Falling Inevitably

12th Fall

12th Fall

"Vallerie!"

I looked back so I could see the person who shouted my name. Natapatigil naman ako paglalakad. I saw Migo half running towards.

"The dean is calling you on his office." Sabi niya agad pagkalapit.

My forehead creased in confusion. Why would the dean need me? Did I do something wrong? Impossible.

"Okay. I'll go ahead then."

Tumango si Migo at ngumiti ako.

"I still have a class so... see you around."

Nagpatuloy na ulit ako sa paglalakad. The dean's office tis not that far away from where I am. Sakto naman na nakasalubong ko ang secretary ng dean sa hallway. She's already looking for me. Matapos ay nagsabay na kami papunta sa dean's office.

"Ms. Albrecht," He addresses me as I walk towards his table. Mr. Tolentino gestured the chair.

"Mr. Tolentino, did I do something wrong?" Agad na sabi ko. Hindi ako mapakali kung bakit niya ang biglang pinatawag.

Napatawa ng bahagya ang dean habang umiiling. I sighed in relief. So I didn't something wrong, why am I being called?

Tumikhim siya bago magsalita muli.

"The MIA New York has seen your outstanding credentials." Panimula niya.

MIA New York? Wow. That's one of the prestigious school in America. Kahit parehas na MIA ang nandito sa Pilipinas ay hindi kayang tumabasan ang taas ng MIA New York. They are out of the league. They can be can compared to Harvards.

May inilapit sa akin na envelop si Mr. Tolentino. Kahit nagtataka ay kinuha ko ito at binuksan.

"They have given you a spot in their Engineering department. I don't like the idea of giving up a brilliant student like you but this is a great opportunity."

My eyes widen in surprise as I listen to the dean as well as reading the letter. It is an admission. May isa pang letter about sa scholarship ko. Full ride. I won't spend a penny if I'll go there. Kahit hindi naman problema ang pera.

"They want you ASAP. I'll be hearing your decision at the end of the week."

It was an opportunity but an escape too. I don't want to leave my friends and my parents too. Ayoko na rin mag adjust ulit ng pakikisamahan. Also a new environment again.

I wanted to stay but my eyes can't bear them together. Ang puso kong nabuo nung gabing iyon ay nadurog na naman nung makita ko silang dalawa. And the pain doesn't stop there. My guilt is eating me up too.

Bago pa ako makaisang hakbang pababa ng hagdanan ay natigilan ako. I remain standing on top of the stairs. Kitang kita ko mula sa kinatatayuan ko ang Apagpasok ni Ate Amanda mula sa front door. She's with Rigo and she's clinging her arms to him.

My eyes began to water in no time. My parents welcome them with open arms. I saw how happy they were for my sister. Is this why my father told me that he doesn't want Rigo Psalm for me? Because he wants him for my sister. Ofcourse, my father will give everything to my sister without, her, lifting a finger at all.