When He Loved Me

Ch.2 - The Speech

I grabbed on to Philip's - my driver- shoulder, to keep myself steady as we drive along the coastal road on the way to my old high school.

It's the first time that I get to see the island like this again, having zoomed straight home to our old house when I arrived in the island yesterday morning.

I can feel the sun burn my face and the nape of my neck as the wind blows through my hair - God, I should have tied it down!

I stared at the glistening blue waters and took a deep breath. I let the salty sea air fill my lungs and memories of my childhood flashed swiftly in my mind.

I remember how I'd accompany my mother during mornings to meet up the fishermen and haggle over the price of the morning catch. I remember spending my summers helping out to make champoy, a local delicacy made of sweetened tamarind, and trying to sell them to tourists who are slowly coming in in droves as the island becomes more famous, especially for divers.

I also remember spending afternoons after school walking along the beach on my way home back from class. I remember that I used to hate it because the salty air makes my hair sticky and all tangled up. But I also remembered learning to love it, especially after I turned 15 and had my very first boyfriend.

I remember that he would walk me home everyday after school. We would hold hands and talk about everything and nothing. We would stare at the sunset and forget the time, then rush home running after realizing that we're going to be in a lot of trouble if we fail to be home before it's dark. I used to wish those days would never end. But then I grew up and somehow, I grew tired of this island where nothing ever happens.

Philip took a sharp turn and the scenery changed. The coast was gone and we entered an alleyway which would lead us to my old high school. I was jogged from my reminiscing and I tried to focus on my speech.

After a few minutes, we entered the school gate and I got a view of the complex. A wave of nostalgia hit me as I look at the buildings. It seems like nothing has changed. The buildings, the trees, everything seems the same. Except they look smaller. Again, the same thought that I had when I was at our old house entered my mind, why does everything seem smaller?

As I got off the motorcycle and thanked Philip as I try to pat down my hair, a woman excitedly approached me.

"Diyos ko, Liza! Ikaw na ga yan?" the woman cried. As she approached nearer, I realize that it's Mrs. Barza, my Biology teacher and former adviser.

"Hi, Ma'am! Yes, it's me", I replied, beaming widely.

Mrs. Barza reached me and suddenly gave me a great bear hug.

"Oh my God, Attorney! We are so happy you're able to accept our invitation," Mrs. Barza said, still not letting me go from the hug.

"The pleasure is all mine, Ma'am," I said as I try to match her enthusiasm.

"Oh, the other teachers need to see you!" Mrs. Barza said, ending the hug but still not letting me go.

"Mare! Mare!" called Mrs. Barza, trying to get the attention of another teacher who was busy chatting up one of parents of the graduates.

"Mare, look! It's Liza! Our attorney is here!" Mrs. Barza announced.

Mrs. de Torres, the other teacher Mrs. Barza was calling looked up and quickly rushed to us. Mrs. de Torres was my MAPEH teacher and I remember her as one of the funniest teacher I ever had.

"Hello, Attorney! Do you still remember me?" Mrs. de Torres asked.

"Of course I remember you, Ma'am. How can I forget one of my favorite teachers?" I teased.

Mrs. de Torres seemed flattered and gave me a kiss on both cheeks.

"Mare, where's her ley? Let her wear it" Mrs. de Torres asked Mrs. Barza, pointing at the flower garland in the latter's hand.

"Oh right!" Mrs. Barza said as she placed the ley on my neck. "We need to lead you to your seat now, Liza, so that we can start the processional. Are you ok with that?" She asked.

I said yes and I was hustled to the front of the covered gymnasium which also houses the stage.

***

The program went on without any untoward incident and soon parents and teachers started flocking near me to have their pictures taken.

I know most of the teachers not because they taught me but because I remember them being kids from lower years when I was in school. How time flies! I thought, remembering them from when they were in school uniforms.

As for the parents, I know them because I went to school with their older kids. They told me they're going to send our selfies to their respective children, most of whom also have children of their own, as they fondly informed me.

I was still smiling for a selfie with Meg Calahati's mother when someone unexpected approached me.

Mrs. Dalisay congratulated Mrs. Calahati - her child was Salutatorian- and then took her place beside me. She was dragging beside her a boy who looked so similar to my first love, my first heartbreak, my first boyfriend.

"Liza! Kumusta ka na?" She exclaimed, pulling me into a hug.

"Tita Jo, ok naman po. Kayo po?" I smiled at her, trying to hide my shock.

"You remember, Nathan? He also graduated today." Tita Jo said, referring to the boy beside her.

"Of course po. Congrats, Nathan." I said, extending my hands.

Nathan reached for it and thanked me shyly.

"How quick time passes!" I remarked, "I remember you were still in kindergarten when I left."

"Oh yes, he was, wasn't he? He grew up too fast." Tita Jo agreed with a laugh, looking her boy up and down.

I smiled, nodding along silently.

"Oh Liza, you must come to our house and have your lunch there." Tita Jo said, grabbing both my hands.

I shook my head, "Oh no, it's fine. It's ok, you don't have to...invite me..you know, I-I-I don't want to impose.. and...Nakakahiya naman po."

"It's ok, you silly, girl. Come and visit us, we haven't seen you in years! If you don't come with us, magtatampo ako."

I smiled, thinking about how well titas can guilt trip people into submission.

"Well, I..."

"Nay!", a vaguely familiar voice shouted from behind the crowd.

Mrs. Dalisay and I followed the sound of the voice and as the crowd cleared and the speaker emerged from behind them, both of us uttered his name.

"Nico."

***