Stayed Away

one

College life is one of the challenging part of our life. Di ko inaasahan mararating ko itong stage na ito ng buhay ko na para bang hindi nahihirapan.

Ever since I was in kindergarden I excel in my studies. Oo meron paring mga difficulties sa bawat subjects but I still do my best to keep my grades good; not because I was told so, but I wanted to do so.

My parents are thankful because I'm responsible enough to do my thing. But kinda sad because they wanted me to be with them in Canada. But, unfortunately I wanted to finish my studies here in the Philippines.

I passed in all of the entrace exams I took for my college pero mas pinili ko ang dream school ko, which is the University of Santo Tomas.

I was from my province kung saan ako nagtapos ng highschool. It's kind of surprising but Manila is very new to me. Mas sanay pa nga akong gumala sa Canada compared dito sa Manila. Pero that was 2 years ago and buti nalang I have a close friends na nandito rin sa Manila and my bestfriend which is si Angelyn.

We were friends since kindergarden sa Canada then sabay kaming umuwi ng Pilipinas for Elementary, but she transferred here in Manila when we were high school so bale tuwing summer and holidays kami nagkikita.

"Ano are you ready na Zariyah?" sabi ni Angelyn

"Yes, I am on my way down na Ghi."

"Okay I'm waiting you here in the lobby sa baba. Faster na we're going to be late."

"Oo na wait lang." then I ended the call.

I hurriedly closed my condo's door and rode the elevator. While waiting for the elevator to reach the ground floor I checked my bag. I bring a notebook, my pencil case where my sign pen, pens, highlighter, pencil, eraser, correction tape is located, my iPad and a folder where i put my files na pwedeng kailangan sa school. I also have my wallet, keys and my medicine just in case I feel unwell.

"Good morning Angelyn!" I hugged her.

"Ay girl we just saw each other kagabi makayakap wagas." She laughed while we do our usual beso-beso.

"You know what let's go na malalate na talaga tayo." I said pulling her outside the building.

My condo is near the University. Parang mga 2 minute walk lang then nasa gate na kami. Yung condo naman ni Angelyn is yung katabing building lang. Actually the owner are the same yun nga lang walang available sa building nila noong bumibili sila Mommy. We are both taking Business Management and it's our 3rd year na. We are also block mates in some of our subjects.

"What time is your out today Zari?"

"Oh I only have 3 classes so I'll be out at 2."

"So gagala ka after?" She raised her brows on me. I shrugged "Depende kung may ipapagawa agad yung mga Professors tapos siguro I'll buy some stocks lang I still lack some foods sa condo you know kababalik ko lang dito sa Manila noong isang araw."

"Aww sayang girl I can't come with you I still have class hanggang 3:30 and may lakad kami ni Mommy." she smiled and raised her two fingers

"No it's okay I will go by my—"

"Hi girls." Kaleb said that makes me look at my back. He waved his hands to Angelyn and kissed my head.

"Ay makakiss may label?" Bulong ni Angelyn sa akin siniko ko lang siya.

"So how's Canada Zariyah? Sorry ngayon lang tayo nagkita at dito pa sa school. I was at Tagaytay yesterday with my family so kauuwi ko lang kanina."