The Confident, the Reticent, and the Defiant

Part I - The Making of a Year

My eyed opened, in seeming shock, looked at the clock and found out it's already pass 3 o'clock in the morning. I am now in panic. I have to go and prepare myself. Took my reserved towel, rushed to the bathroom, and took a bath; I will be late if I didn't make haste. After that rush bath, I went upstairs, woke my father up and make him rush as well.

"Pa, I'll be late. I have to be there as soon as possible. It's already 3 o'clock! Wake up!", I shouted to my father while waking him up.

"You slept late now you are rushing. What a discipline.", he replied.

"My class always end late, pa. Besides, I started some academic stuff. Pa, please, I have to be there before 4 am. Otherwise they will leave me"

"Ok, are you done?"

"Wait, I'll check my stuff"

I eventually rushed downstairs, checked my stuff. Suitcase, check. Additional bag, check. Printed ticket, check. I am fully geared. I called my father, went outside, and looked for a taxi.

By that unfortunate moment, we can't see any car around; it's already 3:30 in the morning. I really prayed hard, "God not now, please! Not now." And eventually we saw a taxi. Deep exhale and hoorah! Rushed my luggage inside the taxi and we're on the go.

And yes, I am very excited that time, really excited! You see, even when I was a kid, I am always fascinated of going somewhere else. It seems like travelling is in my blood. Though I am a bit of impatient during long drives, I am always fascinated of seeing different spots which I never actually had an opportunity to see everyday. My mom is working in Manila for years. And when my parents decided to go have a house somewhere south of Manila, we have no choice but to come along and stay there as well.

Since we lived in a deep location in the south, around huge farms, I never actually had ample time to go somewhere else. I just always saw the creepy mountain they are talking about, wide stretch of fertile farms, and cows (even cow poops). So, whenever my mom decided to bring me to work, I am always very excited.

It's a travel of almost 2 hours from our place in the South to my mom's work. Enough time for me to see all these marvelous buildings of Manila. The skyline is so majestic, and the wide roads everyone! It's a thing! Though I wanted a cleaner urban landscape, I can't expect more from this country. Well, I love to the metropolis this way; a metropolis with blend of modern buildings and majestic old structures. Such an ablaze to the eyes.

And when I went to college, it's my great joy to know that I will be studying in Manila. Though I have to ride a bus for an hour and a half to the university, I don't mind. I love travelling anyway. During first years of my college, I actually invite my friends to roam around the historic Manila. Intramuros. Supreme Court. National Museum. Luneta. Malacañan. God, am I going to die to have such privilege to see these marvelous buildings? And that went thru my entire college years.

"Zach, make haste! We're on the airport!", my father shouted. Then I just found out we're already in the airport. And I am really amazed, it's 4:20 in the morning! I should be in the airport by 4:10 otherwise the plane will leave me here in Manila. Boarding gates will be open by that time. Thank God, I arrived on time.

Though I am in a rush, I went to my father, and asked, "Pa, money?" with the sweetest smile I've got. He took his wallet, gave me a thousand. I don't know if this is enough there but, well, I am too demanding to him if I asked for more. So, I took it and rushed to the counters. It's the first time he brought me to the airport.

As I rushed to counters and to the gates afterwards, I saw my friend and my professor waiting for me.

"Zach, finally! You arrived", RJ told me with sarcasm.