If Tomorrow Never Comes (Buenviaje Series #1)

Prologue

"Hi, I'm Aaditya Cerene M. Padrigao, 12 years old, Opposite Spiker from De La Salle Zobel."

I stared at the old video playing on my laptop screen. It was me. Skinnier, holding a volleyball, flashing a wide, bright smile while being interviewed for a sports documentary years ago.

"I grew up in a sports family, and naturally, I looked up so much to Mom and Dad, who were both notable volleyball players in the country. If you ask me who is my favorite volleyball player is, it's none other than my Mommy Cien. She's really my idol both inside and outside the court and definitely my ultimate role model in every game. My dream course has always been Psychology. I want to understand how people's minds work, especially us athletes who often deal with pressure and mental struggles. I want to help them heal not just physically, but emotionally as well."

Watching that old clip hit me hard. Realizing that it was all finally real. It was finally here. That the little girl in that video had actually made every single word come true. I couldn't help but shed tears while watching it because I was overwhelmed by how far I had come.

I quickly closed my laptop when my phone rang up. Pinunasan ko ang mga luha sa pisngi ko bago ko tignan ang screen ng cellphone ko. It was my Mom and Dad calling.

"Hi, my baby girl!" Mommy's warm and excited voice instantly filled the line. Her voice immediately gave me comfort that made my chest tighten all over again.

"Anak," she started. "We just want you to know how proud and grateful we are to have you. I want you to remember that your Dad and I will always, always be proud of you, no matter what. Thank you for always making us proud. I love you, Ate Cerene. I wish I can hug and kiss my little baby right now"

I chuckled but my tears streaming freely on my cheeks.

"I missed you so much, My. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo ni Daddy at ni Lakan. I am nothing without the both of you, so I should be the grateful one"

Narinig ko ang pagsinghot ni Mommy at sigurado akong umiiyak na ito.

"Your mom is crying, princess" Dad teased.

"Good luck on your first day of work. You're going to do amazing things, and we want you to know that we are behind you every single step of the way"

"Congrats, Ate! Sa first sahod mo, bayaran mo na utang mo sa akin, ha?" Lakan giggled through phone.

"You and your makapal na mukha. Ikaw ang may utang sa akin!" pambara ko sa kaniya kaya narinig ko ang malakas nitong tawa.

"Cerene, I'm so much proud of you" si Daddy na napatikhim dahil sa pagbasag ng boses nito.

Hearing those words broke the last of my defense. The validation, the unconditional love, and the overwhelming weight of finally living out the dream I had spoken of as a little girl made me cry.

"Thank you, My, Dy. . . Thank you so much," I whispered, my voice with emotion.

"Just don't overwork yourself, okay?" Mommy reminded gently.

"And remember, no boyfriends yet! Dadaan muna sa akin ang manliligaw mo, narinig mo ba ako, Aaditya?" Dad jokingly threatened. Napatawa na lang ako tsaka umiling kahit hindi nila kita.

"No boyfriend until approved kay Daddy" natatawang salita ko.

"Goodluck on your first day in Aura Horizon Health Medical Center, Cerene! Keep safe and stay hydrated" huling paalala ni Mommy bago ko ibaba ang tawag.

Aura Horizon Health Medical Center.

"Good morning to our newly appointed Psychiatric Residents and Psychological Associates! Welcome to Aura Horizon Health Medical Center!"