Sarah? Jane? Geraldine? I don't remember her name, even we met last year. And now, its our first day of first grade. But, I'm going to name her, Kat. Kat Soriano. I think, that's a good name! Have you ever have trouble remembering things in Kindergarten? I have.
Kat Soriano, a friendly girl whose smiles as beautiful as flowers in the garden, something like that warm smile of a flight attendant greeting people by the door or when you get your drinks at your seats, like the dogs that wag their tails when given some treats.
Have you ever experienced losing a friend every time you finish a year at school? I have. That's what I feel right now. When the first grade door opens I didn't see her. I see no familiar faces. I really don't remember them, but I recognize my first grade teacher Ma'am Nacario. She is my aunt, she is nice and a great teacher. But me, I like my best friend Kat, happy smile and black shiny pony tails just like mine.
I'm going to stay outside the classroom, don't care if the class begins, so I can find Kat and ask her real name. Get to know her more. Her likes, her favorite color and we can sing Abakada and dance "Ice Ice Baby" and Macarena together.
Kat will show up. She will show up. I'm waiting. People walking in different directions. Potted flowers by the classrooms doors. Red and white checkered uniforms are everywhere. Some of the classroom walls painted blue, some yellow, because first grade teachers like it that way. Newly white painted sign that reads MA-A ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Parents are giving Children their backpacks and lunch bags and hugging them tight.
I'm standing in the sun even though I can get in the classroom, the part that I can no longer see my best friend makes my first day of school lonely, when you will never see the smile from a sweet friend makes a little cloud above my head that's raining and I'm all wet on my face like a sad goat that doesn't want to get wet.
I want to use an umbrella and dry my hair because the clouds are following. Then, I sleep in bed with my dog, little chicks around my head and ducklings at my feet. Piglets in front of me. I think it would be fun to sleep with animals you could talk to all together, instead of no seeing Kat at school.
Maybe I could do the Marlboro snap and then BANG! I am now at your place. I found you, Kat! We're never ever going to be apart! I say. We're going to run backwards and we're going to run frontwards, play Chinese garter, and I will stick my tongue out and make bunny ears because you dared me. I'm going to give you "juicy fruit", "santol" and "rambutan" I've been saving for you since yesterday. I comb your hair, you want? I comb your hair with my fingers and ponytail it real pretty. We're going to wave to people we know and we don't know after dismissal. You and me can say Hi to Principal Gamayot. Hello! I'm going to jump over you and let people watch us doing "Luksong-Baka". And maybe tomorrow, you and me can play "luksong-tinik".
And cut paper dolls we draw ourselves, and color in their clothes with crayons, my eyes looking at yours. And when it's recess time, we run to the canteen and eat "puto" decorated with "kalamay" sprinkled it with "mani" and "nips" on top of it. You saying something into my ear that tickles, and me going Ha Ha Ha Ha. Her and me, my unknown friend whom in a snap and I'm back to reality. She's gone, gone by the wind.
Written by:
Ehssa
Age 7 First Grade
Memory Year 1990
