Chasing Pavements (GXG)

60. Hello

"Everything heals. Your body heals. Your heart heals. The mind heals. Wounds heal. Your soul repairs itself. Your happiness is always going to come back. Bad times don't last."

Beatrix

They say change is good for the soul and doing something new gets you something new. Because if you don't learn something new everyday, probably you're doing something wrong.

Although change is good, you have to go through the pain to reach the good part. There's no shortcut to sucess. It takes time to build a better, stronger version of yourself.

It's been 2 years since I came here in London. I've always wanted to go for higher studies in the field of Architecture and now I am finally here. Kahit may iba't ibang specialization courses na inooffer, there's this certain course na gustong-gusto kong kunin eversince... and that is Landscape Design.

It actually focuses on outdoor areas. Mula bata pa ako, lagi akong nasa park or sa garden nakatambay. And if you go into this specialized field, you're going to design parklands, gardens, golf courses, lawns surrounding college campus buildings and other public destinations. Landscape architects can also work with homeowners and other private parties to design compelling outdoor areas.

Masaya ako kasi kahit na iniwan ko din agad ang company ni Dad two years ago para pumunta dito ay sobrang supportive naman sila sa'kin.

I've learned a lot from here. Through the years, I became more responsible, carefree, happy, open, independent, crazy, strong, matured and experienced. I've learn how to overcome being alone and I can be happy all by myself.

Habang naglalakad-lakad ako around the campus dahil kakatapos lang ng klase ko, ay patingin-tingin naman ako sa paligid. Sobrang namamangha lang talaga ako sa landscape ng university na'to. Feeling ko nga ako si Alice at nasa Wonderland ako.

"Hey Bella!" Someone greeted me with a british accent.

"Hey." I smiled and greeted him back.

Hindi ko maiwasang mapangiti. Mas kilala akong Bella sa school na'to. Yun din naman ang pakilala ko sa kanila. I don't know, maybe for a change?

"Isabella!"

Now, that's new! No one calls me Isabella except for my parents and...

"Daniella!" Napangiti ako agad ng paglingon ko ay nakita ko sya. Pareho kaming tumakbo papunta sa isa't isa.

Niyakap ko sya agad. "Oh my God! What are you doing here?"

Kumalas sya ng yakap sa'kin. "Why? Am I not allowed to visit you?"

Tinaasan ko naman sya ng kilay sa sinabi nya. "Really now? You've travelled all the way from Manila to London just to visit me? You really love me that much, uh'huh?"

But instead of answering my question, she just hugged me. Napangiti na din ako sa kanya. Oh my sweet, sweet Daniella.

"You still have classes?" Tanong nya ng kumalas na ako ng yakap sa kanya.

Umiling ako. "Wala na. Naglibot-libot lang ako sa school but wait... how did you find me?" Sa laki ba naman ng university na'to, paano nya ako nakita agad?

Di naman nya first time na puntahan ako dito, but first time nyang pumasok sa school ko.

Ngumisi lang sya. "I have my ways." Sabay wink.

"Tssss! Let's go, I'm hungry!" Sabi ko nalang at binigay sa kanya ang mga dala kong materials.

"Grabe ka, ginawa mo pa akong kargador." Reklamo nya habang dala-dala ang mga gamit ko.