What Comes After Sunset (COMPLETED)

Chapter 40

I've been reflecting on all the pain I've caused myself. For settling for things I knew I didn't deserve. For not expressing what I feel and not doing what I truly desired. For not following my own dreams and listening to what's going on around me rather than what's going on inside me. For all the years I've spent caring for everyone else but myself.

I recall how sick I was in my dying days and how the people I expected to help me disappeared, then how these people appeared at roughly the right time. I still remember how they took my hand in theirs and assured me that everything would be fine, how they saved me.

I was dubious at first. How am I supposed to clean up after myself? How can someone who has been traumatized forget what happened? How can a lady like me avoid suffering? How am I going to get through all of this? But then I remembered Kuya Jaiden's words: "Let it hurt, then let it go."

Hindi naman minamadali. Wala namang nakatakdang oras. Hindi masamang magtagal. Hindi masamang sulitin mo iyong sakit. Hindi naman masamang umiyak. Hindi rin maling maging malungkot. Nasasaktan tayo kasi hindi tayo perpekto.

There is always a flaw within us, no matter how beautiful and perfect we appear. People are not always great, but they can be better. Although the sun does not always shine, it can nevertheless keep you warm. Seas aren't relatively calm, but they can be after a storm. Fortunately, after years of feeling horrible about everything I do, I've learned to forgive myself for not knowing much about people, life, and myself. This is the start of a new story. With them, for me.

"Brittany Amber C. Sylva."

Umakyat ako sa stage kasama si Mommy. Si Daddy ay kitang-kita sa gilid ng stage, pumapalakpak. Ang mga kuya ko naman ay todo picture sa malayo, dahil bawal lumapit sa stage.

Kinuha ni Mommy 'yong medal habang kinuha ko iyong certificate.

Ilang beses na akong natawag ngayong recognition namin dahil sa rami ng awards ko. Well, I've been inspired much more than normal lately, kaya mukhang napasobra ata.

"Hakot talaga! Congrats, Sylva!" Sabi ng kaklase ko pagbaba namin ng stage ni Mommy.

Dumaretso ako sa upuan kung saan kami kanina, si Mommy naman ay sa kabilang banda kung nasaan ang mga proud parents.

"Congrats din." I smiled sweetly.

Ang daming proud sakin ngayon kaya nakakapanibago. Ang saya pala nang ganito. Lalo na't may kasama na akong magulang ko sa pagtungtong sa stage. Bonus pa si Daddy at mga kapatid ko na gusto ring sumama sa pag-akyat.

Ngalay na ngalay na ang batok ko dahil sa dami ng medals. Ang certificate naman ay pwede na atang gawing notebook sa kapal, or I'm just exaggerating, pero totoo!

"Amber," narinig ko ang mahinang tili ng katabi ko nang lapitan ako ni Kuya Jalen. Inabot niya sakin ang tumbler niya. "Do you want me to hold your certificates?"

Tumango ako. Kinuha niya muna ang tumbler para siya na ang magbukas no'n, pagkatapos ay kinuha na ang certificate.

"Call us if you need something. Nandoon lang kami." Turo niya kung nasaan si Daddy at Kuya Jaiden ngayon. Tumango ako at kumaway.

"Ang gwapo ng kuya mo," tumawa ako sa sinabi ng katabi ko.

Mabuti nga at hindi sila pinagkaguluhan. Kung may balak man ang mga estudyanteng dumugin sila pagkatapos ng recognition ay maraming nakakalat na bodyguards si Daddy sa paligid.

Natapos ang recognition rites pagkatapos naming kantahin ang kantang 'Liwanag sa Dilim'. Agad na nagtipon ang section namin para magpa-group picture. Pagkatapos ay hinila na ako ni Kuya Jaiden para kami naman.