Graduation Day came and I was excited and nervous to be marching down the stage.

I woke up with a light feeling.

I was elated.

I don't want to think of my current problems in the family.

Today, I choose to be happy.

Even for just a moment.

I feel confident and proud of myself.

"Suarez, Shaniah Ella B. " The host said and me and dad marched up the stage.

I smiled and mumbled my thanks while shaking hands with the university officials.

Dad did the same.

I removed my cap and adjusted my  eyeglasses before dad put on my medal.

He kissed me on my cheek and smiled proudly.

I smiled in return.

We faced the audience and put on our best smiles for the photographer.

Afterwards, we went down and walked back to our seats.

The graduation rites ended shortly and we were now posing for our group shots with some of our friends.

Louisse, Trina and Ryzza requested for our squad photo to be taken and I did not object.

We were having a wonderful time but have to separate ways to celebrate with our respective families.

"Thanks Dad. " I said when we were inside the car.

"Anytime, bub." Was Dad's reply.

I almost got teary-eyed because I heard his endearment to me.

He used to call me 'bub' when I was about a toddler until grade school.

According to him, I was their bubble of joy.

Even if Sheena was only four years younger than me, I can still feel their love and happiness.

Usually, it's the youngest who get all the attention.

But, in fairness to them, they treated us both equally.

What toys I have, Sheena also has.

They treat us fairly and with equal love.

That's why it pains me even more to know that they are about to get annulled.

Dad drove me home and was greeted with a surprise party with our closest relatives and cousins.

Balloons and streamers were being hung on our wall and congratulatory cake and tasty treats adorned our dining area.

We have spaghetti, carbonara, menudo, chicken wings, buko pandan, tacos and bottles of softdrinks on our table.

Our cousin, Yassi Estorninos, two years younger than me hugged me as soon as we saw each other.

"Congrats, Shai!" Yassi grinned.

"Thank you, Yas!! I missed you!" I exclaimed and was pulled for a hug again.

My eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"Shaii!!" Xenon Rafael, our oldest cousin who was living in the United States of America, enveloped me in a hug.

"Brrooo!" I exclaimed and hugged him back. "You guys are so annoying! You're all making me cry! I missed you all!!"

I wiped tears that were starting to form in my eyes.

"Miss you too, Shai!" Came another familiar voice.

I turned around to see his brother, Xander, smiling from ear to ear.

I slapped him in annoyance.

"Oh! Oh! You're still an Amazona!" Xander dodged away from my slaps and laughed. "Is that how you missed me? Hahaaha!"

I frowned and continued wiping my tears.

"Congrats, Shai!" Tita Elena and Tito Romel, Xander and Xenon's parents, greeted me and pecked on my cheeks.

"Thank you, Auntie and Uncle!" I said and gave them a brief hug.

I thanked another group of our relatives who were at our den area.

Finally, when we are able to sit down, we started to eat.

"How have you been, Shai?" Xenon asked while we were enjoying the sumptuous treats.

"So-so. How are you? How are you in  the US of A? Aren't you getting married? You're old already!" I joked and he chuckled.

"I haven't seen my forever yet. That's why I came home. Maybe you know someone..You can introduce to me. " He laughed and bit on the chicken wing.

I chewed on my food first and swallowed it before replying.

"Crazy! Leave my friends alone! They are too kind for you, for Pete'd sake!" I exclaimed and he frowned.

"Ouch! Those words hurt!" Xenon chuckled. "I am nice and kind too!"

"Really? Where?" Xander butted in and sat beside me. "How about you, Shai? Where's your boyfriend?"

My forehead creased and continued eating.

"Nice. Talk to the hand." Xander shook his head and twirled the spaghetti noodles on his fork before bringing it into his mouth.

"Lol! You got screwed again!" Xenon exclaimed and took a saucer from our dining area. He returned with a serving of buko pandan and my mouth started to crave for sweets.

I immediately finished my food and wen to the dining area to get my own serving.

I also brought one for Xander and when I returned to our place, I heard them talking.

They immediately stopped when they saw me coming.

"Oh, what's going on? Go ahead with whatever you're talking about." I said and sat between them.

I saw them exchanged looks and both shook their heads.

"Heey.. What is it? Are you tripping out on me?" I said in mock defense.

"Uhm, we learned about Tito Hugh and Tita Jas' situation thru our mom. " Xander said straightforwardly.

"Hey, give her a break! You're too straightforward!" Xenon slapped his brother's nape.

"Still the same thing, bro! So, how are you and Shai? How about Shee?" Xander turned to me.

I tried to look away and tried to appear unaffected by smiling.

"That's what they want. So be it!!" I said half-heartedly.

"I'll make a Group Chat for us cousins so that if you need to talk to, we're just a chat away.." Xander said and I could only managed a small smile.

"Shot, shot! Have some pity for your liver!!" Xenon exclaimed and Xander only rolled his eyes.

"Hey! You guys are so annoying! Why didn't you call us?!" Our younger cousin, Juris Galvez, saw us and pulled our cousins, Trevor, Yves, Flora, Vanessa, Yassi and Ylona as well as my sister, Sheena to our place.

"It was you guys who were excluding us out!" Xander shot back and rolled his eyes again.

"Wow! We are finally complete! Let's take some Groupie!!!" Vanessa, our ever bubbly cousin, exclaimed and pulled out her phone.

We instantly posed for a couple of shots and Vanessa automatically posted it in her Facebook and Instagram profiles.

"What do you think, Ylo, Group chat is better if one wants to go out and have some fun, right?" Xander asked her and she nodded.

"Wow! You really looked for someone to back you up!!" Xenon exclaimed and pulled out his phone. "I already added you guys in the GC."

"Crazy! You contradicted my suggestion awhile ago and yet you were the first one who made a GC for us!!" Xander commented and we all laughed while we were looking on our phones.

Thank God for cousins!

I don't feel lonely anymore.