When Playboy Falls (#Wattys2017)

Chapter 29.A: Irredeemable

Chapter 29.A: Irredeemable

"The Graduation Ceremony is about to start in five minutes. Please stay still in your designated places, students and parents. Thank you." the Emcee announced and that made the students to placid. It seems like there's an Angel passed to all of us.

"Jezzy" Christine poked me from my side since she's just beside me.

"Bakit?" I asked her. Magsisimula na kasi tapos ngayon pa sya mangungulit.

"Sungit!" she said but I just ignored her. Bahala sya dyan. Ewan ko ba pero na-ba-bad trip talaga ako ngayong araw na ito kaya kahit si Christine ay nasusungitan ko na.

When I looked at Christine, she's already busy chatting with the handsome guy beside her. Iba na naman ito sa kausap nya kahapon? Sino na naman ba 'yong gwapong kausap nya? 'Yong totoo? Saan galing 'yong gwapo?

Hinayaan ko na lang sya. Tinuon ko ang pansin ko sa mga taong nasa harap. Unang tingin pa lang, alam mo na agad na hindi sila basta-basta. They are our guest, some of them are Alumni of the Monte Academy while the others are one of the stakeholders.

Nagsimula na ang Graduation. And as usual, it take almost five hours. At dahil kami ang Star Section, kami rin ang pinakahuling tinawag. Nakakainis lang na bandang huli pa matatawag ang pangalan ko.

"Santar, Jezreel Ross C. Class Valedictorian." I heard loud applauses and that made me smile. I don't know but it felt so good upon hearing them cheered for me. I look at Christine and she's smiling so wide while putting her both hands to the air and shouting the words, "best friend ko 'yan".

I smiled at her and mouthed the words, "thank you". Slowly, I went to the stage. Crying, I accepted the Diploma and the medals. I know that I'm happy but deep within me, there's a hollow feeling. I felt crestfallen. I look around again, and I saw Nate cheering for me too, he's with Les, Josh and France. I cried harder. How I wish my mama is here. I know that she will be so proud of me. Mama, asan ka ba po ba, I miss you so bad.

A minute later, someone gave me a bottle of water, it's Tita Ruth, Dave's Aunt. I accepted it and after that I returned to the audiences. I then begin my speech.

..

"Jezzy, ang galing mo kanina. Ang ganda-ganda ng speech mo. Sayang at wala si Tita Rosa ngayon dito sa Pilipinas." Christine hugged me after. And yes, up to now ay hindi ko pa rin sinasabi ang totoong nangyari kay Mama, as what stated before, we kept closemouthed.

"Salamat Ten. I'm sorry kung nasusungitan kita kanina ha." I replied while hugging her back.

"Ano ka ba? Wala 'yon!" para kaming Ewan na nagtatawanan habang umiiyak.

"College na tayo Jez."

"Oo nga eh" College na nga kami sa susunod na pasukan at masaya ako dahil Hindi na ako ma-mo-mroblema sa pag-aaral ko. Maraming institution at private group ang nag-offer sa'kin ng scholarship. Hindi ko na nga alam kung ano ang pipiliin ko sa mga 'yon eh.

"Congratulations Ross. I'm so proud of you." someone said from my behind, that someone covered my eyes.

"Nate?" I asked, guessing.

"Hahaha, yeah. How did you know?"

"Did I know what?"

"that.. I needed someone like you in my life." I heard Christine cough. I was taken aback from what he said. I'm speechless for about ten seconds and then I heard him laugh. That's when I realized that he was just joking. Na-realized ko rin na lyrics pala 'yon ng kanta.

"Any corny mo." I said to him while rolling my eyes. He's now standing at our front. Naka-upo kasi kami ni Christine sa isa sa mga benches na naroroon sa likod ng building E.