Escapism.

A 20-something man sits in a taxi in front of his parents' house, trying to find the strength to tell them that he had quit college. Right before the final exam of the final examination of the final year started. He never feels as exhilarating as he ever feel before. Not even when he and a bunch of his friends tried to sneak in the girls’ dorm and being chased by the burly looking warden, whom he always suspected had a crush on him.

“Come on Josh, just do it. You’re a free man now. A nearly real adult.” His mental note to self.

Walking coolly but with obvious trembling hands, towards the door, he could hear noises in the house. “Damn, are they having dinner parties? Shoot, I should have chosen a better time.” Right before he turned his back to walk away from the doorstep, the door opens. “Joshua Sean Philip! My, you are all grown up now!” Standing opposite of him is Anna Marie Smith, not a relative of Anna Nicole Smith and definitely doesn’t have any resemblance of her except maybe by the exaggeration of the way she talks. Hugging him and kissing him, her high pitch voice had alerted his family members of his presence. Dad, Mom, annoying little brother and the last person who comes out the door literally stops his heart for a second (or two).

Natalia Johnson. Summer 2000. It was the best summer because Natalia, the angel sent from heaven (metaphorically) was there, with her soft supple skin and big brown eyes. Today, in 2009, she looks much better, and ehem, with an exquisite womanly figure (in translation: smoking hot). “Joshyyy, I miss you so much.” Look how tall and good looking you are now”. She gives him a small peck on the cheek, leaving him blushing.

“Honey, I thought you’ll be back next week. This is such a surprise. We’re planning to throw you a graduation party,” the sound of graduation stops his heart the second time. “Oh, Dear God, you are punishing me now aren’t you,” he walks slowly but dreadfully while plaster a fake smile, especially to Natalia. “Joshy, I heard you are graduating in Mechanical Engineering right. I’ve remembered you told me that you wanted to become a photographer and travel the world when we were little. You, with your Polaroid, always asked me to pose in weird angles and places,” she laughs. “This might not be a bad thing after all. She remembers I want to become a photographer and I think I have found the best person to back me up.” Josh is feeling the blood is running through his vein again.

Sitting in the living room, where everyone is looking so happy, and his father is beaming with pride he never seen before, not even when his brother won the National Debate Competition last year (yes, he is a nerd) is a hard sight to swallow. “Josh, I was just talking to Anna and Natalia here. How you were against the idea of studying Mechanical Engineering and wanted to take up photography. But in the end, here you are, an engineering graduate. Putting aside your dream for your family.” Oh, his heart just dropped from its position, wherever it is. But Natalia words before brought it back into its normal position and he is ready to say it. Out loud. Before he opens his mouth, he sees a smirk on Natalia face.

“By the way Josh, I’m glad you took engineering. Because honestly, all the pictures you took were not that good. And dull.” Echoes of laughter in the house following Natalia’s comment and all Josh could see is blurry images and a very drab future ahead, contradiction of his initial feeling when walking out of the taxi.

There is only one thing to be done now. Go back to the university with an MC. ASAP.