I was taken aback by his sudden words, but I acted like I didn't mind what he just said and get down from the stage. But in reality, I am feeling my heart beating really hard. I don't want to assume, and I don't want to misunderstand his statement. Mamaya niyan, enchanted lang pala as a friend. I mentally laughed and focused my sight on the stage.
Nagkaroon lang ng maiksing message ang MAPEH teacher ng buong Grade 10 bago kami idinismiss.
Tapos na.
Sa lunes ay papasok na lang kami para sa practice ng graduation. But this isn't the end yet. Of course, bagong simula naman sa Senior High. That's a way larger mountain than the hill we had passed. Well, it wasn't wrong to celebrate for achievements. No matter how small it is, it is worth it.
"Sabi ko na nga ba at perfect kayong dalawa!" Sigaw ni Ariesa at niyakap ako na para bang nanalo ako sa isang singing contest. I laughed and tapped her back because she's starting to blabber how they did bad. Masaya kaming naglakad papunta sa gate tapos doon kami naghiwa-hiwalay.
Nang makaalis silang lahat ay saka ko tiningnan ang katabi ko. "Anong oras ka susunduin?" Tanong niya sa akin habang naglalakad. We have no plan yet. Basta kung saan na lang dalhin ng mga paa.
"I texted the driver na magtetext na lang ako. We have time." Sagot ko sa kanya. Sobrang bagal ng lakad naming dalawa. Para bang sinusulit ang mga sandali.
"What are your plans after graduation?" Tanong niya out of nowhere. Napalingon ako sa kanya at saka ngumiti. After graduation, I am planning to go to International Science University and take the STEM strand. Plano ko kasing mag-take ng pre medicine course.
I am planning to be a doctor.
"Mas maganda yatang tanungin kung may plano kang um-attend ng graduation." He asked. He put a playful tone, but I know he was worried about me. In that dinner, I know he got an idea how everything is going with my family. It was awful.
"I have plans, silly." It was almost a whisper. To be honest, I haven't asked anyone from the house. I can just invite Kuya Robb if I needed to but it's fine to be alone as well. I never attended any of the convocation program, but I couldn't let this pass. I wanted to take this moment as a good memory. Not with a family but with my friends.
"How about you, what are your plans after graduation?" Tanong ko sa kanya. I can feel that he wanted to ask me first, but he never wanted to mess with my mind. Lumingon siya sa akin at saka ngumiti bago umiling.
"Hindi ko pa alam kung anong gusto kong gawin." Saad niya at saka tumawa ng mahina. I looked down watching my black shoes to step on the wet concrete.
Tawa na ramdam ang kalungkutan. Hindi ko alam kung anong iniisip niya o kung anong gusto niyang gawin pero base sa tawa niya, he knows what he wants. Hindi niya lang magawa dahil may hadlang. I wanted to say it's okay. Gusto ko siyang i-comfort at sabihing kaya niya 'yan. Na sundin ang puso niya kaso alam kong hindi 'yun ang kailangan niya. Hindi 'yun makakatulong.
We were silently walking when he suddenly held my wrist and pulled me to cross the street. Bago pa man kami makatawid ay isang humaharurot na sasakyan ang rumagasa papunta sa amin. Paulo immediately hugged me tight and put his hand on my head.
"Paulo!" I called him when I realized what happened. He just freaking make himself as a shield to protect me from the water that splashed to his body. He's all wet now.
But instead of thinking about himself, tinawanan niya lang ako. I wanted to shout at him but seeing him laugh made me laugh too.
Matapos 'yun ay naghanap siya ng mabibilihan ng damit at kaagad na nagpalit.
