MUNI-MUNI

UN

c h a p t e r   o n e

-∞-

They say that if you allow your passion to become your purpose, then it can become your profession. Kaya bata pa lang ako, nag-aral na ako nang mabuti dahil pinangarap kong maging isang architect. Nagsimula iyon no'ng napansin kong napapadalas na ang panonood ko ng mga do-it-yourself crafts at building design videos. It just always amazes me how I can see and feel things differently whenever I am presented to a new room, at kung paano ako makagagawa ng sariling firm ko while still joining contests and winning commissions for major projects kahit na minsan, mag-isa lang talaga ako.

Although sabi nila walang pera rito kasi puro drawing at design lang, it wasn't in any way true. I could still remember noong high school ako, my parents asked what I want to be in the near future. Then after hearing my answer, they started mentioning the jobs of my titos and titas from abroad. The reason? mas mataas raw kasi ang kita kapag nasa gano'ng trabaho. It was so annoying. It's so hard to pursue what you want because you always have to prove yourself and work twice as hard.

"Iscah." my Mom said using her bossy tone. She was frowning while holding a box of markers that I ordered from a shop online. To blurt out that she wasn't a fan of me studying architecture and buying art materials would be the biggest lie of my life.

I pressed my lips together and slightly smiled even if I feel horrible. Sana pala sa likod ng bahay ko na lang pina-deliver para hindi niya nakita. If I did, I wouldn't have to deal with this. The last thng that I wanted was to argue with my mom and dad. They gave me what I needed-- but they couldn't stop me from pursuing what I truly wamted to be.

Alam kong kaya ko. Dito ako masaya, kaya kakayanin ko.

"First year college na ako, ma."

"And so? hindi pa naman kayo nagsisimulang mag-aral! Don't you want to shift course? try engineering, perhaps?"

"Gusto ko rin naman... but try ko muna ang architecture."

"Try?" she asked, obviously disappointed with what I said. "Kung hindi ka pala sigurado, huwag ka na lang mag-aral. Try working first. I heard may business raw ang ninang mo, maybe you can apply for a position there."

I sighed. "First year lang," I replied. She didn't show signs of believing me, though. "First school year lang, Ma. I'll try to live on my own. No need to worry. If ayaw ko na, I'll work for ninang."

That seemed to have gained her trust. Finally, umalis na siya. But until now, I knew that I have to hussle extra hard. Alam ko na if hindi nag-exceed sa expectations nila 'yung grades ko, madaragdagan na naman ng dahilan para paalisin ako do'n.

Either way, I'll do my best to graduate with flying colors. Hindi ako papayag na wala akong award.

-∞-

After my not-so-pleasant talk with my mother, I went to Papa's office to cool myself a bit. Buti na lang may available na slot for part-time workers rito sa office nila mama kaya nagtrabaho ako bilang editor ng mga pocket books just to keep myself busy ngayong summer.

"Bata! lusog ng eyebags natin ngayon, ah?" Ate Iris asked. It's more of an insult, though.