Parted Ways

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Time passed by quickly. Farah and I only have a month left for us to review before taking the examination. Procrastination at its finest.

Because of what Caden said, I have realized that yes, it's my dream and I can't lose it. Besides, he assured me that he wouldn't leave me no matter what, I trust him. I love him. We'll make our way to success together.

Sunday midnight I'm still up because I'm trying to understand these tons of reviewers. I haven't managed to go to a review center because I was 'undecided' back then. I feel sorry for my best friend, because of me she's working her ass off real bad just to understand the given reviewers too.

"Last 3 pages." I murmured to myself.

I didn't know how I fell asleep that I just woke up 1 o'clock in the afternoon lying soundly on my bed.

"Shit! Caden's probably waiting at the coffee shop!"

Inatake ako ng adrenaline rush kaya naman 15 minutes lang, bihis na ako.

"Anak! Where are you going?" sigaw ng aking ina sa kung saan.

I almost run over the stairs if only my mom didn't asked me. Hay, Aruzel! I even forgot to bid my goodbye to her!

"Mom, I'm sorry. I was about to meet.." my eyes grew big. "Caden."

She just laughed. "I guess I should leave you two."

Hindi ko alam kung paano ko sisimulan ang makipag-usap sa lalaking nasa harap ko ngayon. Ilang beses ko nang hindi nasipot si Caden sa mga lakad namin. Sunday is the only day that I am available, tapos lagi pa akong late na nagigising.

"Hey."

I felt him walked near me.

"I'm sorry."

"Hmm. Come here."

I was hypnotised by the way he looks at me so I had no choice but to join him.

"I would much appreciate it if you'd declined my offer to you." he said and held my hand. "Mas gusto ko na nagpapahinga ka nalang ngayon, alam ko na pagod kang mag-aral. I can wait until this all would be finish, Solhera."

"Pero gusto kong bumawi sayo."

"Ilang beses ko bang kailangan sabihin sa'yo na nandito lang naman ako, hinding-hindi magsasawa na maghintay sa'yo, hmm?" his sweet smile melted me.

I couldn't contain it anymore that I just find myself wrapping my arms around him.

"Mag-iingat kayo, ha?"

"Opo, Tita Imelda."

Humalik si Farah sa kaniyang ina bago kami tumulak pa Maynila.

"Gagalingan niyong dalawa ha? It's now or never mga hija." my mother said softly.

"Opo, salamat Tita."

"You're welcome, Farah."

I turned my gaze to Caden who's patiently waiting at the side.

"Hey, we'll go na."

He pulled off for a tight hug before he whispered. "Kaya mo 'yan, mahal ko. Hihintayin kita."

Niyakap ko ang aking ina at ama bago kami tumaya ni Farah para sa bagong kabanata ng aming mga buhay na naghihintay.

Three weeks left and I'm about to finish my highschool life. I'm so happy that I must say, I did it! I'm slowly getting closer into my dreams!

The entrance examination's results was scheduled to be released today. Hindi naman sa wala akong tiwala sa sarili ko pero hindi talaga natin masasabi kung ano ang kalalabasan. Kahit pa planado na ang lahat, kung hindi para sayo masasa-walang bahala 'yon lahat.

Ang bilis nga talaga nang takbo ng panahon.

"Hello, Aru! I'm so nervous!" with dramatically crying sound of my best friend over the phone.

"Don't be, Farah! We can do it, I know!"

I kept saying to her na makakapasa kami when in fact ako sa sarili ko ay natatakot din. What if, what if, what if. Pero kailangan kong maging positibo lalo na sa panahon na hindi lang ako ang natatakot, naguguluhan at kinakabahan.

Nagdasal muna kami bago napagdesisyunang ibaba na ang tawag at magrelax nalang muna. No matter what the result is, life must go on.

I turned my phone off para hindi ako mabigla kung sakali.

I fell asleep and woke up around 6 o'clock in the evening.

As soon as I took the last step of our stairs, party poppers popped on my both sides.

"Congratulations, Aruzel!!" sabay sabay nilang sigaw.

Iginala ko ang aking paningin at nakita kong nandoon ang aking mga magulang kasama si Caden at si Tito.

Mom joined me and gave me a warm hug.

"Congratulations my baby." she said softly then kissed me on my cheek.

"Mom, did I p-passed?" nahihirapang tanong ko.

"Yes you did, anak!"

I couldn't help but to cry. I did it! I passed! Thank you, Lord!

Tears of joy flowed on my cheeks.

Tito William gave me a bouquet then opened his arms for a small hug, after that he gave me to Caden.

Without further do, I hugged him.

"That's my girl!" he chuckled. "I'm so proud of you, baby. I love you."

"I love you, Caden. Thank you." I answered without letting him go.

I couldn't ask for more, hay.

Days passed by quickly and I couldn't believe that I'm actually getting my diploma right now.

I'm so happy that I couldn't focus on the speaker anymore, all I think about is my whole highschool life. I'm so thankful yet it feels nostalgic.

It's not only about the place nor the people that I'm feeling sad about, it's the memories.

I will surely bring all that I've learned and experienced during those years to the upcoming years or my life.

We took a lot of pictures, solo ones, groufie, with my parents, with Farah, with Tito William and of course with my Caden.

"We did it!" I cheerfully said as I hugged him.

"Yes baby, we did it!" Caden answered with a sweet smile.

"Cheers to more success, mahal!"

I saw him blushed.

"What did you say?"

"Cheers to more success and more achievements with you!"

"No, kulang."

"Sobra pa nga!"

"Baby, call me that way again please."

"Did I call you what?"

He pouted. Hay so cute of you mahal ko.

"Sure, never mind."

I flashed out a grin. "Do you want me to call you that?"

"Of course!" he fired back with brows shot up.

"But I prefer Caden."

"Caden you're face, you called me mahal." he then pouted.

I immediately joined him and covered his mouth.

He pulled my hands off and mocked. "What? It's true, you said 'Cheers to more success, mahal!'"

"Kinilig ka na dun?" I asked teasingly.

He then withdraw from the hug and made me face him.

"Hanggang doon lang naman ang kaya mo, mahal." he said mockingly.

"Paano mo nasabi?"

"Well-" he stopped because I kissed him on his cheeks.

"Caden, mahal," I whispered. "Mahal na mahal kita."

I saw him blushed even more and I just smiled sweetly before I walked away.