Once Upon a Dream

EPILOGUE

I watched Alt as he lead the last prayer of the year to mark the start of the last card giving.

Napatingin siya saakin, I held my breath as the moment last. Ngunit ako nadin ang agad na pumutol noon.

After that night, everything became normal. Even my heart became normal, normal na tumitibok parin para sa kaniya.

No one knows about the pact except for the people affiliated, and Pia has been the best best friend ever. S'ya na mismo ang naglalayo saakin kay Dalton sa t'wing magsasama kami.

Starting from back then, Dalton's tone at me became even more formal. At kung may mangasar man saamin sa klase, he states clearly na itigil nila iyon.

I knew it, I'm just something which can be easily thrown away.

Lalo na at wala na akong gamit.

"Amen." Everyone in the room said in unison as the prayer ended. Pumuwesto na si Alt sa kaniyang upuan, our adviser Sir Patchiko, took the stage and stand in front.

"Students and parents, please take your seats. I'll announce the top 10." Sabi ni Sir at nag-flash ng pangalan sa television ng room namin. "Top 10, Manahan Alhi!" Panimula ni Sir, tumayo naman agad ang isa kong kaklase ng tuwang-tuwa.

"Anak! Hindi ba kayo nagpapansinan ni Dalton ijo?" Usisa ng nanay ko. Napaka-maissue talaga! Aiish.

"Hindi po e. Magkaklase nga lang po kami."

"Ehh? Sayang naman." Nakapout niyang sabi.

"Anong sayang?" Intriga kong tanong. Kahit alam ko na kung ano ang kaniyang ibig sabihin. Ngumiti lang naman ito saakin at nagpeace sign.

Sinabi na =__=

"For our Top 2, Miss Arin Esquivel." Napangiti ako at tumayo ng iannounce ni Sir and aking pangalan. Ever since the night na umamin ako kay Dalton, I started progressing as an individual, instead of hurting, I made it as an inspiration to be a better person.

Isa pa, at least, sa paraang ito, I will be able to stand beside him—And continuously fall.

Tama nga sila, madaling mahulog, mahirap umahon. But I enjoyed it, 'cause I'm proud to say na natuto akong magmahal.

"And for our Top 1, Dalton Nazil!" Sir exclaimed. Nagkuhanan kami ng litrato, ang Top 1 to Top 3 pati lahat ng top. Hindi man solo ang picture naming ito ni Alt, masaya padin akong may picture na kaming magkasama. "Okay, now please return back to your respective seats. Isa-isa ko pong sasabihin ang mga G at B numbers n'yo upang ibigay ang cards."

Sir Patchiko proceeded with the giving of the cards. After receiving every card meant for each student, everyone became jovial. Mabuti naman at walang bumagsak saamin ngayong last quarter ng second sem. That means that we can happily show our cards to our chosen schools for college.

"Very good anak!" Masayang sabi ni madir na kinatango ko nalang. I'm thankful kasi kahit hindi ako ang Top 1, tanggap niya. Ang iba kasing parents ay namimili pa.

"Uhm.... Our dearest parents and teacher. Please give us a little bit more time of saying goodbye." Biglang agaw pansin ni Dalton nang tumayo siya sa unahan. That is when I remembered what he did from last year.