Games Of Hearts

17. Unforgettable memories

It was graduation day, and the excitement was palpable. I descended the stairs, my heart racing with anticipation, and met my beaming parents in the foyer. They were dressed to impress, their cameras at the ready to capture this milestone moment. I couldn't help but smile, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment wash over me.

The butterflies in my stomach fluttered wildly as I took in the scene. My parents' eyes shone with pride, and their warm smiles shone bright. We exchanged hugs and posed for photos, the clicks of the camera capturing the joy and elation of this special day.

"Are you excited?" Dad asks, his eyes shining with pride as he reaches out to pat my head.

I laugh and swat his hand away, pretending to be annoyed. "Ah! I don't mess up my hair!" I tease, smoothing out my perfectly styled locks.

Dad chuckles and tries again, but I dodge his hand playfully. "Of course I'm excited!" I say, grinning at him. "Let's go, we're getting late for graduation!"

Mom intervenes, placing a gentle hand on Dad's arm. "Okay, okay, let's get going!" she says, her voice filled with warmth. "We don't want to miss the procession!" She smiles at me, her eyes shining with happiness.

We drove to school, feeling a mix of happiness and sadness. I had passed my exams with extra help from grace marks, a relief and a accomplishment. Now, it was time to say goodbye to our school, the place where we had learned, grown, and made so many memories.

We lined up in order of our roll numbers, chatting and laughing nervously. Mine was first, followed by Rue's, and I could feel my heart beating a little faster. She had a little time left, but I was next, and I wanted to make this moment count. Everything was well-planned, from the ceremony to the farewell speeches. I took a deep breath, enjoying the moment, as I prepared to bid farewell to the place that had been a big part of my life for so long.

As the principal's voice echoed through the hall, "And now, presenting... Eva Bapista!", my heart skipped a beat. I froze, my eyes fixed on the stage, as if savoring the moment. Then, with a beaming smile, I began my walk towards the dignitaries, my heels clicking out a rhythmic cadence on the polished floor. The audience's applause swelled, a deafening roar that seemed to reverberate through every cell in my body.

I reached the stage, and with a warm handshake, I received my certificate, the symbol of my hard-won achievement. The cap and band were placed upon my head, a crowning glory. The crowd erupted in applause, whistling and cheering. I smiled, basking in the glory of this moment, as my ears rang with the thunderous ovation.

I stood there, stunned, my eyes welling up with tears. The dam broke, and a trail of tears streamed down my cheeks. Flashbulbs popped as they took my photo, but I was too busy scanning the crowd for the two faces I loved most.

Finally, I spotted them - Mom and Dad, beaming with pride, their faces aglow with happiness. They were clapping and cheering, surrounded by familiar faces. There was Zack Ziegler and Rachel Ziegler, Rue's parents, who had become like family to me. And I noticed something else - they were all wearing Reyjewels' logos, a reminder of their successful cooperative company.

As I returned to my seat, I felt a sense of relief and happiness wash over me. I glanced down at the certificate in my hand, the symbol of my hard work and dedication. I couldn't wait to show it to my family and friends, to share this moment with them.

The ceremony continued, but I was lost in my own little world, basking in the glow of my achievement. I looked over at Rue, who was grinning at me, her eyes shining with tears. I smiled back, feeling a deep connection to my friend, who had been with me every step of the way. We had done it, we had made it through, and nothing could ever take away this moment of triumph.