Bittersweet Romance

KABANATA 11

ONE WEEK LATER

I woke up from my bed when I heard a voice. It was my mother and father waking me up. I sat on the bed and screamed It's graduation day! Congrats to our princess! my parents greeted. You better move now young lady or you'll be late. Remember you'll do the graduation speech. Okay, Dad, I said and looked at my mom. Mom, what's breakfast? I asked. Your favorite dear,  Bacon-egg-cheese toast with butter. my mom replied. O to the M to the G!! Thanks, Mom. After I ate my stylist and make-up artist helped me to get ready for the graduation this afternoon. I've already arranged my gifts for my classmates and friends and of course KJ.

I've already told my family that I got a scholarship from a top school abroad and I accepted it. They were shocked when I told them especially that my initial plan was to study either at UST or DLSU. Well, change of plans. I'm going to the USA!! I'm so excited! Well, the sad thing is, I'm gonna be far from my parents. For my whole life, I've never left their side. I even thought they wouldn't allow me since I'm an only child. Well, just like what they always say, If you think it's good and will make your future good and better, go for it. Since it was almost time, My family and I went to the venue for the graduation. It was in PICC. well, the school is rich so I guess it is possible. As I stepped inside, I immediately looked for KJ. Where could he be?

Oh hey AC! Someone called my name so I looked back. OMG! you're back! I've been looking for you! You're the next one to graduate! I laughed. Why are you here by the way? I asked. My cousin just graduated as well. He's the only one that I know as my family aside from mommyla. She replied. Really? you have a cousin here. Why did you never tell me before? I asked. Well, you didn't ask hmp! she said. Want me to introduce him to you?  She asked. Why not, after graduation proper? I said. Sure, she said. Oh wait, I can't actually, I'll just tell you his name okay? She whispered his name. I was shock. Really? Yah. She said. Got to go. Bye, AC. She said.

KJ. I said.

Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated as the program will begin now. The MC said. Welcome to the Graduation of the batch 2024 Soaring Jaguars. Can I hear from the Batch say Soar High? The MC said. We all shouted, "SOAR HIGH!". After that, our director made a speech about life after college. A phrase that I cannot forget from our director's speech was, "Learning won't stop, you thought after college you would stop learning? Well, you're wrong because you will just start learning.". After that speech, the head of the Accounting department made a speech. It was mostly about experience or what to expect after college. After that, it was my turn to make a speech. I walked up to the stage and reached the mic.

[SPEECH]
Good afternoon to my fellow graduates, Before I start my speech, I want you all to say to yourself "You did it". 4 years of studies, 4 years of torture, 4 years of tears because of Exams and Projects, and look, here we are wearing our graduation toga. It was a tough 4 years of study especially hello! One of the hardest courses pala tayo! I laughed. In all my life, I'd never imagined that I would be here studying Accounting, and when I was studying, I'd never imagined finishing it. I almost went to the point that I wanted to shift courses. Well, life is indeed unexpected. I was known for being a girl who is masungit and rich daw pero sa totoo gumagala kung saan-saan, makikita niyo lang ako kumakain ng kwek-kwek, isaw, at fishball. oh tignan niyo nagtatagalog na ako bigla hays. Kaya pag tinatanong ng mga magulang ko, bakit naubos yun pera mo? 500 yun ah per day. Ma, pa dahil I treated yun group namin. yun pala fishball, kikiam boom! diabetis. ok skip. Graduate na ba kayo sakanya? sinong Oo, taas kamay naman! uy si Amy graduate na daw. Ok ok, Hindi pa din talaga nagtatapos ang laban natin. Oo, nakatoga na tayo dahil pagkatapos natin magtapos na mag-aral. Handa na tayo humarap sa problema at buhay ng realidad. Shout-out po sa mga hinandle ni Ma'am Amethyst grabe nakailang discipline ang klase namin noon dahil late kami lahat. I want to give appreciation to the school, teachers, and parents who supported us to reach closer to our dreams. I want to end this speech by leaving a motto by Senator Orrin Hatch. "Graduation is not the end, It's the beginning.". Thank you everyone. Musiccc! I said. After that students went to their parents and gave them a flower and hugs and kisses. The song was "Slipping Through My Fingers" by ABBA.

Sometimes I wish that I could freeze the picture
And save it from the funny tricks of time
Slipping through my fingers
Slipping through my fingers all the time
Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile

After the song, I cried and hugged my parents. I love you, Mom and Dad. I whispered. I was so sad because I was indeed leaving them to study abroad. I even convinced them to come with me, but they can't because of their business. After that, It was time for the awarding proper. I am a Summa Cumlaude. I can't believe it. My parents were smiling and in the crowd I saw KJ, smiling at me too. After I got my award, I ran to KJ and said, Congrats. Here's my gift to you, please open it when you go home already, I said and he nodded. Congrats to you as well, here's my gift, and I hope you like it. It was his old camera and a necklace. AC, he said. Hmm? I asked. The reason why I want to break up with you is, I am going abroad and I am going to arrange in a you know, he said. Oh, I forgot about this agreement, I laughed. AC, I'm sorry. I tried my best to stop them, they like you to be their in-laws, but they need it for business. He explained. It's okay. I understand. I said and smiled. If your future wife hurt you or what, you can always run back to me. I'll still welcome you in my arms even if it takes 20 or even 50 years from now. I said while trying not to cry. You are my first and greatest love, KJ. I cried. You will always be my greatest love, AC. I do hope in our next life, it could be us. He added. I love you, lifeline. I whispered. I love you too, my love. He whispered. We stayed like that for a while and broke our hug. Good luck, Attorney Kairo Jetreo Moliveros. I said. Likewise, Attorney Atasha Claire Beinova. He said.

Lastly,
Reason 3.
He's a type of person that when he loves you, he will do everything for you. He treats you like a queen. But I was just a free trial. Thank you, KJ. For those beautiful years.

AC POV:
Oh.. There's no more page. I guess this is the end. It's time to move on, and forget about you.

Just an Author's note.
The story is officially done, but if you want a happy ending, please read the special chapter. Thank you all for your support!

XOXO, Casslorà.