Somewhere in the Avenue (Velez Cousins Series #1)

Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Encounter

I did what I said.

I started living for myself and focused more on myself this time. A month after that, I decided to enroll into a College University in the city. Since my Grandparents' mansion is located in the city, it wasn't hard for me to look for universities that offers the course I wanted take: Civil Engineering.

I used to think that I'm just taking this course because of practicality purposes. My Dad owns a construction firm so it's just right to follow on his footsteps. Pero sa loob ng dalawang taon, I realized that I no longer think that way. I want to become like my father, an honorable Engineer. 

I was able to enroll into a good school just near the neighborhood. Even with my grandparents' assets that will help me live by my own without working for years, I didn't rely on that. I feel like I don't deserve to use it. Yes, I already stop pitying myself and blaming myself for everything. But I just feel like...I should use it when I can no longer feed for myself. Now that I am still capable of working to support myself, I should refrain from using their fortune.

That's why I became a working student. I was lucky enough to be granted with a scholarship so all I need to do is to maintain my grades and work to have money for other necessities.

At first, it was really hard to juggle both my studies and my work. I really had a hard time adjusting kasi hindi ako sanay na nag-ta-trabaho. Back at home, everything was already prepared for me. Halos nasa kwarto lang ako at nagkukulong, ni minsan ay hindi tumulong sa kung anumang major na gawaing bahay. But now as I entered a new phase of my life, I realized I need to do this and strive harder for myself.

Because this time, walang Yaya Imelda na naghahanda ng lahat sa'kin. Walang Audy na nag-re-remind sa'kin ng mga bagay-bagay. Walang Liv na nang-iinis sa'kin. Walang Suzy na nagco-comfort sa'kin.

All I have right now is myself. And I need to do this. I need to. For my Dad. For my Lola. For myself.

It was also very hard for me at school. I experienced being bullied for being an orphan. My grandparents are pretty popular in the city and everyone knew about my family's story. They knew how I am left alone after the Versozos died. I am the only remaining Versozo so I was bullied and got called by many names.

But if you think I just sit back and do nothing? Well, you're wrong.

"Three hours in detention, Miss Versozo. Reflect at what you did." the Guidance Councilor said before leaving me in that empty room.

I rolled my eyes and almost showed my middle finger to her. It was during my second year in college when I was taken to detention for the first time. A mean and pabidang nilalang keep on calling me names so I grabbed her hair and slammed her face on the chalkboard. Nothing serious. I still believe that she deserves it. Hindi naman big deal sa'kin ang matawag na "orphan". But calling my family with names? That's a different level.

Simula noong na-detention ako. The bullying stopped. Why? Because I started fighting back. Isang taon akong nagtiis at nananahimik, but those times are done. It's quite unfair that I was only fighting back but I was the on who was sent to the Prefect of Discipline. Unfortunately, my scholarship was taken away from me and that made everything harder.

I really can't have more part-time jobs. I already have a job as a waitress at a café near my school, as a worker in a convenience store and a dishwasher at a restaurant. All of them are taking too much of my time that I only have a few hours for studying. At ang pera na natatanggap ko sa tatlong trabaho na 'yon ay hindi sapat para bayaran ang tuition ko sa school.