She's into Gays

epilogue

BRIEL

They say, when you're happy, time flies so fast.

Kapag masyado kang masaya hindi mo na daw napapansin ang oras. Both of you are invested on each other, that time, became almost nonexistent to the both of you. But when you're apart, a minute can feel like a whole year.

Seconds, days, months, passed. Some days are bad, some days are good, some days are bitter, some days are sad, but most importantly, those days ended sweet.

“Bonifacio, Gabriela S.”

I walked towards the stage, taas noo at feel na feel ko ang black kong toga habang kino-congragulate ako ng mga professor kong hindi nag-expect na makaka-graduate ako. Maski ako masaya din na graduate na ako.

Habang nasa stage ay tanaw na tanaw ko sina mama mula sa malayo. Dad and my half-siblings are there too. Even his new wife, they're all here, cheering for me.

When the dean handed me the diploma, a loud cheering echoed from the audience. Nang mapalingon ako ay nakita ko sila Kean, Trevor, Timothee, at Hilary at ang iba pa na panay ang sigaw habang tinutulak tulak at inaasar nila si Gabi na pilit sinasaway ang makukulit kong kaibigan.

When our eyes met ay ngumiti siya sa akin, I gave him my warmest and sweetest smile too before winking. Up until now, it still feels like a dream. Everything, feels like a dream.

“Congratulations.” The dean greeted and I thanked him for that.

Before going down, I faced the crowd again, proudly with a bright smile. I'm living the moment. All the hardships paid off. Para akong nasa cloud nine. The feeling of happiness, satisfaction and excitement is overflowing my body.

After several flashes of camera ay patakbo akong bumaba at bumalik sa pwesto ko. I glanced at Gabi's direction once more and he gave me wink, but I can tell that he's proud of me too, just like me to him.

After some ceremonies and hats being tossed ay natapos din ang programme. All of us are a crying mess habang kanya kanya silang lapit sa mga pamilya at kaibigan nila. The hymn of the university is echoing in the stadium pero halos wala nang pake ang lahat.

Dumiretso ako kay Penny at Hilary na nagsisi-iyakan na. Specially, Hilary. Nakailang muntikang bagsak na 'yan eh. Mabuti nalang nadidiskartehan niya.

“Gago graduate na tayo!” Sigaw pa ni Hilary habang tumatalon talon. Penny and I could only laugh habang kapwa halos maiyak na sa sobrang tuwa. One of our dreams finally came true.

“Imagine grumaduate pa tayo.” I joked na ikinatawa naman nila.

“Ah basta masaya ako sobra!” Niyakap ulit kami ni Hilary ng mahigpit bago nagtatakbong pumunta sa iba niya pang kaibigan.

Naiwan tuloy kami ni Penny na halos maiyak na. We both hugged each other and proudly congratulated each other. Saksi ako sa paghihirap ni Penny and she's the same with me kaya labis talaga ang pasasalamat namin.

“Walang limutan ah?” Naiiyak kong sabi sabay hampas sa likod niya. Penny giggled as I felt her nod in agreement.

“Wag mo din akong kalimutang imbitahin sa kasal niyo ni Gabi.” She teased which made me blush. Tae naman. Hindi pa nga kami nago-one year eh  Kasal agad?

I playfully nudged her. “Ikaw rin kapag kayo na ni—”

“Tumahimik ka.”

Natawa nalang ako saka humiwalay sa pagkakayakap sa kanya. She wiped my tears before tapping my shoulders saka may nginuso sa likod ko. I was confused at first pero nang marinig ko ang kantyawan nina Kean ay alam ko na kaagad kung anong meron.