Melpomene

[1] Serpent Heart Hid With A Flowering Face (Part 1)

ROSE DE GUZMAN
[1]

I can't believe it. I'm finally studying in my dream school: Melpomene Academy for Theatre Arts.

Ito na ata ang pinaka-prestihiyosong paaralan para sa mga nagbabalak maging artista, mapa-enteblado man 'yan o pelikula. Kada taon tumatanggap lang sila ng 1,500 na first years students mula sa 19,000 na nag-apply at lubhang ma-swerte ako kasi isa ako sa mga napili.

Hila-hila ang malaki kong maleta, nagsimula na akong maglakad tungo sa entrance ng Melpomene Academy na nasa ilalim ng malaking logo nito, isang triangle na may dalawang pa-alon na linya mula sa tuktok. Kasama ang iba pang mga estudyante, I really feel like I'm where I'm supposed to be.

Halos lahat ng mga nasasabayan kong estudyante ay artistahin ang hitsura! Mula sa pananamit hanggang sa mukha, talagang bagay sila sa school na ito. Diverse rin ang mga estudyante, mula sa mala-porselanang hanggang sa mala-kapeng balat.

I tapped my ID card at the turnstile and went inside to find the ladies' dormitory. Malawak ang campus ng Melpomene Academy, pati ang gubat na nasa likuran nito ay kasama sa pagmamay-ari nila. The dormitories, one for the males and other for females, are placed at opposite ends of the campus.

"Excuse me po?" may babae na lumapit sa akin, hawak-hawak ang kanyang campus map. She's wearing a pair of jeans with a white crop top underneath a slightly oversized checkered polo. "I don't seem to understand this shitty map. Alam mo ba kung saan 'yung dormitory?"

"Yes! Actually, papunta rin ako doon. I won't mind if you're going to tag along," I replied.

"Great! Buti na lang naka-salubong kita or else baka dito ako sa classrooms matutulog," she said. "I'm Laurel, by the way."

"My name is Rose," sagot ko at nagsimula nang maglakad sa tabi ni Laurel. I don't mind having company. I'm an extrovert and I think Laurel is, too. If hindi kami roommates, kahit classmates lang sana.

"Hello, Rose. I just want to say that I love your jumper dress. Pink suits you," Laurel complimented. Napa-ngiti naman ako doon. At least, I get to have other people's opinions about my fashion sense. As a future actress, kailangan ko ng magandang wardrobe na magugustuhan ng fans ko.

"Thank you. Bagay rin sa'yo 'yung crop top. To be honest, if we're going to switch outfits right now, I'll be a laughingstock," I admitted.

"Hmmm... Parang hindi naman though. Anyway, the outfit switch thing? I love that thought. Let's do that some time, okay?" sabi niya. "By the way, second year ka ba or third year? Kasi you really look radiant pa to be a graduating student."

I laughed, "Thanks for the compliment but I'm also a first year like you."

"Legit!?" Laurel exclaimed. "I thought you're a second year kasi alam mo 'yung daan papunta sa dormitories, and you don't even a map."