Ang Awitin (SB19 Sejun)

[11]

Please read this while playing Lean on Me by 10cm, thank you!

Today is our graduation, time flies so fast. I can't believe we're finishing college. We can now rest, peacefully. Not only in my studies, but also with Kath.

Everytime na nagkakasalubong kami ni Kath, i can't help myself to look at her and wonder of what she told me that day. 'Di ako naniniwala, but i have to respect her decision if that's what she wants.

Her? Wala siyang pake, kahit dumaan na ako sa harapan niya. Jah? He's confused, i can read his face. He's confused on why Kath and I aren't talking with each other anymore.

It's been a month since nung nilalayuan ko si Kath. It was hard of course, pero ito talaga siguro ang nakatakda para saamin ni Kath.

"Paulo, ready ka na?" Tanong ni Papa.

My dad went home to witness me graduate in college. He didn't have to, since alam kong pabigat lang 'to sa trabaho niya. Pero he still went home on my graduation.

"Yes, Pa." Nakangiti kong sagot.

"Ang pogi talaga ng anak ko." Ani ni mama habang inaayos ang suit ko.

"Ma, i already know that haha!" At kami'y tumawa.

Nawala ang aming mga ngiti ng biglang magsalita si mama, "Nak, si Kath oh. Kakadating lang."

"She's pretty. She suits her dress." I whispered.

"Siguro, 'di lang talaga kayo para sa isa't isa anak? Don't worry, you'll move on soon." Nakangiting sambit ni mama.

I really hope i can move on.

Little by little, students with their toga  are marching through the red carpet. Batch namin ang nauna, so we just stood up and waited for all of the students to pass by the carpet.

Multimedia Arts students are the next one to march. I don't know why i'm being nervous, but i guess dahil makikita ko ulit si Kath.

When Justin passed by me, he smiled at me and went on his seat.

I saw Kath, walking so confidently with her toga. She looked more beautiful in her make up. She just looks, beautiful.

I was hoping for her to look at me, but she just marched continously. I already expected that, maybe ito na talaga yun. Ito na ang huli.

"Being a student, sa una sasabihin niyo napakastressful, pero 'pag tapos na dun niyo mamimiss maging isang Benildean."

I never think of my studies as a stress. Actually, sobrang saya nga mag-aral eh. You learn new things everyday, but it can be tiring sometimes. Pero 'di siya stress sakin.

"When students study here in Benilde, sobrang daming memories ang never nyo makakalimutan. It may be good, it may be bad. Pero, yan ang maidadala niyo galing sa Benilde maliban sa mga natutunan niyo dito."

Memories? Maliban sa mga natutunan, ano pa nga ba ang mga memories na kailangan kong dalhin after ng graduation? Si Kath? Ah, i mean she'll be a memory to me. Dadalhin ko ba siya?

She's my good and my bad memory. Siya lang naman yung ala-ala ko dito sa Benilde.

"Always remember this graduates, kagaya ng sabi ni Ganesh, errors in the course of action could be wasted by dwelling them, but wisdom is learning the lesson in the mistake. So, learn from your mistakes. Be better next time you come in to work."

(Credits to De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde Alumni Association)

It was my mistake, inaamin ko. But if i became better next time, magwowork parin kaya? O baka, iniwan na ako kapag nagbago ako?

"Benildean Graduates, congratulations on your graduation and best wishes for your next adventure! Kudos, Benildeans!"

We all stood up and sang our School Song. This will be the last, Benilde. I'll never forget the memories i had here.

The awarding has started, and our batch was the first one to award.

"Nase, John Paulo Bagnas, Summa Cum Laude."

People stood up and applaud. Those sleepless nights, napakaworth it.

I walked towards the stage and i recieved my award. The President of the school told me to do a speech.

"Benilde, i created so much memory in this school. Not only through studies, but also through relationship."

I looked at Kath, who's focusing on my speech.

"I've also learned that you have to sacrifice some things for the other person to become successful. Not all things come in our way. Learn to accept it. This has been, John Paulo B. Nase, Student of De La Salle- College of Saint Benilde, now graduating."

Everybody applaud once again, i feel so proud of myself. Especially, when i saw Kath looking at me, smiling. I know that she's proud of me. I'm proud of her as well.

"Martinez, Kathlene Danica Soriano, Cum Laude."

I saw her walking confidently going up on stage, she looks so pretty. She deserves the award.

"Actually, 'di ko po talaga alam na Cum Laude ako. Pero gusto ko po magpasalamat sa mga magulang ko na nagsuporta sa aking pag-aaral simula ng bata pa lamang ako."

She. She is a soft and a kind person.

"And of course, sa bestfriend ko na si Justin. He was there when i was down, yung mga panahong pagod na ako sa lahat. Thank you, Jah."

"Kathlene Martinez, AB-MMA student, now signing off."

I'm so proud of her. Proud ako sayo, Kath.

After the ceremony, of course, family time. I'm happy that i didn't fail my mom and dad, kahit sabi ko gusto ko i-pursue ang music.

Biglang nahagilap ng mata ko si Kath, kausap ang mga magulang niya.

I don't want to end this na awkward, i want to finish this in the way i want.

I excused myself to my parents and walked towards her and her parents.

"Uhm, hello po. Pwede ko po ba hiramin si Kathlene saglit?"

"Sure, hijo. Take time." Ani mama ni Kath

Her parents excused themselves and kami nalang ni Kath ang natira.

"Congrats, Cum Laude."

"Congrats din, Summa."

"So, we're now graduated. What are your plans after this?"

"Sasama muna ako kay daddy sa abroad, med school."

Destiny doesn't want us to meet again.

"How about you?"

"Music. Performer, i guess?"

"Anak! Let's go home!" Sigaw ng mama ni Kath.

"Oh, i have to go now Paulo. Ingat."

Tatalikod na sana siya ng bigla ko siyang hinila at yakapin.

I whispered in her ear, "When you leave, kalimutan mo na 'ko."

I held her cheeks, and kissed her forehead. Atsaka ko siya binitawan.

She smiled weakly and turned away.

Malaya ka na.