After Daylight

10. When Celestine's Feelings Were Reciprocated But-

CELESTINE

Mama was hugging me while we were heading at the orphanage we always went to. It's nostalgic. I know. I remember coming here because of Gabriel. That huge crush I had on Gabriel which faded away the moment he  reciprocated it. Hindi ko naman ginusto na sabihin sa kanya na mahal ko din siya pabalik at sasabihin na hindi ko na siya mahal pagkatapos ng isang taon.

I didn't know why or where my feelings went wrong. Hindi naman ako nagkagusto sa iba. It just happened that one morning. Gabriel and I were sitting down in the bath tub. Nothing happened before that except that we made love to celebrate another milestone in our lives. He was able to finish his college degree. He planned on getting his masters degree in London School of Economics. That's how he admired my dad.

I prepared dinner for us. I cooked dinner myself and set it up just like how my mom do it for my dad when she says it's their date night at home.

Anyway, it came out of my mouth.

'Let's break up'

I said it that easy.

Tumawa siya noong una dahil akala niya nagbibiro lang ako or I was just pranking him but I was serious. His mouth gape in surprise upon realizing that I was surprise. I was surprised myself too. I went home questioning my decision. The next morning, Gabriel was standing in front of my unit with his swollen eyes.

He did that for five months until he stopped. I was planning to transfer in Harvard after my college graduation. Dun ko na lang ata itutuloy ang law school ko.

"What's on your mind Celestina? You're too quiet." Mama spoke.

I looked at her. She had that worried look on her face.

"I broke up with Gabriel, mama." I told her.

Mama and papa knows. Gabriel asked my parent's permission to date me when they visited me in London. Papa and Gabriel had a long talk then came back telling me na he agreed to court me.

"Why Celestina? You liked him for years and to think you were only dating each other for a year." She asked.

I shook my head. "Hindi ko alam mama. I just woke up one morning, I wanted to break things off with him."

She sighed and caressed my cheeks. "Did he hurt you? Did he cheat?"

"As cliché as it sounds mama, it's not him. It's me." I told her.

Mama laughed. "Oh Celestina. I wish you would patch things up with him. Your dad likes the guy."

I made a face. "Parang hindi naman."

She chuckled. "He does. Hindi lang halata. He tells me he is proud of your achievements and that he is happy you found someone to share your achievements with aside from us." Mama told me.

I smiled a bit. Papa has always been supportive of us since day one. When I told him I wanted to be a lawyer, he supported me right away. He even hired a tutor for me and gave me options where I can take up my law school. One of them was Harvard. I know I can make it to Harvard but back then I was so hooked up on chasing Gabriel so I went to London instead.

Now that I have broken up with him, I think I am going to pursue law in Harvard and make a name for myself.

Mama and I arrived in the orphanage and we were met by Gabriel who was wearing his casual clothes.

I gave him a smile. He came up to my mama and kissed her cheeks. He was about to kiss mine but I stepped backwards and smiled a bit.

"Hey Gab." I only greeted.