Game Plan (COMPLETE)

13

"Arriane Yleina U. Viste."

Wearing my black toga, graduation cap, school uniform underneath, black shoes, and jewelry that each has a special meaning to me, I walked to the stage when my name was called.

I shook hands with the school's president and coordinators before I finally got a hold of my diploma. I faced the people in front. I looked at the camera and smiled at the photographer.

After a few minutes, I went up the stage again. It was to receive the awards that I have gathered all throughout the school year. '

Dad was beside me and I laughed at his face. "Dad, may tissue ako sa bulsa. It looks like you need some."

He pulled out a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the tear that just fell from his eye. "Huwag na, 'nak... Ikaw kasi eh!"

Ace, who was in front of us, gave us a look. "Hala... Tito, may tissue po ako. Okay lang po ba kayo?"

I laughed even more. A few seconds passed by, Ace was called to the stage. Once all her awards were announced, it was my turn again.

"I'm proud of you, anak," Dad said as he placed the medals around my neck.

This feeling—my dad proudly putting the medals on me—was nothing like winning a medal after a championship, nor was it the same as being congratulated for placing in a competition.

This was a different kind of fulfillment altogether.

But will he still be proud once I tell him his daughter actually failed?

Ang tagal bago natapos ang pag-announce ng mga award ko. Ang tagal tuloy naming nakatayo ni dad sa stage. When it was over, cheers and applause could be heard. Pero nangingibabaw ang boses ng iba mula sa likod.

It was Mae, Kathleen, Marcus, and other friends from UPLB. Just beside them were my close friends from Agila. We made a promise that we would go to each of our graduations, and it's evident that they fulfilled it.

Kung kanina lang ay inaasar ko si Dad for being teary-eyed, ngayon ay pati ako ay halos maluha na rin. But still, we managed to face the cameras with wide smiles.

Good thing I can still smile, I thought bitterly.

Pagkaupo ko, hindi ko mapigilang tumingin ulit sa likod. I even squinted, scanning the crowd.

Mae. Max. Kathleen. Marcus. Yago. Dea...

I counted them one by one, almost hoping I'd missed someone the first time.

But no.

He's not even here.

And no matter how wide I smiled in the pictures, a part of me just quietly folded inward, like something small inside me had snapped—but no one else could hear it.

We're not yet allowed to go far from our designated seats, so once the ceremony ended, Ace and I immediately went to our Agila teammates. We took some quick pictures because we were in a rush—we had to return the toga and cap.

Right after that, I went to find my UPLB friends.

"Congratulations!" Mae and Kathleen hovered over me, giving me a tight hug. The others weren't there yet, and that was fine with me.

"Say 'hi', Arrie!" Marcus was holding his phone, taking a video. I gave him a small smile, said hi, and waved at the camera.

"Picture tayo!" Yaya ni Kathleen.

The boys were about to join in, but Mae blocked them. "Hep! Kami munang magaganda, mamaya kayong mga tanga."

Max pointed at Mae, fake-annoyed. "Ito talagang babaeng ito, sarap mo tirisin!"