Forbidden Relationship (Forbidden Series #3) (Completed)

Chapter 33

I close the conversation about Claudine. People are being talked about badly, and they have no idea they’re being discussed.

There is a graduation practice once. The graduation day for the whole strand isn't held at the same time, but HUMSS and STEM graduate together.

The gymnasium is crowded. To the left and right are people laughing, relieved that everyone's suffering is finally over.

Some have their parents with them, but others don't. That's the saddest part about graduating—when no parents come to attend.

Even if their child isn't receiving an award, they should still be there, because graduating is already an achievement. But maybe they're busy, so they don't come.

"Malapit na raw sina Mommy." Napabaling ako ng atensyon kay Ate Grapes na nagsalita. Nakatingin siya sa kaniyang cellphone at nakakunot ang noo. Maya maya ay bigla siyang ngumiti. Hmm?

"Does Mommy know about you and Kuya Zade?" I asked. Kuya Zade's parents have accepted them, but I'm not sure about our parents.

"Papayag sila. Baka nga padaliin pa ang pagpapakasal," confident niyang sinabi.

Sabagay, gustong-gusto naman nilang maidugtong na ang apelyido ni Kuya Zade sa akin. Pwede na 'yan kahit si Ate Grapes na ang sumalo.

After a few minutes, the event starts. I look at my phone when it rang while they were calling the first section of the STEM strand.

Ate Grapes
Nandito na si Mom. Siya na raw aakyat kasama mo.

I clap loudly when Yhael is called. He doesn't receive many awards, but he is With Highest Honors in their class—just like me. For me, that's a couple goal.

I stand up with my classmates when the last section of STEM is called. The event coordinator makes us line up so we can be called to the stage continuously.

I glance at the parents' section. Mommy stands proudly. She doesn't care about the eyes watching her. There's a line of parents, but she doesn't bother lining up.

I just sigh. She wouldn't be my Mommy if she didn't have that attitude.

"I expected you to speak later on the stage as the highest honor of your strand," she says.

I really am. Mommy turns to the front and points to a man sitting in the middle of the crowd. "Nathaniel Cuomo. That's his name, right?" she asks.

I don't know. I wasn't paying attention earlier.

"He's the highest honor of STEM. The pride of their strand—just like you."

I turn to Mommy, confused about what she's trying to say. "What are you trying to tell me, Mommy?" For her, Kuya Zade and I are engaged, but now it seems like she wants to push me toward someone else.

She turns to me seriously. "Don't pretend, my daughter. Grapes told me earlier that Zade wants to marry her, not you."

Wait… if she already knows, why isn't she acting aggressive? Why does she seem so calm about it?

Well, Ate Grapes is also her daughter, after all.

"If you can't marry Zade, who is smart and rich, why not try Nimuel Cuomo?" she asks with a smile.

My jaw drops. She turns back to the man. "He looks rich and he's proven to be smart. You two would get along well—you both love studying, right?"

I want to shake my head. The way she speaks about him, it's like she already knows him.

"It's a shame because he was supposed to give a speech later, but he refused. It's nice, though, that right after he steps off stage, you'll go up to speak next." Is Mommy for real?! What kind of thinking is that?