Simula
Proud of Him
"Where are you na?" Tanong ni Sarah sa kabilang linya. "Dumadating na yung mga guest."
Sarah De Leon is one of my close friends in school and in our organization. She is looking for me now because we have an event today which is the main highlight of the federation especially after a decade, the school again produced a topnotcher in the licensure exam.
"I'm on my way. Is he there already?" I ask her while grabbing my things.
I'm waiting for this to happen because I can finally meet him again after a few months. I will have a chance again to see his cute eyes which disappear when he smiles. I'm sure I will be happy today even though I'm going to be tired from today's event because I will see him.
"Not yet. Bilisan mo na." Sabi nito sabay baba ng tawag.
Mabilis akong lumabas ng bahay at pumara ng tricycle para makapunta sa Louis kung saan dadausin ang Integritas Excellencia na siya mismo ang gumawa isang taong nakakaraan. He plotted this event to give recognition to the board passers in the licensure exam and achievements of the students during the federation year even to its former members and officers. Now, he is the one who will receive the recognition and the plaque he always wanted since planning and execution of the first event.
Pagdating ko sa event place, hindi magkanda-ugaga na ang lahat ng officer sa pag-aayos ng mga kailangan at pag-aasikaso sa mga guest today. Unti-unti na kasing dumadating yung mga students and mga invited teachers and admin. Mabuti na lang naka-assign ako sa pag-aasikaso ng mga plaque, medal and certificates na ipapamigay mamaya sa mga winners and recipients.
"Okay na ba lahat?" tanong ni Tahlia habang nag-aayos ako.
"Okay na but wala pa yung bouquet." Sabi ko habang patuloy akong nag-aayos sa table.
"Ay. Wala pa palang kumukuha." Sabi nito habang namomoblema. "Sino kaya pwede?"
"Ako na lang ang kukuha after ko dito." Sagot ko at ngitian siya.
I want to get the bouquet kasi para sa kanya yon. I remember when I gave him a bouquet on his graduation, he looked happy on receiving it even though it was just a fossilized rose bouquet. I still remember it in the back of my mind.
"Thank you so much, Xav. You're the best." Sabi nito sabay hug sa akin.
After ko sa ginagawa ko, umalis kagad ako sa venue para kunin yung bulaklak baka kasi dumating na siya at wala pa yung bouquet. He should received the bouquet kapag papasok siya as a welcome sa kanya. Kapag nauna siya, hindi ko alam kung paano ibibigay sa kanya. Bahala na mamaya. Ang mahalaga makuha na.
"Pabalik na ako." Sagot ko kila Tahlia dahil malapit na daw siya, sabi ng mga kaibigan niya. "Kalma muna kayo. Aabot ako."
Kinakaban na kasi sila na baka mauna pa siya kaysa sa bouquet. Idagdag pa yung pagtatanong daw ni Sir Joshua kung bakit daw wala pa, sana inayos daw muna yon. Nakakahiya daw at mas mauuna pa siya kaysa sa bulaklak na matatanggap niya. May point naman si Sir but pressured na kami tapos ganon pa. But luckily, nauna ako sa sasakyan niya.
So, when he stepped out of the car, I'm stunned by his looks where he smiled in his all white dress. He looks very happy in the way he accepts the welcome of Sir Joshua and other officers. I'm happy that he is happy in his life without me.
"Xav, yung bulaklak." Tawag sa akin ni Tahlia.
Dali-dali kong inabot yung bulaklak sa kanya at siya na ang nag-aabot. Hindi ko namalayan na napatulala ako sa kanya at nakalimutan na ang bulaklak na para sa kanya. He never forgets to amaze me in how he presents himself in public.
Nauna akong pumasok sa kanila dahil tinawag ako ni Sarah para sa other technical na need pang ayusin. Ilang saglit pumasok na din sila.
"We are acknowledging the present of the pride and honor of Thomas Aquinas College who brought home the six spots in the recently concluded licensure exam, Mr. Sullivan Hernandez." Sabi ni Mia sa pagpasok nito.
The clapping in the crowd is so loud that you can feel everyone is so proud of him, including me. I'm super proud of him for what he achieved in his life right now even without me and what happened between us. He achieved his dream to be the next top notcher in our school and have the title after his name. I'm really proud of him.
