Taming Wild Roses [Chasing Liberty Series #1]

58

"Cheers."

"Cheers!" ani ko kasabay ng pagtama ng aming baso. "I'm so proud of you Tris!" maligaya kong saad bago siya halikan sa pisngi.

She hugged me. "Thank you so much Roshan! Those 4 years have been rough but definitely worth it."

"I'm so happy for you. Konti na lang CPA ka na." saad ko habang pinapapak ang chicken na aking binili para sa kanya.

She sighed heavily. "Maybe it's really time to say goodbye to my pastry dream. I need to focus on what's at my feet, the bar." kumuha rin siya ng kapirasong chicken at sinubo ito.

We're here at my unit celebrating their graduation. Bumili ako ng inihaw na manok para may pulutan kami ni Tris.

New year has passed and after a few months, my girls have already graduated. I'm so proud of them, alam kong hindi madali pero kinaya nila. Kahit wala dito si Kelly ay alam kong masaya rin iyon dahil sobra sobra siyang kumayod para lang makapagtapos.

I can't help but to envied them, sabay sabay kami nagsimula pero ako, stuck pa rin dito. Tapos na sila samantalang ako, hindi na nakatuloy.

I sighed.

Tiis tiis lang muna Roshan. Si Neytiri muna.

"You'll ace the bar for sure." nakangiti kong ani habang hawak hawak ang beer.

"I'm scared to disappoint my parents. What if I-"

"You know what? Let's not talk about that. It's your graduation day and we should be happy." pigil ko.

"Hmm. Yeah." aniya at ininom ang alak.

Neytiri's inside our room, asleep. Tris had to celebrate with her blockmates and family kaya ngayon lang kami nagkaroon ng time.

"So, I heard someone gave you flowers?" I teased her.

"Baliw, wala lang iyon." sabay iwas niya ng tingin.

"Kai told me it was Elios. Nililigawan ka ba?"

Umiling siya. "It's complicated."

"Tss. Subukan niya lang na saktan ka, mapuputulan ko iyon ng ar-"

"Baliw ka talaga!" aniya sabay tawa. "Hmm. How about you? Kumusta ang love life?" dadag niya.

Muntik ko pang maibuga ang aking inumin. "It's complicated din." saad ko sabay tawa. "Kidding aside, wala muna sa plano ko. Nakausap ko na naman si Kai. I'm not asking for him to wait, at hindi rin naman ako maghihintay sa kanya. And soon, if destiny permits...then why not."

"Good for you. You need time for yourself first."

"Yeah. Time to love myself first." ani ko at tinungga ang beer.

"I don't know if I should say this but...."

"Hmm? Ano yun?" kuryoso kong tanong.

"I think Kelly and Aiden are now together." mababa niyang sabi.

"What?" nanlaki ang aking mata. "They're what?"

"I saw him at the graduation halls, he was giving her flowers, and uhm...they kissed. So, I think yeah, they're together."

I had to gulp three times and reciprocate what she just said.

"Is he happy?" that's the only thing that comes to my mind. I only want his happiness. After everything, he deserves to be happy.

"Sure does. I think." kibit balikat niya.

"Then I'm happy for them." I smiled wholeheartedly. "Aiden deserves someone who loves him to the fullest, and if it's Kelly, my best friend, then I'm more than happy."