"All I know is that, for the first time, I'm hoping that I have someone beside me to cry on."
I was holding a bouquet of flowers and certificates, wearing my graduation gown and cap, along with my medals. Bobbie and I were standing in between Mama and Papa, smiling at the camera in front of us.
After that picture taking, it was Bobbie and I's turn.
When Mama and Papa were both satisfied with the pictures taken, they decided to go outside and wait for us there. We took that as a chance to gather with our friends.
I noticed that a tear dropped from Bobbie's eyes while looking around or maybe I'm wrong.
"Are you crying?" Tanong ko sa kanya.
She immediately wiped her face and smiled.
"Tears of joy," she laughed.
Hindi ko alam kung maniniwala ako roon, magsasalita pa sana ako nang dumating si Callixto.
"It's good to hear that you're still happy," he said, draping his arms to Bobbie's shoulder.
Ngumiti silang dalawa sa akin kaya agad ko silang kinunan ng litrato gamit yung DSLR.
May sinabi pa si Callixto kay Bobbie sabay hinalikan sa noo kaya mabilis ko rin yun kinunan ng litrato.
At hindi ako nagkamali sa ginawa ko.
"Sana all," sabi ko habang pinagmamasdan yung picture nila.
"Go get yourself a man," Bobbie said.
Even though I'm sure of what I'm feeling, I still can't say it, or I don't even have a plan on admitting it, because... I don't even know-how.
"Nah, my feelings are too invested in books." I shook my head. Mas madali pa yun sabihin.
I was looking at the pictures on the camera's screen when someone taps my shoulder. It was Luther.
"Can you take us a picture? The whole band?" He asked.
"Oo naman." I nodded. Agad ko silang pinapwesto roon sa red carpet, nakatalikod doon sa stage, at kinunan ko sila ng picture.
Pagkatapos nun, sinama rin nila ako.
"Teka lang, kami naman ni Grace Alyson!" Hinila ako ni Timothy sa tabi niya pagkatapos nung shot.
Saglit akong napatingin sa kanya hanggang sa naramdaman ko yung kamay niya sa balikat ko.
"Congrats nga pala," sabi niya.
Napatingin ako sa kanya at ganoon din siya sa'kin, ngumiti pa siya kaya saglit pa akong natulala.
"S-Salamat. Congrats din sa'yo," sabi ko. Tumingin na ako sa camera at ngumiti. Akala ko, pagkatapos nun, okay na, pero gusto pa ni Timothy ng isa.
Wacky naman daw. Ginaya namin yung picture ni Tony Stark at Peter Parker na may sungay gamit yung mga daliri nila. Nang iabot sa'kin nung batchmate namin yung DSLR ko, tinignan namin doon ni Timothy yung picture namin.
"Cute," sabi niya. "Ipa-frame mo 'yan ha." Ginulo niya yung buhok ko. "Send mo na rin sa'kin yung soft copy."
Tinanguan ko na lang siya at ibinalik ang tingin ko roon sa picture. Tinignan ko pa yung iba at natigilan ako sa isa pang picture namin ni Timothy.
We were staring at each other.
And for sure, I knew the reason why my heart skipped a beat.
---

BINABASA MO ANG
Holding On With Maybe (Holding On Series #2)
Teen FictionHOLDING ON TRILOGY (Series 2 of 3) Between being saved and being the savior, Grace Alyson would rather choose to be the savior. She doesn't need anyone because her choice is always firm, it is to refuse to be saved and that at the end of the day...