Admiring the Scintillating Sunshine (Isla Lavinia Series 1)

Kabanata 14

Kabanata 14

Going home

Indeed, Tristan sent me a friend request on my facebook account. Finollow niya pa ako sa Instagram at Twitter kahit madalang ko nang gamitin ang social media accounts ko. Hindi ko maiwasang mangiti habang in-accept ang friend request niya at nag-follow back pa rin.

Natapos ang practice na hindi ko siya nakita ulit. Ganoon ang nangyari buong week. Halos nag-uusap lang kami pagnakikita sa pila o pagnakakasabay ko sila sa cafeteria, minsan ay kasama niya sina Zy. Ayaw ko namang i-message siya dahil wala namang dahilan para gawin ko iyon.

Hanggang sa dumating ang graduation day. My brothers went home for my graduation. Si Mommy at Kuya Pold lamang ang nakasama sa akin sa venue. The ceremony started. Katulad ng practice ay halos hindi ko na makita ang grupo ng mga kaibigan sa ibang strand.

I sighted different prominent families around. May upuan na para sa kanila. Nang nagsimula ang ceremony ay naging madali na. We did the processional.

Nahuling pumasok ay ang mga guest at staff. Nakasunod ay mga shares sa school, ngayong taon ay sila rin madalas mag-donate, katulad ng Mommy ni Arri, at mga Gamboa. Usually, Latney Gamboa will present the family, but I was surprised to see Adley Gamboa today!

I stiffed as I saw him. He was tall, looking so strict and cold like a real prominent tycoon. One look, Tristan looks like him a lot and could be his younger version. Tumango ito sa mga bumati sa kaniya katulad nang madalas din na ginagawa ni Tristan.

The ceremony went along. Bumaba kami pagkatapos ibigay ang diploma.

"Let's give a around applause for the valedictory speech of Tristan Jharov Gamboa, who has attained the highest rank all throughout the two semesters!"

The entire hall was filled with noise when he went to stage. Naka-gray na toga siya katulad naming lahat. It was a new image for my sight. Ang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko dahil sa saya. I knew I was so competitive, but I felt so happy seeing him on the stage.

Walang bahid ng reaksyon ang mukha niya kahit maraming hiwayan at binigay sa kaniya. He remained cold and serious, very unpleased. Parang kaunti lang ay maiinis kaagad siya.

Bumaba ang tingin ko sa Daddy niya sa baba. He was watching Tristan with no reaction like his son.

Tristan stands at the podium. Hindi pa man siya nagsasalita ay bumaba ang mata niya, nagkatinginan kami. I smiled at him, to cheer him up. He looked away and licked his lips, trying to relax.

He shifted his weight. He started his speech by greeting the audience.

"... This will not sound like the traditional graduation speech, so bear with me..."

He was talking well. How he pointed out that studying was hard all throughout the years and how we should be proud of ourselves for making it up today. I was waiting for him to talk about himself and his hard days, but he did not. Wala rin siyang ni isang binaggit tungkol sa pamilya niya o kung sinuman.

"... It will be a long way to go for each of us. And if there's one lesson I'll say to end this speech, it will be 'always be grateful'. Other people don't have the same life and privileged as you have. Hindi niyo alam kung gaano kayo kaswerte kaya lagi kayong magpasasalamat. Be grateful for everything, of having friends... and having supportive... parents..." he stopped a bit. "'Yung mayroon kayo ngayon, pangarap lang iyan ng iba... That's all. Thank you, everybody."

People clapped in chorus. Pero ang mata ko ay nanatili kay Tristan na dire-diretsong bumaba at walang pinansin. I clapped my hands too as my heart sanked for him