"Don't tell me, uminom ka kanina kahit alam mong ngayong gabi ang Graduation Ceremony?" Oura said but I shook my head. Nandito sila para suportahan ako. Sad lang dahil hindi kami sabay sabay grumaduate.
"Where have you been ba?" Yvan asked and I just shrugged. Sa araw araw, gabi gabing pag-iyak ko, tuluyan na ata akong tinakasan ng boses.
"Uso magsalita?!" Oura said in annoyance.
"I'm saving my hoarse voice for my speech, okay?" I said, para akong sirang bluetooth speaker na mahina ang signal. Putol putol ang voice ko pero naintindihan naman nila.
They handed me my black toga and toga cap. I smiled. Thank You, God. Finally.
"I'm so happy for you. Sobrang proud din." naluluhang sabi ni Yvan saka kami nagyakapang tatlo. I'm so lucky to have such an amazing squad in my life.
"West, Dustin Christian Davidson. Summa Cum Laude of College of Mechanical Engineering!" I heard Kuya Aster's voice. He sounded like an emcee. I entered Duncan's room only to witness their craziness.
Kuya Aster was an emcee for a second, and now a "guardian" of Duncan. Todo palakpak at cheer pa siya. They were practicing daw para mamaya. Tsk. Sa lahat talaga, si Kuya Aster at Duncan ang nagkakasundo kasi pareho silang baliw.
My family is complete today. Dapat lang, magtatampo talaga ako kung hindi sila umattend. Masyado na silang mayayaman para ipagkait sa akin ang kumpletong family sa isa sa mga pinakamahahalagang event sa buhay ko. Pero whatever, they're here.
"Congratulations, baby." Kuya Aster hugged me and kissed my head.
"Thank you, Kuya." I said, napakunot noo pa siya nang marinig ang boses ko at tinanong kung may game daw ba si Duncan lately. Akala niya, pinagcheer ko siya.
"She's madly in love with a stupid McLaren, dude." Duncan told Kuya na napangiwi. Bakit parang hindi na affected ang idiot na 'to about him and I? Sa bagay, I look okay naman ngayon. Siguro akala niya nagmomove on na ako.
Nawala sa amin ang atensyon ni Duncan when he and his friends went for a video call. Mga excited. Kuya Aster and I went downstairs. Naghihintay na roon sina Mom and Dad, together with my siblings and friends.
"Mom, will you stop crying? Baka mamaya sa ceremony, wala ka nang iiyak." Ate Yannie joked and they all laughed.
"I still can't believe that my baby is... Oh, my Gosh." hindi niya maituloy ang sasabihin niya dahil naiiyak lang siya lalo. Aw, Mom.
"I love you, Mom. Hope I made you and Dad proud." I said as I hugged them both.
"Of course, daughter. Words can't explain how proud we are of you." Dad said as he kissed my forehead.
"Aba, teka. Si Maddie lang ba ang gagraduate?" said Duncan na kakababa lang and we all laughed.
"Make sure you have a gift for me, evil princess." Duncan said. Kanina pa niya ako kinukulit about my gift sa kanya. Pati sina Mom na sinasabing magrelax muna siya. Hindi pa nga nakakaakyat ng stage, regalo agad!
I told Duncan to not talk to me kasi he would just make me shout eh wala na akong boses, obvious na obvious naman.
My phone vibrated and I checked it naman. It was Clau, ang tagal niya ring hindi nagparamdam. Siguro naging busy rin. He congratulated me and said he was proud of me. I went teary after reading his message.
"Could you please save your tears for your speech?! Napaka-unlimited naman ng luha mo." inis na sabi ni Duncan. What's wrong with him? Bakit parang ang gaan ng mood niya? Like, he was being humorous about my love life kanina pa. Mukha ba akong okay na?! He's so stupid.
BINABASA MO ANG
Not Me, Maddie
RomanceI like him so bad. But he doesn't want me. His brother likes me. My brother hates him. It's like the people we treasure the most are what's keeping us apart. I'm in pain. In so much pain. And I'm tired of hearing him say, "Not me, Maddie."
