Seizon Daigaku

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

"Find me, Selene. Find me..."

"Selene anak, gising!" Napabangon ako sa pagkakahiga sa kama ko nang marinig ko si Mama. Shit. Another nightmare again. "Pinagpapawisan ka. Punasan mo 'yung mukha mo, at bumangon ka na."

Napahawak ako sa mukha ko dahil sa sinabi ni Mama. She was right. I was sweating when I woke up and out of breath. Huminga ako nang malalim at napatingin kay Mama na nakapameywang sa harap ko.

"Binabangungot na naman ako, Ma," I spoke. Mama looked at me worriedly. Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap ako. She patted my head. 

"Hindi kita iiwan sa tabi mo, Selene. Lilipas din iyang mga bangungot mo. Okay?" she assured as she break the hug. Mama cupped my face and looked at me. I nodded.

"Thank you, Mama." I let a small smile and she stood up. "Bumangon ka na at mag-umagahan sa baba. Naghihintay ang ate mo."

"Opo," I answered. Nauna nang bumaba si Mama at nagpaiwan pa muna ako sa kwarto ko. Damn it. It's been the fourth nightmare I've had in this week. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ako binabangungot at mas lalong hindi ko alam kung sino 'yung nagsasalita sa mga bangungot na iyon.

In all of my nightmares, I can only see nothing but a pure white sight and the voice of an unknown person calling for me. Bakit kaya ako tinatawag ng boses na iyon?

I stopped thinking about my nightmares and glanced at my reflection in the human-sized mirror beside the door. Mukha tuloy akong haggard dahil sa bangungot na iyon at naging magulo ang buhok ko. I picked up my hairbrush from the dresser and combed my medium-length dark brown hair. 

After fixing my hair, I left the room to go downstairs. Nakita ko si Ate Serene na nasa living room at nanonood ng tv habang hinihintay ako. Dumiretso muna ako sa dining room at nagbreakfast. Pagtapos kong kumain, naghanda na ako para pumasok sa school. 

Today is my last day at school. Mama and Ate Serene had an agreement that I should transfer to the university where Ate is teaching after two years of college at my current school. I also agreed because I wanted to see the university where Ate Serene teaches. Sabi niya sa akin, maganda raw doon at recommended talaga. So, I felt giddy. 

After putting on my uniform, I hurriedly made my way towards the gate and I saw my sister in her car already. I got inside and put on the seatbelt. 

"Morning. Sabi ni Mama binangungot ka na naman daw?" Ate Serene asked as she started driving the car. I nodded. 

"Opo, Ate. But this was one weird, the voice called me by my name. 'Di tulad no'ng nakaraan na tinatawag lang ako," I answered. 

"Don't worry, we're here for you. Mawawala rin iyang mga bangungot mo," she also assured just like Mama did and gave me a sweet smile, "Also, make the best of your last day. Tomorrow, lilipat ka na sa bagong university mo."

"I will, Ate."

After some time, we have already arrived at my school. "Nandito na tayo. Bye, Selene." I opened the car door and got out of Ate's car. Nagpaalam na rin ako bago ko isara ang pintuan ng kotse. 

Before going to our room, I scanned the whole campus and reminisced my memories in here for the last two years. I'm going to miss this place and the people I made memories with. Huminga muna ako nang malalim at naglakad papunta sa room namin. 

"Selene!" Sinalubong ako ni Aileen, ang best friend ko nang makarating ako sa room namin. She greeted me with a hug and I hugged her back, "I'm going to miss you."

"Me too. Pero 'wag kang mag-alala, lagi naman kitang kukumustahin," I told her and smiled. Aileen is the first person who befriended me way back on our freshmen days. Aside from being both Filipino-Americans, we also share the same interests. Kaya hindi naging mahirap na maging close kami agad.