Swiped Memory (Sanoma University 1)

Chapter 35

After weeks of rehearsals, nandito na kami, nakasuot ng pulang toga. It's graduation day. The end of an era.

"Delyo, Kendrick Yuan."

Labis ang pagpalakpak ko nang tawagin ng dean ang pangalan ni Yuan. I watched the love of my life walk across the PICC stage to receive his diploma.

Nagpatuloy ang pamimigay ng diploma sa iba't ibang courses hanggang sa oras na ng speech ni Amethyst.

Siya ang class valedictorian.

"Good morning Titans, SU Chancellor, parents and loved ones, and to our distinguished guests." Panimula niya.

"I remember being asked in first grade what we wanted to be. The teacher said there are no wrong answers. Some of my classmates answered, doctor, lawyer, chef, and one even answered he wanted to be superman." natawa ang audience. Amethyst smiled.

"But now that we're all out of university, they're expecting we have a definite answer. I'm sure most of us have. But come to think of it, why do we have to have one? The future is always changing, doesn't it? It's the only thing that's definite." 

Pumaling ako sa kabilang dako ng mga students at nakita kong matiim na nakikinig si Yuan. I smiled.

"Inuubos natin ang buhay natin kakaalala sa future, pagplano ng future, sinusubukang alamin ang future, not noticing we are wasting our lives worrying. So before we leave this place and walk into a new chapter, cherish the present. Because no matter how crazy life gets, everything will turn out as it should be." 

"Let's go SU!" napabaling ang lahat at nakitang ang grupo nila Lester ang nag-cheer. Nagtawanan ang lahat.

"Yeah, let's go SU!" Amethyst said into the microphone. "I wish nothing but happiness to you, Titans. Have a wonderful life ahead. Congratulations graduates and thank you."

Nang matapos ang program, kaliwa't kanang photo op ang ginawa namin kasama ang mga batchmates at mga kaibigan.

"Closer! Okay! One... two..."

Ngumiti ako sa polaroid camera ni Athena nang kuhanan niya kami ni Kuya Cyen ng litrato. 

"Ako naman, Kuya!" she said when the photo came out.

Nakailang kuha pa kami ng pictures hanggang sa mabuo kaming apat nina Dos, Amet, at Hami. Sunod-sunod ang shutter ng camera habang nakangiti kaming lahat.

Halos mangawit na ang labi ko kakangiti. But I couldn't stop smiling either. 

This day is something I've been waiting for so long.

"Kami naman!" biglang singit ni Yuan.

Umatras ang mga kaibigan ko at nilabas ang mga cellphone nila.

Napatili ako nang buhatin ako ni Yuan, bridal style. 

Inasar-asar pa kami nila Hami.

"Graduation pinunta natin diba, ba't parang ikakasal na? Gosh, Tita Nina, ikakasal na ba?" baling niya sa ina ni Yuan.

Namula ako ng gawin iyon.

Tita Nina and Tito Edward only laughed.

Ilang minuto pa kaming namalagi sa PICC hanggang sa inaya na kami ni Kuya Cyen umalis dahil may nakahanda sa aming reservation.

"Oh, maghiwalay muna kayo dahil si Ken ang magdrive. You'll see each other in Sofitel. " singit ni Tita Nina sa pagitan namin ni Yuan.

I giggled at her. 

"Congratulations again, iha." aniya at niyakap ako.

"Thank you po, Tita." 

"Congratulations, dear." bumeso naman si Tito Edward sa akin. I gave him thanks as well.