You're My Idol

Chapter 1

I was one of the happiest people in the world when I received the news that I got accepted in my dream university. Bilang isang public high school student, hindi biro ang makatanggap ng scholarship sa isa sa mga pinaka-prestigious university sa Pilipinas. Malaking tulong sa pamilya ko, at lalo na sa akin.

We had an orientation, popularly known as OrSem, on our first two days. I saw that the seniors really prepared a huge program just to welcome us, the freshmen. Biruin mo yun, nasa may entrance pa lang ako ng univ pero dinig na dinig ko na yung tugtugan sa college covered courts?

They were playing "Starships"by Nicki Minaj. Yung theme kasi ng orientation was "Full Blast 2013."

Nang mapadpad ako sa may covered courts, medyo nanigas yung mga binti ko.

This is it. College life.

It's overwhelming. Rich people everywhere.

Gorgeous people.

Nakaka-insecure.

Will I fit in?

May makaka-close ba ako dito?

Tama ba 'tong pinasok ko?

Is this for me?

A lot of things were running in my mind that time. However, my eyes were fixed on the huge tarpaulin that says "WELCOME FRESHIES!" The letters were in vibrant colors of pink, blue, and green, with some sprinkles of gold. Contrast sa black background. Very Nicki Minaj?

This is it, really is it, is it! College boy na ako! A new chapter in my life!

I just need to take one step at a time...

Maglalakad na talaga sana ako nang biglang...

"Aray!"

Sa dinami-rami ng pagkakataon, ngayon pa ako nadapa.

"Sorry! Nagmamadali kasi ako eh,"

Apparently hindi ko naman pala kasalanan kung bakit ako nadapa. May tumulak pala sa akin.

"Freshie ka ba?" tanong niya.

Parang gusto kong sabihin na "obvious ba sa color ng damit ko?" May color coding kasi – blue for freshies, green for sophomores, yellow for juniors, and black for seniors. Pero iba ang lumabas sa bibig ko.

"Yeah."

Very college.

"En? Enrico Alvante?" tanong niya ulit.

Doon ko lang narealize na familiar ang boses niya. Hindi ko kasi siya matingnan directly, nakakasilaw yung araw sa likod niya. 

"Kuya Reg?"

"Dito ka rin pala? Tara, tulungan na kita. Sorry talaga ha," Then he helped me stand up. Buti na lang hindi masama yung pagkadapa ko, kung hindi baka sa infirmary ang una kong araw sa college.

"Uy, sorry talaga ha. Hindi kita napansin eh," sabi niya, sabay ngiti.

May dimples pala siya? Or tumutubo ba ang dimples pagdating mo sa college?

"Ayos lang. Nakaharang din ata ako sa daraanan mo eh," sagot ko naman. Pero deep inside, ang luwag naman ng daan, bakit kailangan akong banggain?

I just tried walking, pero kumikirot yung paa ko.

"Sure ka bang okay ka lang?"

Actually, hindi. Obvious naman siguro na paika-ika ako maglakad. Medyo natapilok din kasi ako.