I closed the conversation about Claudine. People are being talked about badly, and they have no idea that they are being discussed.

There was once a practice for graduation. The graduation day of the whole strand was not at the same time, but HUMSS and STEM were at the same time.

There were many people in the gymnasium. To the left and right were those laughing because everyone's suffering was finally over. Some had their parents, but others did not. That's the saddest part about graduating – having no parents to attend for them.

Even if it is said that their child will not receive an award, they should still accompany them because graduating is an achievement for their children. But maybe they were busy, so they didn't come.

"Malapit na raw sina Mommy." Napabaling ako ng atensyon kay Ate Grapes na nagsalita. Nakatingin siya sa kaniyang cellphone at nakakunot ang noo. Maya-maya ay bigla siyang ngumiti. Hmm?

"Does Mommy know about you and Kuya Zade?" I asked. Kuya Zade's parents have accepted them, but I'm not sure about our parents.

"Papayag sila. Baka nga padaliin pa ang pagpapakasal," confident niyang sinabi.

Sabagay, gustong-gusto naman nilang maidugtong na ang apelyido ni Kuya Zade sa akin. Pwede na 'yan kahit si Ate Grapes na ang sumalo.

After a few minutes, the event started. I looked at my phone when it rang while they were calling the first section of the STEM strand.

Ate Grapes
Nandito na si Mom. Siya na raw aakyat kasama mo.

I clapped loudly when Yhael was called. He didn't get many awards, but he was With High Honor. Just like me. For me, that's a couple goal.

I stood up with my classmates when the last section of STEM was called. The event coordinator made us line up to call the stage continuously. I looked at the parents' seat. Mommy stood up proudly. She didn't bother with people's eyes on her. There was a line of parents, but she didn't line up. I just sighed. She's not my Mommy if she doesn't have that attitude.

"I expected you to speak later on the stage as the highest honor of your strand," she said.

I really am. Mommy turned to the front and pointed to a man in the middle of the seated crowd. "Nathaniel Cuomo. That's his name, right?" asked Mommy. I don't know. I wasn't listening earlier. "He is the highest honor of STEM. The pride of their strand, like you."

I turned to Mommy because I couldn't understand what she was getting at. "What do you want to convey, Mommy?" For her, Kuya Zade and I are engaged, but here it seems like she wants to push me to someone else.

She turned to me seriously. "Don't pretend, my daughter. Grapes told me earlier that Zade wants to marry her, not you." Wait, if she already knows, why isn't she aggressive now? Why does it seem okay? Of course, Ate Grapes is also her daughter.

"If you can't marry Zade, who is smart and rich, why not try Nimuel Cuomo?" she asked with a smile. My jaw dropped at what she said. She turned to the man again. "He looks rich, and is proven to be smart. You two get along well because you both have a hobby of studying, right?"

I want to shake my head. If she could speak to the man, it was as if she knew him well. "It's a shame because he was supposed to give a speech later, but he just refused. It's good to see that when he gets off the stage, you get up there to speak too." Is Mommy true?! Ano ba namang pag-iisip niyang 'yan.

I turned to the man she was staring at. He was looking at the side of the women's seats. I followed his gaze and saw that he was watching every movement of a beautiful woman. She was talking to the girls seated next to her while examining the medal she was wearing. I turned back to the man who was enjoying what he was watching.

The line moved forward, and a person blocked Nimuel's view. I saw him turn his head, looking for a way to see the goddess on the other seat.

The line continued to move until I was the only one blocking Nimuel's vision. I moved closer to my classmate and pulled Mommy out of the way. I saw a small smile on the man's face when he was free to look at the woman.

For the last time, I turned to the woman and saw her look up. Her eyes met Nimuel's. Her cheeks flushed before she smiled broadly and waved at the man. She's so pretty, like a goddess.

"Poniente, Aphle Xierinah I., with Highest Honor!" Loud applause greeted me. I shook hands with the school administrators, up to the principal who gave me certificates and medals.

Mommy hung my medal. "This is the Aphle I know. Smart," she whispered after we bowed to the front and got off the stage.

After the ceremony, I never saw Yhael, Tita, or Tito again. I looked at my phone to check for a new message from him, but there was none.

We went home without a word. Mommy and Daddy were with me in the car, and Ate Grapes went with Kuya Zade because Mommy wanted to talk to us. I don't know why I'm with you. Hindi naman love triangle 'yung relasyon nina Ate.

After entering the house, I said goodbye to Mommy to change clothes before we ate lunch. I lay down on the bed after entering my room. I stared at the ceiling and turned Yhael's proud look from earlier into a consolation while I gave a speech on stage.

Just like my plan, I just changed my clothes. I put the medals I got in the drawer. Mommy will fix that later.

After I changed my clothes, I went downstairs and went to the kitchen. I found Mommy, Daddy, Ate Grapes, and Kuya Zade already sitting there. Kuya Mark is still not here. We also have no news on him.

Mommy invited me to sit next to her while Aling Nita served food. She looked at me for a moment before turning to Mommy and looking away. Why did it seem like something was discussed right away while I wasn't there?

After all the food was served, we ate in silence. Only the clatter of utensils could be heard in the kitchen. I was nervous even though Mommy hasn't said anything yet. I don't even know why I would be talked to.

After we ate, Mommy sent Aling Nita out of the kitchen, so the five of us were left there. I looked at my cellphone on the table to see if Yhael had a message. But still, there's nothing.

"Who will speak to you first?" Daddy asked seriously while sipping his drink and adjusting his glasses.

Ate Grapes and I looked at each other. I don't know what to say—or where to begin.

"Nobody wants to be first? Alright, it's just me," Mommy said strictly. My heart beat fast when our eyes met, before she turned her gaze to Kuya Zade and Ate Grapes. "Why do you want to marry Grapes, Zade? Are you sure about her?" Kuya Zade and I frowned at the same time because of Mommy's question.

"You know Grapes and I have been very close ever since, when Aphle wasn't in this world." Kuya Zade looked at me before turning to Mommy. "The two of us are together from morning to night. I even bring her to your house. We both fell in love with each other. Before you even left, even though we were both young, we already knew how we felt about each other."

"After several years, I searched for her on various platforms until we had communication again."

"We always lean on each other when there is a problem. I feel that she is still by my side even though we are far from each other."

"And I know right there, I'm deeply in love with your daughter." Kuya Zade ended his litany.

Mommy raised an eyebrow. "You know my daughter Grapes. She's not smart, right? I know my daughter, iho. Aphle is better than her."

"I don't need a smart one, Ma'am. I'm not looking for a teacher. Aphle is better than Grapes? Well, I want Grapes to be better than other girls while she's with me." Kuya Zade said seriously. "We'll both be better the way we want to be."

Ate Grapes tearfully turned to Kuya Zade who was staring seriously at Mommy. "My family has finally accepted her. I hope you will accept me too, Ma'am, Sir."

Mommy nodded before looking at me. "Did you do what I told you?" she asked.

I sighed before nodding.

She told me then that Kuya Zade and I needed to get to know each other so that the marriage process would be easier, but I didn't do it because I was focused on Yhael. Kuya Zade is the same with Ate Grapes.

"There's no reason for me to stop you two, Zade, Grapes. You still have a brother, don't you?" Ayaw talagang tumigil ni Mommy. Kulang na lang pati si Kuya Mark ay ipagtulakan niya sa pamilya nina Kuya Zade.

"My brother already has a girlfriend, Ma'am." answered Kuya Zade before secretly nodding at me. "One more thing, he's not right for Aphle. That brother of mine is a bastard and a womanizer."

Hindi ko pa nakikilala ang kapatid na iyon ni Kuya Zade, pero grabe naman siya sa kapatid niya.

"Don't you have a boyfriend, Aphle?" Daddy asked, so I immediately choked on my own saliva.

"Daddy..." Gulat kong sinabi.

"You can fool anybody, but not us, Aphle," Mommy said.

I looked at Ate Grapes, whose eyes were also wide and shocked. Paano nila nalaman? Wala naman sila rito.

"Yhael Quintos, huh." Mommy said. "Of all the many men in this place, Aphle. You still fell for that guy?"

"Mom, dalaga na si Aphle. Normal lang sa kaniya ang makaramdam—"

"Stop defending your sister, Grapes," Mommy angrily cut Ate Grapes off. "Answer me, Aphle."

"M-Mommy..."

"I want to see that man—"

"Don't you dare, Dracius!" Mommy cut Daddy. "You really don't know how to choose friends and boyfriends. He's poor and from a family of murderers!"

"Mommy, stop saying that." I controlled my voice.

"Break up with that man if you don't want me to disown you from this family, Aphle," she said firmly.

"You can't just order that, Mom. Aphle loves Yhael—"

"I don't fucking care." Mommy cut Ate Grapes again. "You don't know what that family did to our family!"

"Ano nga ba, Mommy?" mahina kong tanong.

-iamlunamoon