One Last Time

Kabanata IX: UNEXPECTED GIFT

UNEXPECTED GIFT.
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MABILIS na lumipas na naman ang isang taon na hindi kami nagkita ni Levi. For the second time, he left without even telling me. Last I heard, he was in Qatar for a seminar.

Although I checked his social media a week before he left, hindi ko na inulit. He will eventually return to the Philippines. Levi always finds his way home, pabalik sa akin...

I just made myself busy preparing for our graduation. Time flies so fast. It's already been five years since I was forced to transfer.

"CONGRATULATIONS, Ms. Cumlaude."

Pilit akong ngumiti nang salubungin ako ni Ariella sa gilid pagkababa ko sa stage.

"Yeah, congratulations to you too, Ms. Suma Cumlaude." I hide my bitterness in my casual tone.

Ariella gave me a genuine smile before I walked past her to return to my seat.

"Congratulations, Keira." My seatmate greeted me with a smile as I took my seat.

I just nodded at her before focusing my eyes on the center of the stage.

"Sandeco, Ariella Gredaria...Suma Cumlaude."

Naikuyom ko ang kamay ko nang tinawag na ang pangalan ni Ariella. Matiim ang tingin ko sa kanya habang nakikipagkamay siya sa mga school official.

I brought my lips tightly together. I'm upset with the fact that Ariella G. Sandeco, my vice president, just snatched the title by having a one-point advantage over our GWA.

And it's infuriating. I'm so close yet so far...

I did my best, but between the two of us, she's the bestest.

Tahimik lang akong nakasunod kay Dad habang palabas kami ng gym kasabay ng ibang magulang at mga estudyante. Hawak ko ang invitation at diploma habang nakasampay sa'king braso ang hinubad kong toga.

"Walk faster, Keira. Kanina pa naghihintay sa'tin ang Tita mo."

Nilakihan ko ang mga hakbang ko para masabayan si Dad sa paglalakad.

"Is it true that Annika's coming home, Dad?" I asked him nervously.

"Yes," sagot niyang hindi tumitingin sa'kin.

"When?"

Dad finally glanced at me while we kept walking. "She didn't give me a specific date, but she said it's one of these days."

My jaw was clenched and my hands were balled into fists. Magsasalita pa sana ako pero agad ko ring naitikom ang bibig nang segundahan 'yon ni Dad.

"No more asking, Keira," he said with finality.

Pasimple na lang akong napairap. Sinabayan ko na lang siya habang tinatahak namin ang hallway palabas ng STSU.

"Congratulations, dear!" Tita Norin, in her floral maxi white dress and closed-toe heels, accented with gold accessories, greeted me with a wide smile pagkabalik namin sa SUV namin. Naka-park ang sasakyan namin sa labas ng university, kahilera ng ibang magagarang sasakyan na naka-park din doon.

"We are so proud of you!"

My lips parted. Hindi na ako nakaalma when she hugged me.

"T-Thanks," wika ko at mabilis na humiwalay sa kanya na parang napapaso.

"Keira."

I totally ignored Dad's chiding tone next to me. I quickly went to the backseat.

Napasulyap ako sa front seat nang umalog ang sasakyan. Dad's now in the driver's seat, with Tita Norin sitting next to him.