LARA ALWAYS knew that there were only four rites of passage in life: birth, puberty, marriage and death. Her mother reminded her once more as their tricycle drove along España Boulevard in anticipation of the Thomasian Welcome Walk.
“May isa pa akong gustong sabihin sa’yo,” the mother started.
“Hmm?” Lara replied while looking at herself through the tricycle’s small mirror.
“Ito ay seremonya para sa inyo, isang panibagong yugto ng iyong buhay,” the mother grinned.
While combing her hair, Lara looked at her mother and responded, “Taga UST ka dati, ‘di ba Ma?”
“Oo, at matagal na mula nang lumabas ako sa arko. Gagawin mo rin iyon balang araw,” the mother rested her palm against Lara’s shoulder.
“Mas malaking mundo na ‘tong papasukin ko, ‘di ba ma?”
“Kinakabahan ka?”
“Medyo.”
“Malaki nga, pero nasa iyo ang lahat ng oras. Ngayon, siguradong papasok ka na patungo sa Arko. At gaya ko, makikipagbiruan ka sa mga kaibigan mo tungkol sa paglabas ng Arko kahit hindi niyo pa graduation, maliligaw ka sa loob ng kampus at sa apat na kalsadang nakapalibot dito, at mararanasan mo ang pinaghalong kasiyahan at pangangamba habang hinihintay ninyo ang Paskuhan.”
As they reached gate two of the campus—a few feet away from the visible Arch of the Centuries, Lara kissed her mother goodbye and asked, “At marami pa?”
“Siyempre anak.”
The first step of Lara’s identity lay ahead, awaiting by the arch, standing just a few feet away from the campus gates.
“Salamat, Ma, sa pagpapaalala.” F – Franz Zoe Stoelzl Baroña
