Chapter II - Back to Square One

My mom was preparing breakfast when I came home. The smell of my favorite viand immediately travelled through my nostrils. In Manila, I had to do everything on my own - cooked my food, washed the dishes, cleaned my apartment, threw the trash, pampered and took care of myself when ill. Now that I'm finally back, it'll all be different.

As much as I treasured my solemnity, fostering my liberty was a must. I wanted to make a substantial sway to this household. Honestly, I was the laziest among us five siblings when we were small. I was the "favorite," bolstered in almost everything. Moreover, I was the only child who never experienced attending a Public School.

It wasn't really about looking down on such, but a typical Filipino household would prefer to send their children to a Private Institution because of the so-called "Quality Education."

Believe me, though - it didn't help.

Even if I was consistently sent to a Private Catholic Institute, it wasn't enough to straighten me. I grew up as a mischievous juvenile - sent to the Guidance Office many times for petty and serious reasons alike. It wasn't because my parents didn't raise me well. I was just really disparate.

Technically, I was a two-piece combo - I hoisted awards, medals and trophies, and brought shame to our name.

Many people felt bad for me, saying that I could've done greater things - only if I used my innate abilities to do good things - but I didn't.

My mom raced to the living room upon realizing I was already home.

"My son!"

She enclasped me with her warmest embrace. It never changed - the way she channeled her energy and love through her actions. She held my cheeks, pinched my chin, and kissed my forehead.

"I'm so glad you're back," she breathed.

"Is breakfast ready? I can smell my favorite, Ma."

"Yes, Pat. It is. I also cooked more rice, knowing you'll be here with us."

Upon entering the kitchen, my eyebrows raised.

"Oh, you might be wondering why I'm alone here. Well, your sisters already went off to school, your father just took off before you came and I'm about to prep for school too," she explained.

"You got me, Ma."

"Come on, now! You're my blood."

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Not wanting to waste any moment, I hastily prepared for the first day of the enrolment period. Hence, I was expecting that a bulk of people will be there to register their names. Let's face it - it's a Community College, and it's free. It won't be a surprise if it will be a blockbuster.

Baao Community College was my older brother's alma mater. Kev finished Associate in Computer Technology which lasted for two years. Currently, he's one of the Disbursing Officers for the Department of Education in our province. With that being said, I knew the institution had an outstanding reputation despite its status as a Community College - which usually was looked down by most people.

I was never a fan of stereotyping. But I would admit that it helped me surpass most of the obstacles that came down on me. Typecasting, somehow, helped me conquer my demons. And with this fresh start, I knew, deep down, that this will definitely be a useful tool to assert me of my essence.

"This is it!" - my mind bellowed as I sauntered along the corridors of the school. I haven't really had any specific expectations about how the people or the premises would look like. It was another way of aiding myself erase the "high standards" that I was acquainted with.

"This is a fucking Community College, Pat! For Christ's sake. Stop romanticizing your shits and face reality. You are back to square one," I enlightened myself.

There was just one thing that I really hated - my family was well-known in our town. Henceforth, the stakes were really soaring. My mom played it really decisive, though. She told me to just enjoy my studies this time. Yeah, right. Of all people, it was really her who knew how my life played out.

Strolling down the memory lane, I was in my final year of high school when it all began. One of my dad's cousins, Uncle Nolan, visited us after his one-year voyage. He's worked as a ship captain for one of the biggest shipping companies in the world. It wasn't really part of his intentions but when he saw me after a long time, he realized I could be like him someday.

"Your son is tall, and is good-looking. He can be a marine officer and pull you out from this," I recalled him advising my parents.

A mainstream, below-average ménage would really be enticed with his offer - so was mom and dad. They talked to me about Uncle Nolan's superb plan, which was to assist me in landing a spot in their company as long as I graduate with a Bachelor in Marine Transportation diploma. They knew it wasn't what I wanted - but it was what we needed. No matter how reluctant I was initially, I agreed to such idea.

Even if it meant crushing my hopes for obtaining my desired career, I finished three academic years in a prestigious university in Iriga City. In addition to this, my parents didn't find it hard to support me as they no longer paid for my tuition. Being the only musician in our humble abode, I used my knack to avail a coveted scholarship as a member of the University Brass Band - eventually notching the band leadership position in 2013.

Fast forward to 2015. As soon as I finished the academic requirements for the course, I was set for a fourth and final year of internship. Nevertheless, we needed a whopping amount of money to suffice it. Consequently, we sought help from Uncle Nolan - but it was the most unprecedented and unwanted turnaround which subdued my aspirations.

For some indefinite reasons, he never gave us any sort of assistance. As time went by, many of my co-cadets commenced their trainings. On the other side of the spectrum, I was left - waiting for nothing.

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"Mr. Prado, welcome to Baao Community College. So much resemblance of your mother," a woman behind me softly spoke.

As I turned around, a familiar name flashed from her ID.

I whispered, "Ms. Olivares?"

"Yes, my dear. I am Ms. Olivia Olivares. The dean for College of Education. I assume you're here to enroll?"

"Uh. It's my pleasure meeting you, Ms. Olivares. Yes, I'm here to do so."

"And I presume you'll be an English major?"

"Y-yes. H-how did you know?"

"You're a Prado. Your mom is a Prado. It's a given. Anyway, you might want to get a Registration form in one of those boxes and head straight to the Guidance Office for your Initial Assessment..."

Her voice slowly faded as I glanced onto a familiar silhouette. She seemed proverbial. As my mind kept digging, everything made sense to me.

"Did you understand, Mr. Prado?"

I almost forgot Ms. Olivares. "Y-yes. I'll do. Thank you."

My intuition told me that was her. I couldn't be mistaken.

"There's only one way to find out," I muttered.