One Last Time (R18)

Kabanata IX: UNEXPECTED GIFT

UNEXPECTED GIFT.

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      MABILIS na naman lumipas ang isang taon na hindi kami nagkita ni Levi. For the second time, he left without even telling me. Last I heard, he was in Qatar for a seminar.

Although I checked his social media a week before he left, hindi na 'yon naulit. He will eventually return to the Philippines. Levi always finds his way home, pabalik sa akin...

I just made myself busy preparing for our graduation. Time flies so fast. It's already been five years since I was forced to transfer.

     "CONGRATULATIONS, Ms. Cumlaude."

Pilit akong ngumiti nang salubungin ako ni Ariella sa gilid pagkababa ko sa stage.

"Yeah, congratulations to you too, Ms. Suma Cumlaude." I hid my bitterness behind my casual tone.

Ariella gave me a genuine smile before I walked past her to return to my seat.

"Congratulations, Keira." My seatmate greeted me with a smile as I took my seat.

I just nodded at her before focusing my eyes on the center of the stage.

"Sandeco, Ariella Gredaria...Suma Cumlaude."

Naikuyom ko ang kamay ko nang tinawag na ang pangalan ni Ariella. Matiim ang tingin ko sa kanya habang nakikipagkamay siya sa mga school officials.

I brought my lips tightly together. I'm upset with the fact that Ariella G. Sandeco, my vice president, just snatched the title by having a one-point advantage over our GWA.

And it's infuriating. I'm so close yet so far...

I did my best, but between the two of us, she’s the better one.

Tahimik lang akong nakasunod kay Dad habang palabas kami ng gym kasabay ng ibang magulang at mga graduate. Hawak ko ang invitation at diploma habang nakasampay sa'king braso ang hinubad kong toga.

"Walk faster, Keira. Kanina pa naghihintay sa'tin ang Tita mo."

Nilakihan ko ang mga hakbang ko para masabayan si Dad sa paglalakad.

"Is it true that Annika's coming home, Dad?" I asked him nervously.

"Yes," sagot niyang hindi man lang tumitingin sa'kin.

"When?"

Dad finally glanced at me while we kept walking. "She didn't give me a specific date, but she said it would be one of these days."

My jaw clenched and my hands balled into fists. Magsasalita pa sana ako, pero agad ko ring naitikom ang bibig nang segundahan 'yon ni Dad.

"No more asking, Keira," he said with finality.

Pasimple na lang akong napairap. Sinabayan ko na lang siya habang tinatahak namin ang hallway palabas ng STSU.

"Congratulations, dear!"

Tita Norin, in her floral white maxi dress and closed-toe heels, accented with gold accessories, greeted me with a wide smile pagbalik namin sa SUV namin. Naka-park ang sasakyan namin sa labas ng university, kahilera ng ibang sasakyan.

"We are so proud of you!"

My lips parted. Hindi na ako nakaalma nang yakapin niya ako.

"T-Thanks," sambit ko bago mabilis na humiwalay sa kanya na parang napapaso.

"Keira."

I totally ignored Dad's chiding tone beside me and quickly moved toward the backseat.

Napasulyap ako sa front seat nang umalog ang sasakyan. Dad's now in the driver's seat, with Tita Norin sitting beside him.