Ben

Chapter Nineteen: Understand Ben

Todays the day, I am finally graduating. My mother has prepared the night before so here I am taking my time eating lunch. The program starts in the afternoon at around 2pm. There are only like 300+ completers that will attend the ceremony.

Where do I hang these? I heard my sister shout. I looked at everyone who is busy. Some are decorating while some are cooking. I felt somewhat special to see how everyone is putting effort to celebrate a milestone in my life.

My junior high school life is finally ending, next year I will be in senior high, a new curriculum where we can choose among strands to enroll on. At this moment I have already lost hope of studying away from our place because I feel like I can waste 2 more years here in our town.

Crissa, hurry up. Youll be late for the ceremony! I heard mom shout from my rooms door. She mightve thought I was in my room sulking or whatever. She mightve thought that I was staring into oblivion, couldnt believe that Im finally completing my junior years.

Mom likes to assume a lot. She always assumes about things. One time she asked me if I had already done my laundry, I wasnt able to answer her because she already did that herself. Then shed go on telling me how Im such a lazy kid or that I dont reply to her.

Im done eating mom. Besides the ceremony is two hours from now. I complained and I heard her walk towards the dining area.

Just because it starts at 2 doesnt mean you go there by two! She said and flicked my forehead.

Oww.

Now finish up your food and go get dressed. She said and went back to her room. Shes probably going to get dressed too.

After about an hour, were finally on our way to the gym which is the venue. While we were inside the car I checked my phone to see if there are any messages, specifically from Ben. And to my disappointment, there were none. So I decided to send him a text.

Hey, are you coming to the gym?

I hit sent and minutes after, I heard the ding! from my phone.

I dont know. Im occupied right now Im sorry.

He replied. I didnt know what to feel. I expected him to be there of course. I wanted to take pictures with him. I mean, its a special day for me and hes a special person to me so he should obviously be there. But then, maybe hes doing something important so I should try to understand.

Aww thats sad I replied.

Im sorry Cris. Congratulations by the way

he replied back and I texted him thanks and he didnt send a text afterwards.

I didnt want my day to be ruined so I just put that at the back of my mind. Maybe Ben is just doing something really important today. Besides, I still have two-three graduations he can attend to in the following years.

We arrived in no time to the gym and there were only a few people around. It was still around 1:30 and knowing the people here, they will start rushing in around 2:00.

Lets take a seat mom. I said then walked towards a bench. My father was waiting outside the gym, saying hell come in when most of the crowd is settled.

We waited for a while and when it was quarter to two, people started coming in. I saw my friends and waved at them, we even took pictures together.

I couldnt deny the fact that I was still looking around wanting to see Bens familiar face. Well, this feels just like the last time. Although this time, he really said hes not coming.

2pm came and we are all lined up for the marching. My mother was on my right and dad was on my left.

We marched by the red carpeted floor and while doing so I almost tear up. I could feel all of the stress I accumulated and all the challenges I faced as a high school student was made for this day of my life. That overwhelming feeling when my name was called as one of the top students in class and the fact that I get to march with both of my parents is enough reason for me to cry.