For Years, I Love You

Chapter 30

Chapter 30

End

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It was hard to move on from something that never happened. Ang hirap kalimutan ng mga taong naging parte na ng buhay mo. Ang hirap makabangon sa hukay na hindi naman ikaw ang gumawa. It was hard to wake up, knowing you lost something— someone.

After that night with Jericho, I went home on my own. Hindi ko kayang harapin silang lahat, knowing that I'm still in pain. I never told Kian nor Gino what I felt when they hid the truth from me, but I'm sure they already know. Baka sinabi rin ni Jericho sa kanila.

Either way, I stopped caring. Hindi ko na sila inintindi pa. Tinigilan ko na ang kakaisip tungkol sa kanila. I even quit journalism despite already loving it.

Mas mahal ko kasi ang sarili ko. Mas pipiliin ko ang sarili ko.

"Congratulations, Tali! You won the election again! Landslide!" Rika hugged me. "What's your first project for your second year of being the student council president?"

"Ahm, maybe some tutor sessions with the honor students?" I answered, unsure. "Every one week before the examinations, the volunteered honor students will be tutoring struggling students. We'll reward the honor students with certificates and all. And if possible, money, too. It will depend on the fund,"

Rika nodded her head, looking proud of me. I chuckled because of her smug look. I looked around and went to the other officers who won the election with me. We congratulated each other before we went to the office for our first official monthly meeting.

I ran as the Supreme Student Government President again for 12th grade. I loved what I did back then. Napamahal na 'ko sa pagsisilbi sa mga estudyante. I won the election by landslide. I am proud of that because I worked for it. Students trust me, too.

Aside from running for the SSG election, I also joined the art club. Joining art club helped me improve my drawing skills. Because of that, another series of mine got a book adaptation. I was even offered to have my work to be animated under my father's company. I was delighted to hear that.

For months, I edited my works before submitting it again to my father's company. When they approved of it, they made a schedule for a contract signing with me. Gusto na agad nilang maumpisahan ang animation.

I was carrying some documents while on my way to the office of SSG when I spotted someone. She was walking towards the registration, where I just came from. She stopped walking when our eyes met. Jia stood in front of me.

"Hi," she greeted, lovingly. "Nice to see you again, Tali,"

Upon seeing Jia in front of me, everything came back. Lahat nang pagsasama namin nina Kian, Gino, at Jericho hanggang sa pagtuklas ko sa katotohanang kausap na ulit siya ni Jericho. Looking at Jia, it looked like nothing happened at all.

"Hi," I tried my best to smile at her. "You're here. Sa Cohen Academy,"

Jia blinked. She nodded her head, slowly showing a smile.

"Ah, well, yes, I'm here," she awkwardly chuckled. "I'm scheduled to take an exam today, so... I'm here,"

"Exam?" I furrowed my eyebrows. "Dito ka mag-aaral sa college?"

"Yes," she nodded her head. "I planned on pursuing pre-law here at Cohen Academy,"

Pre-law. Matalino. Bagay sila ni Jericho.