For Keeps (Twist of Fate Series #2)

29.

Months and months of stressful academic loads and finally, I will be a college student.

More hectic schedule and more stressful. 'Di pa ako ready.

I applied to different college universities. May academic scholarship din akong natanggap. But, I chose De Vera State University. Dahil sa libre ang fees, mayroon na ring dorm within the vicinity. Twenty to thirty minutes lang ang layo mula sa aming bahay. Pwede kahit na mag-jeep lang.

The course that I decided to take was Bachelor in Science in Business Administration, Major in Financial Management.

To be honest, it was an impulsive decision because I failed to pass the entrance examination for accounting. The first course that I planned was accountancy.

Sayang. Hindi pala lahat ng first choice ay binibigay sa atin.

Sobra ko iyong iniyakan at ang baba na ng tingin ko sa sarili ko. Naipasa ko naman 'yung mga subjects noong senior high school ako pero ito 'di ko naipasa.

I tired it to take entrance exam on another university.

But then again. Again. I failed. I failed it twice. Everything's been worse. Hindi ko maiwasang maikumpara ang sarili sa iba na one taker lang, pasok na.

Nakakapanghinayang. Sayang.

Si Eleazar naman ay sa Golden Archer University mag-aaral. Bihira na kami magkita. Madalas ko siyang napapansin na nagd-drawing at sketch kung magkasama naman kami.

Kita ko namang gustong-gusto niya 'yon. Sa huli, pinapanood ko na lamang siya. Pinagmamasdan ko siya kung gaano siya kaseryoso habang ginagawa iyon.

I absentmindedly smiled. He has his dreams. I remember one time he said, "You made me dream and hope, Prim. I am grateful for that." Then, he squeezed my hand. "Mangarap tayo nang sabay. Tapos abutin din natin ang mga 'to." He smiled, as if he was making a scenario in his head, picturing us.

Hindi ko alam bakit kahit dito sa DVSU ay matunog ang pangalan ni Eleazar. Medyo malayo ang school naming dalawa sa isa't isa kaya sa isang buwan, halos hindi na kami magkita.

Cheryl is now at Australia, studying business. She will also celebrate her 18th birthday there. "Dad and Mom were happy because I finally come to my senses daw na business ang aaralin ko." She released a heavy sigh. "But w-when I told what I'll do after college... That I'll have my own bakeshop... the l-look in their faces c-changed." Her voice broke which made me reached for her hand and squeezed it.

Pinunasan niya ang luha na pumatak sa kanyang pisngi gamit ang kabilang kamay. "They looked d-disappointed." She shook her head and rested it on my shoulder. We were at the City Park, sitting on a bench and just had our ice cream and mochi.

I caressed her hair gently. Hinayaan ko ang sarili na makinig sa kanya. "A-Akala kasi n-nila that I'll have something big... l-like..." She sniffed. "R-Restaurant... h-hotel... perfumes... m-make-up..."

In the end, her parents finally allow her to fly. Just because they are the parents, it doesn't mean that they own their child. May sarili pa ring buhay ang anak.

Nariyan ang mga magulang bilang gabay habang sila ay lumalaki... Hindi dapat kino-control. They should not clip their child's wings just because their dreams and goals differ from what the they want.

Si Nanay Gloria ay tumigil na sa pagtinda ng lumpiang shanghai. Madalas na siyang nagrereklamo na sumasakit na ang kanyang likod, balakang at joints. Nakakalungkot lang na wala ako roon para alagaan siya. Kung kailan, kailangan niya ako, waka ako roon.

Huling uwi ko sa bahay ay noong kumuha ako ng extra clothes at bedsheets. Napansin kong pumayat siya. Iba ang katawan niya kumpara noong bumisita ako last last week.