How Love Grows (Completed)

Kabanata 06

Kabanata 06

Senior High

The event ended around lunchtime. We took a picture by section with our advisor for the last time. Dahil last na 'tong pagkikita namin dahil may ibang lilipat na nang school. After we take pictures, Eve and her family take pictures for remembrance. I slowly remove myself silently and stand on the side. Watching them with a glimpse of my eyes. My mind is smiling, looking at them as complete and happy. I wander my eyes through the ocean of people. My heart feels broken as I see how happy they are when they take pictures together. They congratulate their daughter for her hard work. I heard and saw the happiness in them, but I couldn't find it in myself.

Biglang may dumaan na kirot sa puso ko. Tinignan ko ang certificate at medalyang nakuha ko. No matter how hard I strive to make them proud, I will always end up being unappreciated by them. No matter how many times I show them myself, I will always be imperceptible to them. Sana nandito man lang si Mama, siya dapat 'yong sasabit sa 'kin. Siya dapat ang nandoon. Pero naiintindihan ko naman. May event rin ang kapatid ko. Bigla kong naalala si Papa. How I wish he would be here with me! But anyway, he left me! Us!

I must bear in mind that in this situation, being alone would never be shocking anymore. I am a broken fetus, and I am still broken.

"Fely tayo naman!" Bigla tawag ni Eve sa akin.

Napaangat ako ng tingin kay Eve. She looked at me. I wiped the glittery tears that sprouted around my checks. Hindi ko namalayan na umiiyak na pala ako. I let out a breath, nodded my head, and smiled. Tumakbo ako papunta sa kaniya. I hug her in a second. Pagkatapos ay kumalas sa yakap. Kunot ang noo niya when she stared into my eyes. Tinaasan ko lang siya nang kilay. I gesture with my hands on the camera; I know she knows I am crying. But, dear Everlyn, let's enjoy this moment!

Dumaan ang tingin niya sakin bago bumaling ang kaniyang mga mata sa camera. Inakbayan ko siya habang hawak ko ang aking certificate sa kaliwa. Inakbayan niya rin ako at nasa kanan naman ang sa kaniya. Sa pangalawang postora namin ay ganun ang ayos ng aming mga certificate pero magkadikit na ang aming ulo at pisngi. Nakanguso ang aming labi pareho. Marami pa kaming pose na nagawa. Hanggang sa natapos na nga ang pagpapa-picture namin.

I face my best friend, then surprisingly hug her. I hugged her tightly this time.

"Congratulations, Eve! Senior high na tayo!" anunsyo ko.

She chuckled.

"Bakasyon muna, Fely," ngumuso ako at kumalas sa kaniya.

She only laughed at me. Then started the conversation that I wanted to avoid.

"Nasaan pala si Tita? Bakit wala siya dito?" tanong niya.

Napawi ang aking ngiti. Umiwas kaagad ako ng tingin sa kaniya. Ayaw kong maging emotional sa harap ng maraming tao.

"May event si Chloe, kaya hindi nakarating si Mama," sagot ko.

"Anong oras ba 'yong event? Hindi ka man lang nasamahan?" I see how her face slowly shows concern for me.

I sigh when I feel that Eve is interrogating me. I know her that well; she would never stop asking until she was satisfied with your answer.I was about to answer her questions when Ethel and Leana came to us. Napalingon kami pareho sa kaibigang paparating, habang nakabuka ang braso. Tili niya ang sumalubong sa'min. Eve sighs and faces them unwillingly.

"Congratulations to all! Oh my, Felicity and Evelyn! You are so gorgeous, girl!" sabi niya.

Pagkatapos ay nakipag beso sa'min ni Eve. I smiled at her. Naghalukipkip sa gilid ko si Eve, kunot ang noo naka tingin sa amin.