Fallen with a Glimpse (Lost In Love Series #1)

Kabanata 20

Kabanata 20

Lies

"Let's hear some words from our batch Salutatorian, Ms. Xylia Marie Cortez from Class 10-A." The head smiled at me.

Nagpalakpakan naman ang lahat ng estudyante na nasa hall. I looked at Mom and Dad, who's smiling at me proudly.

"I am so proud of you, my unica hija!" As usual ay umiiyak na naman si Mom.

"I'm happy that I made you proud of me. But Mom, Dad, hindi lang ito. Hindi lamang hanggang dito."

I stood up from my seat ang made my way to the stage. The crowd went silent as I am now here in stage. I looked around then smiled when I met Elliot's eyes.

"Thank you po, Ma'am," pasasalamat ko. Tumango lamang sa akin ang Head.

Huminga ako nang malalim. I saw how Elliot mouthed words for me. "I am proud of you. I love you, baby."

I closed my eyes to prevent myself from crying. Moving up ceremony pa lamang ito paano pa kaya kapag graduate na talaga ako ng highschool? O, ng College?

"Congratulations to all of us! I don't know what are the exact words that I should say right now. My junior high school journey was fun. I learned a lot on it. Siyempre naman, as we open new chapters of our life, mayroon talaga tayong natututunan. Sa mga tao pa lamang na makakasalamuha mo na, makikita mo na agad ang pagbabago sa iyo. If you're a lonely type of person, mabibigla ka na lamang kasi bigla ka na lamang nagkaroon ng confidence sa sarili mo. This is not the end, obviously because we still have to attend senior high and college. We just need to believe to ourselves that we can do the things we want. Trust and faith are the ingredients for our success. I may not know all of you, but I know that you all became part of my life. We may now take different paths... kasi mayroong nanatili na dito mag-aral at mayroong gustong lumipat. But I hope, in the future, when all of us became successful, we can still see each other! Thank you. Congratulations again, graduates!"

Nakipagkamay sa akin ang Head bago niya ako hinayaang makababa na. Tinawag naman niya si Rina, ang valedictorian ng batch namin. Naging problema lang naman kay Rina ay ang finals niya. Hindi ko pa rin naman napantayan ang galing niya noong mga nakaraang grading. Kaya hindi nakakapagtaka na siya talaga ang valedictorian.

Rina made her way to the stage with her chin up. She's smiling so widely, so proud of herself.

"Hello! Thank you, Ma'am!" malakas ang boses nito at halata sa kaniya ang pagkatuwa.

Kagaya ng ginawa ng head sa akin kanina, tinguan niya lamang si Rina.

"I grew up with a family full of successful. Successful businessmen, Architects, Lawyers, Doctors. That now, all the expectations were on me. Sobra akong takot magkamali. I tried so hard to maintain my grades high. Buti at nakayanan ko iyon. My highschool journey taught me one thing. There's only one person that you can rely on. Sabi nga ng iba, may mga plastik ding nakapaligid sa iyo." Tumawa pa siya.

Kumunot ang noo ng head sa kaniya ngunit hindi naman niya pinatigil si Rina sa pagsasalita ng speech niya. We remained silent, though.

"And that only person is... me! Kung mayroon ka mang pagkakatiwalaan sa buhay mo, iyon ay ang sarili mo lamang. You cannot just rely to everyone. I experienced losing friends. You know what is the worst I experienced? It is to love someone who cannot see my worth. Kaya nga sarili ko na lamang ang pinagkakatiwalaan ko. And for the one I love to notice me, I hurt someone. Ridiculous, isn't it? I don't know... but I am not happy with all of these achievements I have!" naiiyak niyang sabi habang tinuturo ang mga medals na nakasabit sa kaniya.

Naalala ko na ang adviser pa namin ang nagsabit ng mga medal na iyon. Wala ang kaniyang mga magulang, kahit man lamang isa sa kaniyang pamilya.

"When I finished elementary school, I am a Valedictorian. And now, ngayong natapos ko na ang junior high ay ganoon pa rin. Kagaya noon, adviser ko lang rin ang nagsabit sa akin ng mga medalya ko. I am used to it, nasanay na rin ako. Pero bakit ngayon ay bumabalik sa akin iyong sakit noong una ko itong naranasan? I know that I am not a perfect person here in the world, but I think, somehow, I deserve the attentions of my family, right?" Humagulgol siya roon.