Turned Pages (SB19 Fanfiction Series)

Page 8.

October 23, 2015

Paulo's POV

It's our graduation day. I woke up early to save myself from cramming. Plus today is a big day! This is the culmination of all the hardships I've experienced while studying, and of the hardwork my parents did so I can finish my studies. I picked up my phone from my bed and texted Rodz.

Sejun: Hi love! Good morning! Happy graduation and congrats to us! I love you!

I got up to fix my bed and took a bath. I saw my mom preparing our breakfast with my dad on the table taking a sip of his coffee. My siblings are all still asleep. Dumating ang aking ama mula Saudi Arabia kahapon para sa graduation ko. 

"Morning Ma, Morning Pa!" masayang bati ko sa aking magulang.

"Morning nak. So I get to finally meet Rodine. The girl behind your compositions." nakangiting sabi ni Papa sa akin.

"Yes Pa. I know you'll like her just like Mom." I said while getting the plate where the hotdogs are.

Nakita kong bumaba si Alex mula sa kwarto at lumapit sa ref para kumuha ng tubig.

"Kuya, will Ate Rodz come here sa bahay? I have something to ask her eh." sabi ni Alex.

"Bukas pa Alex. May handa din yon sa bahay nila. Ano ba yung itatanong mo?" sagot ko kay Alex.

"It's a girl thing. Ayoko ngang sabihin sayo." sagot ni Alex habang umiirap. Napakamaldita talaga ng batang ito. Kaya kayo magkasundo ni Rodz eh. Natatawang sabi ko sa isip. 

Alex got back to her room which she shares with Denise. "Ma, kain ka na muna." sabi ko kay Mama dahil napansin kong napaparami na ang luto nito ng hotdog.

"Natetense ata si Mama kase graduate ka na. Baka mag-asawa ka na daw." natatawang sabi ni Papa.

Nasamid ako sa sinabi ni Papa. Marami pa akong gustong gawin at matupad bago ako mag-asawa. Though I really consider Rodz as my last. I can already imagine what she'd look like while walking down the aisle, in a wedding dress, smiling at me. I smiled at the thought.

"Hindi naman Pa. Kaya lang tingnan mo naman ang anak mo, ngumingiti na naman mag-isa." sabi ni Mama na nagpabalik sa akin sa realidad.

Natawa ako kay Mama. Palagi nyang napapansin kapag ngumingiti ako. Ngayon lang ba ako ngumiti? Nasabi ko sa sarili ko.

Nagsimula na kaming mag-ayos para pumunta sa University.

7:15am

I've been texting Rodz for an hour but she's still not replying to me. Hindi ko rin sya mahanap sa dami ng estudyanteng naka-itim na toga sa grounds malapit sa gymnasium.

I started typing on my phone again when someone hugged me from my back. The familiar fragrant smell told me it was Rodz. I turned around.

"Hi love! Sorry di na ako nakatext sayo. Nakatricycle kasi kami kaya hindi ako makakapagreply." sabi ni Rodz sa akin.

"Okay lang love. Akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sayo." sagot ko kay Rodz. Nakahinga ako ng maluwag.

"Nga pala, I'll introduce you to my dad." sabi ko kay Rodz while pulling her towards my parents' direction.

"Pa, this is Rodine, my girlfriend." I told my father while smiling.

"Hi po Tito. Rodz na lang po. Hi Tita!" sagot ni Rodz kissing my mom on the cheeks.

"Hello Hija. I've been hearing about you a lot." sabi ni Papa.

"Naku. Baka kung anu-ano po ang kinukwento ni Sejun tungkol sa akin. Hahaha." nangingiting sagot ni Rodz.

"Sejun?" nagtatakang tanong ni Papa.

"Tawag ni Rodz sa akin Papa. Hahaha. Ewan ko kung bakit naging Sejun." natatawang sagot ko kay Papa.

"Ah ano po kasi Tito. Nase, John po kasi sya. Pinaikli ko lang po. Hehehehe." sagot ni Rodz. I can see her awkwardness on the situation. I held her hand and pressed it a little.

"Ahhhh. Napaka-creative mo Hija. Haha. Congratulations sa inyong graduation. Welcome sa family namin." sagot ni Papa. I sighed with relief seeing my girlfriend smiling and hugging my father.

As the graduation ceremony started, so is our life in the real world. Whatever it is that's waiting for us outside the university, we'll never let go of each other. I looked at Rodz while taking the graduation oath. I love you. I mouthed to her. I saw how she blushed on what I did. I really can't get over the fact that she's still blushing and getting "kilig" on whatever I do for her.

"I love you too." said Rodz, mouthing the words same as I did.