Claim A Self Title (Challenge Series #1)

Chapter 37

Graduation

I heard my name announced, "Bachelor of Science in Nursing. Ortega, Celestine G. Magna Cum Laude" I begin to move forward while my Abuelo and Abuela are at my side.

I heard the scream of my cousin and its loud applause. Sila lang ang maingay hindi alintana ang ibang tao. I smiled as I feel Abuela gently press my hand, we walked up the stage for the recognition

I shake hands with my professor and wait for my grandparent to put my award. Abuelo is the one who put my medal, malawak ang ngiti nito at halata ang pagkaproud sa mga mata ganun din si Abuela. I fight the urge to cry and accept my certificate with my trembling hands

It feels like all my self-doubt and self-criticism from the past will never have a place now. Seeing my grandparents genuinely proud of my simple achievements gives me a feeling of contentment. So this is how it feels when someone is proud of you? No wonder it feels good

I smiled and kiss them both as we get down na stage. How I wish my mother and father is here to see this moment of my life, but having these two grandparents with me is enough now. They mean a lot to me

Nilibot ko ang tingin sa pwesto ng mga pinsan, he's still not here. I shrugged my shoulder and wrap both of my hands with them. If he can't make it, I understand.

"Congratulation Celestine" They greet. I look at my friend who's now on stage, halata mong tuwang tuwa kasama ang magulang nila.

Ang mga pinsan ay hindi rin makapagintay sa dalawa pa, they already prepare their camera for shots like how they took photos of mine kahit malayo layo pa. Napailing ako at naglakad palabas

"Saan punta mo?" Kahel asked when he saw me

"Jan lang bibili" I reason out. Bigla kasi akong nauhaw

"Wait for him, pupunta yun" He said. I nodded and smile

Of course, he will come, and if he doesn't I understand. Tumuloy nako sa paglakad papuntang cafeteria ng school, as I wonder my sight I realised that I will miss this school. The cafeteria, hallway or even the school's classy entrance

Memories with my cousins and friends started here. They are the one who stays with me beyond any distance, time or words. They help me at some point in my life, this school is the witness of our hardship as a student. This is where we learned things

I looked at the school name, nakarating ako sa harapan ng school. This is my favorite view here, a small fountain in front with well groom ficus shaping design and the classy yellow cream superior entrance where our school name was placed. Sa gilid nito ay ang flag pole namin kung saan madalas pang abutan ang mga pinsan

Napailing ako ng maalala. Clay has big respect for the flag pole, Seth and Kahel use that as his weakness. Sa tuwing may gagawing kalokohan si Seth at Kahel na may kinalaman kay Clay they know where to go, sa Flag pole.

One time umakyat sila para lang pahintuin si Clay sa pagganti sa kanila, knowing his weakness ay napatigil nila ito. Clay is a scout, he use to march with it, he's a color guard since elementary the reason why he respect it so much

Tsaka who would let his cousin climb the pole? That day was embarrasing for us. Maraming nanunuod, it create a commotion. Kahel was saying sorry multiple times with his kneel down, while Seth really climb pero hanggang bungad lang. And the reason behind those all is that they broke Clay limited edition action figure

Parang mga bata, to think na were on our second year college that time, nqkakahiya. Nagkaron pa sila ng record kaya everytime na pupunta kami ng canteen halos itanggi sila ni Ayla dahil sa kahihiyan, para daw silang highschool