University of Saint Dominic

April 8, 2013

9:46 am

Christine Romulo

It is enrollment day at the University of Saint Dominic. I walk through the arches that span hundreds of years. Some say there is a myth that if one were to walk pass it, that said person will not finish his degree. I don't believe in such myths. I pass through the arches with no problem at all. I see other students stand agape at what I did, but I couldn't care less. I will graduate one way or another.

I walk around a path field with gardens and trees. Some call it the Romance Park, but its official name is the Garden of Hope. It is called Romance Park as it is a park where many couples hang out and do their thing. I walk some more to see the main plaza of the university. A few more walks and I see St. Dominic's Church. Almost every building here speaks anciently. They are hundreds of years old. You can just see the old stones they use for building and the asphalt that holds it all together.

At the gymnasium is the main enrollment center. With many students queuing to pay the bills, I suppose the accounting department cannot handle all of them in their building that they had to set up a makeshift enrollment area at the gymnasium.

As I fall into this very lengthy line, I see a student who is somewhat new around here. She seems to be smart. I mean, she already bought the textbooks we need. I suppose she is one of these scholarship kids that got the perfect score on the entrance tests. Her eyeglasses speak intelligently, but her hair speaks beautifully. I love her curls and waves. Oddly enough, she looks around as if she is confused.

I tap her on the shoulder. "Hey," I say kindly to her.

"Hello," she says as she looks down the floor.

"Christine," I say as I let my hand out for a handshake.

"Felicia," she says in reply.

"First-year student?"

"No, third year, but first year to be in this school. Transferred from a state university down the south."

I'd love to talk with her more, but the line keeps moving along. Somehow, I see a student volunteer pull her away as she is a scholar. I don't understand why she is queuing in this line. She doesn't need to pay anything, so why line up here? Then, she just waves a goodbye. Felicia… I think I'll see more of her around here. I just have the feeling that it was not the last time that we will talk.

"Next!"

Alright, it seems that it is now my turn. There are many teller areas around this gymnasium. I prepare to pull out my requirements. That includes the cheque, the forms, and a pen, just in case I need to sign something. I go to an open teller and put all the requirements down. I see the teller look at the papers thoroughly. Then, suddenly, he just smiles. He looks up at me, and… oh shit.

"Nice to see you enrolling here, Miss Romulo."

Morris. Of course, it figures. I don't know what he's supposed to be doing here. Is he a volunteer of some sorts? I can't believe I'd have to give a half-meant smile just to show everyone here that there is no problem.

He puts stamps all over my forms to indicate that I am enrolled. Before handing me the paper, he looks at my units and courses. He just gives a snarky smile. "Third year. Wow. What an achievement. I guess you have two more years of pretending to be an angel, don't you, Miss Romulo?"

"Yes," I say through gritted teeth. "And what are you trying to imply?"

He gives an amused smile. "Nothing really, Miss Romulo. Just trying to say. Though no one knows who you are around here, I think it is best that you keep it all to yourself and continue your pretense. This is a Catholic school after all. It would do you a great favor if you don't seduce me, or anyone around here."

"Oh, really? What makes you think that I am seducing you? Are you even worth it to be seduced?"

After the last stamp, he hands me the papers that I need. "You will learn, Miss Romulo. I can play your game, and it is I who will win."

Foolish he is to think that. It is he who knows little. I give a bemused smile. "You are wrong on that," I say slyly. "You will lose."

"You best learn defeat," he says one last time.

"Next!"

So, he is now challenging me? Well, this will be the last time he will put me in my place, for it will be my turn to do the same for him. And I'm sure, I will see more of him in June. There will be lots of times where he and I will face and see who will win.

And I know, it will be me.