People say that in order to achieve something, you have to do whatever it takes, whatever it means for it to be achievable.
You have to be strong enough to overcome the trials and challenges associated with that dream. You have to take a risk, you...
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People say that in order to achieve something, you have to do whatever it takes, whatever it means for it to be achievable.
You have to be strong enough to overcome the trials and challenges associated with that dream. You have to take a risk, you have to choose moving forward despite not knowing what will be the outcome.
but, what will happen if you lost your path on the way to achieve that dream? Will you be able to be back on track after losing almost everything trying to catch that dream?
"April, hanggang kailan ka ba magiging ganito?" pikon na sigaw ni Sara at malakas na hinablot ang kumot na bumabalot sa katawan ko.
"Bumangon ka na riyan at kumain, pagkatapos ay maligo ka!" dagdag pa niya habang inilalayo ang sarili sa akin.
Blangkong tingin lang ang ipinukol ko sa kanya atsaka muling kinuha ang kumot kong tinapon niya sa sahig para itaklob ulit ito sa katawan ko.
"Nakakainis ka na, super!!" Nagdadabog na umalis siya sa kwarto ko, hanggang sa naiwan ulit akong mag-isa sa kama, tulala sa kawalan at hindi alam ang totoong nararamdaman.
Tumihaya ako nang higa sa kama habang nakatitig sa kisame. Walang kahit na ano ang pumapasok sa utak ko, hindi ko alam kung bakit ako nagkakaganito.
Pakiramdam ko ay nilalamon ako ng kawalan. Iyon bang hindi ko maintindihan kung malulungkot ba ako, o kung iiyak, magluluksa, magagalit? Ewan.
Basta ang alam ko, dapat ay mayroon akong pakiramdam, pero hindi ko alam kung ano iyon, at kung paano ko iyon mararamdaman.
Hanggang sa may nakapa akong matigas na bagay sa tabi ko. Kinuha ko naman ito at tinignan.
Ah, iyong cellphone ko pala.
Ibabalik ko na sana ang cellphone ko sa tabi ko, nang bigla itong umilaw at nakita ko ang wallpaper ko.
Habang nakatitig doon ay naramdaman kong unti-unting namamasa ang pisngi ko, at may dumadaloy mula doon papunta sa leeg ko.
Nang hawakan ang pisngi ko ay doon ko lang napagtanto. Kaya pala basa, umiiyak pala ako.
Napansin ko sa screen ng cellphone ko ang petsa ngayong araw,
July 18, 2026
Pitong taon na pala ang nakalipas simula nang una ko siyang nakilala.
Ang lalaking nagturo sa akin dati kung paano, at kung ano ang totoong pagmamahal.
July 18, 2019
You see, I met a guy on the 18th of July 2019. It was during our first-year-college orientation day. He was wearing black eyeglasses, typical eyeglasses for those who can be considered a nerd.
Out of all the vacant chairs, he sat next to me. The program started until my name was called to speak in front of many.
"Last May 2019, before admitting new students, we held a screening of their academic performance, as well as the entrance exam to determine how well they suited the course that was chosen. Out of 500 applicants, one got a score of 500 over 500. Let us now hear her message and remarks, Ms. April Ruby Hermosa. Kindly give her a round of applause."
I climbed the stairs confidently. My chin was high, keeping my face serious. "Hello, Good Morning everyone." I started talking, I roamed my eyes to see if I'd got everyone's attention, luckily all of their eyes were focused on me.
I was about to speak another word when the nerdy guy who sat beside me earlier kept playing on his phone. My left brow immediately arched. "May I have everyone's attention please?" I demand while looking at him.
Unti-unti niyang itinaas ang ulo niya mula sa pagkakayuko dahil sa phone niya, at nagtama ang mga mata namin. He gasped and immediately hid his phone in his pocket.
"sorry...," mahinang ani neto at yumuko ulit.
I again looked at our schoolmates who were focused on me earlier. Still, their eyes remain on me. I smiled, I like it when everyone listens to me whenever I'm talking.
I ended my speech and they all applauded. I took another glance at the nerd I saw earlier and his face is red as tomatoes.
"Did he blush just by looking at me?"
The teachers announced our sections and assigned the classrooms. I was shocked to see that I and the nerd were in the same classes. Lucky him to be a classmate with his crush huh?
On the way to our room, most students smiled at me. Some even greeted me with full respect which I like the most. Agad ring nabawi ang ngiti ko nang maramdaman ko ang prensiya niya sa likod ko. "Damn this nerd."
I stopped walking to see if he would stop as well, and I was right, he also stopped. I looked at him annoyingly, he gulped when he saw my eyes full of irritation and annoyance.
"I-i'm sorry April" he apologized. What the fuck?
I kept myself calm despite being eager to smack him. "Don't, don't call me that, wait no, don't you ever say my name again," I said in a monotone voice.
I looked at him, he looked like he was about to cry. "Fuck, disgusting."
When I looked at where he was again, I saw tears falling from his eyes. I was about to tell him to stop crying over what I said, but he turned his back on me and ran away.
I was left dumbfounded, I massage the temple of my nose, took a deep breath, and calmed myself down.
I cannot let that nerd annoy me for the rest of my day, and yet the day ended with me worrying that I might have hurt this feelings.
