Right from the Start

01

        Clutching a bundle of papers, I endeavor to arrange my work area when an unanticipated guest raps upon my entrance. Most likely, it is my mother.

Glancing at the timepiece on my wrist, I unlatch the door to welcome her in.

"Breakfast?" she asked, holding a plate of sandwiches.

I suddenly felt hungry seeing the food. It was already 10:53 am and as far as I remember, I hadn't eaten since yesterday.

As I reached for the plate, she swiftly pulled it away from me.

"Bumaba ka, huwag kang kumain dito. Remember, kwarto mo ito, hindi dining room." she calmly stated before heading downstairs.

I chuckled. She's always like that, not allowing me to eat inside my own room.

While finishing up on organizing my belongings, I heard my mother shouting, "Mamaya na 'yan! Baba ka muna dito!"

Amused by her words once more, I left my things scattered on the desk and made my way downstairs where the aroma of deliciously cooked ulam wafted towards me - a dish which Mom adores in every morning meal.

I went on the dining room and immediately saw my mom eating first with her ulam. I pulled the chair and sat in front of her and started munching my sandwich.

" Anak, pupunta ako ng Bohol next Friday. Bibisitahin ko ang Lolo mo doon at saka mga kaibigan ko. Hindi ka ba sasama sa 'kin?" Mom began, breaking our silence.

I paused a bit. I suddenly felt the desire to go with Mom since it had been a long time since I visited my Lolo in Bohol. But there is something more important than going somewhere else, what a pity. I hope Lolo will understand and Mom, too..
"No. I have to review and you know that, Mom." I reasoned.

I graduated college and I'm preparing to take my licensure exam. I'm busy reviewing, and I cannot just waste my time doing something else.

"OA naman nito! What if dalhin mo lahat ng mga kakailanganin mo sa pagreview doon? Para naman makasama ka, ilang taon kang hindi sumama sa akin nang bumisita ako sa Lolo at mga Tito mo. At saka isa pa, naka graduate ka na, they wanted to see you!" Mom said.

Everything she said sounds like a good idea. I can just bring everything I need for the review in Bohol but I'm afraid it will be a hassle.

"Isn't that too much hassle?" I curiously asked.

"Hindi kaya! Isa pa, wala namang gagambala sa'yo doon, maraming kwarto sa bahay ng Lolo mo. Walang rin namang mga bata na maiingay doon. Makakapag-review ka talaga!"Mom assured.

And it sounds very convincing. There is nothing wrong in visiting Bohol so its probably fine. As Mom said, I think I can focus there. I also wanted to see Lolo, it's been a long time.

"Ok sure." I said, continuing to eat.

"Talaga?" Her face brightened from what I said. "Sure?" she asked, assuring what she heard.

I nodded.

"How about Dad? Is he coming with us?" I asked.

" Yes, pero hindi siya sasabay sa atin ngayong Friday. Sabi ng Dad mo, iki-clear pa daw niya ang schedule niya before going to Bohol, basta susunod siya."Her explanation was accompanied by a smile.

I nodded twice in understanding and cleared my plate before making my way back upstairs.

The urge to continue my review consumed me, so I cleared both my desk and my mind for optimal concentration. I hoped that no one would distract me.

Just as I was about to begin, my phone rang abruptly. Irritated, I sighed heavily and reached for it only to see that Kayla was calling me.

"Bryle! Oh my gosh! Have you seen the news today?" Her panicked voice immediately caught my attention when I answered.

Kayla always seemed like she had something baseless or irrelevant to share with me whenever we talked on the phone; thus, irritation crept over me as soon as she started crying out of nowhere.
"Bryle, he died!" she stated while crying annoyingly.

"Who died?" I asked irritably while massaging the bridge of my nose in annoyance. "Your dog that pees on your bed and poops on your couch every morning?" I jokingly said with a serious tone.

"No!" Kayla cried out even louder now. "You haven't seen the news yet?"

"Kayla," My tone grew sterner now as frustration boiled within me at her senseless behavior. She's always been like this."You know that I'm busy reviewing right now; therefore, watching news or listening to your senseless topic is not an option."

"You're so mean!" Kayla's whiny voice continued its assault on my ears until finally subsiding into sobs.

"What do you want then? Tell me what's bothering you," My patience wore thin under her incessant sobbing until finally replaced with a sigh.

"I can't say it! Look at the news! It's probably the most trending topic right now," her voice finally returned back to normal.

Sighing multiple times in defeat, I looked up trending topics online only to catch sight of Kayla's announcement of a famous Filipino writer committing suicide.

"Kayla...who is he? Why are you acting like you knew him too?" Confusion lingered within me regarding why someone who didn't seem interested in books suddenly cared about one particular writer taking their own life seemingly out of nowhere.

"That writer was the one we talked about recently," Kayla explained briefly between sniffles while regaining her composure once more."It’s just really sad that he took his own life.”

I sighed.

"We can't do anything about it, Kayla." I said, trying to comfort her.

She talked about how disappointed and sad she is right now and our conversation lasted a couple of minutes until she finally ended our call, thankfully.

Kayla is my friend, childhood friend to be more specific. She is now a college freshman but she acts like a highschool student, like a lost child. Well, I cannot blame her. She's a spoiled brat.

I decided to turn off my phone just to make sure that no one would disturb me again. I don't have time for any other call again.

For one last time, I tried to regain my concentration needed for the review.