Almost

CHAPTER II: He received the Letter

Present time

It sudden jerked me into reality when my name was called out from the stage. 

That was the first good memory of us, and it was unreasonable for me to admit that it was the day that I started falling for him, though it was just an act, and we did not really made the kiss-because that would be his forever nightmare -and he just saw his exboyfriend rounding outside the glass wall of the shop. He thought him to get jealous that's why he sudden grabbed me and made that scene looking like we're really having a kiss. But unfortunately, his ex-lover didn't waste a time to looked us then made himself gone away, out of sight. 

"Valdez, Leira D." announced by the emcee, "With High Honor, Best in Life Science Research, and also one of the officers of the Best School's Club"

When they stopped announcing it ay nasa stage na ako nakikipag-shakehand sa mga guro kasama si papa. Then I gracefully marched in front and smiled to the camera. 

Then tumingin ako sa kinauupuan niya. Akala ko ay tinitingnan niya na naman yung ex niya but to my surprised, he was staring at me. My heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Bakit niya na naman yan ginagawa

He was seating too far from here- ten rows of seats before him -but why do I still have the ability to see something in his eyes that I cannot even comprehend. He doesn't even smile.

Alam kong ginagawa niya rin yan saken dati noong may mga klase pa kami. Bigla bigla ko nga rin siyang nakikitang tumititig saken eh. Pero minsan binabalewala ko lang kasi palagi rin naman siyang nakatulala out of nowhere. Minsan pa nga nagiging delusional na ako kahit walang namang ibig sabihin yun sa parte niya. He would be disgusted if he knew that I imagined him flirting with me. 

"Graduates, please don't leave the venue yet. We will have the class pictorials here in the stage." The program host announced as the graduation rites ended. 

Chattering crowds can now be heard everywhere as other people joined in, here at the sitting rows , giving graduation gifts, taking pictures, friends hugging each other, and some are now even crying. I cannot help myself but to cringe out of the sight. 

I walked through the crowds as I help myself to find my family, but I suddenly came into halt when I bumped into someone. I looked up and saw...

"At saan ka pupunta aber?" Irish said habang hinaharangan ako na nakapameywang pa, kasama niya sina Ether, Irish, Jessa and Jay-ar.

"Hinahanap ko pamilya ko beh, mukhang inambush na at hindi na bumababa at hinayaan na lang ako rito" sabi ko habang tumitingala sa mga benches sa taas kung saan nakita ko sila mama kanina.

"Nakita ko sila tita kanina palabas na ng venue" singit naman ni Ether, "Tinanong ka rin nila sa akin kanina, pinasabi na lang nila na hintayin ka na lang raw sa labas"

"Ganon? Di man lang nila ako bibigyan ng flowers? Money garlands?" I insecurely said as I saw other graduates holding their flowers and some flexing their hanged one thousand bills around their neck.

Inakbayan naman ako ni Jessa, "Huwag kang mag-alala teh, hindi lang pamilya mo ang nakakaranas ng matinding kahirapan ngayon"

Pinakita niya saken ang garland niya na may tig bebente. Tumawa na lang ako, "Atleast ikaw meron"

"Duh, anu bibilhin ko dito? Shipping fee lang ito sa shopee teh" biro niya.

"Ano na, let's take pictures na, tayo na susunod sa pictorial oh" Jay-ar said na katabi lang ni Ether. They are the same by the way, I mean they are both in homosexual propaganda.