The One Who was Left Behind

Prologue

"Lyonhart, Elizabeth Skyler." Tumayo ako mula sa aking upuan at marahang naglakad patungong entablado. I am finally graduating from high school, yet nobody's there for me, guess I have to get used to this.

"Stay strong, hija." Nginitian ko pabalik ang aming Head Mistress, her warm smile is really soothing but will never be enough to fill the empty hole in my chest.

Shortly after that, I was called again for my valedictorian speech. Looking back, I was really excited for this day, but not now.

Mom, dad... Look, I'm our academy's top student, are you proud of me? I wish you guys were here. Tumingala ako matapos kong bumaba galing entablado pagkatapos ng aking speech. I wasn't even granted the chance to tell them. Nanatili ang aking ngiti ng magsitayuan at magpalakpakan ang mga panauhin.

Pagkatapos ng closing remark ay kanya-kanya ng lapit sa kanilang mga pamilya ang aking mga school mate habang nanatili ako sa aking upuan at pinagmamasdan ang kanilang mga halakhak at mga matang punong-puno ng buhay.

Ako lang ba ang hindi nakakaramdam ng pagpapahalaga sa araw na ito? They seemed very happy, why can't my own family be just like theirs? I blink back the tears and heaved a deep sigh. As much as possible, I don't want anyone's sympathy today, I'm sick of it.

I feel like crap. Did god forsake me? Di bale ng hindi ako ang top student at valedictorian sa aming batch, as long as I have my family with me. Aanhin ko ang mga medalyang natanggap? Kung wala naman akong pamilyang uuwian o magiging proud saakin? Success is not success if you don't have anyone to share it with. Hah. I now understand what that phrase means, the hard way.

Kung aalis pala sila, sana isinama nalang nila ako. Hindi manlang sila nagpaalam.

Amidst the rejoicing ones I am forlorn and solitary.