Hidden Desire

Graduation ball

The past year had been super busy, we defended our thesis successfully last term. This term we were just finishing two subjects. The last two before we graduate, after saving Bianca from the drunken night she had with Julio, she became somewhat better. We talk now just like the old times. Classmates kami with Glai on the last two subjects. But she was her old aloof and shy self.

She has somehow become secretive, because after that night, she didn't want to talk about Julio and what he did, Bianca had high alcohol tolerance kaya imposibleng malasing ito ng ganun na lang. Her drink might be drugged that night, that's why she was so out of it.

Madalas lang itong nakikinig ng music sa phone nya, naka-earphones ito whenever we eat lunch. I would always ask if she's okay, she would always give me a nod and a smile. She wears glasses now, with thick black rims. Her hair grown out thick and long, laging naka-tabing ang buhok nya sa mga mata nya. She lost a lot of weight over the year too.

Aside from that, everything appeared to be normal with Bianca. She was... Well, herself. Shy and quiet like she always was. Ito na ang last two days of our school year, sa makalawa, graduation na namin. As such turn over meetings with the department and central are in line for me today.

Mang Jose drove me to school as I updated each team of the meeting details. Psychology department muna ang meeting na una kong aattendan, pagtapos ay sa Central. Habang binabaybay namin ang new manila, hindi ko maiwasang mag-reminisce about the past two years I have spent working with both teams.

All those sleepless nights I had, all the things we implemented over the last two years were a success. 20 Professors have been jailed because of the cases of sexual harassment that the student body have filed against them, base sa pagiimbestiga ng admin at ng mga pulis, napatunuyang guilty sila. Fifteen students were dismissed for bullying a classmate, 10 was dismissed and jailed because of sexual harassment and assault.

The university was a better place because of our efforts. 10 suicidal students have received help from a psychiatrist because of the efforts of the Psychology Department. Our school was recognized as Philippine's safest school and the university that empowers its student to stand and be heard. There were a lot of innovations and changes for the students. I hope the future student body will continue what we started.

As for me, I will continue with my medical degree. Three more years, pero tingin ko kaya ko in a year or two. I know it won't be easy, but Glai and I really wanted to help people with mental disabilities. It was part of our plan.

After 30 minutes, we reached the school. I made my way to the Dean's office for the last time. Upon arriving at the Dean's office, I was greeted by the Department's new President. Our meeting will start in a minute.

"Good morning guys." I greeted them.

"Good morning Ate Rhian." They greeted me back.

"Are you guys ready for the year ahead?" I asked them.

"We are." They said.

Everyone was in high spirits, first time in the last three years na mag-papalit ng president. Ever since I took over, it has never changed, I always won the presidency. The discussion went about, nai-surrender na namin ang mga department phones, keys and password lists to emails and other accounts.

Pagtapos ng meeting, I bade everyone goodbye. I headed to the next meeting which was Central. Katulad ng meeting sa Department, I turned over keys, password lists at pinaalalahanan sila sa project na ni-launch ko.

After the meetings, I went ahead and met with Glai for lunch at Cafe Alfredo, I didn't know what's up with her, why she wanted to have lunch at Cafe Alfredo. Siguro ay mamimiss nya ang Cafe? Pero I was thinking hard, because we'd still go here after we graduate for our Doctoral Degree.