Something More

Chapter 022

"Audrey, ija, sigurado ka ba sa decision mo?" Mom asked me while we're eating our dinner. Nandito ang buong pamilya, My mom, my dad and my sister Erika. I told them kasi last week na kay Tita Elmer na lang ako makikitira muna, doon sa Paris and I'll study there na lang. You know? To forget about everything.. to forget about him.

"I'm very sure po. Don't worry, I'll be fine. At saka bibisita naman po ako tuwing Christmas or Summer. And we can communicate through Facebook or Skype."

"Eh wala ngang kaming ganyan," Dad said. "Hindi kami kasali sa new generation no."

Erika chuckled. "Account ko na lang po. Hm, ate, paano na si Kuya Xander?"
I stared at her. "Erika.. kaya nga ako aalis diba?" 

"Eh kasi naman no.. bagay kayo eh." she then sighed tapos sumubo ng baked mac.
I smiled at Mom. "Oo nga pala po, graduation na bukas and I'm the valedictorian."

"Talaga? Congatulations anak! As expected, ang talino mo talaga."

Nag-kwentuhan pa kami doon and after dinner pumunta na rin ako sa kwarto ko. I already packed my stuffs, kasi right after graduation ang flight ko bukas. Everything's arranged, and I'm really gonna miss everyone and my room. Kasi naman, since 5 years old pa lang ako dito na kami nakatira. This house is special for me, kasi dito sa bahay na ito, punong-puno ng memories. Good memories. And those memories, I shared those doon sa nakatira sa harapan namin dati. But he left.. and wala na. Wala na yung friendship, yung good memories.. everything. 

I stood up and went doon sa desk ko. I stared at it, and na-realized ko na matagal ko na palang hindi tinititigan 'to. Dati, araw-araw ko 'tong tinititigan, pero when everything messed up, nakalimutan ko na eh. In this photo, may dalawang batang nakangiti.. a little girl and a little boy. A little girl in a white, flowing dress holding a bouquet of flowers, and in her arms hooked the arms of a little boy her age, in a black suit and smiling widely. We were only seven here, nung kinasal yung tito ko. Ako kasi yung flower girl nun tapos siya yung ringbearer. Hay.. sana ganun na lang kami palagi. Masaya, walang iniisip.
Pero.. wala na eh. People change, time change but my heart.. doesn't change at all. Kahit na ilang beses na akong umiyak at nasaktan dahil kay Xander.. hindi pa rin siya nabubura sa puso ko.

"Tan, Audrey Michelle B." Nang tinawag ang pangalan ko, I went up to the stage and took a deep breath. I'll deliver a speech kasi nga valedictorian ako. Gee.

"A pleasant morning to the Headmaster Seguerra, to the loving teacher, to my fellow graduates and everyone who will be witnessing this commencement exercise for year 2010-2011.."

And it went on. Nung natapos na yung speech ko, everybody clapped and hindi ko napansin na it actually brought me to tears. You know.. this year has been a very tough one for me. Diba nga? Ahaha.
"Ang galing mo ah." Jared told me. I smiled at him naman. 

Tapos he handed me a box. Nagulat naman ako sa kanya, biglaan naman. "Oh, thanks. And sorry wala akong gift sa iyo."
He smiled. "Okay lang yun, basta Audrey.. can you promise me one thing?"

"Ano naman yun?" I asked.

"Kasi.. ano.." napakamot muna siya doon sa batok niya. Yun kasi yung gesture niya kapag nahihiya eh, you know? Hehehe. "Ano naman.. promise me you won't fall in love there sa Paris."

He raised his pinky, and I stared at him and smiled. "I promise," and I hook mine on his. Then suddenly, someone called my name. I turned, and was surprised sa nakita ko.

"Marielle.."

"Uhmm.. kasi.. Audrey.. ano, nabalitaan kong pupunta ka na ng Paris." she said. She's obviously awkward, halata eh. Pero I can see that she's sincere. Kasi naman.. her tears started to flow.

I nodded. "Yeah.. Mamaya-maya lang." 

"Audrey.. kasi.. I just wanna say sorry to you. Hindi ko naman alam na mahal mo pala si Xander, and Xander loves you back. I thought you betrayed me. I'm so sorry.. I miss you best friend.. pero okay lang kung hindi mo na ako patawarin."

"Marielle, can I hug you?" I asked her. Lumapit naman sa akin si Marielle and I hugged her tight. Namiss ko na talaga siya eh. At habang nagyayakapan kami, we were sobbing and crying like babies. Hehe. 

Tapos nun may picture picture time then I hugged na rin my family for the last time. Hinatid kasi nila ako dito sa airport, and dinala na rin yung mga gamit ko. I waved goodbye at them and had a last glance.

Goodbye to my family, to Jared, kay Marielle.. and to my memories of Xander.