On That Same Year

Chapter 40

It was two weeks after Addi's burial and all of us are still adjusting and trying to live without her presence around in our lives.

Kuya Adrien stayed for a few days here as well as Ate Dianne and Kuya Franz pero kalaunan ay sabay umuwi na rin silang bumalik sa maynila para ipagpatuloy ang kani-kanilang trabaho at buhay doon.

At first, it was still so hard for us but as the days go by it feels like we're slowly accepting the fact that she's no longer with us and we are relearning life again without her.

As of now, hindi ko pa kayang dumaan sa classroom nila dahil alam kong maaalala at maaalala ko lang ulit siya kaya naman mas pinili kong huwag na muna.

Everyone also didn't bother to ask me something about what happened to Addi because they somehow knew to themselves that I was just too fragile to open that topic to anyone right now, they're just making a simple gesture towards me. Somehow, it also made me felt comforted as well as our teachers’ in other subjects.

If I'll buried my face in my desk and sleep, they will just leave me dozing off their classes. And, somehow I was thankful because I knew they understand what I feel at the moment especially for RK and Riza.

We're still not okay and we'll admit that. But, everyday we're also trying to live and restarting our lives when tomorrow hits.

We didn't often bring Addi in our conversation again but we knew to ourselves that we're lacking now and it will never be the same as before.

It's when the hell week times for us students’ now especially kasi graduating na kami at ang iba ay busy na sa pag w-work immersion nila, conducting research, doing the performance task of our subject entrepreneurship and formulating a better grade to pass and study for an entrance exam.

For the rest of the days, we kept ourselves busy and somehow it’s helpful for us to move on. There are times when Addi still crosses my mind but I'll just smiled at the sky while reminiscing our memories together when she was still alive and murmured I'll make her proud of me someday.

“Guys attention!” napabaling ang atensyon naming lahat sa teachers’ table ng magsalita si Safi, ang class president namin.

“Look, sabi ni Sir Aguilar kanina sa meeting namin kanina. May ambagan daw sa bagong toga ng school sa graduation natin.” simula niya.

“Magkano naman pres?” biglang tanong ng isang classmate namin.

“Pataposin mo muna ako.” medyo inis na tunong sambit ni Safi na ikinatawa naman ng iilang classmates namin.

“Hays ambagan na naman pero excited na akong grumaduate.” rinig kong sabi ni Riza sa gilid ko habang nakangiti, nag kibit balikat nalang ako.

“Ganito kasi, we are the first users of that toga so all we have to do is rent it for 250 each.” paliwanag ni Safi, I saw my other classmates nodded their head while the others are just listening attentively.

“The color of our new toga will be dark green and the rest of the details will be yellow, maganda siya so sa tingin ko worth it din naman ang pag r-rent natin. Besides, we're the first users so you guys have nothing to worry whether you'll catch a bad odor or what.” dagdag niya habang tumatawa pa.

“Lastly, the deadline will be . . . uh after our fourth quarter examination. I will collect it, puwede kayong mag advance.” nakangiting saad ni Safi, pupunta na sana siya sa upuan niya ng bumalik siya ulit sa harapan.

“And oh, I'll just be sending the picture of our toga sa group chat para alam n'yo yung magiging mukha ng toga natin.” aniya at umupo na.

I just deeply sighed when Addi came across my mind, maybe it would be nice if she was still here. I'm sure she'll be happy about the idea of graduating and attending the college together with me, for sure the toga will suit her too.