Chase and Courage (Youth Series #1)

35

#CAC35

"Talliah Hope I. Cojuangco. Bachelor of science in business management!

Nagpalakpakan ang mga tao kasabay ng pagakyat ko sa entamblado. 

Nakipagkamayan ako sa principal, admin at sa mga teachers namin.

I smiled as I took my diploma. "Thank you."

Pumwesto ako sa gitna at ngumiti sa photographer na may hawak na camera. Hinanap ko din sila mama sa audience at nakita sila 'di kalayuan. I waved at them and smiled as they took me some pictures.

Ilang sandali ay bumaba din ako sa stage pagkatawag ng pangalan ng kasunod na estudyante sa'kin.

I walked back to my chair together with my fellow-graduates. Umupo ako at tinignan ang aking diploma.

"Congrats Talliah!"

Lumingon ako sa kanila at nagpasalamat. "Thank you! Congrats din!"

They smiled and waved their diplomas to me. I did the same as well.

"Congratulations Lia."

Tumingin ako sa katabi ko na si Mae. Pagkaharap ko ay sakto niya akong kinuhaan ng litrato.

She giggled and I saw the film come out of the camera. She took it and gave it a little shake for the picture to appear.

Pagkatapos ay pinakita niya iyon sa'kin. Ngumiti ako at kinuha iyon sa kanya.

"I look unprepared," I commented

She chuckled. "Ganda mo nga eh kahit 'di ka ready."

I pouted. "My smile is so awkward!"

I stared at it as the picture slowly appeared and became more vivid.

"Hindi kaya! Pramis maganda. Akala mo lang."

I smiled weakly. "Well at least I have make-up on. Could have been worse if I wasn't wearing any."

"You are pretty even without make-up."

Inangat ko ang tingin sa kanya at sobrang lapit ng mukha namin sa isa't isa. We both smile at each other.

"I like taking spontaneous shots. It's the best!" she happily said

"I like photography as well. I mean I like taking pictures of my friends and family. I don't know, I just collect it inside a box so that I could look at it anytime I want and to reminisce the memorable moments we had."

She nodded. "Me too! Ang dami ko ding polaroid pictures na nakadikit pa sa pader ng kwarto ko tapos may ilaw pa na nakapalibot. Wala lang, ang cute lang tignan. Nakita ko lang sa pinterest."

I smiled. "Aesthetic tignan."

"Yup and yeah I just love photography. One of my hobbies din."

Tumango ako at binalik ang tingin sa picture na hawak.

"Sa'kin na ba 'to?" tanong ko at pinakita sa kanya ang litrato.

"Of course! Kaya nga kita pinicturan eh," sagot niya

I smiled. "Thanks. I want to take pictures as well but my camera is with my mom, my phone as well. Mamaya nalang."

Tumango siya. "Sige. Kuha tayo maraming pictures mamaya!"

Ilang sandali ay binalik namin ang tingin sa harap. Pumalakpak ako noong umakyat sa stage ang isa sa mga matalik kong kaibigan.

"Lincole R. Sanchez. Bachelor of science in business administration major in Financial management. With honors!"