They call it Gazebo, I call it Sanctuary

Dear Abon at Fisda,

I'd like to share this story of mine to all your readers out there.This is no ordinary romantic story or some sort, but an experience worth reading.So, I hope you would post this on your blog.

It was a simple yet sunny day in Ateneo de Davao University.You could say it was something usual or just a normal school day.For most people that is, except for me. I say it was a day worth remembering for the rest of my life. Or should I say, an Unforgettable Enchanting Day?

I'm currently in my fourth year in Ateneo. So, I could say, a semester left for me to graduate. But, due to some financial matters, I need to stop for a semester. I am Soji, a typical and average student in Ateneo. I'm a cheerful yet, very funny person, based on my friends' testimonies. I couldn't agree with me. But, I hear less from them stating that I'm sensible, understanding and all those chummy descriptions of a Perfect Guy type of guy.

I'm also a member of a Progressive Organization just like you, but I don't think we've met. But boy, you're a modern-day Bonifacio.

Okay, I'm straying off my course. I wanted to share this because it's worth something. Well, for me it does.

It's about this girl I call Ms. Sanctuary. Sanctuary because, she took over my usual spot in the Thibault Grounds or people would call it, the Gazebo that I call My Sanctuary. She's no popular icon in the campus, or from a well-off family. She's a modern-day Salome(a character from El Filibusterismo) that I admire. She's very attractive and I find her very pretty. The first time I saw her was on the 26th of January 2010. I was my way to Claveria when I accidentally passed-by her. If I could remember well, she also exchanged a glance with me.

Or maybe I was just over-exaggerating things.

Ever since that day, her beauty clings into my mind even in my dreams. Sometimes, I get daydreams of her. Here how it all started.Summer passed, after a tragic break-up from my girlfriend. I was really sad. Sad to the extent that I want to pull a trigger of a gun against my putrid shallow head. I did what I should do. I gave my heart to her. But she didn't understand what I'm fighting for.Well, that's for my ex of course.

It was May, and I visited a friend's retreat house somewhere in Davao. I stayed there for two months. My family didn't know about it. Except for my dad. I was too pre-occupied. Too baffled about what to do and not to. I was too pressed by issues that couldn't caress any longer with my advocacies. I need time to think. Time to look into me deeper.

And after two months. I went home. Of course, hearsays echoed every part of our house. But I didn't bother.But believe me or not, my two months of stay there remolded my very being. I become critical, more mature, understanding, and of course, responsible. And also, I thought of her, that girl I saw 2 days before my birthday.

I haven't enrolled for the semester. Financial deficit and all. But I didn't bother. I had a job. A very fulfilling and worthy profession. I was too curious.One day, I was invited to be one of the 18 roses in a surprise celebration at the gazebo by a friend. Well, I couldn't refuse.It's for a meaningful purpose anyways.