Chapter 11

“The first strand to march will be the TVL, followed by GAS, HUMMS, EIM, ABM, and STEM, then ICT,” anunsyo ni Sir Sany sa amin. “Pagkarating niyo rito sa harap, you will stay here at right side then ang parents niyo naman sa left side. Understood?” Lahat kami ay sumagot sa kanya.

“We have Ma’am Cristina and Ma’am Adelle here to demonstrate what you will do para hindi magulo sa actual graduation niyo,” dagdag pa nito.

Ma’am Cristina and Ma’am Adelle then demonstrated us what to do. Matapos nila ay pinractice namin ang magmartsa. Dire-diretso iyon. Kumbaga prinactice namin ‘yung whole flow ng program.

Nahinto lang kami saglit at hinayaan kaming magpahinga no’ng mamali si Angeline sa half-half beat na ginawa niya for the national anthem kaya ngayon ay itinuturo sa kanya ang tamang beating.

Gano’n din ang ginawa nila sa Entrance of Colors. Itinuro nila sa mga ito ang tamang pagtayo at paghawak nila lalo na sa bandila.

Kaming may part naman sa program, lalo na sa speech ay pinakinggan nila kung paano ang pagdedeliver namin doon. Then chinecheck nila kung mabilis ba kaming magsalita o hindi.

“That ends our practice today. Maglunch na muna kayo. Bumalik na lang kayo bandang 1 dito sa gym.”

Hindi katulad last week, ngayon ay kasama namin si Shane. Iyong cafeteria ay hindi na rin punuuan. Since it’s already April, bihira ng pumasok ang mga estudyante lalo na ‘yung mga juniors. Ang ilan ay pumapasok na lang yata para magpapirma ng clearance. Kaming mga graduating students na lang talaga ang pumapasok para sa practice.

“Oh my god!” tili ni Shane nang biglang mabitawan ni Aldridge iyong basong hawak niya habang kumakain kami.

I abruptly dragged my chair near him and sat beside him. “Okay ka lang?” I leveled my face on him. Sinubukan kong tignan niya ako pero nakayuko lang ito.

Head bowed, his left hand went to his temple and rubbed it as he nodded to me. Napailing ito at ilang beses na pikit-mulat ang kanyang ginawa.

“Love, are you okay?” I asked again, biting my lip, trying to hide my worry.

Kanina ko pa kasing napapansin ang kakaiba sa kanya. Bago pa niya kunin ‘yung baso, napansin kong nahirapan itong kunin iyon, na para bang hindi niya nakikita ang kinukuha niya.

“Aldridge,” basag ang boses na tawag ko sa pangalan niya.

“I’m o-okay, love,” he assured. Napatingala ito saglit bago niya ako hinarap.

Agad namang umalis si Shane para ipalinis iyong mga nagkalat na bubog sa sahig. Baka kasi ay masugatan kami lalo na ‘yung iba pang kakain.

After taking our lunch, Shane went somewhere kaya kaming dalawa na lang ni Aldridge ang magkasama ngayon.

Simula no’ng umalis kami sa cafeteria hanggang sa makatambay kami rito sa soccer field, iyong pinagsilungan ko noon no’ng makita ko siyang naglalaro ng soccer, hindi ko inaalis ang paningin ko sa kanya.

“Meg, I’m fine now, okay?” ngiti nitong saad sa akin.

“Aldridge, be honest with me, may sakit ka ba?” walang permisong inilagay ko ‘yung likod ng palad ko sa noo niya pero hindi naman ‘yon mainit. “Hindi ka naman mainit,” pahayag ko pa.

“Due to lack of sleep, I guess.”

“Ano ba kasing pinagpupuyatan mo?”

“Online games.”

I glared at him after hearing that. “Magpuyat ka pa para doon. Masaya ‘yon,” sarkasmo kong tugon sa kanya saka siya inirapan ng mata. Maybe his eyes are hurting kasi nakababad lang ito sa phone.

Natawa lang ito dahil sa naging reaksyon ko sabay pitik sa aking noo. “Okay, I won’t do it anymore. But how would you know if I’m sick?”

“Syempre, magdodoctor ako. That's why I want to study hard para malaman ko kung anong mga symptoms mayroon ang mga sakit though wala pa naman ako sa college.” paliwanag ko sa kanya. Again, I shifted my gaze back at him. “Seriously, love, are you really okay?” I asked again, still not contented about his excuses.

“I’m okay, love. No need to worry. I love you,” saka ako nito biglang hinalikan sa pisngi. Sa tuwing gano’n ang ginagawa niya’y hindi ko pa rin talaga maiwasang hindi magulat.

Then he moved a bit, until he laid down on the ground, using my lap as his pillow. “Why do you want to become a doctor?” he asked as he met my eyes.

“I already answered that, right? Ikaw, bakit gusto mong maging engineer? You haven’t answered that,” pagbabalik ko ng tanong sa kanya katulad ng ginawa niya sa akin no’n.

I remembered him asking that question before but he questioned me back. Ngayon, iba-back to you ko siya sa tanong na ‘yon.

“To be honest, at first, I just wanted to build a house that’s why I want to take the engineering course. But I found my real answer when I met you.” Dahil nakatungo ako sa kanya, hinaplos nito ang pisngi ko sabay ipit sa mga nakawalang hibla ng buhok sa gilid ng tainga ko.

“I wanted to build a home for you... with you,” he answered and that’s enough for me to fall for him more and more.

I smiled at him. “Sure. Let’s do it soon.” I also caressed his faced until my hand reached his shoulders, trying to lift him up. “Pero tumayo ka na muna r’yan, mag-a-ala una na. Dapat makagraduate muna tayo. Magkokolehiyo pa tayo,” natatawa kong sambit sa kanya. Maging siya ay natawa na rin.

When he’s about to get up, I loosen my grip on his shoulder but Aldridge carried his weight and reached for my lips that easily.

“Aldridge!” gulat kong sambit dahil sa ginawa niya, nanlaki pa ang aking mga mata.

Agad din akong napatingin sa paligid namin, nahihiya na baka may makakakita sa amin. How could he just stole kisses from me that easily?

“Let’s go,” noon ko lang din napansing nakatayo na pala siya at ang kamay niya’y nakalahad na sa harapan ko. I just took it saka ako tumayo.

“Baliw ka talaga,” kumento ko sa kanya. Bumalik naman na kami kaagad sa gymnasium para maka-attend sa practice.

Second week of April came, that was Wednesday, the exact day for our graduation. After fixing myself, I was just standing in front of my vanity mirror. I am now wearing a white boat neck midi dress and was covered by our color blue graduation gown plus my graduation cup.

I am definitely spoiling my eyes from the best outfit I have ever wore, my toga.

“Meg, naghihintay na ang magulang mo sa baba,” tawag sa akin ni Nanay Orsing. “Congratulations, anak. Proud ako sa’yo,” sambit nito nang makalapit sa direksyon ko.

“Salamat po Nanay Orsing.”

Habang pinagmamasdan ako nito’y bumukas ang pintuan ng aking kwarto. Sabay kaming napalingon at doon ay pumasok ang ate ko.

“Mom and Dad are already waiting at the car,” aniya.

“Sure, bababa na ako,” sagot ko sa kanya pero bago ako makaalis sa kinatatayuan ako, Ate Trixie walked in front of me, opened her white leather purse bag and took something inside it.

“Your lips are pale. Let me put you some lipstick on,” hindi na ako kumontra nang lagyan nito ang labi ko. She also put some blushes on my face. Inayusan din nito nang mabilisan ang buhok ko.

“Happy graduation, Meg. Congratulations.”

Surprised, I smiled at Ate Trixie. “Thanks, ate.”

Before the clock strikes at 8, we already left the house and right now, I was with my family. Daddy’s the one driving, next to him is my Mom. Nasa gitna naman ako katabi si Ate Trixie na siyang busy sa kanyang cellphone, nakasuot pa ito ng earphones. Sa likod naman namin ay sina Uncle Danny, Nanay Orsing at Ate Adel.

“Happy graduation, Meg. Congratulations sa atin!” bati ng kaklase kong si Cindy nang makarating kami sa St. Felicity College, school namin. Sabay pa kaming pumasok sa gym habang nasa likod naman ang aming mga magulang.

“Congrats sa atin,” I restated her last words.

Nang makapasok kami, nandoon na lahat ng co-students namin. Nang makita namin ‘yung iba naming kaklase ay nagkaroon kami ng picture taking sa kung saan-saang spot na aming napupusuan. We also went to the stage to take some pictures there tutal ay hindi pa naman nagsisimula ang program.

Halos karamihan ay gano’n ang ginawa. We’re actually taking advantageous of the time before the program will finally start.

Sa bawat mukha ng mga estudyanteng nakikita ko, naroon ang ngiti sa kanilang mga mukha.

Our six-year stay in this institution is no joke. Ang dami naming masasaya at malulungkot na pinagdaanan, ang dami rin naming naranasan at saksi ang apat na sulok ng bawat silid-aralan na siyang naging tahanan namin kada taon.

Despite the hardships, struggles, and everything, I am glad that we already reached the end of our high school years. Though, it’s the last day for all of us, it’s still not yet the end but indeed a new beginning for us to conquer.

8:30 when the program finally started. Nakakatuwa lang na lahat kami ay may nakuha. It’s really fulfilling dahil lahat ng pinaghirapan namin ay nagbunga. And today’s definitely the day for us to reap the peak of our successes.

When my name was called, nakangiti akong umakyat sa entablado para kunin iyong diploma ko. Noong awarding of honors na, sumunod sa aking likod ang Mom ko. As she wear me the medal, she congratulated me at hindi ko maiwasan ang pagngiti nang malapad.

Halos akyat-baba pa nga ang ginawa ko dahil sa sunud-sunod na awards na ibinigay sa akin. Ang ilan ay natatawa pa at sinabihan akong huwag na lang daw akong bumaba. They even told me that it’s not a pageant and yet halos hakutin ko raw lahat ng awards.

Naging salit-salitan ang Mom at Dad ko sa pagsasabit sa akin ng medal habang si Ate Trixie naman ay naroon sa baba at kinukuhaan kami ng larawan. Sa tabi nito ay si Ate Adel. Unle Danny and Nanay Orsing also waved at me nang makita ko ang mga itong nakaupo sa may bench. I gave them both a big smile.

“Meg, mabigat ‘yan sa leeg ‘no? Pa-ambon naman ng medalya,” pagbibiro ng mga kaklase ko habang nakatingin ang mga ito sa medalyang nakasabit ngayon sa leeg ko.

“Baliw,” naiiling kong saad sa kanila.

After our strand, sumunod naman ang ibang strand. With the smiles plastered on their faces, I can see how happy and how proud their parents are lalo na noong makuha rin nila ang kanilang mga diploma at awards.

“And for our special award, the Outstanding Student Award from University of the Philippines, we have Megan Uy, STEM strand.” Sitting on my chair, I was surprised with that announcement. Sumunod ay ang palakpakan na pumuno sa buong gymnasium.

Feeling out of myself, I went on the stage though I still can’t believe about the award they just announced. We already have the invitation card with us. Nakalagay na roon ‘yung itinerary ng program but having this award is not included in it.

Smile suddenly formed on my lips. Hindi lang kasi ako makapaniwala knowing na dream school ko pa ‘yung nagbigay no’n.

“May we call the parents of Ms. Uy to award this to her,” added by the MC.

Minuto ang lumipas, napatingin ako sa inupuan ng parents ko dahil wala pang umaakyat sa kanila at napakagat labi ako nang mapansing wala na sila roon. I even roamed my eyes from the whole gymnasium but I couldn’t see them, not even my Mom nor my Dad but including my sister as well.

The audience also roamed their eyes and some murmured about my parents’ absence. Ilang beses ko pa silang hinanap pero wala talaga akong makita sa kanila. Where are they? Did they left already?

Until my eyes met Nanay Orsing’s. Dali-dali itong tumayo at umakyat sa stage para siya na lang iyong magsabit ng medalya sa akin.

“Congrats, Megan. Aba’y ang galing mo namang bata ka. Proud kami sa’yo,” usal nito habang isinasabit na niya sa leeg ko iyong medalya.

“Sila Mommy po? Si Daddy?” I asked but I tried to hide my broken voice as she pins the ribbon on me.

“Umalis kanina, e. Ngayong alas dose raw magsisimula ang trial case na hawak ng Mommy mo. Ang Daddy mo naman ay inasikaso ‘yung kliyente niya.”

Pinagdampi ko ang labi ko upang pigilan iyong pagpiyok ko. “How about Ate Trixie?”

“Sumama sa kanila. Aasikasuhin niya raw ang thesis nila.” Napatango na lamang ako nang sabihin iyon ni Nanay Orsing saka namin hinarap pareho iyong mga tao. Flashes of camera then welcomed us.

Ngumiti ako sa harapan ng maraming tao but pain still struck in me. I can also feel the tears at the sides of my eyes. Ang bigat lang kasi sa pakiramdam. Hindi man lang nila tinapos ‘yung program, ni hindi pa sila nagpaalam. They left without even informing me. How painful could that be?

Sumunod naman ang speech ng guest speaker namin pero naroon ako’t nakaupo lamang, na para bang sa isang iglap ay nawala ‘yung saysay ng program.

“May we call Ms. Megan Uy for her Student Testimony, as her words of gratitude to everyone,” nagpalakpakan ang mga tao matapos i-anunsyo iyon.

For the last time, I looked for my parents, hoping that maybe they could come back but they were nowhere to be found. Tanging sina Uncle Danny, Nanay Orsing at Ate Adel na lamang talaga ang nakita ko.

Hopeless, I came up to the stage, holding a folded piece of paper where my speech was written.

“To my co-Grade 12 students, the day we’ve been waiting for so long has finally come. It’s just so great thinking that finally, we made it! And just by thinking that all the sacrifices we made, all the efforts we had, those struggles we’ve experienced and for everything has turned out to be the reason of our today’s successes,” I shared to everyone with all my heart.

“To our teachers in junior and senior high school, thank you for everything. We may had finished our role and part of being students of St. Felicity College, our beloved Alma Mater, those memories and times being with you will not end and those lessons you have taught us will be kept forever in our minds and in our hearts.” I quickly dried my tears when it rolled down my cheeks.

Naaalala ko lang kasi ‘yung mga pinagdaanan ko, pati ng mga kaklase ko simula pa lang noong Grade 7 kami. Standing on the stage, I can see them in tears as well.

I also gave words of gratitude to my classmates hanggang sa mapunta na ‘yon sa words of gratitude para sa family ko, sa parents ko.

“To my family, Mom, Dad, Ate Trixie...” bahagya akong natigilan sa pagsasalita kasabay ng luhang kumawala sa aking mga mata. My eyes were only settled on their chairs without their presence in it saka ko itinuloy ‘yung speech ko.

“Thank you for everything. Thank you for the support you gave me. Thank you for always lifting me up. This success of mine will not happen if it’s not because of you,” there, I bit my lip to stop myself from crying.

That speech of mine was sugar-coated with flowery words, telling everyone that I am so blessed for having them, for the support they are giving me but the truth is, it was all lies. Dahil ni minsan, hindi ko naramdaman ang suporta nila para sa akin.

I hope things will change as I go to college. Naiibibigay niyo nga po ‘yung gusto ko pero isa lang po ang kailangan ko, ‘yung suporta ninyo. That’s what I wanted to tell. That's what my heart wants to tell but what's the point of saying those things if the people whom I’m referring with it were not here anymore?

With round of applause, I went back to my sit hanggang sa Pledge of Loyalty na, and lastly, our graduation song. While the song is playing, everyone stood up, throwing up their caps habang ako ay naroon, nanghihinang napaupo sa upuan ko, iniiyak lahat ng hinanakit ko.

How could they just left in the middle of our graduation program? Noong awarding ceremony namin, naiintindihan ko pa ‘yon pero ngayong araw mismo ng graduation namin, kailangan ba nilang iparamdam ulit sa akin ang naramdaman ko noon?

This is my graduation day. This is not just a typical program but how could they treat it like a non-special one?

Minsan na nga lang nila akong bigyan ng oras pero hindi pa nila nagawang tapusin ‘yung program. Naiintindihan ko kung busy sila sa trabaho nila pero hindi ba pwedeng kahit isang araw lang, ibigay naman nila ang buong atensyon at oras nila para sa akin? Gano’n ba kahirap para sa kanilang gawin ‘yon?

How could they treat me like this? How could they let me feel this? Sa mismong araw pa talaga na siyang matagal kong hinintay at pinaghandaan.