Bawal na Pag-ibig (SPG) COMPLETED

17 - Revelation

Chapter Seventeen

Shaun

"Cruz, Charity dela Vega.. cum laude." I joined the audience in giving an applause when the MC called Charity's name. My beautiful girlfriend walked gracefully towards the stage.

Proud na proud namang umagapay sa kanya si Ate Fatima, her mother.. and my sister. Pumunta ako sa may gilid malapit sa stage, kinunan ko sila ng litrato sa bawat anggulo gamit ang digicam na hiniram ko kay Chester.

Charity raised her diploma proudly while smiling at me, I gave her a proud smile and a thumbs up. She bowed infront of everyone before going down the stage.

The program continued. Cha's bestfriend, Zariah was also a cum laude. Present sa graduation day ang parents nito at kapatid na si Zion, kasama yong girlfriend.

"My greetings to our respected university president, to the dynamic VP's, deans of the different departments, our beloved instructors and professors, stakeholders, visitors, the proud parents and to you my fellow graduates.." Their batch summa cum laude, Pocholo Ferrer started with his closing remarks. "Standing infront of you is Pocholo Vera Ferrer, your summa cum laude from the College of Business Management. Before I get a hold of such a great honor as this, I came across many challenges first. College life is indeed very different from high school life. But finally today, I was able.. we were able to overcome everything. We are here standing proudly before our alma mater today, with the presence of our supportive parents.. letting everybody witness as we reap the fruit of the success we planted four years ago. To you, my fellow graduates, congratulations and good luck to all of us with our future endeavors! May the Almighty God guide us always as we walk through the right path to success! Good day and thank you!"

"Before I leave this stage, I would like to give my gratitude to 3 set of people who played big roles in my success. First are my instructors, all of you, ma'am and sir.. thank you! Second, my very supportive parents.. Mr. & Mrs. Patricio Ferrer. Thank you, Ma and Pa! You both are the best parents a child could wish for!" Huminto ito sandali, tila kinakabahan sa susunod na sasabihin. "And lastly to the love of my life, sa greatest crush ko na ngayon ay girlfriend ko na.. Zariah Mae Leviste. Thank you for being my inspiration, babe! I promise to love you as long as I live!"

His last word earned a loud applause and screams and giggles from their female batchmates. Bumaba na si Pocholo mula sa stage at naglakad papunta sa kinauupuan ni Zariah habang may dalang isang bouquet ng sunflowers. Magkatabi sina Zari at Cha ng upuan, at kitang-kita kong sinusundot nito sa tagiliran ang bestfriend na tila kinikilig.

Shaun couldn't help but envy Pocholo. Mabuti pa ito at nagawa nitong i-broadcast sa harapan ng napakaraming tao ang pagmamahal kay Zari. Siya kaya, kailan niya kaya maipagmamalaki sa lahat ang pagmamahal niya kay Charity?

Napatingin siya kay Cha. Minsan napapaisip siya, deserve niya ba talaga ito? Hindi ba unfair para dito na matatali ito sa isang relasyon na walang kasiguraduhan? His insecurities is eating him up. Masakit para sa kanya na marami siyang gustong gawin para kay Cha na hindi niya magawa. Pero mas masakit isipin kung hindi niya ito ipaglalaban at hahayaang mapunta sa iba.

After the ceremony ay kumain sila sa labas, pa-blowout ni Fatima sa anak. Nakapag-picture si Shaun ng katabi si Cha kanina habang nakasuot pa ito ng toga sa may stage nila. He promised to develop the photo and put it in his wallet.

"Sige, anak, orderin mo kung anong pagkain ang gusto mo. Treat ko lahat sayo ngayon," ani Fatima kay Cha.

Charity smiled a little to her mother. "Bakit dito pa tayo kakain, ma?" she asked while her eyes were roaming around the high-class restaurant. "Mahal ata dito eh! Alam niyo namang wala akong arte sa pagkain. Sa fastfood nalang sana tayo."