Let It Be Me

5

"Congrats!"

All 7 of them yelled as they all threw their grad caps up in the air. It was finally their graduation. The end of the school year, the end of their high school lives.

"Finally tapos na! Makakaalis na rin ako sa lugar na ito!" Katsumi yelled with his arms up high. Everyone laughed while shaking their heads.

"Tanga ka ba? Dito rin kaya tayo magcocollege!" Julia.

"Ay oo nga no" Katsumi scratched his head in disappointment, but then his face lit up again. "Finally makakaalis na rin ako sa lugar na ito for 2 months!"

The whole group laughed. while James, Lester, and Gino all hit Katsumi with their grad caps. After taking some pictures, they all went to the Manuel's to celebrate. It's for their graduation, but it's also a celebration for Mikaela's birthday, which is happening in 2 days.

•••

Their night consisted of karaoke, food, drinks, and good conversations. It's been a while since their group got to hang out. Due to the school year ending, they all had to submit the final requirements in order to graduate. They mostly just saw each other during lunch, but their friendship remained the same. Nadine and James are still going strong, Lester started pursuing Julia, which of course surprised everyone, and Katsumi recently discovered online dating. He said it's 'fun and romantic and doesn't require commitment'. Gino and Mikaela are more focused on their studies, since they are both going in the same, difficult field of medicine. Gino plans to become a neurosurgeon, while Mikaela wants to become a pediatrician.

Their party was interrupted when Mikaela's phone, which was also being used for their music, rang. She quickly answered it when she saw who was calling.

'Trick wants to Facetime.'

"Hi Trick!" "Hi Patrick!" "Sup bro!" "Fafa Patrick!"

Everyone just laughed at Katsumi's greeting. Patrick greeted and congratulated all of them with a huge smile on his face. This has been their way of communicating with him. After all these months, Patrick still haven't had the chance to go back to the Philippines because of his responsibilities in the States. He had to stay home and stay with his Ate Clara while his parents worked and his little brother went to school.

"Sayang bro di ka namin kasama nakagraduate!" Lester.

"Oo nga eh. Pero siguro next year makakabalik na rin ako sa school." Patrick.

"Utot mo! Sa tamad mong yan tingin mo babalik ka pa ng school?" Katsumi.

After catching up with each other, Patrick asked the group if he can talk to Mikaela in private. The group said their goodbyes before Mikaela headed upstairs to her room.

"Congrats Ella and advance happy birthday!"

"Thanks Trick! Kamusta dyan? How's Ate Clara?"

"Eto, labas pasok sa hospital. Napaguusapan nga nina Mom na magstay na lang sa hospital eh. Para di na siya mapagod magpabalik balik."

"Eh ikaw? Parang namamayat ka ah. Baka naman napapabayaan mo na yung sarili mo."

"Okay lang ako no, mas sexy lang."

"Payat sabi ko. PAYAT."

Patrick pouted which caused Mikaela to laugh (and fall for him even more). They spent about 20 more minutes talking before they had to say their goodbyes. Mikaela headed back to her friends, only to see all of them sleeping, except for Katsumi, who was busy finishing all the food.

"Oh Mikaela, kain ka oh. Sayang naman eh, tinulugan lang nila."

"Sayo na yan, mukhang kulang pa sayo yan eh!"

Katsumi just rolled her eyes at Mikaela before putting another slice of cake in his mouth. Now that her friends are asleep, Mikaela finally got her turn in the karaoke, which her friends have been hogging the whole night. After about an hour of singing Buko, Pagsuko, Malaya, Anong Nangyari Sa Ating Dalawa, and more sad songs, all her other friends woke up, and Katsumi ended up crying while eating the final slice of cake.

"Damdamin ay nasasaktan, puso'y nasusugatan. Pangako mong pagmamahal, ngayon ay nasaan."

All her friends just looked at Mikaela with pity. They're pretty sure that the only people that doesn't know that Mikaela's in love with Patrick, is Patrick himself. After the song, Mikaela looked around and noticed all her friends looking at her.

"Oh finally nagising na din kayo!" She laughed quietly. "Oh Kats bakit ka naiyak!"

"Wala be, naubos ko na kasi yung cake eh." Katsumi replied as he licked his fingers clean.

•••

After a while, Mikaela's friends decided to start heading home. Lester gave Julia a ride home, while Nadine and James left together. Gino and Katsumi decided to stay and help Mikaela clean up.

"Papa Gino! Hatid mo ko pauwi ah! Thank you!" Kats yelled as he ran to Gino's car.

Mikaela and Gino just shook their heads while laughing. Before leaving, Gino grabbed something from his backpack and gave it to Mikaela. A little red box with a white ribbon on top.

"Just a little something for you. Congrats ulit!" Gino gave her a smile and messed up her hair.

"Ay ano ba yan, wala akong gift for you."

"You don't need to get me anything naman no. And besides, parang birthday gift na rin yan. It's just a simple thing naman. Just open it later pagalis ko ah?"

Mikaela nodded before giving Gino a hug. Gino kissed the top of her head before heading out. Mikaela walked him out to his car, where they saw a half-asleep Katsumi leaning on the door. Gino got in the driver's seat and started the car, which startled Katsumi. Gino and Mikaela laughed as Katsumi gave him the finger before getting in. The two boys waved goodbye to Mikaela before driving away. Mikaela locked the door before heading back inside and to her room.

•••

After getting ready for bed, Mikaela finally decided to open Gino's gift for her. It was a necklace. A silver necklace that had an angel wing pendant. The gift also came with a note.

'Happy Birthday Mikay! Thank you for being my angel here on Earth. I pray that you find true happiness and endless joy in your life. Always here for you, Gino.'

Mikaela smiled before sending a quick thank you text to Gino. Gino has been Mikaela's closest friend ever since Patrick left. He never failed to make her smile and laugh, he's always there when Mikaela needed a friend, a comforter, or simply someone who can feed her. Of course, no one can replace Patrick in her heart, but Gino comes close. She wouldn't have survived the many months without Patrick if it weren't for Gino. And just like what Gino said, Mikaela believes that Gino is also God-sent. She also believes that he is her angel here on Earth.