Reaching Your Hands

02.

"Panibagong araw, panibagong dahilan para magtanim ng galit sa'yo, Ares." Reklamo ni Carmela dahil kanina pa siya inaasar nito. "Lagi ka namang galit! Ano bang bago, madam?" Carmela groaned. Umakma siyang babatuhin ito ng bag nang dumating sina April, Rai, at Freya. "Wala ka bang ibang gagawin, Ares?" Tanong ni Moraiah, napaisip naman si Ares dito atsaka umiling.

"Kanina ka pa kasi tinatawag sa faculty, yari ka! Si Ma'am Hermoso pa naman mabilis magalit," Pananakot sakanya ni Rai, agad binaba ni Ares yung hawak niyang monobloc at mabilis na naglakad papunta sa SRM Faculty. Tinawanan namin ito, "Finally, umalis din si tanga."

Freya turned to me and nudged me, tinitigan ko ito nang masama. Kung hindi si Ares ang nandito, sila Freya naman! "Alam ko na itatanong mo. Mamaya pa," Sagot ko rito. Masiyado silang invested sa lovelife ko, dahil ngayon lang naman daw ako nag-entertain ng lalaki. But that was true, I had some past crushes just like Zian—ang kaso nung nalaman niya, lumaki ba naman ang ulo.

I was never fond of pursuing someone, maybe I had those childhood crushes. But I never imagined myself liking someone romantically to the point of pursuing them. And, this was the first time I let someone court me. Many guys had tried asking me, but I was never interested. Maybe, deep down, I was waiting for someone who would love and accept me for who I am, and who wasn't afraid to see me for more than just my external appearance.

I have this feeling that maybe that's what I was seeing on Trase. Even though we weren't close from the start, I found myself trusting him. I hope he won't break it. I was never the type of person to trust others easily, that is until I felt comfortable being around them.

Later on, our final graduation rehearsal began. It progressed swiftly, as everyone cooperated and was eager for the practice to conclude. Paano ba naman kasi? Napakainit. I saw how Freya and my other classmates groaned as they felt the temperature rising even more. Halos 42° ang naitalang head index. Our school has decided to finish the practice as early as possible to prevent the students from passing out.

By exactly noon, Our last graduation practice has ended. I can't believe it! Bukas na ang graduation day namin. I couldn't help but feel the bittersweet feeling, I am glad that we are finally done with our high school years—yet I feel sad because I will miss the feeling of being a high school student. College na kami sa susunod na balik-aral. I am so happy that I've made a lot of memories with my friends. Our Batch is called Hiraya—which means I hope.

Over the past few months, our batch has done nothing but hope that we could achieve our lifelong aspirations. Perhaps that's why we were named Batch Hiraya—we strive to inspire hope within ourselves. A hope that will spur our growth and help us become better individuals. This hope will guide us as we navigate the challenges that loom over our dreams.

Pagkaalis namin sa court ay sabay-sabay kaming pumasok sa loob ng room at naisipang magpahinga muna bago umuwi. "Gutom na'ko tapos ang init-init pa." Reklamo ni Freya, tumango rin si Rai, Shai, at April. "Same! Palibre nga kayo kay Ares, pambawi kamo sa pangb-bwisit niya. Tutal bukas naman graduation na natin," Nagtawanan kaming lahat sa sinabi ni Rai. Saktong-sakto ay pumasok si Ares na may dalang mga pagkain.

"Uy, Vice Pres! Shet, para sa amin ba iyan?" Paglapit nina Marcus sakaniya. Bigla naman syang tinaboy nito, "Tange! Para kina Moraiah 'to." Naghiyawan naman itong mga nasa harapan habang busy yung ibang lalaki sa likod na may dalang gitara. I raised a brow when I saw them, may permit ba itong mga 'to? "Talaga ba, Ares Savion?" Pang-aasar ni April na para bang hindi makapaniwala. Umirap naman itong si Ares at binaba ang mga pagkain na hawak niya sa teacher's table.