Hiraya (HEST #1)

Kabanata 19

College Arc XIX: Bathtub

There was once this tale about animals. This certain fable.

The story went on about two lions talking to one another. One was a baby, a pub, curious and delighted in asking about everything and all things about the life of the one he's conversing to. The other, the one who's answering the questions that were directed to his eyes, was a full lion adult.

"How did you become the king of the jungle?" Asked the young one with superb inquisition.

"It is of the choices, the decisions, that I have made that I became to be the bearer of my own weighing title," ang sagot ng matandang leon sa bata.

"Choices," the pub echoed with his little voice. Tumango ito na tila sinasaulo ang sinabi sa kaniya. "One day I'll be an adult and I would come to make those decisions too!" He squealed in delight.

"Yes," the king nodded. "One day you'll make decisions that will have a huge impact on your life. Choices that will change your future."

And the child nodded. Exhilarated for the freedom he'll have when he's old, excited for choosing his own fate. He smiled and stared up ahead with his ambitious eyes.

Noong narinig ng mga bata ang kuwentong iyon ay hindi nila mapigilang mapaisip katulad ng batang leon. How will that feel? How will it be when they're mature and already a full fledge adult?

And they will make decisions. Important choices. One day they will decide which job they're going to take. What career they will pursue. What house they will live in. The big wide mansion or just a small comfortable one? They will decide where to settle in. Will they settle in their hometown or go out and explore the city? Or maybe even live overseas. They will meet other people. Make friends and go on dates whenever they want to. Will they fall in love with one of them? Will they have a family? Or maybe they'll choose to focus on their career for now.

It was exciting. These decisions, to be in control of everything in your life, it was exciting.

My mind went back to where I am. There wasn't a flash of the future. Nor a big decision pressing to be made. There was only ringing in my ears brought by the sharp voice of my shrieking friend. "Aubrey you're wrong with the lyrics again." Kritisismo ko.

"Aubrey you're wrong with the lyrics again," she mocked me.

"Stop that."

"Stop that," she cried in a childlike voice.

"Stop mimicking me," seryosong utos ko. "This instant."

"Stop nye nye inshtant!"

Ako'y napalingon na sa likod ng kotse kung nasaan ito nakaupo. Our eyes gazed each other lethally. Ang kotse ay umaandar. Sa paglagpas namin sa isang ilaw ng poste na sumilay sa mga salaming bintana ng sinasakyan ay umusbong ang aming pagbatuhan ng mga nang-aaway na salita.

"Hey. Hey!" Ang nagmamaneho sa aking tabi na si Seref. "Stop it. The both of you."

Hindi naman siya pinansin at nagpatuloy sa pag-aaway.

"Why can't you just sing it properly?" I complained while leaning on my chair with my shoulders to stare at her in the back.

"Anong hindi? I'm doing it properly!" Sigaw niya pabalik.

"No, you're not. You got the lyrics wrong, the tone's all over the place, and the range of the music is basically nonexistent when you sang earlier."