Ardent Joys of Paramour

Page 18 : You and me, in every universe

"Fernandez, Angeline Haven." The Professor announced and Angel giddily stood up from her seat, she adjusted her graduation hat and looked around as she sees her Mother go towards her. Both of them having the biggest of smiles as they walked in the aisle. The background music was loud in the big podium. This was the day Angel gets to finish her degree, the day she gets to fully graduate and kick herself out of school even tho sooner would return back knowing she's an English Major and aiming to be an Educator.

Oh well.

"Wala dito girlfriend mo?" Nag tingin-tingin sa iba't ibang anggulo ang Mama ni Angel habang nag lalakad sila.

Napatawa si Angel at nag taas ng kilay niya bahagya. "Mas masaya ka pang hinahanap nobya ko kase makuha diploma ko?" Tanong ni Angel sakanyang Ina ngunit masaya rin naman si Angel na tanggap ng kanyang Ina kung ano man siya. Kung ang iba ay nahihirapan, ag Ina na ni Angel ay tinatanggap siya ng buo kung ano ang kanyang gusto.

"Masaya din ako na may nobya ka, anak." Wika ng Ina.

Napangiti lang si Angel tsaka nag tingin-tingin din sa paligid, nag babasakali na makita ang kanyang nobya. "Natraffic pa po ata si Rei eh." Ani ni Angel at nag linya pa muna sila dahil may iilan pang nasa unahan niya na kumukuha na ng diploma sa taas ng podium.

"Ay sayang naman." Napasimangot ang Ina ni Angel. Nagtaas ulit ng kilay ang dalaga at nagsalita muli ang kanyang Ina habang bahagyang nakangiti.

"Walang mag satin kukuha ng litrato doon." Pag turo niya sa podium.

Nnalaki ang mga mata ni Angel s sinabi ng Ina at hindi niya alam kung matatawa ba siya or maguguluhan. "Mama naman may photographer." Ani ni Angel sabay pag turo doon sa kalayuan. Rinig ang pag pitik at pag flash ng camera nito.

Kumunot ang noo ng Ina. "Ang mahal kaya ng bayad ng mga niyan." Depensya na respondi naman ng kanyang Ina sakanya. Napasinghap si Angel at iilang tao nalang ang nasa unahan nila.

"Nobya ko gagawin mong taga kuha litrato natin?" Tanong ni Angel sa Ina at parang hindi ito makapaniwala, pero alam naman din ni Angel nagagawin ng nobya parin iyon. Natatawa lang talaga siya sa paraan ng kanyang Ina para hindi makabayad ng mamahalin na litrato sa mga photographers dito.

Tinaasan si Angel ng kilay ng kanyang Ina. "Bakit? Ako rin naman pag mamanduan mo mamaya na kunan kayo ng litrato ah." Pag bibigkas nito at napailing nalang si Angel sabay ang pag tungtong nila sa podium.

"Tama ka nga rin naman Mama." Pag sasang-ayon ni Angel sa Ina.

"I know right." Tipid na respondi nito kay Angel.

When they arrived at the top of the podium, Angel shook her hands to te Professors and Dean, so did her Mother. At last when the Diploma was given to her Angel had the biggest smile up on her face. Years of sacrifice lead to this. It was all so worth it. It was everything Angel wanted to complete in her life and now it's in the checked list.

"Congratulations." The Dean says in a whispering tone as he shook his hand with Angel whilst Angel had her diploma in her free hand.

"Thank you, Dean." Angel responds as she smiled then an applause came along as she looks at the front of the podium.She saw her classmates applauding and giving her a big thumbs up. Ruth was heck of a wild friend for shouting. Angel slowly bows her head giving all her gratitude.

After the Graduation ceremony, all the students were out of the gymnasium. Everyone were talking pictures, bhy class, friend groups or the usual solo pictures. Angel was with her classmates as of the moment. All of them were talking picutres and hugging each other, bidding their goodbyes and saying their gratitude.