Catherine had no idea that Dindin would send a text message to his mother that she was in the city. The following day, her mother Roselyn arrived in the city with a worried expression. She felt sorry for her, but she couldn’t back out from her decision. If Sanjie’s father would refuse to let her stay in their home, then she would ask another relative to take her in. She kept herself busy while her mother and uncle talked about her.

After lunch, her mother called her. “Yes, Mama?” Catherine hesitated to go to her because she was scared to be slapped.

“Behave yourself and help your auntie in doing the household chores. Don’t embarrass me by being lazy here,” Roselyn cautioned her daughter before going back to the province. When she learned that Kate ran away from home in the middle of the night or early at dawn, she almost died from worrying, but she had to remain strong for her other children. She looked for her daughter everywhere and asked from her close friends if they had any idea where her daughter went. She was more than relieved when Aida, her sister-in-law came running to let her know that she received a text message from Dindin informing her that Kate was in their brother’s home in Lahug.

“I’m sorry, Mama,” Catherine responded with a teary eye when she realized that it was wrong to make her parents and everyone worry about her.

“No, you are not sorry at all, Kate, because if you are, you will go home with me,” Roselyn said.

“I can’t do that,” she replied.

Roselyn nodded and accepted the fact that her daughter Catherine was trying to be independent of her. “I know,” she said and waved goodbye to her firstborn. It broke her heart that she was too stubborn to listen.

“Just tell Papa that I’m sorry for running away from home,” she told her mother.

Danny was torn between scolding and admiring the guts of his niece. If only his son was half as courageous as Kate, then he wouldn’t worry about his future. “Kate, come here please,” Danny called his niece who was busy washing the cups, bowls, and spoon that was used in the store for his wife’s porridge business.

Catherine wiped her wet wants before she went to her uncle. “Yes, Uncle?”

“Can you help me convince Sanjie to enroll in college?” Danny asked for his niece’s help in convincing his son to continue with his education.

She was confused about why Sanjie has to be convinced about school when he told her he would enroll next week. “I think you just misunderstood each other, Uncle. He told yesterday that he’s going to enroll next week.” Catherine informed her uncle of her conversation with Sanjie when she arrived in the city.

Danny wanted to laugh but he couldn’t do that in front of his niece or she would believe that he was kind of weird. “Did he tell you the course he was planning to enroll with?”

“No, he failed to mention anything about it,” Catherine replied.

“I see. You won’t go anywhere today?” Danny asked.

“Tomorrow I have to visit the University to sign some papers, Uncle.” She received a text message from the HR Assistant that her signature was needed and she should visit the school.

“Good luck, here, keep it for your jeepney fare.” Danny handed Catherine a two hundred peso bill.

“Will it be okay to accept that Uncle?” For Catherine, it was already too much. The man had already allowed her to stay in their house and to eat with them.

“Why not?” Danny insisted that she should accept the money from him.

“Okay, thank you so much,” Catherine said and pocketed the money before she returned to her task of washing the utensils.

Two weeks later, Catherine was extremely excited about the first day of school. As early as five in the morning, she and Sanjie were already having their breakfast that consists of rice, corned beef and scrambled eggs with coffee. They didn’t go to the same school but they would take the same jeepney in going to the downtown where most of the Universities were located. Sanjie looked good on his blue denim and white Lacoste polo shirt while she still looked like a country bumpkin that she was in a denim skirt paired with a floral blouse. Her clothes weren’t branded and were usually second hand and pre-loved. Sanjie enrolled in an engineering course while she’s into business management. “Jie, what time shall we leave?” She asked her cousin whom she idolized so much.

“After brushing our teeth,” he answered tackily and everyone laughed including the taciturn Junjun and the bully Dindin.

“Hey, why are you always like that?” She asked her three cousins who were bullying her. If only Christine didn’t sleepover at her boyfriend’s place last night, then maybe she would have an ally.

“Because you’re too serious. Have you checked yourself in the mirror? You look older than your age,” Dindin said and it was seconded by Junjun.

She was ashamed to admit, but yes, they were telling the truth. She looked older than her age and it was made worse by her dark skin tone. “I know, but what can I do when I look like this?” She responded while trying not to get hurt by their harsh words. They may not know it but she was very sensitive to the way she looked and their not so good compliments this morning wasn’t helping.

“Whatever. Anyway, we better hurry up. Usually, the jeepneys were full packed in the morning during weekdays,” Junjun said and was first to stand up to retrieve his toothbrush.

Dindin followed and as well as Sanjie. “You’re leaving with us?” She asked the brothers who were getting busy to leave the house. They both worked in an industrial supplies store together with their father who was still having coffee in Auntie Sabina’s store.

“Yup, it’s Monday today and I don’t want to be late at work,” Junjun answered.

Nevertheless, Catherine was aware of their true intention of why they wanted to leave the house together with her and Sanjie. Junjun and Dindin grew up while having enough because their father earned a lot, but when the head of the family got sick, Junjun had no choice but to find a job to support his siblings and he could no longer study like what was planned.

“All right, let’s go together,” Catherine said when everyone was ready to leave. They walked the distance from her uncle's house to the jeepney stop.

Sanjie was very thoughtful to walk with her in going to the University. As always, the first day of school was overwhelming for everyone especially for freshmen like her. “Thanks, Jie.” She said before her cousin went on his way to the next block where his school was located.

The security guard checked her bag and asked for her study load when she entered school. Catherine was nervous to see a lot of students in the lobby and there were a lot of them who were too good looking. She stared at one of them and memorized his features. Trying to blend in, she walked slowly but when she passed by the registrar’s office, she saw someone familiar. “Helena!” She called her classmate from high school who was standing near the registrar office.

“Kate! What course are you taking?” Helena had no idea that she and Kate would be studying at the same university. She was their class’ valedictorian and she’s a university scholar.

“Business Management, and you?” Catherine was glad to see someone whom she knew from their province and she felt assured that there’s someone she could talk to in a new environment.

“Accountancy, but at least we’re just in the same building.” Her schedules were blocked and it would be impossible that Catherine would be one of her classmates. The school was particular for the class schedules of students who enrolled in Accountancy.

“Yeah, I’m glad to see you here. What time does yo class start?” Catherine inquired.

“Eight-thirty,” Helena answered. “Common, let’s go.” Her first subject would be on the sixth floor of Teresita Building and the school was not equipped with an elevator.

“Sure,” Catherine answered and walked along with Helena. “Does anyone else also choose this school?” It would be great to know that someone else from their school would also study in UV.

“None that I know of. Most have chosen University of Cebu in Banilad Campus,” Helena responded. She also wanted to study nursing but she’s an orphan and the scholarship only afforded with free tuition. The books were not included along with other expenses. At least in Accountancy, there were no laboratory fees and the books were available in the library where she could just borrow.

“They’re lucky to have parents who were prepared for their college education,” Catherine answered. She and Helena came from the same background and her friend had it worse. Helena was an orphan who only relied on her relatives for food and lodging…just like her.

“Right. Well, let’s just do our best here.” Helena answered and together they go up step by step.