The Original Work (2nd Short Story)

Paper Plane

(Admin Experiences)

                Flashback to my days before gaining my official school I.D. in Samar State University, I experienced the ‘estudyante problems’ AGAD-AGAD, from the moment I was about to enter the campus when the guards hindered me to launch my first historical step at SSU up to going out of that gate late in the afternoon accomplishing nothing. And so, I was forced to go back there with renewed determination of finishing the race. On the second day of my enrollment journey, something odd happened. I was brought to a whole new dimension, but not literally.

                It was a very exhausting afternoon for everyone. Thank God, I’m only a step away from being an official freshman college student. But before reaching that dream, I need first to endure the long waiting line. Five hours ago, I was the tail of that procession, the 215^th student on the queue. And now, I’m on the front row waiting to be called by the guard to enter the Administration Building and be on the Top 7 students to finally have our enrollment forms be stamped with the word, “ENROLLED”.

                While I was reminding myself on what Jesus tells about patience, suddenly, a paper plane landed on my lap. I looked around hoping someone would claim it, but everyone seems so busy. So, I opened it… slowly. It’s a letter, and it goes this way:

Para ha imo Nanay:

Nay, una ko nga beses nga nagpa-enrol nga diri ko ikaw kaupod. Kunta aadi ka, nay. Maaram ka, kadadamo han nahinabo akon yana nga adlaw. Nay, maaram na ako sumakay bus. Waray man umupod hi tatay kay isakto la nak kwarta para igbarayad tuition. Nakatultol gihapon ako, sinapit la ak han drayber. Tulo giyap ka-oras nam biyahe tikang ha baryo ngadi Catbalogan. Nay, amo ngay-an adto an pustura han traysikol nga im gin-iistorya ha akon?Singko la an pasahe pakadto SSU, maupay nala nga waray ko ipalit dolsi nak sobra nga sinsilyo.

Nay, kadadako ngayan hit SSU hanu? Han pagkitako han mga nagkakasakob nga estudyante, an ira sul-ot, ira bag, ira sapatos,kamag-uupay. Nag-guti tak pagkita ha ak kalugaringon, nakatsinelas la ako, waray bag kundi envelope la, tapos tagiptipon pa nak bado. Sige la nay, para ha imo mapadayon ako.Papasakbon ba ako?Naglakat ako ha gate nga naawod, ginsampit ako han guard. Diri kuno pwede nakatsinelas.Nay, nagtinuok ako.Kadadamo na han tawo nga nagkinita akon, makaarawod pero naghikayayakan gud ako nga harayo pa ha baryo. Naluoy an guard ngan ginpasakob nala ako. Tapos kabubuotan niya kay gin-updan pa ako kun diin ko dapat kumadto. Ngan maupay nala may mga nakapost nga instruction kun ano it hihimuon. Ansya ito yana Nay, adi na ak nalingkod ha admin. Nay sorry waray ako makapaningudto kay napila ako.Diri man ak pwede lumakat kay bangin may sumingit parehos han kanina, nag-away lugod an duwa nga aadi han ak prente. Tulo na ako nga oras nga nagpipinila ngadi nay, ha baryo waray man sugad hini hanu? Ikaw na ngani it mabayad pero ikaw pa it magkukuri. Okay la nay, asya gud ada itobasta college na.

Nay guti nala maeenrol na ako. Nay, yana pala naabat ko na an kakurian hit usa nga estudyante dinhi ha bungto, asay pa kay waray ka na, Nanay. Nay, mag-aaram ako maupay para ha im.Ngan an pirme mo pa ngani ginsisiring akon, waray imposible hit Ginoo. Nay di ko man ikaw kaupod yana nga nagpapaenrol ak ngada hit panahon nga makarawat na ako hit diploma, aadi ka hit ak kasingkasing. Ini nga akon igbabayad nay, diri ko ini igtutugot nga mahingadto la hit kawarayan.

Kunta ini nga akon surat para ha imo umabot ngada ha langit Nay, pati an mga surat nga akon ginpapalupad kada-adlaw. Diri ka man bumaton, mapadayon la giyap ak pagsurat. I love you nay!

-Kuan

                Tears rolled down from my eyes. I read it over and over again. Late it was when I realized that the attendant was already calling my attention. She marked my paper “ENROLLED” and gave me class cards. The lady said to me, “Don’t cry, yes it’s been a long, hard process, but you’re done now.” Of course not, I cried for a different reason. But anyways, I’m officially a freshie. I thought it would be my greatest joy for the day but the letter was of more value for me.It was a letter not only for his mom, but for all of us, students.

                Three years has gone by and I’m still searching for that guy who wrote thi`s letter. I just want to thank him for enrolling that day and inspiring me even until today. From then on, every time I wait in line, I also wait for another paper plane to carry me to the other side of the world. Until now, that hope still anchors my soul.