Chapter 18
"Mag-ingat ka!" Maz said after I tripped as I run to him.
I laughed.
I tiptoed and gave him a hug. Tinugon niya ito at inayos ang toga ko.
"I'm just excited, ga-graduate na tayo." sabi ko.
After all those struggles I've been through to survive this school year is finally paid off. Lahat ng mga pawis at luha ay mababayaran na rin.
"I'm still not ready for this." he said.
"Bakit naman?"
Umupo ako sa seat niya dito sa classroom nila. I'm here hanging out with him. Mamaya pa magsisimula ang program at nasa social hall sina Mama at Papa.
"We'll be separated. I'll be homeschooled and you'll be attending classes face to face. Magiging busy ako at hindi ako handa na hindi ka makakasama." he said.
"You should be ready. Hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon ay papaboran tayo ng panahon. There'll be ups and downs and it's up to us on how we're going to deal with it." sabi ko.
He pulled an empty chair and sat beside me, he then placed his arm over my shoulders.
"That's easy to say. Babawiin ko nalang kaya ang sagot ko sa offer." sabi niya.
"No!" I said.
"I'm still not ready. Maybe years from now." he said.
Tiningnan ko siya ng mata sa mata.
"Sabi mo pagkatapos ni Ate Mizee. Ate Mizee already accepted the offer and is now seen on televisions and online platforms. Swerte ka nga at magiging singer ka, that's what you wanted, right?" I said.
"Yes, it is. But, how about you?"
"'Wag kang mag-alala sa'kin. I'll be at the corner and be the most supportive girlfriend you'll ever have." I said and patted his head.
"Aasahan ko 'yan. I'll invite you to the set next week for the music video shoot." sabi niya.
"Pwede ba 'yon?" tanong ko.
"Why not. I don't have any artist to work with. Sa isang lugar lang naman gaganapin ang buong shoot." sabi pa niya.
I listened to his plans and we are trying to make ways on we'll work this relationship out. Hindi madali, alam naming hindi magiging madali. We'll trust each other and swear that there'll be no other party.
The awards are given to us. Dave is the valedictorian of our batch, as expected. He deserve the award more than anyone inside this hall. Maz, graduated as the top one in his class and I graduated as the top four in my class.
Dave gave his speech. It was just brief. On point, walang paligoy-ligoy. We are arranged alphabetically. Tahimik lang ako sa upuan ko.
We sang our graduation song, had a short pictorial, and threw our hats on air. Everyone's smiling. Mayro'ng nag-iiyakan, nagpi-picture, at iba-iba pa. I'm just looking around in the middle of this crowd. Di ko makita sina Mama.
"Hey." I felt a whisper behind my back.
Mazro.
"Congratulations, my girl."
"Thank you. Congrats din, Maz." sabi ko pa.
"Picture tayo." sabi niya.
Tumango ako at tinawag niya si Ate Mizee. Ate Mizee hugged me after she saw me. She brought a camera and both Maz and I smiled.
