Antecedent

#14: COMMENCEMENT

Hi,shi! You won...i am updating....

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He can't help but stare at her. Time has done her so well. She doesn't show any signs of the years that passed. Bamboo wishes she could be having the same thoughts about him...that, she too finds him still looking young after two years.

They sat across each other in one of the picnic tables situated in front of the university which became Sarah's refuge for the past two years. Yes, she left the Philippines two years ago and pursued her studies at Princeton University in New Jersey.

"So, how are Ysa and Lucio?" Sarah broke the silence. This is the first time in two years that she and Bamboo have seen each other. 

"Well, they miss you. When Ysa learned that I'm going to see you, insisted on coming. But of course, she still has school." Bamboo told Sarah.

"I miss them,too." Sarah simply stated.

"Then, why,in two years, have you not even given them a call?" Bamboo, this time could no longer hide the pain.

"I guess, i bear grudges...after all, their FATHER, sent me away..." Sarah pointed out so casually.

"Sarah...i didn't send you away..." Bamboo responded so calmly yet so lovingly...

"Hey, I was just kidding!" Sarah was now smiling as she tried changing the mood.

"The tuth is...you were right about everything, Bamboo. I guess, wisdom does come with age." Sarah chuckled as she continued.

Bamboo...Bamboo felt a tug of pain in his heart. Sarah ceased calling him Bamboo when they started being together...saying it was too generic. She would then call him B,as her endearment.

"I would have not found this bliss inside of me if I didn't come here. More than the education I gained, I've come to reacquaint with myself...what I TRULY want and how far am I willing to go to achieve the things that will make me completely happy. So thank you...for sending me away...for pushing me to go. I owe you big time." Sarah related with an obvious joy in her heart.

Bamboo was about to say something when a tall good- looking long-haired man called out Sarah's name and approached their table. 

"You must be Bamboo. Jerry." he introduced himself to Bamboo and offered his hand for a handshake.

"Sarah told me a lot about you. Your love story was just one for the books. It was something that when people read about, in my case, heard about...would pause for a moment then say, "That was insane...but intense..."  and I am honored to have met the man who has taught Sarah that kind of love." Jerry in all sincerity told Bamboo.

Bamboo smiled,but, only for a moment as Jerry continued.

"Because, i think that made her love me the way she loves me...so i am truly grateful..."

Bamboo's smile vanished,looked at Sarah as if asking her for an explanation. Jerry's phone rang and excused himself.

"It's my dad. They're here for our graduation and to meet Sarah as well. I need to get this and to also give you time to say your proper good byes. We'll be meeting them for dinner." Jerry stood up and took the call.

"What was that all about?" Bamboo asked Sarah.

"When you didn't call me nor visit me in those two years..." Sarah began,but Bamboo interrupted him.

"Because you didn't want me to. Remember the note you left me?Everytime i would dial your number because I've been wanting to at least hear your voice, I would remember what you've written."Bamboo got his wallet and showed her the note...she read it silently...

        Don't see me nor call me...or I WILL HATE YOU FOREVER

"I know you when you're mad...and you were too mad at me. Accusing me of so many things and I can't risk you hating me forever. So I waited...each day becoming more difficult,but I held on. I told myself, we can endure this." Bamboo told Sarah.

"Yes, I hated you so much....even after a year of being here,I was still hating you for wanting me to leave you...for suggesting that it would be best for me...for listening to my parents, for taking their side...but meeting Jerry changed all that. He was also a celebrity in Asia. Just like me, he came here not knowing what it meant to be here. We were lost souls in this big city,but we managed to survive because we decided to stay together...to face the uncertainties, side by side. It was tough,but, no one wanted to let go..." Sarah related.

"I told myself if we can endure two years of being apart plus those times that we said good byes too many times...are we really, deeply and truly inlove with each other?"

"Fate has been stalking us...and it has been playing tricks on us...and when you allowed two years between us...you have just finally given in to what FATE has been wanting for us...to NOT be together...and finally, I saw things more clearly now."

"All set?" Jerry asked as he sat next to Sarah.

"Yes. I don't want to keep your family waiting." Sarah said.

"We need to go. Send my love to Ysa,Lucio and Kuya Pancho as well." Sarah took her bag and stood up. Bamboo did not.

"When are you coming home? After your graduation ceremony?" Bamboo asked.

"No. Jerry and I signed up for this team to Africa doing missionary work. I've always wanted to go to Africa. Finally, I will, but this time due to a nobler cause. Then, we'll take it from there. We could stay there and continue helping or maybe even teach. We'll figure it out...together." Sarah said.

Sarah and Jerry started walking away from Bamboo.

Then, Jerry worriedly asked, "Will he be Ok? I mean he's new here and.."

"He was borne and raised here. He's more AMERICAN than the two of us combined. Don't worry, I'm sure, he'll find his way." Sarah reassured Jerry.

"So is this how you want your story to end?" Jerry asked her.

"It never really mattered how I WANT this to end...it was always how it's supposed to."

"Are you OK?" He asked her again.

"I am...FINALLY...I am FREE." Sarah said.

She looked back...and saw him still sitting on that bench...and in the silence of her heart, she said...

Good bye,B.