One year later.
I was walking towards the Main Building/Science library of the University of Saint Thomas to look through additional materials for our group presentation scheduled for next week. It was a hectic year for the Freshman AB class, and I was looking forward to a relaxing summer. I saw my classmates, Arnold and Eden already in our favorite table and I quickly sat on the chair across the two. Both smiled at me and proceeded to discuss the materials they were able to get from the undiscovered section of the old library.
On the last Friday of March that year, the class of 1986 graduated. Surrounded by excited classmates and proud parents and companions, I felt empty that day. Even when my Nanay shed tears and Bree took pictures of me on the stage with my diploma and mother in tow, I barely mustered a tiny grin. Because we all brought our family members, my classmates and I were only able to say quick goodbyes before we left the venue. I quick
Time really flies, and how! I am now a Senior in college, and in just a few months will graduate hopefully with Latin Honors. Soon, I'd be able to keep my promise to Nanay. It was a long arduous journey, but I did it. I only need to pass the remaining exams and defend my thesis. I was so grateful to Jena, Eden, Arnold, and the rest of my classmates who made life in college bearable. As expected, life there was more serious and I learned that you have to take ownership of your decisions and not rely on others. I realized my inner strength and determination to finish what I've started. I sacrificed Lance, and nothing's going to stop me from my goal. A stumbling block indeed came, but I was able to overcome and moved on. A few months ago, I was roaming the University Belt with Jena and Arnold looking for additional sources for our thesis. The place was teeming with students from other universities and colleges. I was able to get copies of the books I needed and was waiting for
"I will not take No again for an answer, Nia," my friend Naomi said crispily over the phone. I was staring at my computer and typing endless memos for my boss who was the senior vice president for Corporate Banking of a leading universal bank. My head was tilted, skillfully balancing the receiver while leafing through the pages of the draft. I was hired as an assistant and working with the bank for nearly 3 years. I met Naomi while I was an intern for a professional advertising executive and she was then his assistant. I liked her because of her feisty nature. "I already met the guy and he seems promising. But do I need to go into another date with him? I am very busy," I answered. Naomi set me up on a blind date with Ervin who was an account executive working for a big pharmaceutical company. "He has been asking why you don't want to give your personal as well as your professional contact number. I think he's got the hots for you. Why don't you give him a chance? Just
I was startled to hear my office phone ringing continuously. I picked it up quickly and breathlessly said, "Hello?" "Hello, Nia? Izzie here. What time are you ready? We need to go see Noah immediately at the precinct." I checked my watch and responded, "I can wrap up now and go there. I'll meet you at the mall then we go directly to the precinct. How about the others?" I heard Izzie sighed and said, "Ayene, Leny and Carly went there an hour ago. Ira and Enzo will also proceed there in a bit. I'd like to talk to Noah. He must be really scared." "Don't worry. Buy some snacks, towels, toiletries for him, and I'll be there in a jiffy." I quickly drove to the mall to pick up Izzie. I saw her waiting for me at the mall entrance and quickly stopped at the curb and opened the door. She came in, hugged me and closed the door. She started chatting about Noah. "I told him to resign from that stupid job. He was so stressed out for months, an
I always felt like I was just a regular guy. Growing up, my parents would shower me with their undivided attention as I was the only boy. My older sister Terry "bullied" me when we were kids, and because of her, I was a bit shy around girls. I just liked hanging around with noisy guys like Jon and Ira, as I felt they "protected" me. I had crushes, but never really told any girl I liked her. Jon joked that the girl must be the one to court me, for I usually clamped up around them. That is, until I met Nia. During our Sophomore year, I heard heard rumors about a girl who transferred to our coed school from an exclusive girls' school. My curiosity was piqued. I felt bad hearing some of them making fun of the girl we have yet to meet. I saw new faces in the room and I asked Ira casually if the new girl had arrived. "Nope, I don't think she's here yet. Those new students came from co-ed schools as well," he replied. I sat down, feeling disappointed. Suddenly, I saw a girl stood b
1:45pm. Shit! I gathered the photocopied documents and ran towards my desk to staple the papers. I hastily placed them in individual folders and ran like hell to the board room where the Senior Leadership Group was assembled as well as the members of the stockholders. Lisa, my colleague, snatched the folders and went around the huge table placing the folders on assigned slots. I went to the coffee station and gave out paper cups of brewed coffee to the attendees. The other junior administrative assistant, Michie, looked petrified as she stood near the door. She was supposed to take the directors and corporate secretary to their assigned seats but all she could do was gape and looked at me for help. I hurriedly met the attendees at the door and directed them to their seats. Once everyone had been seated, I nodded at Michie and Lisa and we all stepped out and silently closed the door. The Board Meeting commenced. I breathed a sig
June 13, 1983. It’s the first day of school and I was supposed to come in early to check in first with the school registrar for my brief orientation and list of class subjects. I wanted to kick myself for not pushing my older sister Mica to hurry. This was our first day in our new school and it would be unpleasant if we came in late to our class. At 13, I felt nervous like an incoming kindergarten pupil.Mica and I were transferred from an exclusive girls’ school to a co-ed semi-private one. My Nanay (Mom) decided to transfer Mica as she had issues with the faculty of our previous school. And decided without telling me she included me in the process.“I want you to keep an eye on your sister. If she is all alone in that new school, who knows wh
‘I survived one week in this freaking school. Hurray!’, I thought to myself. I stuck like glue to Charm and Val, so I didn’t have to go around alone in the unfamiliar old building. We were slowly getting ourselves acclimated to the new school and its studentry. I wore our new uniform: a white blouse with a maroon school logo on the chest, maroon ribbon tied around the collar, and a skirt. One beautiful girl named Izzie lent me her book in Science and toured me in some parts of the school. Noah went with us and we had a blast going around as they made funny remarks about some teachers and students. I also got to meet the boys behind us, Archer, Jon, Enzo, Ira, and Raoul who were a bubbly bunch. And of course, Lance. He would always greet us each morning before joining the bubbly boys. This group would usually hang out along the benches under the trees, checking out girls, talking about basketball and other stuff. They seemed oblivious
As I was walking towards the girls’ locker/restroom to change into our PE Uniform, Charm grabbed me. “Hey, watch it!” Charm giggled and said, “The volleyball tryouts will be held this afternoon. Let’s go for it!” I gasped “But I don’t have a spare shirt!” Val squeezed in and said “But we do have our PE shirts and sneakers on, right? I think we’re good.” We went to the registration table and signed our names. We sat on the bleachers’ area and watched as the PE Teachers conducted tryouts for the AM and PM volleyball teams for Freshman and Sophomore. The Juniors and Seniors would have theirs in the afternoon. I saw a lot of girls trying out in their old volleyball jerseys. ‘And all I’m wearing is this crappy P.E. t-shirt.’ I badly wanted to run to the store to buy another shirt but I don’t have spare cash at the moment. Even Val and Charm were wearing other volleyball jerseys in amazing colors. I bit my lip. The teachers were calling the name