Long Live

I walked slowly to a room, our temporary home for almost a year. I'm quite far, yet all noises can be heard inside. The school was lively as ever, I see.

I skimmed my eyes around the room silently, memorizing each nook of it.

I patted my skirt, straighten it before I entered the door.

"Guys, smile!!" A click was heard then as that naughty boy ran.

"Lintek ka!!! Huwag kang magpapakita sa akin."
"Paepal talaga!!"
"Buburahin mo iyan o ikaw buburahin ko?!"

That boy bursted into laugher. I walked passed them, holding the raising of my lips. I turned to my left side, side eyeing the lover birds who's seemingly having their own world. I heaved a deep sigh. What a life.

"Iyong cleaners diyan, assign tayo ngayon sa labas. Galaw-galaw naman."
"Saglit lang naman."
"Saglit tapos mamaya hindi ka na mahagilap."

I sat in my usual spot, shrinking my presence as much as possible. As I organized my things, voices and loud music can be heard at the back. The boys were playing games again.

"Good morning!!!" A pleasant voice then rang, changing the mood of the chaotic bunch.

"Tawag ka ni ma'am."
"Bakit daw?"
"Hindi ko alam."

I looked at my fingers, fiddling with them. Thoughts started to fill my head.

"Guys, may assignment na kayo?"
"Huy, hindi ko makuha iyong no. 4 sa math. Nasolve niyo ba?? Patingin ako."
"Diyan din ako nahirapan. Ang tagal bago ko nakuha."

I turned my head toward them. Just when I was about to utter a word, suddenly, an excruciating pain pierced through my heart. I clasped my chest. I tried to call for help, but it was in vain. They can't seem to hear me.
 
Anyone, help...

My ear was ringing, and my sight was getting blurry.

Please, h-help m-e. Hahh.. Can't you hear me??

"Huy teh.........."
"Yah, may bagong update si...."
"Wait ting............"
"Kumust..."
"HAHahahahaha..... "

My mind were being clouded by the memories. My head was like being split in half. The voices were being swallowed by the abyss until it's completely silent.

However, a piece of music is playing in my head, yet it feels far away. My sight blackens for a moment.

".......May Karangalan."

I adjust my eyes and then look around, confuse at what's happening. The setting suddenly changed.

"Congrats!!!!"
"Grabeee ito na iyon!!"
"Sa wakas!!!"
"Ang galing galing talaga.."
"Bakit ka naiyak? HAHAHA"

Some come to my side and then hug me. My mind is still not functioning well, answering them perfunctory.

"Atin naman pong tunghayan ang pagkanta ng mga completer sa awiting kanilang napili."

A familiar sound starts playing. I'm getting overwhelm by this nostalgic feeling.

That's when I have the courage to look at everyone. Pieces are coming to their places.

I then realize, these are my schoolmates.

I said remember this feeling

I pour my feelings into singing, looking back to my sacrifices, to those silent battles, burnout, breakdown, and everything. Things come to fruition.

Long live
The walls we crashed through
I had the time of my life.... with you

In a blink of an eye, we're already here. It's worth of the pain, of the hearbreak and, of being on the sidelines wishing for this moment. Now, we are the one on this stage. With those scars we get by fighting the dragons, and our own battles.

I once again glance to everyone. 'May our memories remains, bearing our laughters, our tears, our hardships, our idle moments, and our very home. Because..'

One day
We will be remembered

I close my eyes, soothing the demons in my mind. This was the end of the decade yet start of new age. This is simply a "see you again tomorrow". No matter how long will it take for that tomorrow to happen, I hope we will only look ahead. Moving forward, towards the light that holds the future.

Long live my fellow completers!