Chapter I: Her Life

Nakakairita! Bakit pa kasi ngayon ang deadline ng thesis namin. For God's sake, it's the weekend."Erica, nasaan ka na ba! Ikaw na lang mag dala nito sa school! I have to finish the flow for the coming conference!"bulyaw ko sa kagrupo kong si Erica.

"Sorry,Sav. I'm outside Laguna. Nandito ko sa BGC kasama parents ko. Wedding anniversary kasi nila. Tsaka ikaw ang ineexpect ni Dr. Apu,"she said.

Napabuga na lang ako sa hangin. Sav, you need to get a grip. Hayaan mo na. After passing the thesis you can have your break.  Next year ay Fourth-year kana. Just have patience.

"Fine." Bumaling ako sa printer na kakatapos lang mag print. Finally!

Binitawan ko ang phone ko at nag hanap ng folder sa drawer na pwedeng paglagyan. At kapag sinuswerte ka nga naman, wala pa. Dali-dali akong lumabas ng kwarto at pumanaog papunta sa kusina kung saan nag luluto si Mommy.

"Mom, may extra folder pa kaya si Daddy sa Office?" tanong ko.

"As much as I know meron pa. Left drawer of his table," she spoke while stirring the soup.

I can say that all my life I grew up in a household where money is not a problem. My Dad is an attorney of a big company and also has his own firm that's why I seldom see him at home. If he is not in the courtroom, he is in his study and doesn't want to be disturbed. Buti na lang natitiiis ni Mommy yung ganitong set-up namin. If it was me, I won't stay with someone like that.

"Your cousins are coming over tonight. I think they are planning to go clubbing. If you're coming with them make sure that you all are staying at your brother's pad," she said the moment I stepped out of Dad's office. The thing about my mom, she will allow anything just don't do anything stupid that will jeopardize the family. 

"I don't think I can go clubbing tonight, Mom. I still need to finish the program for the conference." Lumakad ako papuntang kitchen island para kunin ang gamit ko.

Kinuha ko ang gamit ko at ang susi ng sasakyan bago humarap ulit kay Mommy.

"Alis na ako, Mommy," paalam ko.

"Mag-ingat ka," she reminded me as she took the casserole out from the stove.

I was on my way to NU-Laguna when my phone rang. I saw the caller ID. It was my brother.

"Whasup," I asked as I exited our village.

"I called you para sabihin na dadaanan kita mamaya. Hindi ko na pinapunta sila Jenny dahil huzzle pa. Be ready by 6pm," he said from the other line.

"You're seriously agreeing with the idea of clubbing? Hindi ka ba busy? I mean you're on-call, right?" I asked nonchalantly. 

"Yah! You know that I'm also human. I can enjoy for once in a while!" he was hysterical. I let out a subtle laugh to add fuel to the flame.

"Fine, whatever. Sabi nga pala ni Mommy huwag na tayong umuwi mamaya. Dun na daw tayo sa condo mo mag-stay"I gave up.

"Okay. I have to go. I still have two surgeries. Take care and drive safely," he said.

"Yes, Dr. Abad." I tried to mock him but he ignored me. 

I still can't believe that my brother is now a surgeon. Naalala ko pa dati noong iniiyakan nya pa iyong sugat nya tuwing makakalmot ko sya. Samantalang ngayon he cut people up to fix them.

Napahawak ako ng mahigpit sa manibela ng mapansin kong malapit na ako sa university. Binati ako ni Kuya Richard bago ako pagbuksan ng gate. Bago pa ako makatuloy ay kinuha nya ang pansin ko.

"Ms. Abad, May athletes po ngayon sa apartel. Baka po kasi magulat kayo. May training po kasi ngayon yung Gilas Pilipinas," Kuya Richard reminded me. 

"Thanks, Kuya," I responded politely. 

Nag park ako sa dapat ng admin office. Pinatay ko ang makina ng sasakyan at kinuha ang thesis, at bag ko. Pagbaba ko ng sasakyan nakita ko nga ang naghalerang kotse na mamahalin sa gilid.

Apartel is the on-campus lounge. It's open for students to rent but its main purpose is to house athletes that are undergoing training. A night at the apartel cost two thousand pesos. The ground floor of the apartel is the cafeteria of the university. There are designated spaces for regular students and athletes. Well, the catering services for the athletes are much better and fancier.

Naglakad ako papunta sa office ni Dr. Apulencia. Nakasalubong ko ang iilang television station crew na may dalang mga kable. Mukhang nasa 4th floor ang athletes ngayon. Pag tigil ko sa tapat ng pinto ni Dr. Apulencia ay sinilip ko kung may tao. Unfortunately wala. Miski si Doc. Wala.

I reached for my phone and typed a message.

To: Dr. Apulencia -NU

Message:

Doc, nandito na po ako sa campus. I went to your office po but you're not there.

I sent the message as I was on my way to the apartel. I'll probably lounge here while waiting for Doc.

I looked for a comfy spot and rested. I took out my iPad and started to proofread the program that I started.

This program I'm working on is for the 10th founding anniversary of NU- Laguna. I was in charge of the program since I handled a few events for the university.

The said event will be held at the university's auditorium. A separate team is in charge of the decoration and hosting.

"Ahmm, Miss would you mind if I sit here?" a baritone voice asked.

I didn't even look at him as I answered.

"Not at all," I answered as I proceeded with my proofreading.

While doing a run-through the program I created made me realize that I was almost done. Just a few numbers from the students and I'm almost done. I looked at my wristwatch. It's just 1:30 pm.

Oh, shoot! I haven't had lunch!

Itinayo ko ang iPad ko at hinanap ang wallet ko. Nang makuha ko ito ay agad akong nagtungo sa counter.

"Ate, isang order ng veggie salad at garlic bread," I ordered.

Nag-abot ako ng bayad at iniabot naman nya sakin ang order ko. While walking back to my seat, I realized that I was sitting in the VIP area, which is exclusively for the athletes. Nanlaki ang mata ko at dali-daling ipinatong ang tray na hawak ko sa pinakadulong table sa student's side. When I approached the seat to get my things a dark brown of eyes were staring at me with a smirk across its face.

"Looks like Miss Studious here didn't see the line," he stated in a mocking tone.

His voice is so manly. Ngayong napagmasdan ko sya he was a well-defined body, broad shoulders, thick eyebrows, his eyes. His eyes look like he's wearing eyeliner. His-his arm. He has an arm sleeve tattoo!

"Miss Studious, I think someone is calling you." Napabalik ako sa realidad dahil sa sinabi nya. Dinungaw ko ang phone kong nakapatong sa lamesa. Shit, it's Doc!

I quickly answered the call.

"Yes, Doc?" I answered  the call

"Miss Abad, kindly leave the thesis on top of my table. I can't personally receive it today," he responded.

"Sure Doc." Inipit ko ang telepono sa balikat ko at dahan-dahang inimis ang gamit ko.

"Alright. Before I forgot, the Chairman wants you to add something for the program" Napatigil ako bigla at kumunot ang noo.

"What is it, Doc?" I inquired.

"Include the appearance of Shaun Alfonso" I was silent for a moment. What was I thinking? We will surely cross paths since we are from the same university after all.

"Alright, Doc. Noted," I answered.

Without any word, the call ended. Things really don't go according to plan I guess

"You know what Miss, I'll help you with your things." Napalingon ako sa lalakeng kaharap ko na hawak na ngayon ang bag ko, iPad, at thesis namin.

"Hala huwag na. Nakakahiya."Pagtanggu ko

"No, I insist," he chuckled. 

He walk past me and walked towards my new table where my lunch is waiting for me. I followed him. When he placed my things on top of the table, he turned and extended his hand.

"I'm D-" Naputol ang sasabihin nya ng bumukas ang elevator sa likuran ko.

"Hey bro let's go. Nandun na si Coach."Yaya ng isang mas maliit sa kanyang lalake.

He withdrew his hand and just smiled before following the smaller guy.

I ate my lunch before I went to Dr. Apulencia's office.

Our thesis is a feasibility study about the offering of legal management in NU- Laguna. I and my partner came up with the topic kasi one day iniisa-isa namin ang courses na inooffer ng NU. We saw that NU doesn't offer legal management in any other branch so that's why we decided to make it our topic. Our professor for the subject, Dr. Apulencia, liked the idea. I can still recall him saying na we should be ready once it was approved by the panelists expect it to be raised to the board of directors.

I'm hoping for it to pass kasi maganda din yun sa portfolio ko once I enter the corporate world.