Fundamentals of Marriage | Suarez I

Chapter 22

I am excited about the graduation for two reasons. First, I'm marrying Franco. Second, I don't have to pretend I'm not hurt around people I used to hang out with before I did something selfish.

Hanggang ngayon kasi kapag nagtatagpo ang mga mata namin ni Vanessa ay nakararamdam ako ng guilt. It reminds me of how cruel I was. Na kung hindi ko iyon ginawa, siguradong wala ako sa puwesto ngayon. Our batch's Valedictorian.

"What's your plan after graduation?" Samuel asked me.

"Get married? I'll be managing Madeopolis." Biglang sumakit ang ulo ko nang maisip na kasunod ng pagpapakasal ko ay ang pamamahala sa kompanya.

"Don't forget to invite me on your wedding," aniya. "Sana makaabot ako."

Wala pa nga akong sinasabi na iniimbitahan ko siya, makahabol na agad? "Why? Where are you going? Outer space?"

"Law school," he seriously muttered. "Nakapagdesisyon na akong igagapang ko ang pangarap na maging abogado."

"Why crawl when you can walk?" I laughed at my joke, he didn't smile a bit. Naging diretso tuloy muli ang mukha ko.

"Should I laugh?" He faked a laugh loudly. Umikot ang mata ko para tarayan siya. "Ngayon na lang kita narinig na magbiro, hindi pa nakakatawa."

I don't know why I'm here at the garden with him. Ayoko sa room dahil wala akong kasama bukod kila Krystal na may kuwentuhan kasama ang iba. Pinanindigan ko ang sinabi kong wala akong magiging kaibigan my whole life except for Ciana. The thought that always consoles me is 'Atleast, I don't have an enemy'.

"Why do you want to be a lawyer?" I asked to start a conversation. The air will be awkward kung magsusukatan lang kami ng tingin.

"Since we're already graduating, I'll tell you a secret." Sumandal siya sa backrest ng bench na nakapatong ang isang paa sa isang tuhod. His eyes went up to the sky. "The reason is right there, she's not just visible because it isn't night yet. Watch out when the sun falls, the brightest star is my mother."

Bumaling ang leeg ko sa kaniya. Puno ng pangungulila ang mga mata nitong nakatingala sa maulap na kalangitan. He smiled when he looked at me.

"My mother was a victim of domestic violence. My father left her cold and breathless. He was found not guilty because the court believed the pieces of evidence weren't enough. I wasn't enough evidence. He's rich, he can buy any foundation that will cover anything." His tears are fighting for its freedom. "I dig my mother's grave, Era. I buried her without mourning."

I offered him my handkerchief when I saw his tears travel down his cheeks. "I'm hoping to see you at the court, giving justice to everyone who deserves it, Atty. Gamboa."

"Can I keep this?" Itinaas niya ang panyo ko.

"I'm not planning to take it back anyway. I know you have a crush on me so yeah, keep it." Hinayaan kong dalhin ng hangin ang mahaba kong buhok.

We started preparing for the Graduation, it's pretty approaching and in no time, magpapaalam na kami sa EDU. I was more tired than usual the whole week. Wala maman akong ginagawa masiyado.

I am in a middle of a meeting when I received a text from Franco.

Miguel:
Nag-aaaya ng inuman ang mga pinsan ko. I won't go unless you say I can.

Me:
You can't.

I turned off the phone so I can focus on the meeting. The dean is asking for suggestions from us, as to how can we make the program short but memorable.

It wasn't that long when I felt my phone vibrate inside my pocket.

Miguel:
Okay, love. I'll see you at home later. I miss you.