I Could Fall

Chapter Seventeen

"Congrats! I'll miss you!" these are the phrases being exchanged by everyone.

Some were crying, some were trying not to cry, and some were crying and laughing at the same time. It's understandable because today's an incredibly overwhelming day for us.

The commencement ceremony just ended and we were officially proclaimed as graduates.
I didn't cry like them, but the pure joy and gratification from finishing a milestone is there.

Most of my girl classmates hugged me. I returned each hug and bid them best of luck. The sections scattered as they greeted their friends from a different section. May ilan pang bumati sa akin mula sa ibang section at binati ko rin sila pabalik.

The boys from our section joined our row. Their faces were filled with happiness as they hugged and greeted one another with congratulations. I instantly found Atticus from the sea of crowd. His boyish smile was radiating on his face. His eyes were fixated on mine as he made his way to me.

"Hi," he happily stated.

"Hi!" I enthusiastically greeted back.

Atticus didn't hesitate as he took a step forward and opened his arms. I didn't think twice in closing the distance between us and gave him a hug.

He was a few inches taller than me. I placed my chin on his shoulder and laughed when he squeezed me tight.

"Congrats, Salutatorian," he mocked.

"Congrats, Atti," I teased back and squeezed my arms around him before backing away.

Lumapit sa amin ang ibang mga lalaking kaklase para makibati ng congratulations sa akin. Ang mga babae ay lumapit din sa amin, lalo na kay Atticus.

I only excused myself to search for my parents. I found my father holding a beautiful arrangement of a bouquet of roses. Beside him, was my mother who was leaning against his side whose eyes were slightly red and glistening with tears.

All of my siblings were also present which made me so happy. Nung pumunta kasi ay kaming tatlo lang ni Mommy at Daddy. May mga pasok sila o kung anonh lakad kaya hindi na ako umasa na makakapunta sila. But they were all here! Kahit na si Kuya Xavi at Laurene na bihira ko na makita ay nandito!

"Congratulations, honey," Mommy cooed and stepped away from my father to hug me. She gave me a kiss on the cheek and rubbed my back before releasing me.

Sumunod naman si Daddy sa pagbati at humalik sa ibabaw ng ulo ko bago inabot ang bulaklak sa akin. My siblings hugged me next. We took pictures together.

The Fabella family was also with us. They even brought my little cousin, Phoenix, who's only three years old. Sa likod nila ay ang nanny ni Phoenix na bitbit ang isang bag na para siguro sa mga gamit ni Phoenix. Ate Lavie wasn't with them though. She still hasn't returned from England and I never heard from her either.

We took pictures together. Mabuti na lang at may nanny sila na kasama para kuhanan kami ng pictures. My smile faded a little when my eyes found Atticus who's walking towards our direction. His parents were right behind him.

Agad akong tinubuan ng kaba. I peeked behind them and the frantic beating of my heart slowed down when I didn't see Ali.

I don't know why I even bothered to hope that I'll see him here. Why am I still not used to getting disappointed from my self-incited expectations? I can't even be mad or blame him for it. Ako lang naman kasi itong umaasa mag-isa.

"Congratulations, Hyon, for graduating with flying colors," Mrs. Santiesteban

"Thank you po, Tita Agatha," I shyly said.