KAYDETSHIP

Chapter 1: Volunteer

     Riiiiiiiiing! Riiiiiiiiing! Riiiiiiiiing!

     What in the world would be so important to wake someone up from their cloying sleep?!

     I slowly crawled out of my sheets and reached for the phone on top of the desk beside me.

     It's Stein. What does he want?

     Click.

     "Good morning," I greeted insincerely.

     "Jem, nasaan ka? Magsisimula na yung seminar."

     "Seminar? What seminar?"

     "Just where are you?" he asked irritably.

     Holy crap! How could I forget? Today magsisimula ang Orientation Seminar. It's an event our university holds every start of the school year para mabigyan ang freshmen ng isang mainit na pagsalubong - well, just before they get a taste of the asperities in college. The seminar lasts for three days; a bunch of boring talks on the first, some icebreakers on the second, and talent expositions on the third.

     I had my own share of this 'OrSem' experience last year and believe me, it was a blast. At first I thought lame siya, but that changed nung nagsimula na yung icebreaker. I had tons of fun and I met people na nagbigay-kulay sa unang taon ko sa kolehiyo.

     I signed up as a volunteer this year because I want to let the new batch of freshies experience kung ano man ang naranasan ko noon. I want to make it memorable for them too. Naks! Ang cliché namang pakinggan. Sa totoo lang, I was just invited by my friends, and since wala rin naman akong ginawa kundi kumain at matulog sa bahay, pumayag na ako.

     "Jemma!"

     "Yeah, uhm, give me 15 minutes. I'll be there."

     "Ok, hurry up then. Papagalitan ka talaga ng instructor natin."

     Click.

     "Nako, I hate getting sermons," I complained to myself, "kaya kailangan ko nang makarating sa school asap."

     I took a quick shower and ate breakfast on the way. By the time I arrived, katatapos lang ng opening remarks. A lot of people rushed inside the gym's main entrance whilst I stood by one of the pillars, unable to move. Bigla ko nalang naramdaman na may kumapit sa balikat ko.

     "Stein!"

     He led me out of the crowd.

     "Ba't ang tagal mo?" he asked, clearly annoyed.

     "I forgot to set the alarm, hehe."

     "Talaga tong babaeng to. Sinuwerte ka't hindi na nag-roll call si sir sa mga volunteer."

     Sigh. "Mabuti naman. Luck's on my side today," I smiled.

     He held out a wooden arrow signboard, which I took instinctively. It weighed surprisingly light.

     "Para saan ito?" I asked, though it seemed obvious what I was to do with it.

     "Guide para sa first years. Wala kang ibang gagawin kundi tumayo sa entrance na hawak-hawak iyan. Kami na bahalang mag-usher."

     Stein might sound strict most of the time but he's actually fun to be with. For the past semester sila ni Bryan ang parati kong kasama, may it be during or after classes. Minsan nga'y nagagabihan kami sa school, nakatambay lang. Madalas kaming kumakain at nagkwekwentuhan sa benches malapit sa soccer field. Masarap kasi ang hangin doon at nakakatuwang tignan ang libo-libong bituin na kumikislap sa langit.

     Sigh. I sure miss the good old days. Ngayon, wala na si Bryan. Umalis na siya para mag-aral sa Akademya. Marami man sa amin ang hindi sumang-ayon, wala rin kaming magawa. Ito kasi talaga ang gusto niya; ang makapasok at makapagtapos sa Philippine National Police Academy.

     It's been three months since we said our goodbyes and I'm still having a hard time accepting that fact na iniwan niya kami. Hindi ko maintindihan noon. Pwede naman siyang magtapos sa kolehiyo kasama namin. He can still become a public servant. Is it really necessary to study in that prestigious institution? Paulit-ulit ko siyang tinanong but he stood firm with his answer. At that time, I only considered what made me happy. Hindi ko man lang inisip kung ano ang makabubuti sa kanya. Malungkot kasing isipin na hindi ko na siya laging makikita, na hindi ko na maririnig ang malakas niyang tawa, na hindi na niya ako kukulitin, at na hindi ko na siya laging makakausap tungkol sa mga walang kwentang bagay.

     I like Bryan and I don't mean it as a friend. I like him more than that, kaya ako nasaktan sa pag-alis niya. But what can I do? I was just his friend, at kahit na maging syota pa niya ako, I don't think it'll stop him from pursuing his dream. He's the kind of person kasi who'd go beyond the limits para lang makuha ang gusto niya. More so, he knows what's best for himself. Ginagawa niya 'to para sa kinabukasan niya and I don't want to get in the way of that.

     "Jemma," Stein interrupted, "nalulungkot ka nanaman."

     "Ano? Hindi ha," I lied. "Ba't mo naman nasabi?"

     "I know you're thinking about Bryan. It's fine, babalik naman siya. Focus muna tayo dito."

     Sige na nga, I'll set these thoughts aside for the time being.

     "What block will we be handling later sa class group discussion?" I asked him.

     "Mechanical engineering students."

     Engineering? Tsk, tsk, tsk. This won't be easy; maraming maiingay at makukulit sa kurso na 'to, but ganoon naman talaga. Naaalala ko tuloy ang setting last year.

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Author's Note:

Hello! Sorry for the sudden shift sa language. I just believe I can express my thoughts more in Taglish so I'll stick to that :)

Anyway, I hope nagustohan niyo ang first chapter! I'll be writing again soon :)