The Burden of Approval

Annica stared out the window of the hovercar, her eyes fixed on the towering spires of Kepler College's esteemed aerospace engineering program. The prestigious institution loomed before her, a beacon of hope and opportunity - and the gateway to her lifelong dream.

"Grade 12 S.Y. 2023-2024"

Annica is ready her bag and needs for school before going to her school. After a couple of minute Annica arrived at her school she saw her bestfriend decca and miky, and she ran to her friend.

"Hi guys kanina pa ba kayo dito sa school"? Annica said to her friend. "Ako ngayon lg din nakarating sa school" decca said. "Ako kanina pa ako ang aga ko nga nakarating sa school muntik pa akong madapa" Miky said and her friends laugh at her.

After their talk pumunta na sila sa kanilang room buti nalang at late din ang kanilang teacher. "Their Teacher start discussing 1hr" after 1 hour of discussing their teacher said "Class dismissed" then her student said "Okay miss".

"Recess time"

After 30mins of recess they go to their room. "OK class I have an announcement all of you are complete attendance right now?" students answer "Yes miss". Teacher said: "okay so we have an exam tomorrow after the exam meron kayong 1week no class and 2 weeks left before your graduation". all student are happy and excited for the announcement except ky Kim masaya naman siya ng marinig na 1 week no classes pero hindi masaya si Kim ng marinig yung announcement na 2 weeks left before their graduation. Miky saw Kim that not happy and excited so she ask "okay kalang ba Kim my problema kaba? kase hindi ka masaya sa sinabi ni ma'am at tungkol ba yan sa parents ko before you go to college?" Kim want to cry pero pinipigilan niya dahil nahihiya siya at si abi niya ky miky na "I'm happy because we have 1 week no class pero hindi ako masaya dahil graduation na natin after the 1 week no classes". Miky knows how Kim it feels right now so after their class they comfort Kim.

Kim arrived at their house and she didn't know that her sister was waiting to her. Anastasia said: "hi ate kim kamusta po yung aral mo na miss po kita ka laro". When Kim saw anastasia yung malungkot niyang mukha na palitan agad ng masaya dahil sa kapatid niyang si anastasia. Kim said: "hello baby tasia I'm fine don't worry your ate is strong you know, bihis lg ako then I'll play with baby". After ng marinig yun ni anastasia ay masayang masaya siya kaya napa tawa na din lamang si Kim sa kanyang ka siglaan. After mag bihis si Kim ay bumaba na siya at nakita niya si anastasia sa hagdan at bumaba na agad siya, anastasia said: "ate can we always play this I miss our bond because you always busy in your school that's why I don't disturb you just to play". Kim felt sad because of what her sister told her and then Kim said: "I'm sorry baby for not playing with you for a weeks because I'm busy with my school and I have 1 week no classes so babawi si ate sayo don't be sad my little one". After Kim said anastasia was so happy and she hug Kim, and Kim has a great day today with her little love ones.

After playing with her sister they eat dinner and then after eating the go upstairs and sleep. Tomorrow morning of having no classes Kim didn't go outside to see her friends dahil gusto niyang bumawi sa kapatid niya hindi lg dahil babawi siya kase after ng graduation nila alam niyang ayaw ng kanyang parents na maging space pilot siya kaya aalis siya sa kanilang bahay at doon sya mag stay sa bahay ng kanyang kaibigan at alam din ito ng kanyang mga kaibigan kong bakit babawi siya ngayon sa kanyang kapatid.

Natapos na ang 1week at nag bibihis na si Kim, miky, and decca to go to their school and they eat after they finish what they eat umalis na sila papuntang school. Kim said: "guys akalain niyo for almost 5 years nating pagsasama mag kaklase pa din tayo hanggang mag college at sama sama tayong mag pursue what we want to our dreams". Miky said: "yeah we have 6 years left to pursue our dreams and have many challenges and difficulties in our life that we need to fight and don't give up easily". Decca said: "my point ka naman since life is not a race" after a long walk with talking they didn't notice na nasa labas na pala sila ng kanilang school.

Their teacher announced that their graduation will be tomorrow because of 1month vacation is not enough for students that's why they advance the graduation. After an hour's of discussing the bell is rang at nag paalam na ang kanilang teacher because it's lunch time. They go to plaza at kumain ng Street food and they watch zumba ilang oras at dumidilim na kaya nag si uwian na sila.

Kim arrived at their home, tinawag2siya ng kanyang mom "Kim let's eat put your bag on the sofa and wash your hands". Kim said "okay mom". After eating pumunta siya agad sa kanyang room at nag chat sa kanyang kaibigan "how can I tell to my parents that our graduation will be tomorrow" na my halong kaba at takot kahit sa chat niya ito tinanong. "sabihin mo ngayon go talk to your mom and I know she will be happy because you will graduate, but I know you will be sad after our graduation". Kim said: "okay ill talk to my mom bye guys". After their conversation Kim called her mom to go upstairs then her mom go to her bedroom and she told her mom that "mom my teacher announced earlier that our graduation will be tomorrow" Darlyn said "oh that's good news my dear gragraduate kana anak ko" "dad our daughter will graduate tomorrow, let's celebrate after the graduation and talk about your future dear. Goodnight sweetie". After Kim hearing those word she didn't know what to do and then she fell asleep.

6 am in the morning Kim woke up at nag re-ready na siya para mag ayos for graduation. Her mom called her kase pinapabilis na siya baka ma late siya "Kim let's go because you will late to your line" and Kim run to her with smile but nervous deep inside. They get in the car, and after 25 minutes they arrived at the coliseum her parents and sister sit at the back and she go to their line. Miky said "oh gosh buti nalang nandito kana kanina kapa namin hinihintay" decca said " buti nalang di ka pinagalitan nung instructor ang sungit pa naman kala mo my buhok mukhang itlog naman" they all laugh and after that their name called DECCA JANE JAMOLES WITH HONOR, MIKYLLA REGONDOLA WITH HIGH HONOR, AND PRINCESS ANNICA KIM SANTOS WITH HONOR. Their parents is so proud of them they sang for graduation is You and Me and they are so proud of their self for surviving the senior high they know that college is must challenging and hard. After their graduation they go to their parents and celebrate their graduation day and Kim saw her parents happy and proud, and they eat at the restaurant and her father give him a bouquet of flowers and someone gave her a red rose of bouquet flowers too but she didn't know who are the one who gave her a bouquet it's so elegant style. After they celebrated her sister told her that "what you're gonna take or dreams in college ate kim"? Kim got shocked but she answered her sister that "I'll want to become a pilot and save the live of universe" her sister got shocked and amazed what she hear from Kim. After that they got home and Kim go upstairs at sumunod na din sa kanya yung mom niya. Darlyn was sitting in her room while waiting to her dad because her parents want to talk about her college. After a minute her dad sitting on her bed then her parents told her that "me and your dad plan that you will going to be an engineer at gusto sana namin na maging architect ka pero hindi mo hilig yung drawing so that's why we plan that you will going to Manila to study there in their university of engineering". "After a minute of quiet because Kim is thinking that she respect her parents but she will do everything to pursue her dreams in America"

As the hovercar glided to a stop, Annica took a deep breath, steeling herself for the confrontation she knew was coming. Stepping out onto the bustling campus, she turned to face her parents, Darlyn and her dad, who had accompanied her on this momentous day.

"I know you both want me to follow in your footsteps and become an engineer," Annica said, her voice calm but resolute. "But this is my chance to prove myself. I'm going to be a space pilot astronaut, and nothing you say will change that."

Darlyn's brow furrowed, her lips pressed into a tight line. "Annica, alam mo na we've discussed this. The engineering program in Manila University is one of the best in the world. Think of the opportunities it could open up for you."

Annica shook her head, her ponytail swaying with the motion. "I'm sorry, but my mind is made up. I've wanted to explore the stars and sky since nung bata palang ako, and this is my chance to make that dream a reality."

Anastasia, Annica's younger sister, tugged at her mother's sleeve, her eyes wide with wonder. "Sis is going to be an astronaut?" she asked, her voice brimming with excitement.

Darlyn sighed heavily, the tension palpable in the air. "Annica, your father and I only want what's best for you. Can't you at least consider the engineering program? It's a much more stable and secure path."

Annica's jaw tightened, but she refused to back down. "I've made my choice, at sana I respeto niyo. This is my dream, and I'm going to pursue it with every fiber of my being."

to be continue.....