Beneath the Stars (UNDER REVISION)

34

"Congratulations!"

Si Abuelo ang nag-escort sa akin sa stage. I finally graduated! Natapos na rin lahat ng paghihirap ko...

"Tapos na rin! Shit! I can't believe it!" si Riva ngayon ay umiiyak na. Nag-group hug kaming apat. I will really miss them!

"Walang mawawala, ah? Promise me guys na we would still hang out like old times even if we already have other priorities in life!" si Vionne.

Napangiti ako. "Of course. I'm really thankful to the three of you for making my college life bearable."

I didn't graduate as a Cum Laude but I was still grateful because finally, I'm already a few steps closer to reaching my dream.

I suddenly felt a sharp pain inside my chest because of the thought.

"Inom? Let's celebrate!" pag-aaya ni Vionne.

"Nah. Awang-awa na ako sa atay ko, babe." si Riva iyon na natatawa. "Let's just have dinner! Mas okay pa iyon!"

"Alright!" pag-agree ni Dahlia. She turned to me. "Tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM, don't ditch us!" pagbabanta niya.

I chuckled. "Yup! Okay!"

Matapos ang aming munting pag-uusap ay bumalik na rin sila sa kanya-kanya nilang pamilya.

And I was standing there all alone... seeing them with their parents was like stabbing my heart.

Hindi ko naman kasi naramdaman 'yung pagmamahal ng isang ina at ama. Nakakainggit lang talaga. Maybe in another life, I guess? I hope my other self would have amazing parents.

How I wish I had in this life...

Suddenly, I felt a tap on my shoulder.

I looked and immediately smiled when I saw who it was. Leandro. Pogi na pogi siya sa kaniyang suot na puting button down dress shirt at slacks. Nakasablay lang din sa kaniyang balikat ang kaniyang coat.

I hugged him and it felt so comforting. "I did it..." I whispered.

"I'm so proud of you, baby." Hinagod niya ang aking likuran. "You did well,"

Those words were already enough to make me feel loved. Kumawala ako sa yakap at tinignan siya sa mga mata. He suddenly gave me a gorgeous bouquet of pink tulips. I smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you!" sabi ko't inamoy 'yung flowers. He just smiled at me.

Lumapit naman ang grandparents ko sa amin at kaagad akong niyakap ni Abuela. "Congratulations, apo!" sabay nilang sabi dalawa.

"Thank you po," I gave them my sweetest smile.

Sa hindi kalayuan ay nakita ko naman si Graciella at Gaudiella na papalapit na sa amin ngayon. Kasama rin pala nila 'yong mga Castuarez!

Napalingon ako kay Leandro at ngumisi lang siya.

"I'm so proud of you, cousinkins!" si Graciella.

"Congratulations," bati sa akin ni Gaudiella.

Isa-isa ko naman silang niyakap at nagpasalamat. Nandoon silang lahat ang parents at mga kapatid din ni Leandro.

"Congrats, anak!" si Mrs. Castuarez iyon. Binati rin nila ako isa-isa at nagpasalamat naman ako.

It felt nice... ang marinig 'yong salitang anak.

Dala-dala ko ngayon 'yung bouquet na ibinigay sa akin ni Leandro, grandparents ko, nina Graciella, at pati na rin 'yung bouquet na ibinigay sa akin ng parents ni Leandro. Luckily, Gaudiella helped me with those para hindi ako mahirapan.