Against All Odds | ✓

Chapter 25

Chapter 25.
 

 
Time flies like a whirlwind. Hindi mo na ito mapipigilan kapag nandiyan na talaga. You won't notice it when you're happy. Like right now. I'm already preparing for our graduation.
 
Jaziel's makes my grade 12 easier for me. We have a review session every time there's an examination. We also study together during our free time. Date naman kapag weekends. But before our term ended, ay nag-lie low siya dahil talagang sobrang busy nila. Tho, I'm busy, rin, pero naha-handle ko.
 
Siya rin kasi ang madalas na leader kaya nakaasa sa kaniya ang mga classmate niya. So, ayun buti na lang ngayon ay graduation na rin sa wakas!
 
I also took an entrance exam for Justice Reyes University. Samantalang si Jaziel ay rito sa La Union. Wala pang mga results at aabangan na lang namin.
 
Hinanap kaagad ng mga mata ko si Jaziel. Sa stage kami uupo mamaya. From rank 1–5, pero dapat sa pila pa lang ay magkakasama na kami, but he isn't here.
 
"Si Jaziel?" tanong ni Sir Vladi.
 
"Hindi ko pa po alam, eh. Hindi pa nagre-reply, sir," I told him.
 
"Sige. Tawagan ko na lang."
 
I texted Jaziel.
 
To: my baby
Where are you, Jaziel?
The graduation is about to start.
Do you have a plan to attend?
Baka naman tulog ka pa, ha
 
Sir Vladi approached me and said, "Proceed na kayo, Chim."
 
"Pero sir, wala pa po si Jaziel," sagot ko.
 
"Siya na lang ang kausapin mo mamaya. He can't attend."
 
My eyes are getting blurred. "Why po? "
 
"I don't want to explain. It's a private matter. "Proceed na, anak."
 
Naglakad ako sa gitna ng carpet at pinigilang tumulo ang mga luha ko. Papangit ako sa picture ko at hindi iyon ang goal ko. Hindi ko kasama sina mama sa pag-martsa dahil kasama ako sa rank 5. Pero mamaya ay papayagan na dalawa ang aaakyat sa stage.
 
I gained the salutatorian title. Jaziel got the valedictorian title.
 
I'm happy because we're both on the top rank, but ngayon ay hindi na dahil wala siya. Nag-aalala ako na baka kung ano na ang nangyari sa kaniya. But I hope everything's fine.
 
Natapos na lang ang ceremony ay wala akong nakitang Jaziel sa loob ng venue. Ako ang nagbasa ng speech ni Jaziel dahil mayroon silang kopya nito.
 
"Good evening, distinguished guests, esteemed faculty, proud parents, and fellow graduates. Today, I stand before you as a representative of Jaziel Flores." Tiningnan ko iyong papel at nagsimula nang magbasa.
 
As we finish this school year and move on from this school, we take with us the things we've learned, the friends we've made, and the knowledge we've gained. We've spent a lot of time getting good at our skills, getting ready for tests, and learning things that aren't just in our books.

Life can be tricky, throwing unexpected problems at us that we need to be ready for, able to adapt to, and stay strong through. It teaches us how important it is to be flexible when things don't go as planned and to stay tough when things get tough. These lessons help us grow, do well, and thrive even when life is unpredictable.

When things get tough, it's important to remember that we're not alone. Along the way, there have been teachers, family, and friends who have supported us, guided us, and cheered us on. They've believed in us, made sacrifices for us, and shared their wisdom with us, helping us become who we are today. Let's take a moment to thank them from the bottom of our hearts because without them, our journey could have been harder, our successes less sweet, and our progress slower.

As we move into the world outside of these school walls, let's bring not just the things we've learned in class but also a sense of gratitude and readiness to face whatever challenges come our way. Let's be ready for anything, open to change, and remember the important lessons we've learned, not just in school but also from the people who've helped us along the journey.
 
Congratulations, my fellow graduates! May we continue to be ready for every challenge life throws our way, and may we never forget to be grateful for those whose support has made our journey brighter and our successes sweeter. Thank you.
 
I stopped for awhile. I noticed the last sentence in the speech. 'Thank you so much, Chim, for coming into my life. I love you so much.'
 
Hindi ko na binasa iyon, pero ramdam na ramdam ko ang pagmamahal niya.
 
I looked at the audience and smiled at them. I gave a small bow. I saw them clapping and throwing their caps in the air. I smiled more because we're already here. At the end of our high school lives.
 
At the end of this high school, I'm with someone.
 
After the rites, we just ate in the restaurant. Nagpaalam ako kina mama na pupunta ako kina Jaziel at pumayag naman sila. Basta raw umuwi ako bago maggabi.
 
Pagdating ko sa bahay nila ay walang katao-tao, kaya naghintay ako nang matagal. Inabot ako ng alas-quatro hanggang sa bumagsak na ang malakas na ulan. I waited, kahit dalawang oras na akong naghihintay.
 
Basang-basa na ako, pero hindi ko pinansin iyon. I need to talk to him. Masama ang kutob ko ngayon. I feel that there's something wrong.
 
Naramdaman kong hindi na pumapatak ang ulan sa katawan ko. I looked up and saw Jaziel holding an umbrella.
 
"J-Jaziel," I cried out his name. "Saan ka g-galing? B-bakit ngayon ka lang?"
 
Tumayo ako para yakapin siya. I don't care kung nababasa na rin siya. I didn't feel his touch. Bahagya akong lumayo sa kaniya at tiningnan siya.
 
He's just looking at me seriously. I can't see any emotions in his eyes; he's just a cold one right now. I don't see Jaziel as someone I love.
 
"Chim..." He looked down for awhile. "I'm breaking up with you."
 
I feel numb with his words. Para akong paulit-ulit na sinaksak ngayon. Parang bigla akong kinuhaan ng sigla sa katawan ko. I felt everything go colorless.
 
"N-nagbibiro ka ba?" I asked.
 
He shook his head. "No... I'm serious. Let's end this relationship."
 
Nagsimula nang tumulo ang mga luha ko. Halos hindi ko na siya makita dahil nanlalabo na ang mga mata ko.
 
"P–pero b–bakit? Okay, naman tayo, ah. We're good. Bakit biglaan? B-bakit ganito, Jaziel? Why?" I bit my lower lip. I was about to hold his hand, but he refused.
 
"We're not, Chim. I'm tired of pretending that I love you. I used you to get the valedictorian title. I used you for everything. I used you to make me famous. I used you  to—"
 
"Stop!" sigaw ko at tinakpan ko ang mga tainga ko. "Hindi totoo, 'yang sinasabi mo. You're just kidding. Stop pranking me, Jaziel," paulit-ulit kong sambit habang umiiyak. "Bawiin mo lahat, Jaziel. B-bawiin mo," Nanghihina kong sabi.
 
I looked at him. Naiinis ako sa mukha niyang walang emosyon. Hindi ko maintindihan bakit ganito ang nangyari bigla? Bakit ganito? Bakit?! Ayos kami. Maayos...
 
"Tanggapin na lang natin na hanggang dito lang 'to. Walang seryosong relasyon na naganap, Chim," walang emosyon niyang sabi.
 
"Put*ngina, Jaziel! Isang taon mahigit, walang seryoso? Saan ako nagkulang? Ang galing mo namang magpanggap!"
 
Hinampas ko ang kaniyang dibdib nang paulit-ulit. "Ang gag* mo! Ang gag*... Ang gag* mo!"
 
Nabitawan niya ang payong. Parehas na kaming basang-basa ng ulan.
 
"Sorry, Chim. Sorry," paulit-ulit niyang sambit.
 
Nakikita ko nang umiiyak na rin siya. Dahan-dahan siyang lumapit sa akin at niyakap ako para pigilan ang paghampas ko sa kaniya.
 
"But this will be good for us," he whispered. "I feel guilty everytime I'm pretending." He caressed my hair. "I don't want to hurt you anymore."
 
"P-pero n-nasaktan mo na ako, Jaziel, e. Sinasaktan mo ako ngayon. S–sabi mo... Mahal mo ako. Pero bakit ganito? Akala ko ba may p-plano tayo sa hinaharap. Bakit iniiwan mo na ako? Bakit nagsinungaling ka sa akin? Bakit p-peke ang lahat?"
 
Hinarap niya ako. "I'm really sorry."
 
"I hate you, Jaziel. I hated you since the first day. I hate you for being kind to me and for pretending that you love me. I hate you for everything, Jaziel. I hate you so much."
 
Napayuko siya. "I'm really sorry." He looked at me. "But thank you for making me happy in the meantime."
 
"Tama na, Jaziel. Tama na, please?" I wiped my tears. Hindi rin naman siya matutuyo dahil sa basa ng ulan. "Uuwi na ako."
 
Tatalikuran ko na sana siya nang hawakan niya ang palapulsuhan ko. "Please take care of yourself and be happy, Chim."
 
Binawi ko kaagad ang kamay ko. "I hope I don't see your face anymore. You broke me into pieces, and I don't want to have communication with you. Thank you," I smiled fakely. "Thank you for f*cking one year. Your one year of pretending. Sana masaya ka."
 
I turned my back on him and didn't look back anymore.
 
Wayne Jaziel Flores, I keep in mind that he hurt me. That he destroys my small, happy world.
 
 
 
 
 
 

______________________________________________
__________________________