Hold You Accountable (Published) | ✓

Kabanata 40

Kabanata 40

I checked my look in my compact mirror before going out of my car. I look decent enough, I guess. Medyo hindi ko kasi napansin ang schedule ko kaya nakalimutan ko na meron nga pala akong pupuntahang seminar ngayon.

"Ms. Sanchez?" a Teacher approached me with a smile on her face. "This way po, to the auditorium."

I went with her to the auditorium. Iginala ko ang paningin ko sa paligid, the school became more eco friendly. Mas dumami ang mga halaman na nakapalibot sa school at mas dumami rin 'yata ang mga palamuti. Evergreen garden became more green, it should be called super green na green garden.

Sinalubong ako ng mga matatayog na puno at walang halong alikabok na simoy ng hangin. Nilanghap ko naman ito dahil binabalik ako nito sa nakaraan.

This was my first time to have a seminar in my alumni. Nagkaroon na rin naman ako ng mga seminar sa ibang schools pero ngayon lang ako naimbita sa mismong naging school ko noon.

That's probably the reason why I felt nostalgia all over myself. The feeling of coming back to a place where you created memories with the people who became a part of your life.

Sadly though, not everyone stays in your life.

I have read before that nostalgia used to be a medical condition and people died because of it. Soldiers who were experiencing homesickness was diagnosed with nostalgia. Pero ngayon ay pakiramdam na lamang ito, a feeling of intense longing for the past even at the expense of forgetting your future.

We were at the Bonanza area, a familiar voice called me.

"Zafirah?"

I immediately smiled upon seeing him.

He looked almost the same. Hawak-hawak niya pa rin ang lesson plan at ang kanyang laptop. I could even see the index cards on his pockets. Mukhang kabado ngayon ang mga ABM students na hawak niya.

"Sir Castro!"

Tumingin naman ako sa kasama ko. The teacher who was guiding me only smiled and mouthed 'go on' when she saw Sir Castro approaching me.

"Grabe, akala ko hindi mo na ako makikilala." Halakhak ni Sir Castro.

There were lines of aging on his face but he still has the smile that made me believe in myself.

"Ikaw pa ba, Sir? Malakas ka saamin ni Gio e," hindi ko mapigilan ang ngiti ko.

Habang tumatagal ang tingin ko sa kanya ay lalo akong nakakaramdam ng pangungulila sa nakaraan. I realized that no matter how painful our past memories were, we will always try to visit it to see our progress — to see if the pain was worth it.

"Kamusta naman ang buhay CPA?" tanong ni Sir Castro habang binabaybay namin ang daan papunta sa auditorium.

I miss Fundamentals of Accountancy, Business and Management because of him. Lahat ng tinuro niya saakin noong senior high ay nadala ko hanggang college.

The sleepless nights, tears of frustration and cups of coffee were worth it.

"Okay naman po. Mas stress po siguro si Gio kumpara sa akin," pagbibiro ko.

"Si San Pedro? Ang galing ng batang 'yon 'no? CPA na nga, Lawyer pa."

After pursuing accountancy, Gio went to a prestigious law school. We still talk but we seldom see each other, hindi ko inakalang dadating ang panahon na magiging seryoso 'yon. Inaasar ko nga siya noon dahil ang daming nagkakagusto sa kanyang kolehiyala.

Still, he told me he was waiting for someone but I don't know who it was even if he told me before that she was just near us. It was crazy how secretive he was when it comes to his own lovelife.