Still, the world decided to move on. That is the harsh reality of time — it never stops, no matter who falls behind.
Right now, I am in my room, studying various legal cases to strengthen my knowledge. This is the only week I can finally rest, a brief break from the constant pace of university life after graduating earlier than most of my peers.
It is a good system introduced by the National College Department of Education, allowing students to advance in their specialized fields and earn early graduation with full credits. I took the opportunity without hesitation.
My name is Aurelia Verden, though my friends and family call me Rei. I am nineteen years old and one of the top students in the field of law in Maharlika de Filip.
I was born into a fairly prestigious family. Most of my cousins are top students in their own fields — medicine, technology, nursing, even the military. It feels like excellence runs in our blood, or at least that's what everyone says during family gatherings.
My parents were both remarkable individuals. My mother once served as a police officer before she retired when she gave birth to me. My father, on the other hand, spent most of his life in the military. He recently retired but chose to remain in the reserve force, mentoring younger soldiers whenever the need arises.
I also have a younger brother who is currently in his senior high years. He dreams of becoming a surgeon one day, and I'm fully behind him. Seeing him study late into the night reminds me of myself a few years ago.
Overall, I know I am lucky compared to others. We are not part of the elite class, but we live comfortably — somewhere in the middle, stable and content. And for me, that's enough.
Right now, I am waiting for any law firm here in the capital to accept my application.
I have already sent about seven applications to different law firms around the city. My professors often said that the capital is the best place to start, since the cases handled here are more complex and demanding. The kind of work that truly tests a lawyer's mind and heart.
While reading through several case files, my phone began to beep. The screen flashed bright, lighting up the dim room, followed by a familiar notification sound.
It was a message from a close friend of mine, Diana Collegero—one of the most brilliant students in the field of forensics and crime investigation.
"Hey Rei, want to meet up tomorrow? Café and chill?"
"Sure, I'm free anyway."
"Great! See you then, 8 p.m. at Mayari Train Station."
"Yep, can't wait."
Ah, really... when was the last time I went out for a stroll? I barely have time to go anywhere, except on Sundays with my family. Too bad I never got to experience dating either.
Well, on the bright side, I've put myself on a successful path toward a good future.
"Rei, honey, dinner's ready," my mother called, her voice breaking my quiet daydream of a successful life.
I went downstairs and saw my father watching the news. The anchor was reporting about the weather and highlighting some athletes who won gold medals in the SEA Games.
"Father? Come eat with us," I said as I poured myself a mug of coffee from the coffeemaker.
"Where's Adrien?" I asked, noticing my younger brother wasn't around.
"Your brother will be home late. He decided to play basketball with his friends at the local court," my mother replied as she set the table.
"He sure loves playing sports," I said.
Well, it's better than seeing him glued to his computer screen for twelve hours straight during non-class days.
Dinner ended quietly, filled only with the sound of utensils and the hum of the evening news in the background. After cleaning the dishes, I went back to my room to read a few more case studies before bed.
Around nine, I heard the front door open. Adrien came in, his hair messy and his uniform wrinkled, holding his basketball under one arm.
"Hey, sis," he said with a grin. "You still up?"
"Yeah. How was the game?"
"We lost, but I made a three-pointer. That counts for something, right?" He laughed before heading to the kitchen for leftovers.
I smiled, shaking my head. "Just don't forget to finish your project later."
"Yeah, yeah, I will," he mumbled between bites, the same way he always did.
Sometimes, watching Adrien made me remember how fast things were changing. Maybe I was too focused on chasing the future that I forgot to live in the present.
That night, as I stared at the ceiling, I thought about the message Diana sent. It had been months since we last met in person. Maybe this break was exactly what I needed.
The next day arrived faster than I expected.
The city lights of Metropolitan Maynile shimmered against the late afternoon sky as I made my way to Mayari Train Station. The crowd was thick, people rushing to catch trains or scrolling on their glass-screen devices.
I spotted Diana near a café just beside the station entrance, waving with her usual bright smile.
"Rei! Over here!" she called out.
"Hey, Diana," I said as I walked up to her. "It's been a while."
"Yeah, too long," she replied. "Come on, let's grab a seat inside before the rush hour crowd takes over."
The café smelled of roasted coffee and caramel pastries, the soft hum of quiet chatter filling the air. For the first time in weeks, I felt calm.
Inside the café, the atmosphere was cozy and calm. Soft jazz music played in the background, blending with the scent of coffee and the faint chatter of students and workers unwinding after a long day.
Diana ordered her usual caramel latte while I went with a classic brewed coffee. We sat by the window where the city lights reflected faintly on the glass, creating a soft glow around us.
"So," I began, stirring my drink, "what's new with you? I haven't heard much since graduation."
Diana's eyes brightened immediately. "Actually, I got accepted into the National Crime Investigatory Office!" she said, her voice filled with excitement. "It's been my dream to work there ever since our sophomore year. I'll be assigned as a forensic analyst for digital evidence."
"Wow, that's amazing!" I said, genuinely happy for her. "You really worked hard for that. You deserve it."
She smiled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Thanks. It's still surreal. I start next week. What about you? Any news from the firms you applied to?"
I sighed softly, looking at my phone. "Still nothing… I've sent seven applications already. Guess I'll just have to keep waiting."
"Don't worry, Rei. You're one of the best in our class. Someone's bound to recognize that," Diana said, smiling reassuringly.
Before I could reply, my phone buzzed again. A new email notification popped up on the screen. I almost ignored it, thinking it was another newsletter, but the subject line caught my eye:
'Application Status: ParaSaBayan Law Firm'
My heart skipped. I quickly opened it.
The message read:
Dear Ms. Aurelia Verden,We are pleased to inform you that your application for the Junior Legal Associate position has been accepted. Please visit our office within the week for your onboarding schedule.
I blinked, reading it twice just to be sure. "Diana," I said, my voice trembling slightly, "I got accepted."
Her eyes widened. "What? Seriously? Which firm?"
"ParaSaBayan Law Firm," I said, smiling as relief and excitement filled me. "They specialize in taking victims' cases and providing free legal services for families who can't afford one."
Diana leaned forward, eyes sparkling. "That's perfect for you, Rei. You've always wanted to make a real difference."
I smiled, feeling warmth rise in my chest. "Yeah… I guess this is where it really starts."
We spent the rest of the evening talking about our plans, the future, and the little things we missed during our student days. For a while, the world outside—its noise, its corruption, its chaos—felt far away.
And for that brief moment, everything felt right.