Closing Time: 11 PM

16. Going With The Flow

So forget the risk

And leave it all behind

We can fall in love

Or we can fall in lie

-Fall in Love/Lie, Inna

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Chad was running back and forth inside the house. He has at least ten people helping him fix the set up and prepare the table. He brought and bought all that's needed and they were all rushing to get the work done. They only have two hours.

"Kuya, okay na po ba ito dito?" Karline asked him. She was referring to one of the stuff toys. Chad nodded in agreement. He further attended to some other details and thirty minutes before their deadline, they were finished and the expected number of people were already in.

It was vacation time and even if the students are already off from school, the teachers would have to be available for clearance and last minute farewells and thank yous. Kara went to school that day to have a meeting with the principal. Chad planned of surprising her with some little party with her students on her place before they finally separate ways.

He bought a lot of food for everyone and some of her students also shared in bringing snacks for that afternoon. Since she was the class' adviser, Chad knew how attached she is to her students and every graduation is a painful event for her. They did not have the chance to celebrate after the ceremony and he knew she would be very happy to gather them one last time.

"Kuya, boyfriend ka po ba ni Ma'am Kara?" one of her gay students asked.

He laughed. "No. We're good friends."

"Ah, akala namin kasi baka boyfriend ka ni Ma'am Kara kaya gusto mo sya isurprise," he answered back.

He was about to make a comment when he heard his phone ring. May lookout sila sa labas na tatawag sa kanya once Kara is around. He immediately went out of the house and pretended he does not know anything when Bea and Kara came walking. Bea is an accomplice. She was the one who got the house keys from Kara.

"O, bakit andito ka? Hindi mo naman sinabi sa akin na dadaan ka pala," she greeted him.

"I'm fine. I didn't wait anyway," he told her. "How's school?"

"Ayun... Ayos naman," she smiled. "I would still teach the same subject by next school year and same level."

"Have you met with your students?" he asked innocently.

"That one. No, I haven't seen them yet. Sinabihan nila ako na magkikita kita daw kami this week but no one called and made a follow up! Ni wala pang nagpapirma ng clearance nila," she complained.

"Who knows they might just be busy with something?" Bea interrupted.

"It's vacation time na nga, busy pa din?"

"Alam mo, mahal ka nung mga yun kaya for sure hindi ka naman nila makakalimutan," Bea told her.

Kara just smiled and opened the gate. Chad handed back the key secretly to Bea. When they got to the door, Kara was just about to ask her for it but she was already dangling it in front of her.

She took the door keys and put it on the hole. When she pushed the door open, she was welcomed with party poppers, confetti, and a loud chorused cheer telling her they love her.

"Oh my gosh," she was amazed and delighted. "You are all here!"

"Syempre naman Ma'am Kara, ikaw pa!" they said.

"Gusto ka namin isurprise bago kami umalis ng tuluyan," another student answered.

She was teary eyed when she saw her advisory class all gathered to see her and surprise her. She felt like she was loved very well and special.