita.”
“It's not true.” I calmly replied.
“Hindi mo kayang itago ang nararamdaman mo sa amin.” Mom finally speak up. “Nauunawaan namin. It's just that, all we want from you is honesty. Pa'no ka namin matutulungan kong ang lahat ng 'yan ay itatago mo from us?”
“I'm sorry.” I stand up and went up to my room.
Bakit ganito? I thought I was okay. I thought everything was going back to normal. I thought naka move-on na ako. But I was wrong; maling-mali.
Ito na naman si Ling na iyakin.
“Ano yan? Iniiyakan mo pa rin sya?” Vanessa said from behind. I looked at her. Teary eyes na din sya. Then, she slowly approach me. She wiped my face and hugged me tight.
