Mended Broken Souls (✔️)

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

"Ate Yesha, todohin mo po 'yong make-up, ha? Hahaha!"

I glared at Venice because of what she suggested to Ate Yesha. Nandito kami ngayon sa bahay nila. Today's the graduation day, and our adviser firmly announced last week that we should put makeup on our faces on this day especially that we are the graduates of Junior High.

I don't have any choice despite of my silent disagreement.

Last Saturday in the church, Ate Yesha offered to be our makeup artist on this day because she has a skill on it. Her Mom is an international makeup artist, so no wonder why she has that skill as well.

"Ate, don't listen to her. I already requested a light make-up. Kay Venice na lang 'yon, make sure to put a very red lipstick on her lips."

Narinig ko ang tawa ni Ate Yesha. Months of being friend with Venice, I've learned to tease her sometimes when I'm in the mood.

"Noted, Ashia. Sisiguraduhin kong mala-witch na make-up ang ilalagay ko kay Amor Venice!" Ate Yesha wickedly chuckled.

Ngumisi ako nang kaunti nang makita ang mahabang nguso ni Venice. Ako ang pinauna niya dahil siya raw ang panghuli.

"Sige na lang, Ate! Pagbigyan natin ang valedictorian ng Grade 10!" Venice rolled her eyes jokingly. Narinig ko ang tawanan nilang dalawa.

I didn't talk anymore after that.

It's been a week since I met Venice's grandparents. Gabi-gabi akong 'di makatulog nang maayos dahil nasa isip ko pa rin ang batang lalaking kamukha ko sa album na pinakita sa akin ni Lola Viviana. It was really bothering me up until now. There was a part of me that wants to know him, that kid on the photo. Para hindi na magulo pa ang isip ko ay iniisip ko na lang na baka pinsan ko...

But who was that girl who owns that album, though? I shook my head to wash off that thought. I was afraid that I will experience mental block later for my valedictory speech in the ceremony.

My father said that he will be the one to wear the medal on me. My Mom wouldn't come like she always does every year on my graduation day. She said that being in my graduation ceremony is just a waste of time. Those words from her still keep on stabbing my chest up until now.

I just took a profound sigh. I really feel puzzled because of the simplest question yet hard to be answered by my parents, I know... What did I really do for my mother to loathe me that much? Does existing a sin?

I looked at myself on the mirror. My eyes were glittering a bit, however, I felt relief when it wasn't visible that could ruin the eyeliner. Tapos nang ayusan ang mukha ko, ang buhok ko na lang ang inaayusan ni Ate Yesha na kasalukuyang pinapakulot.

Nakasuot na ako ng white graduation gown kanina pa, at dala ko na rin ang graduation cap. The beginning of the ceremony will be at 1 PM according to our adviser, and at this moment, it is 12:15 PM in the afternoon.

Natapos na rin ang pag-aayos ni Venice ilang sandali pa. Nagpasalamat kami kay Ate Yesha bago nagpaalam na umalis. We also bid farewell to Venice's grandparents whose smiles at us were wide that reached their ears.

"Picture tayo!" Inakbayan ako ni Venice at pinaharap sa camera ng phone niya.

Ate Yesha who agreed with me was really true to her words because she put a very red lipstick on Venice's luscious lips. I didn't smile on the cam nor frown, I just plastered my normal reaction everytime people see me.

We're already here in the waiting shed near the road. Marami nang sasakyang dumaraan pero puno ang mga iyon ng mga estudyante rin. I saw some of my girl classmates wearing their graduation gowns.