I haven't really documented my college life. There are not enough pictures or videos to look back on on what transpired over the last four years. I think that would be my biggest regret.
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"These are heavy..." I did a last sweep on my room. That girly pinkish room. I don't know why my parents picked that color for my room. I'm not even girly to begin with! Haha. I looks down at my bag, which weighed 17 kilos, and at two other Balikbayan boxes filled with clothes and books. Books. Why do I need to bring those books? "Ma, don't you think I would go excess?" No kidding, Yel. No kidding.
I was leaving for Manila that time. I just finished high school, without any sense of dread as to what comes after. I was ready for whatever comes. I didn't even mind where I would end up for college, so as long it wouldn't be too much trouble for my parents to support me. Then... the letter came. That acceptance letter in the white Manila envelope. I didn't know they had white Manila envelopes until I saw THAT.
I was accepted into the Ateneo. With a Bachelor of Science in Life Sciences to boot.
Wait a minute. I didn't even consider Life Sciences... did I?
No way.
Yes way. And now I'm leaving to attend classes there.
I carried my bag down the flight of stairs. I told my mom I'll deal with the boxes.
"I'm going to miss you, Yel!" my brother Gabriel bawled behind one of the living room pillows. He was crying. He did so last night as well to the point I ended up sleeping beside him with his arms wrapped around me. He could have been a wrestler with that hold.
Tossing the pillow aside, he ran up to me and put his arms around my neck. He was shorter than me, being several years younger, so I couldn't do anything but bend. "I'll never forget you!"
This separation anxiety is normal, I told myself. This is the first time I would be apart from them for so long. But I just wish he would stop crying. I've been telling myself not to cry. If I start crying, all hell would break loose and we would all be weeping wackos. "It's not like this is going to be permanent." I whispered to him. I stroked his back and neck, and hugged him just as tight. I was close to breaking point. I felt my tear ducts acting up.
"Let me record your voice! I don't want to forget your voice!" he said between hiccups. I just smiled and hugged him tighter. Planting a kiss on his tear-strained cheek, I told him that I would be back soon.
"You won't forget me."
My brother Gavin just watched. Actually, he was more impassive. When tita Marjorie turned up the driveway, Gabriel reluctantly released his hold (I can tell since I had to tell him thrice that tita was there) and Gavin gave me a hug. "Bye, Yel. You take care in Manila." was all I heard from him.
Mama was also in tears. Not as bad as Gabriel though, thank goodness. Haha. She accompanied me to the airport, where we had to ask someone to take some of my luggage under his name otherwise I would have to pay a fortune to get my stuff on board. Darn books.
Mama gave me a kiss and a hug before I went in the departure area. She told me to take care and to look after myself. "You be good." she said.
"I will."
The airplane had yet to arrive so I busied myself with a book. I then received a text from mama that Gavin cried.
