Elysian (Samantila Series #1)

23

"You're not gonna study in Manila after graduation?" pag-lilinaw ko.

Stage nodded while he's watching the movie. "I'm gonna wait for you first.. Isang taon lang naman."

"But it's fine. Mahirap mag palipat-lipat ng school. We can chat each other online, or do a video call. It's much more easy to communicate nowadays.. You don't need to worry about those things." I said so he would go to Manila.

Doon niya kasi talagang plano mag-college bago niya pa ako makilala. His family wants him to study there, too. Lalo na't nandoon talaga ang main office ng kumpanya nila. Para hindi na pa-alis-uwi sila Tita.

"Nope. I already made my mind. We'll go to Manila together."

I sighed, "But do they offer here the course you want?"

We're currently watching a movie here in my house. We planned this days ago, and here we are. Watching a movie while talking about his college plans.

Hindi siya nakasagot.

"Oh, diba. You want to take chemical engineering, right? We have that here in Cebu, but not in Bantayan." sabi ko pa. It's not practical for him to stay here. Saka if he's planning to study in CIT or wherever university that offers chemical engineering here in Cebu, he shouldn't stay here in Bantayan.

Umiling parin siya, "I'll take online classes or just take a temporary course. It's okay."

I seriously stared at him. Hindi naman ako magchi-cheat sakanya o ano, I don't understand him. I know that we'll miss each other but that doesn't mean that he have to stay here in Bantayan when he don't have the need to. Ang mga schools rin na nag ooffer ng chemical engineering ay nasa mga malalayong lugar.

"I swear, Stage. You should go to Manila or just study somewhere here in Cebu that offers the course you want. I'll still be here, in Bantayan which is a part of Cebu. Cebu parin naman ang pupuntahan mo, at nasa Cebu parin naman ako if you chose the latter. I love you, and I will continue to do so even if we're apart. So, you could chase your dreams now. Wala akong problema roon." halos hingalin ako sa haba ng aking sinabi. I just really want him to study the course he wants.. Hindi yung iii-stuck nya ang sarili nya dito sa tabi ko kahit na hindi niya gusto ang course na ite-take nya sa first year nya.

"I won't change my mind, Ame."

And he really did.

His graduation came and I'm still convincing him to go to Manila. Siya nalang kasi ang maiiwan dito sa mga pinsan nyang ka-edad nya. I feel like I'm stopping him to reach his dreams.

I felt mixed emotions while watching him on the stage, finally graduating senior high school. I'm really happy for him, graduate na sya e. The next step is college. Kaso, yun nga. He still want to stay here despite the universities not having the course he wants to take. I feel slightly annoyed because of that fact. But, he's still not changing his mind.

Today will be my last shot to convince him. Kaya hinintay ko siyang magkaroon ng oras para kausapin ako. I patiently waited for hours.

Kaya nang magkaroon ako ng pagkakataon ay kinagat ko na ito.

Stage hugged me after a long time of him socializing to other people.

"I love you." he whispred then kissed the top of my head.

"I love you, too. Congratulations! You're finally done with highschool." I stated and then put my arms on his nape.

He smiled then he placed his hands on my waist. "Just another year for you to be done with it, too. You can do it, love."

"Of course. And you're on my side, too." I removed my arms on his nape and held his face, "But, seriously, please study in Manila this year."

Ngumuso naman siya saka nya inalis ang pagkakahawak ko sa mukha nya para maisiksik nya ang mukha nya sa leeg ko. "You're still convincing me, love?" he hugged me tight, "I won't change my mind, though."

There we go, my last shot. I sadly failed.

Kaya hinayaan ko nalang syang gawin ang gusto nya pagkatapos non. I guess I can't change the mind of a person who have his plans plastered on his brain already.

I decided to just do well in school. Peaceful narin ng kaonti ang pamumuhay ko sa huling taon ko sa high school. Half of my cousins are already in Manila. Zaire, Pacen, Cazian, and Dice are already in their first year of college.

If ever you're wondering why Zaire (despite being one year older from Pacen and the rest of my mentioned cousins), he had a gap year before he entered seventh grade. Gusto niya raw kasing kasabay mag-aral ang kapatid nya, which is si Pacen.

But I think it's only an alibi. Paano kasi, noong taong yon ay naglibot-libot lang sya sa kung saan-saang lugar, international o domestic man. Elzaire always have a crazy plan for himself. Ewan ko ba sa abnormal na 'yon. His parents are also spoiling him for whatever reason. I've always thought of this for the past years, I really think Zaire is the favorite child of Tita Raven and Tito Elzio. I know that they're both fair to their children but they always say yes to whatever Zaire wants to do.

He barely even get scolded for doing the things he wants, kung napapagalitan man ay tungkol lamang sa pag-inom inom nya noong minor pa sya.

Other than that, none. My head hurts just by thinking about Zaire. It's better to focus on good things nga naman..

After months of pushing myself to study more to get good grades, my most awaited day has come. My 12th grade graduation. I feel happy not just for myself who's already done with highschool, with my few other cousins, but also for Stage. He can finally chase his dreams freely.

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About the colleges that offers chemical engineering, I just did research for that. So, if it's not accurate, please let me know.