Mary Grace

Thirty

Thirty

"Harry!" I squealed in delight. Mahigpit kong hinawakan ang toga cap ko habang tumatakbo ako sa papunta sa kanya.

Harry's strong arms automatically wrapped around my waist the moment I reached him. We both giggled together and hugged tightly.

"Congrats!" he said, grinning widely.

"Thanks!" I beamed. Tumikhim ang mga magulang ko. Kaagad kaming naghiwalay ni Harry. Namumula na naman ang kanyang tainga. I can't help but laugh.

"Let's go? Baka ma-traffic pa tayo." wika ni Dad.

Tumango kami at sumunod sa kanila sa sasakyan. I remembered my highschool graduation years ago. I was so sad and pathetic. Wala akong planong tumuntong ng college noon. But look at me now. I'm holding my college diploma!

Hindi pa rin matanggal ang ngisi sa aking mukha as we climbed inside the vehicle. Harry and I grinned at each other like a lovesick puppy. Parang sasabog ang puso ko sa saya. Seeing my mother and father wearing their wedding rings again made me happier. Their wedding last month is private and small, but it was so magical. Ever since then, I keep on bugging Harry to have a beach wedding.

Nang makarating kami sa tuna grilling restaurant ay dali-dali kaming bumaba ng sasakyan. I remove my toga because it's making my skin itch. Harry secretly held my hand as we trailed after my parents.

Nilingon kami ni Dad. Nang tumama ang tingin niya sa magkahawak naming kamay ay ngumiti siya. "Go find a table to sit, Mary Grace and Harry. I'll just check what's their special menu today."

"Okay." I chirped. Maraming parokyano sa loob ng restaurant at maingay. Their food must be good, then. Nang makahanap kami ng bakanteng upuan ay humalumbaba ako.

"Hey," Harry tapped my shoulders.

Napatingin ako sa kanya. His ears are turning pink again. I giggled inwardly. He's so fucking cute. And he's mine.

"Yeah?"

He smiled shyly at me and pulled something from his wallet. Sinuri ko ito nang ilang segundo at napagtantong dalawang tickets iyon papuntang Davao.

"What's this for?"

"I have a surprise for you, but it's in Davao."

"Don't tell me tapos na ang mansiyon?" I asked cheerily.

"Not that one," umiling-iling siya. "It's just a graduation gift."

"What's this then?" I squinted my eyes suspiciously at him.

He laughed. "You'll see. Magpaalam ka muna sa mga magulang mo na magpupunta tayo ng Davao bukas."

"Bukas kaagad?" gulat kong tanong.

"Baby, this can't wait."

I gazed lovingly at his handsome grinning face. I wouldn't mind waking up next to this man for the rest of my life. And a graduation gift in Davao? Iniisip ko pa lang iyon ay nai-excite na ako.

---

Dressed in a pair of ripped jeans, rugged converse, and plain white shirt, I grabbed my fjallraven kanken matte black backpack. Wala akong masyadong dala dahil wala naman akong ideya kung saan kami pupunta.

At first, my parents are totally against it. Nag-aalala sila na baka kung ano na naman ang mangyari sa akin kapag nagpunta ako sa Davao. But I assured them that everything's going to be fine dahil kasama ko naman si Harry. Pagkatapos ng isang mahaba-habang pangungumbinsi ay pinayagan rin nila ako.

When Harry came to fetch me at the house, he was dressed in a black runner shorts, trekking shoes, and grey shirt. May Ray-Ban glasses pa sa kanyang mga mata. Pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko at tumango-tango.