"I took the risk for you. I lied to my parents about us. I accepted the pain that you brought me. I love you. That's what my heart says. But why did you leave me? Why did you leave me on my birthday? Why did you leave me... on new year's eve?"
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Pagkatapos kong sabihin sa aking mga magulang ang sinabi ng doctor panay ang iyak nilang dalawa. Ganoon din ang nangyari noong nalaman ng aking mga kapatid ang aking sakit. Since then they check on me every minute. I also started my treatment. I have to get blood transfusion regularly to avoid the worst-case scenario. Every session Andy is there beside me, holding my hand. I am grateful to her.
"Elyse!!! I can't believe it graduate na tayo!" tili ni Andy.
Kakatapos lang ng program. I searched for my parents in the crowd but I couldn't find them. Andy and I took some pictures together with our block mates. Pagkatapos nun ay nag paalam na ako para pumunta sa bleachers. Bago ako maka akyat nakita ko ang aking mga magulang kasama ang aking mga kapatid. I ran towards them and hugged them tightly.
"Sabi niyo hindi kayo makakapunta!" maktol ko sa aking mga kapatid. Kuya Neil messed my hair.
"Kuya, ano ba! Wag mo ngang guluhin ang buhok ko! I spent 2 hours fixing this!"
Agad akong lumayo sa kanya at inayos ang aking buhok. Nagsitawanan sila.
"Surprise bunso!" si Kuya Alwin.
"Malamang pupunta kami, graduation mo eh!" si Ate Phoebe.
"Buti nga at grumaduate ka. Akala ko hindi."
I glared at Kuya Neil but he just kept on laughing like a mad man.
"Excuse me, Kuya. Hindi ka siguro aware na ang talino ng kapatid mo! Cum Laude kaya ako!"
Mama smiled. "We're proud of you, anak..." then she hugged me tightly. Tumango si Papa at ngumiti. Hindi man niya sabihin pero alam kong proud siya sa akin. Pagkatapos ay pumunta kami sa restaurant kung saan nagpa-reserve si Ate Phoebe.
"Oh, bakit walang ilaw. Baka sarado sila. Ano ba tong restaurant na pina-reserve mo, Ate?"
Walang kailaw-ilaw ang kainan. It was plain dark. Kumunot ang aking noo nang walang nag salita sakanila at deretsong pumasok sa loob. Lito akong sumunod sakanila. Pag bukas ko nito nagsiputukan ang mga confetti.
"Congrats, Elyse!!"
My eyes widened and my jaw dropped. Laking gulat ko ng makita ang aking buong pamilya. Baby Amarah cutely handed me a bouquet. My heart melted. Tears formed on the side of my eyes.
"This is for you, Ate Elyse! Congratulations on your graduation!"
I sat down to her level and grabbed the bouquet. I pinched her cheeks.
"Ang cutie mo talaga, baby Amarah!"
"Ate, I am not a baby anymore! I am 6 years old now!"
Nagsitawanan kami. My cousins, Tito's and Tita's greeted me.
