Teach me how to love

19

"Congratulations!"

Sabay sabay kaming nagyakapan ni Gigi at Yna. I'm so proud of us! Finally, Graduate na kami! Business Major in Communication Beautification and Life Agriculture. (Basically I made up the major and it's not a 4 year course to avoid confusion)

"Gigi Acosta Rivera, with Honors"

"Ashley Emma Gracia Salvador, High Honors"

"Yna Pineda Santos, with Honors"

Hindi naging madali ang pagakyat ko sa stage because everyone was wondering how...Paano ako naging Salvador? Even I was wondering how because I did not apply for it.

Ramdam ko padin ang titig nila saakin pero dahil formal ceremony ito ay no one talked. I didn't mind them and I just smiled at my friends pagkatawag sakanila.

"Salvador?" Tanong nila agad paglapit saakin. Kakatapos lang ng ceremony at dahil malayo ang surname namin hindi kami magkakatabi. We just found each other after the ceremony.

"I put a ring on it" sabi ni Tristan pag lapit niya saakin.

"Meet my husband" pagpapakilala ko.

Surprised is an understatement. Their face smiled at me but I know they're surprised.

"Congratulations!!!" Bigla naman tumakbo si Antony at nagulat ako dahil niyakap at hinalikan niya si Gigi.

"OMG!!!!" Sabay kami ni Yna.

Dumating na din yung boyfriend ni Yna na taga ibang school. Nameet ko na yon dati. Matagal na sila pero lowkey lowkey pa since di pa graduate.

My friends and I don't make our relationship so detailed but at the end of the day We're happy for each others happiness and will comfort each other in times of sadness.

I'm lucky to have them.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Salvador!" Bigla naman kaming nilapitan ng principal.

Just like Tristan, nagmano din ako. I already meet his Tito and He is very kind. Una nagulat pa ito na ako ang asawa ni Tristan.

"Thank you, Tito" I said as I hugged him.

Sunod na dumating ang mga magulang namin. Sabay pa talaga sila. Hinahanap nila kami at agad akong niyakap ng makita ako.

"Congrats, anak" Mom was tearing up when she hugged me.

"We're so proud of you" Dad hugged me too.

"Congratulations, Ashley" Tristan's Dad also hugged me and also his Mom.

They are also proud of me and are so vocal about it. Pumunta ang parents namin sa mga taong kasama ni Tito Anton.

"I can't believe it, Ashley!! Congrats!" Sabi ni Yna at niyakap ako.

"Dati ka pa palang panalo hindi mo man lang sinabi samin!!!" Sabi naman ni Gigi at nagtawanan nalang kami.

Hindi rin makareact yung iba because Tristan didn't grade any of us. He was like our two weeks teacher and that's it. Bago ko din siya maging teacher ay asawa ko na siya. The girls probably felt sad because someone like him is out of the market but who cares? He's already mine.

"What gift do you like?" Maayos na tanong ni Tristan pero wala akong maisip.

"You" I whispered.

"You--should decide" sabi ko agad para hindi mamali ang pagkakaintindi niya.

"Is it a crime to give you myself?" He teased me.

"It's not a punishment, it's a reward"

And at that moment he did gave me a reward.

It's been three months and I also have a job. Nagtrabaho na ako sa company ng parents ko. Tristan would visit me everytime lalo pag breaks. Sabay kami kumakain lagi.

"Love, I wanted something sweet but then wala na palang ice cream yung shop na to" inis na sabi niya at nagpabebe pa.

"Then buy your ice cream in another shop" sabi ko.

"Wag na, ayaw ko na" sabi naman niya at onti nalang ay tatawa na talaga ako.

Hindi naman tumagal yung inis niya dahil kinamusta na niya ako. He would always ask how my day is and even do something to make it better. He would always make my day better. Hindi niya yata alam na presence niya palang ay nagpapagaan na ang loob ko.

Just having him by my side everyday makes me very happy.

"Chocolates" He gave a paperbag full of random brands of chocolates. Naging hobby na namin ito. While we watch a movie or do something, We will eat chocolates.

"Flowers" He gave me a bouquet of flowers. He always do. Everytime he can even more than once a month. It can be during our date nights or just a random sweet thought from him.

Madalas sumasakit ang ulo ko. Lalo na ang puson parang lagi akong pagod. Parang yung feeling na magkakaron ng dalaw. Pupunta sana ako sa OB pero naisip ko dumaan nalang sa bilihan ng gamot. Buti nalang at may Business trip si Tristan para 'di na niya ako makita na ganto at hindi siya magalala.

"Good Morning po" bati ng staff.

"Meron ba kayo para sa sakit ng puson?" Tanong ko.

"Regular po ba kayo or irregular?"

"Regular naman" sagot ko at mas lalong kinabahan.

"Kaso ngayong araw na 'to" kinuha ko yung phone ko at inopen yung app na ginagamit ko.

"Hala bakit naging irregular?" Tanong ko agad.

"You can take this po" binigay sakin ng babaeng staff yung hawak niya na pregnancy test.

Sa sobrang kaba ko ay hindi na ako nakasalita hanggang pauwi...I was so scared because Tristan was not by myside. Gusto ko sana tawagan sila Gigi at Yna pero mas minabuti kong gawin to magisa.

"Shit shit shit" yan nalang ang sinasabi ko habang nakatitig sa pregnancy test.

And even if it's positive or not ay pupunta ako sa doctor...So I didn't wait for it anymore. Nag drive na ako papuntang hospital.

"Congratulations, Mrs. Salvador!"