SKRIVENA UNIVERSITY BOOK 2 (Complete)

S.C. 9

SPECIAL CHAPTER 9

HAILEY'S POV

"Mom," rinig kong tawag ni Caleb.

Lumingon ako sa kanya. Isang magandang ngiti ang sumalubong sa akin. "Congratulations anak! Mukhang hindi ka naman nahirapang tapusin ang senior high." Bigla siyang tumawa. "Be ready for college life my dear!" masayang wika ko. Lumapit ako sa kanya at hinalikan siya sa pisngi.

At his young age of 16th, he's incredibly tall and handsome. I know many girls are attracted to him but he just ignores them, like his father way back then. He is smart and one of the professor's favorite. Since from the start, I know that Caleb will grow independently bright.

In his teenage life, I'm worried about his social behavior. He has few friends; I think one or two only. Masyado siyang mapili sa kaibigan simula pa lang nang mag-aral siya at mas lumala iyon ng high school. I can say Caleb feels connected to us – to his family and the need for connection and belonging extends beyond friendships with peers. Friendships during the teen years can be so important and fulfilling but it's different to him. With that, we are still in the process to guide him toward the skills he needs to make the kinds of friends that will serve him well.

Hindi masyadong nabahala roon si Caiden dahil sigurado siyang magkakaroon ng kaibigan si Caleb pagdating ng college. Speaking of college, most decisions in life are complicated and usually involve some factor of compromise. We talked about his education, his life in the future, seeing himself after five to ten years from now and whether the same things will be important to him that is important today.

He told us that he wants to continue our business; he wants to be a business tycoon. A man with a different perspective that will handle hundreds of businesses around the world. He is very eager to follow our footsteps. He wants to help people by providing them a job with impressive benefits.

We likewise talked about what is important in college life. We had exchanged ideas, experiences and outlooks to open up more to each other and in the end, we appreciated each other's point of views. We communicated about listening first and foremost to his heart's wish and then whether the decision is right or wrong, own it, take responsibility for it and make the best of it.

So he will be attending his college at Skrivena University.

"Thank you mommy!" he responded.

Tinawag na kami ni Caiden, kasama niya na ang kambal na naghihintay sa amin sa parking lot. Kailangan na namin umalis para pumunta sa graduation hall.

Tulad noon, ang graduation day ay punong-puno ng masayang emosyon. Kitang-kita ko ang mga estudyanteng hindi nawawala ang ngiti sa kanilang mga labi kasama ang pinakamamahal nila sa buhay. Kasalukuyan na kaming papasok loob ng hall.

Nang makapasok na kami ay parang nangingiyak na agad ako. I'm so proud of my son. Even though we were not at home sometimes to guide him, his grades were still in good shape. He's not the highest grade point awardee in school but he succeeded to grab the second spot.

After several minutes, the processional started. Preparing to march to Pomp and Circumstance requires wearing the traditional graduation cap and gown, a tradition that dates back centuries to the early times. The students looked lovely wearing their gown and cap.

Nasa gitna namin ni Caiden ang kambal habang pinapanuod na naglalakad ang mga estudyante. We all stand up as the national anthem played. Followed by the invocation and opening remarks.

My heart palpitates as the chancellor called my son for the welcome speech of their school salutatorian. I heard the loud applause and saw the upturned faces of everyone here. The entire school knows my son and they're too proud of him.