Barcelona Escapade

Prologue

Barcelona Escapade
Prologue

"Castellón, Alethia Clementine," the announcer started. "Summa cum laude."

I tried to force a smile as I walked towards the middle of the stage, several people watching me with bright eyes.

Tinanggap ko ang diploma at yumuko para masukbitan ng medalya. I shook hands with the key people I shared the stage with as I heard people from the background clapping.

"Thank you," I said sincerely.

I had to make sure I'm smiling nicely, or at least my blockings are perfectly calculated to have a great shot from the photographer down the stage.

The graduation ceremony lasted for several hours. Halos nakatulog na nga ako kakahintay sa kung kailan matatapos. My nap should be enough to make me last this day. Hindi lang naman ito ang commitment ko ngayong araw.

"Congratulations," Jayden and Hiro, my friends and my blockmates for several years of my engineering journey, greeted me with slight smiles plastered on their faces.

"Congratulations," I told them too before I reached for and tapped both their shoulders. "I'll get going. I still have to attend my auction. Let's celebrate sooner."

Hindi ko na sila hinayaang sumagot at naglakad na agad paalis. Hindi pa man ako nakakalayo ay narinig ko pa ang huling sinabi ni Hiro.

"She's always so busy."

"It's not her if she's not," rinig kong reply ni Jayden.

I chuckled and shook my head. I can't deny that.

I met with my family outside the venue. Nakatayo sila at naghihintay sa tabi ng kotse. Mamá and Papá were looking at me firmly. My two brothers were there too, Kuya Miguel and Kuya Hugo.

"Congratulations, Clementine."

It was Kuya Hugo who handed me a flower bouquet, hugged me, and the only one who verbally greeted me. Hindi naman bago iyon kaya hindi kainda-inda kung sakaling walang ginawa at sinabi nina Mamá.

I nodded quietly at Kuya Hugo's response. I also didn't try to glance at the others. That wouldn't hurt their ego, anyway.

"I should get going. My auction's in twenty minutes," sabi ko habang inaalis ang sablay at medalya na nakasabit sa akin.

I get into the car next to them. Fenris Arevalo, my driver and assistant for this whole auction thing, was there waiting for me. Ipinatong ko ang lahat ng gamit sa dashboard.

"Tapos na?" he said and started the engine. "Congratulations, Clementine!"

"Thanks," I said shortly. Inayos ko ang sleeve ng beige kong dress. I suddenly wondered if it's just right to wear something like this in an auction. "Let's drop by a boutique. I'll buy clothes."

Pinasadahan niya ako ng tingin. "You look nice and presentable. That would work. Male-late tayo sa auction mo niyan."

"Hindi naman ako ang ia-auction kaya hindi kailangang magmadali," I reasoned out. "My artworks."

He snapped his one hand at me while he drove. Napailing ako at umiwas sa kaniya ng tingin.

"That's it," he said. "Hindi mo naman kasi kailangang pumunta kung ayaw mo. Bakit pinipilit mong pumunta palagi?"

"I have to know who takes the biddings and how much. I don't want a single cent taken away," I explained. "Everything has to be for that children's foundation."

Let's just say I've been doing this for a few years now. Someone's advice from before just struck me. He told me I should use my pretty privilege right. He must mean people have to benefit from it. And so, I created artworks and annually held an auction to have it sold for a cause.