Chapter 1
"Sigurado ka na ba diyan anak? Hindi ka ba mahihirapan doon?" tanong sa akin ni mama habang tinatapos ko na ang enrollment form ko.
"Ma, gusto ko itong kurso ko. Kung ito lang ang paraan para makuha ko ito, kakayanin ko. Kesa naman po na kukuha ako ng kursong hindi ko gusto, baka pagsisihan ko iyan buong buhay ko. Kaya ko po ito." sagot ko naman sa kanya nang tuluyan ko nang ipinasa ang form ko.
"Salamat po."
"We'll contact you Miss through phone regarding to the update of the opening of classes. Since malayo ka rito, mas mabuting mag inquire ka na rin sa mga dorm dito sa labas ng campus. Meron naman tayo dito sa loob. Whatever suits you Miss." saad naman ng registrar sa amin.
Tuluyan na kaming tumayo at umalis ni mama sa office. Naglibot libot na muna kami sa loob ng campus.
Sa totoo lang, natatakot ako. Ito ang unang beses na lalayo ako sa pamilya ko at magbubukod. I never rented an apartment or nagdorm kahit pa malayo ang eskwelahan ko. Me and my family always found ways for me to go home everyday. Kahit bagsak parati ang katawan dahil sa tambak na gawain sa paaralan, all my sweats and ang pagod na nararamdaman ay nawawala as soon as I got home. I am always welcomed by hugs of my little brother, Zee. He's already 4 years old but he can barely speak a word. He's somewhat special and I don't want to get into details. Masyadong masakit pang isipin.
"Maganda naman dito nak. Kaya mo ba talaga?"
"Opo ma. Magiging ayos lang po ako rito." saad ko habang naglilibot ang aking mga mata sa matataas na buildings.
"Hindi ko inaakala na ganito pala kabilis ang takbo ng oras. Magkokolehiyo ka na talaga anak." naluluhang sabi ni Mama.
"Ma, ayos lang po ako rito."
"I know. I know."
Nang makita namin ang gate palabas, agad na kami ni Mama tumungo sa estasyon ng bus. We had a 2 long hour drive ahead.
Yes, that long. Kaya kailangan ko talaga mag dorm kung gusto ko mag aral dito.
"I guess, I'll see you in Friday again ate?" tanong ni Haze. He's my other brother. Tatlo kaming magkakapatid. Panganay ako.
"Yes. Kita nalang tayo sa Byernes. I'll just chat you."
"Nak, we'll chat everyday, okay? Make sure to update me everytime. Naiintindihan mo ba, Lou?"
"Opo Pa. " dismissing him off. Saving myself from listening to his another batch of pangangaral.
"Okay. Ingat ka."
I just nodded to my mom.
I plugged my earphones and listen to music. I texted my mom that I already got off and was traveling until I dozed into sleep.
It's been 1 and a half hour already. The sun is already setting. Sunsets always give me chills.
Who wouldn't? It's beautiful. A beautiful goodbye.
I just take some photos and uploaded it on my instagram account and decided to eat some chips.
"Talisay City! Nandito na tayo."
I was awakened by manong who was shouting like crazy.
I'm here. It's really here.
My heart starts to beat crazy. Pero kailangan ko itong baliwalain. Kailangan kong tapakan ang kaba at takot na ito.
Magiging maayos ako.
Sumakay ako ng motorbike patungo sa skwelahan ko. It's a bit far so the fare is a bit expensive rin.
I decided to take a dorm inside the campus. Mas mabuti na iyon. Mas safe kesa sa labas pa ako.
After I got off, I struggled so hard with my things. I got a big trolley, may mga malalaking bag pang nakasabit sa balikat ko at hindi nakakatulong na may gitara pa akong dala.
I must be look funny dahil may strawberry neck pillow pa akong nakasabit sa leeg ko.
Gosh. How could I be able to arrive at my dorm?
After minutes of pulling everything, I finally see it.
'Building B. Individual dorms'
Hays. Sa wakas. Makakatulog na ako ng maayos. But I was shocked. I need to bring my things up in a freaking stairs.
My room is on 4th floor! I can't just let some of my bags left in here.
While I was in chaos of what I should do—
"Miss, tulungan na kita? Ang dami mong dala."
I stood there looking at him. He's a tall guy with his casual wear on. Some shorts and a shirt. He looked good... and kind I guess? Well. Wala pa sa bokabularyo ko ang ganyan.
He looked at me with a waiting eyes.
"Sige na. Bago ka ba dito? Ako si Inzo. Nagdodorm din ako rito. Papunta na rin ako sa taas. Kaya mas mabuting tulungan na kita sa dala mo." Ulit niya.
I guess I don't have a choice. He looked decent.
I just nodded.
He smiled. "Ako na riyan sa maleta mo and sa isang bag."
I silently gave it to him. I was observing him dahil hindi ko siya kilala. Baka kung ano ang gawin niya sa akin.
"Uhmm. You play guitar?" noticing I have a guitar hanging on my shoulder.
I just nodded.
"Mahiyain ka ba? hahaha. Or hindi ka lang talaga palasalita?"
I shrugged. He smiled and continued asking me random things.
"Anong room number ka ba?"I closed my eyes trying to remember what exact room am I.
"I'm at 411" I simply said.
He just then nodded.
We walked silently until we reached my floor. It has a vintage style. It gives you a creepy feeling because it was exactly you have seen in your horror movies. But I love these kind of things.
"Here you go, silent girl. Here's your room. 411. You don't have to treat me coldly if you're scared that I might do something to you." He laughed.
"Go in. Welcome to College." He smiled and left me without waiting me to say thank you.
