Wild Series #1: 69

17

When the graduation came, kasam ko ang pamilya ni Lei. He wants him to be with me na aakyat sa stage but Tita as our parent, pinilit na siya nalang. Present din ako sa graduation ni Lei. I even give him bouquet pf flowers and a kiss, of course.

"Are you excited?" he asked while we are on our way there.

Tiningnan ko ang daan. Malapit na kami. "Oo naman..."

When we arrived at the venue, ang dami ng tao. Hindi nagtagal ay pinagmarch ns din kami. Todo alalay at asikaso sa akin si Tita habang nakapila kami.

When I was a child, I didn't get a chance na makasampa sa stage with my parent. Una, wala naman anong matinong magulang. Pangalawa, wala naman ako sa top.

Tiniis ko ang pangangawit ko sa upuan dahil pucha, graduation naman na. Tipong four years ka ng naghirap, pati sa graduation day, pasakit pa rin. Kahit na inip na inip, pinilit kong makinig sa mags-speech.

"Congratulations, anak." sabi ni Tita at masaya akong niyakap.

"Talagang naglagay ng laude after her name." sabi ni Kiara kaya natawa nalang ako.

"Magna pa ha," dagdag naman ni Chia.

Kira handed me a bouquet of flowers from their family. She even congratulate me. Kumplet ang Yu family dito, kahit ang mahiyain na si Katchy.

"Congratulations, baby." Leivi handed the flowers for me. He even kissed me on my forehead.

"Thanks, Lei."

After graduation, umwlis na rin kami kaagad sa venue. Magpupunta kami favorite restaurant ng family. Pagkapasok sa van, they handed me their gifts. Kaniya-kaniya sila ng paper bag. Nanlumo kaagad ako sa inabot na paper nag nina Tita, Tito at Lei. Paper nag pa lang, nakakakaba ang presyo. Mamaya ko nalang bubuksan ang lahat ng regalo nila.

Pagkadating sa restaurant, um-order kaagad ang bawat isa. They told me pa na 'wag ng pansinin pa ang presyo ng mga pagkain. Nang dumating lahat ng order namin, Kiara arrange the foods together with Chia to capture it. After capturing the foods, we ask a waiter to take a picture of us as a family.

Nang magsimula ng kumain ang family, hindi ko pa rin ginagalaw ang utensils ko. I watch them eat with smiles on their lips. I don't know why they are this sweet and genuine for me. I'm not really their family... I am part of the Yus but they treat me like I'm really belong. Posible pala iyon? 'Yung kung sino pa 'yung hindi mo naman kadugo, ayon pa 'yung tuturing sa iyo na pamilya.

"What's the problem, baby?" Hinarap ako bigla ni Lei. May luha na pala sa pisngi ko.

I gave him a smile. "I'm just so happy."

Tumingin na tuloy sa akin ang mga kasama pa namin sa table. Kaagad na nag-abot ng tissue si Chia habang ang tarantadong si Kiara ay nagawa pa among video-han.

"Bwisit ka, Kiara." umiiyak na usal ko.

Siniko siya ni Katchy. "Ang sakit ha!"

"Let your Ate Elly tell why she's crying." Seryosong sabi ni Tito.

Tumikhim si Lei. "She's too happy."

"Hindi ko man po madalas na masabi pero sobranv thank you po. You guys made me so happy each day." umiiyak na usal ko. "Mom, Dad, thank you po... Um-absent pa po kayo sa trabaho to be here. To be with me in the stage, in this special day for me."

"I tol you, you're our daughter na, anak." Shocks... "We're your family and we must go with you in your very special day."

"You did well, hija. Magna cum laude isn't easy. Graduating from college is enough but you chose to do your very best and have laude after your name." Tito added.