Barcelona Escapade

Chapter Two: Promise

Chapter Two
Promise

"Congratulations!"

Hailey's parents handed her a flower bouquet. Binigyan din nila ako at si Chloe at binati. Tinanggap ko naman habang lumilingon sa kung nasaan si Mamá. May kausap siyang kung sino kaya hindi niya napansing kasama ko ang mga Fajardo.

"Thank you, Tita Lucille, Tito Harper!" Chloe and I said in unison.

"We'll eat outside," anunsyo ni Tita Lucille. "Come with us, Chloe, Alethia."

Ngumiti ako ng matipid. "Nako, Tita. May violin pa po ako 'pagtapos nito, but thanks for the offer!"

"Agad?" Hailey said disappointedly.

"Kailangan, e," I muttered, trying to hide more disappointment in my voice.

"Are you sure you can't skip that today, Alethia? It's a special occasion," Tito Harper asked me.

Umiling ako. "Hindi po ata pwede, Tito. My instructor's already at home and waiting for me."

Tumango si Tito Harper, wala nang magawa. Humarap din kay Chloe. "Ikaw, Chloe?"

"We'll go somewhere too, Tito," Chloe said. "Kakain din po sa labas kasama si Mama and Jayden."

I tried to smile wanly. I don't want to make it look like I envying them but I really do. Chloe and Hailey both came from nice families. Mamá and Papá can never relate about post-grad celebrations.

There are a series of picture takings on the stage after the ceremony proper. I had one with the Fajardos but once I saw my mother coming my way, mabilis din akong lumapit sa kaniya. Her brows furrowed when she saw the bouquet I was holding.

"Mamá," I muttered.

My mom's sophistication leveled up when she raised a brow at me. Mabilis niyang inilagay ang tingin sa bouquet.

"Get in the car once," she remarked before leaving me there.

Bumuntong-hininga ako. Sinundan ko siya ng tingin hanggang sa makalabas ng gymnasium. I know I had to take fast kaya kaagad kong hinanap si Jayden. I spotted him with his friends in the stage. As quiet as he is, he didn't even try to engage himself in the photos.

Nang makita akong papalapit ay naglahad siya ng tingin. Mabilis akong tumakbo papunta sa kaniya.

"Hey," I greeted. "Congratulations!"

Kung pwede lang ibigay itong bouquet sa kaniya, ibibigay ko pa. There are two medals dangling over his neck for his academic and extra curricular achievements.

"Congrats," matipid niyang sabi.

I also noticed him fixing a glance at the three medals I have bago siya muling bumalik sa mga kaibigan niya.

"Hey," tawag kong ulit. Nang lumingo ay agad akong nagsalita. "Do you have some time to talk?"

"About what?"

I blinked nervously. "Uhm.. well, about something I need to tell you-"

"Jayden!" tawag ni Chloe nang hindi lumilingon sa'min. "Come here! Mom wants a picture."

Jayden took one quick glance before nodding at me. "Excusd me."

Umalis siya kaagad hanggang sa hindi ko na naituloy ang sinabi ko. I squirmed disappointedly.

Damn the forgone chances.

"Clementine," Nana called behind me. "Halika na at may klase ka pa kay Sir Van."

I bit my lower lip, trying to weigh in my patience, trying not to ruin the day of my graduation.

However, it's the same as my everyday day. Mamaya, balik na naman sa mga lessons kung saan ako ipinasok ni Mamá. They didn't catch a single celebration for me. Para sa kanila, it's normal for a Castellón to achieve things.