Pick Your Potion: A Fresh Start

CHAPTER 9

"...She believed she could, so she did..."

And after several days of waiting, the first week of June has arrived; graduation was the event. I was pumped to wear my toga. I had myself be fixed by our stylists. Spray my hair here and there, put makeup on-which I am not that comfortable with-and etc. My mom walked in and smiled at me.

"You look pretty. Sure kang di ka babae, 'Nak?" She kidded and I laughed.

"Thanks, Mom, and yeah. 'Di ako babae by heart." I replied.

"Oh well. I'm still proud of you, Anak. Congratulations ulit." She said and handed me a green leather box with a gold ribbon tied to it. I looked at her with confusion.

"Luh? Mom, nag-abala ka pa?" I asked. She smiled and placed it on my lap.

"Masama bang regaluhan kita?" She replied and pouted cutely.

I laughed and took the box. I opened it and got shocked. I looked at her and squealed again. Her gift was a gold watch embellished with diamonds from Rolex. Oh gosh, I can't contain my happiness. As a watch collector, it is my ultimate dream to have a Rolex in my collection.

"Luh Mom, this is too much!" I exclaimed and squealed again with joy. She smiled and went out of my room. I apologized to my stylists and they laughed. I got worried they might not find me cute already... Anyway, I wore her gift to me and I smiled. After all my retouch and stuff, we rode in my mom's van and rode our way to Ateneo.

Upon arriving, the students are crammed on the gates. Just like me, we all are so excited to walk on the stage and receive our diplomas. My mom stood beside me and accompanied me up to the gates of our gymnasium. I contacted my friends, and we soon spotted each other inside the venue. Their parents are with them as well, and we greeted each other congratulations. Deep inside, I never thought my semester would end so soon. It was indeed a rollercoaster ride. I'll miss the classrooms, professors-a bit, my classmates, and of course, my group of friends; although we weren't classmates, our bonds during breaks were something worth remembering.

The ceremony here and there, speeches from the deans and president of the school, and finally the 'moment' we've all been waiting for: the receiving of diploma.

All our names were called and received our diplomas. I was forcing back my tears as my mom accompanied me to the stage when my name was called. I received my diploma and thanked the dean and president. My mom looked at me with pride and joy in her eyes, and I lost it. I got teary-eyed on the stage as she and the photographer took pictures. I walked down the stage and hugged my mom.

"Congratulations, Anak! I'm so proud of you." She whispered and kissed my cheek.

"Don't make me cry right now, mom. Enebe." I said as I wiped the tears from the corners of my eyes. She laughed and the press was everywhere. Since she is the CEO of our company, it can't be helped. Our bodyguards are there to keep them in their place, and it's all good. I bet the front page of the papers and headlines will be my ugly cry face and my mom hugging me. Oh, the horrible sight.

After the whole ceremony, everybody took pictures of me and my mom, and as well as the parents of my friends from afar. Seriously, did I attend my graduation or a press con? I spotted my friends from afar, and I had to laugh. Renée's feeling the press taking pictures of her and her parents since they are one of the most famous chefs here in the Philippines. Dior was posing herself for the camera while her mom and dad were obviously shy for their daughter. Aria was regal and innocent-looking as the cameras flash for her and her popular televangelist dad. Oh, they really don't know her 'other' character. Vivian was obviously keeping her boredom at bay as her parents talk to fellow religious leaders and priests present in the ceremony. After a tiresome picture taking, I finally get to meet my friends once again and we all cried while laughing.