Imee's POV
It's been 2 weeks and today is my graduation day. I'm really excited right now and so as my parents. It's already 10pm so I took a bath and dry my hair kasi mamaya darating na ang mag-aayos sakin. Ewan ko ba kay mommy kumuha pa kasi ng mag-aayos, kaya ko naman ayusan ang sarili ko eh. Hopefully magustuhan ko dahil kung hindi, buburahin ko talaga. I don't care kung masayang yung binayad noh! HAHAHA At exactly 11am someone knocked the door so I immediately opened it. I am right, the make up artist (gay) arrived kasama si mom.
Mommy Maddison: Hi anak (gave Imee a cheek kiss)
Imee: Hello mom (then smile)
Mommy Maddison: This is Ananias, a friend of mine. Siya yung mag-aayos sayo anak.
Ananias: Hi madam (Referring to Imee)
Imee: Hello po. Don't call me madam. Ano ka ba! Just call me Imee nalang po (then smile)
Ananias: Ah Sige (then smile)
Mommy Maddison: Ananias you should start na okay? At ako naman maliligo na din ako. At exactly 12pm dapat tapos para we still have time para makapagpicture.
Ananias: Noted madam.
Mommy Maddison: Oh I gotta go. See you later Lizzy!
I just smile then let kuya Ananias enter my room. I told him na light make up lang dahil ayoko ng masyadong makapal. He does my hair first. I suggest to styled it a li'l wavy instead of updo hairstyle. It took him 30 minutes para ayusan ako then after that I straightly go to my closet room. I wore White Lace Bodycon Midi Dress then paired with white heels.
Mom was the one who chose what I would wear. I told her na black dress nalang eh kaso ayaw niya. Habang inaayos ko ang fit nito, she entered then help me to fix it.
Mommy Maddison: Oh diba! I told you mas bagay sayo toh (then smile)
After mom tell those words, she hugged me and parang naiiyak.
Imee: Why mom?
Mommy Maddison: Wala. Masaya lang ako. Ang ganda ng anak ko (her tears fall)
Imee: Mommy talaga oh. Don't cry na sayang yang make up mo eh (then wiped her mom's tears)
Mommy Maddison: Oh I almost forgot. Wait here anak.
I just nod then she went out of my room. I guess babalik siya sa room nila then after a couple of minutes, she came back.
Mommy Maddison: Wear these.
As mom opened the box, a smile automatically formed on my face.
Imee: Mom sayo to diba?
Mommy Maddison: Before, pero ngayon sayo na (then handed the box to Imee)
Imee: Weh? Totoo ba?
Mommy Maddison: Yep. Sige na isuot mo na, anong oras na oh.
Imee: Thank you mom (hugged her mom)
Mommy Maddison: Give me the necklace, ako na magsusuot sayo (then smile)
It took us another 20 minutes to have some moment then after that we go downstairs na. We saw dad and kuya waiting for us already. While walking towards them, nakangiti lang sila.
Daddy Edward: My Lizzy! You look stunning as always anak (then hugged Imee)
Imee: Thank you dad (then smile)
Anthony: Hmpft! Halika nga dito (Referring to Imee)
Imee: Ano na naman kuya? (Frowned)
Kuya just smile then gave me a tight hug. Hayst! After a couple of seconds, I pulled out from the hug.
Imee: Kuya naman, makaka attend pa ba ako mamaya? Papatayin mo na ata ako eh.
Anthony: HAHAHA anyway, you look beautiful as always (then smile)
Imee: Thank you (then smile)
Mommy Maddison: Oh that's enough, Ananias could you please take a photo? Here (handed the camera)
Ananias: Sure madam! Okay 1....2....3..... Perfect! Another one madam. 1....2.....3..... Oh solo naman ni Imee 1.....2......3...... Pak! Kabog!
Mommy Maddison: Yung toga! Anthony get your sisters' toga! Bilis! Baka maiwan, nasa kwarto niya ata.
Anthony: Nasa sasakyan na po mom. Don't worry.
Ananias: Oh with your mom and dad naman.
Mom and dad immediately came closer to me then Ananias took a photo na.
Ananias: 1....2....3..... Kaloka, kagalang-galang kayo tignan.
Anthony: Oh Lizzy, tayong dalawa din (then smile)
Imee: Tayong dalawa? Bakit pa?! (Then rolled her eyes)
Mom and dad laugh while si Kuya naman gave me a death glare sabay akbay sakin. After kuya Ananias took a photo, kuya speak up.
Anthony: Oh may picture kana sa idol mo ha? (Then laugh)
Imee: Ang kapal!
Around 12:45pm nakarating na kami sa university. Habang papunta kami sa venue someone called my name. So I turned back then I saw Alice, Stephen and Samantha.
Samantha: Hi po Tito, tita and kuya Anthony. (Then smile)
Mommy Maddison: Hello congratulations sa inyong tatlo ha.
Alice and Stephen: Salamat po (then smile)
I ask kuya para kunan kami ng litrato. After that I get confused cuz kumaway siya mula likod namin nila Alice. As we turned around, I saw Rod holding a bouquet of roses while walking towards me. Itong tatlo namang kasama ko kilig na kilig.
Rod: Happy Graduation Day, congratulations Ms. Chavez! (Then handed the bouquet)
Imee: Thank you (then smile)
Daddy Edward: Ahem! (Fake cough)
Nung narinig ko si dad, I immediately faced them.
Imee: Ahm dad, mom this is — (didn't finish her words cuz Maddison speak up)
Mommy Maddison: Mr. Laurel
Imee: Y-yah. H-he's a friend diba Stephen, Sam and Alice? (Smile forcedly)
Stephen: Y-yes po tita, kaibigan po namin siya.
Anthony: Friend and?
I was shocked cuz Rod stepped beside me then offer a handshake kay mom and dad.
Rod: Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, I am your daughter's suitor po.
Daddy Edward: S-suitor? H-how come? Wala nama siyang sinasabi sa amin.
Mommy Maddison: Yes, sakin din.
Rod: Ah dahil po siguro hindi siya pumayag but still (looked at Imee) liligawan ko pa din po ang anak niyo.
Anthony: Nagpaalam siya sakin mom, dad.
Mommy Maddison: If that's the case, okay lang naman sakin. As long as hindi ka sagabal sa pag-aaral ng anak ko iho.
Daddy Edward: It's fine with me too but ang alam ko my daughter don't have time for love. Kilala ko yan Mr. Laurel, no time for men yan.
Rod: I'm willing to wait sir. Hihintayin ko po ang anak niyo.
I was about to speak but Rod hold my hand then speak up again. Rinig na rinig ko ang paghinga niya, kabado yan? Eh Sino ba kasing nagsabi na gawin mo yan? Tsk! Humanda ka sakin mamayang Laurel ka!
Rod: Mr. and Mrs. Chavez, I love your daughter. I'm willing to take a risk. It doesn't matter if I don't have a chance. Ang importante po mapakita ko at masabi ko sa kanya na mahal ko siya.
Mommy Maddison: Well, I'm happy cuz finally there's a man na handang maghintay sa kanya. All I have to say is.....Goodluck! (Then smile)
Daddy Lucas: Yah Goodluck.
Anthony: Goodluck Bro!
After a couple of minutes, one of the instructor told us na we're going to start na. So mom and kuya with Rod entered the venue already while si dad naman, siya ang kasama ko magmartsa.
Habang naglalakad kami ni Dad, I saw Rod smiling at me. He even took a picture while si mom naman may kausap sa phone niya. Si kuya naman hindi ko makita, baka umalis lang saglit.
It's already 2pm and tapos na din magmartsa ang lahat, we are 79 students. Kasabay namin ang mga MedTech, Pharma, Bio, Psycho, RadTech and so on. In other words, puro Medical Courses. The first part of the ceremony was singing of the Philippine National Anthem followed by the Opening Prayer or Doxology. Second, Opening Message for our Dean which is Dr. Victoria Santiago followed by our University President. Third, the most awaited part of the ceremony, the presentation of the graduate candidates for every courses. Naunang tinawag ang mga Pharma followed by Psycho students then kami na. As my picture flashed on the screen, umakyat na ako agad sa stage. Habang kinukunan kami ng litrato, I was searching for kuya, mom and dad, hindi ko sila makita. Wala din sila sa mga upuan nila. I'm currently holding back my tears, Ayokong umiyak ngayon. Not now Imee! Perhaps Rod noticed kaya he stood up then clapped his hands. Pagbalik ko sa upuan, my phone vibrates. It's a message from mom.
From Mom:
I'm really sorry anak, may importante lang kaming gagawin. Babalik kami ng daddy mo agad. Don't worry. I love you!❤️
After reading that message, I immediately turned off my phone. Around 4pm, my picture flashed on the screen again so I stood up then accept some academic achievements. Good thing Rod is always there just to show some support. The program went well and it ends at exactly 5:30pm. Gab and his parents congratulated me, in fact they invited me to have some dinner but I refuse kasi nawalan ako ng gana. Gusto ko nalang umuwi. Hindi na din ako nagpaalam kina Stephen, I immediately went out of the venue. While walking hindi ko na napigilan umiyak. "Sabi niyo babalik kayo! Iniintindi ko kayo pero sana naman ngayon ako muna yung inuna niyo (in her mind)" I immediately wiped my tears cuz Rod speak up. Sinusundan pala niya ako.
Rod: Ms. Chavez, you're mo — ( didn't finished his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Go away.
Rod: Ihahatid na kita.
Imee: Kaya kong umuwi mag-isa.
Rod's POV
I saw Imee went out of the venue kaya sinundan ko siya agad. Alam kong malungkot siya, ewan ko ba naman kasi kina Tito at Tita, alam naman nilang importanteng araw to eh, umalis pa. Sa totoo lang I tried to stop them and tell them to stay kaso sabi nila importante daw, babalik din daw sila agad. Pero tapos na yung program eh, wala pa din sila. Habang sinusundan ko siya, I noticed na parang umiiyak siya that's why I speak up.
Rod: Ms. Chavez, you're mo — ( didn't finished his words cuz Imee speak up)
Imee: Go away.
Rod: Ihahatid na kita.
Imee: Kaya kong umuwi mag-isa.
After hearing those words, tumakbo ako papalapit sa kanya then grabbed her arm which cause her to face me. She's crying. Damn it! Ito ang unang beses na makita siyang umiiyak so I hugged her right away. Nagulat ako nung niyakap niya din ako pabalik.
Rod: Shhh its okay. I'm here.
After telling those words, her hug becomes tighter and she's sobbing right now. Hindi ko alam pero naiiyak din ako. To be honest, ayoko siyang nakikitang umiiyak kasi nasasaktan ako.
Rod: It's okay. I'm here. Don't worry, hindi kita iiwan.
Imee: I'm trying Rod......I'm trying pero bakit naman pati ngayon? Mahirap bang ako naman ang unahin nila kahit ngayon lang? Importante din naman ako ah.
I really don't know what to say so I just hug her even tighter then try to stop her from crying. After a couple of minutes, she pulled out from the hug then look directly into my eyes. I wiped her tears then speak up.
Rod: Wag ka ng umiyak. Alam mo mas okay pa sakin na sinusungitan mo ako kaysa nakikita kang umiiyak eh (then smile)
Imee: Sorry.
Rod: Gusto mo magcelebrate tayo? Tara! Ako bahala sayo.
Imee: Wag na. Uuwi nalang ako.
She was about to leave but I hold her hand.
Rod: Importanteng araw sayo to Ms. Chavez. Hindi ako papayag na uuwi kang malungkot. Hayaan mo akong pasayahin ka, kahit ngayon lang.
After telling those words, she smile. While driving I noticed that her phone was keep on ringing kaso hindi niya sinasagot so I speak up.
Rod: Sagutin mo na.
Imee: Ayoko silang kausapin.
Pagkatapos sabihin ni Imee yun, pinagilid ko muna ang sasakyan and stopped for a while?
Imee: Bakit ka tumigil?
Rod: Ayaw mong sagutin eh, ako nalang tatawag sa kuya mo.
Imee: No. Don't do that Rod.
Rod: Ms. Chavez paano kung nag-aalala na sila sayo? Wag kang mag-alala ako ng bahala.
She was about to speak up but I immediately went out of the car just to call kuya Anthony. Buti nalang sumagot agad.
*on call
Anthony: Hello Mr. Laurel? Kasama mo ba si Lizzy? She's not answering our calls eh. I know she's mad but please kung kasama mo siya, pwede pakisabi na sagutin naman niya yung tawag namin? Nag-aalala na kami sa kanya eh.
Rod: Yes sir, kasama ko po siya ngayon. Ahm, she's not answering kasi ayaw niya daw po muna kayong kausapin. Nagtatampo lang yun siguro sir, don't worry ako pong bahala sa kanya.
Anthony: Pero okay lang ba siya?
Rod: Yes. She's okay naman po.
Anthony: Mr. Laurel please pakihatid naman siya dito oh. Wag mo siyang iwan, pwede?
Rod: Ako pong bahala sa kanya. Iuuwi ko po siya jan ng maayos, you have my words sir. Wag na po kayong mag-alala.
Anthony: Thank you Mr. Laurel.
After that call sumakay na ako agad sa kotse then pinuntahan namin ulit yung favourite place ko. She's now enjoying the view, ako naman tinitignan ko lang siya. Habang tinititigan ko siya, ang lungkot pa din ng mga mata niya so I broke the silence.
Rod: Ang ganda noh? (While looking at Imee)
Imee: Yah (looking at the view)
Rod: Hindi ba masakit yang paa mo? Ang taas niyan eh. Alisin mo na kaya.
Imee: Tapos ano, nakapaa ako? Duh! Wag na noh (Then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Sinabi ko bang magpapaa ka? You can use my slippers naman, meron ako sa kotse.
Imee: Bakit ngayon mo lang sinabi? Dapat kanina pa! Dali na, kunin mo na. Kanina pa masakit tong paa ko eh.
Rod: Wait.
Pumunta na ako agad sa kotse. I was about to open the backseat door pero napangiti ako dahil ang ganda niya pa din kahit nasa malayo. So I get my phone then took a photo of her.
As I open the car door, nakita ko yung regalo ko sa kanya. Hayst! Buti nalang talaga binuksan ko to. Dahil kung hindi sigurado akong hindi ko mabibigay tong regalong toh. Babalik na sana ako kaso bigla akong nagutom and naisip ko na baka gutom na din siya. I was thinking kung mag-oorder ba ako online kasi for sure matatagalan pa yun kaya I've decided na bumili nalang dito besides madami namang nagtitinda. It took me 15 minutes to wait for the food. Habang papalapit ako sa kanya, ang sama ng tingin niya sakin. Wew! Kinabahan ako bigla. Masusungitan na naman ata ako nito.
Imee: Ang tagal mo! Masyado bang malayo yung sasakyan? Nakikita ko nga mula dito eh!
Rod: Sorry na po.
Imee: Oh bat ang dami mong dala? Ano ang mga yan?
Rod: Pagkain.
Imee: Ayown! Naman pala eh.
Rod: May upuan doon sa gilid, doon nalang tayo kumain.
Imee: Sige. Let me help you.
Rod: No. Kaya ko na toh (then wink)
She frowned and that made me laugh. Buti nalang walang masyadong tao ngayon. I placed the food on the table then linapitan ko siya para ipaghila ng upuan. As she sit, I kneel down. Nagulat siya so she speak up.
Imee: Anong ginagawa mo? Tumayo ka nga.
Rod: Masakit na tong paa mo diba? Ako na mag-aalis nitong heels mo.
Imee: H-huh? Ako na!
Rod: Ako na! Umupo ka nalang jan.
Imee was about to speak but I immediately removed her heels then sinuot ko na yung slippers. Habang ginagawa ko yun, tinitignan niya lang ako.
Rod: There you go. Are you happy na?
Imee: Yes, I am happy na. Thank you.
Rod: Welcome (stood up then smile) So let's eat.
Imee: Sige. Kanina pa ako gutom eh.
Rod: Huh? Eh bakit hindi mo sinasabi?
Imee: Duh! Syempre nasayo na yun kung papakainin mo ako noh!
Rod: Ganun?
Imee: Ahuh!
Rod: Sorry ito nalang available eh. Kumakain ka ba nito?
I opened the food for her.
Imee: Ofcourse naman noh! Anong akala mo sakin maarte? Duh! Hindi noh!
*While eating
Imee: Kelan graduation day niyo?
Rod: Ah the day after tomorrow.
Imee: Ah okay.
Rod: So anong balak mo ngayon? Magrereview ka na ba agad?
Imee: Yes.
Rod: Ah okay.
Imee: Ikaw?
Rod: Liligawan ka pa din.
Imee: Alam mo ikaw kahit kelan hindi ka talaga makausap ng matino eh (then rolled her eyes)
Rod: Oo na, Ito na. Well, I am planning to do my apprentice sa firm ng kaibigan ni Dad. Ayoko sa firm namin.
Imee: Why?
Rod: Syempre kapag doon ako, magkakaroon ako ng special treatment from his employees at ayokong mangyari yun.
Imee: Well, you have a point.
Rod: Nga pala here (handed his gift)
Imee: Ano to?
Rod: Basta! Open it.
Imee: Wait, Is this a sign para umuwi na ako? Late na ba masyado? (Then laugh)
Rod: Hindi.
Imee: Eh ano?
Rod: Ms. Chavez?
Imee: Hmm?
Rod: Kapag sinuot mo yan ....... ibig sabihin okay na sayo na nililigawan kita.
Imee: If that's the case, sorry hindi ko matatanggap toh.
Rod: Lizzy naman! Kung hindi mo tatanggapin yan, itatapon ko yan.
Imee's POV
Pagkatapos sabihin ni Rod yun, natawa ako. Itatapon niya talaga? HAHAHA Sayang uyy! pero I noticed his watch. Ano to? Pareho kami? So I ask him.
Imee: Same tayo?
Rod: Yah (then smile)
Imee: Anyways, Thank you (then smile)
Rod: Oh basta ha kapag sinuot mo yan ibig sabihin okay na sayo. Look Lizzy, hindi kita pinipilit o minamadali. Kagaya ng sinabi ko, handa akong maghintay kahit gaano pa katagal yan.
After Rod tell those words, I just smile then sigh deeply. I remember what happened earlier. Yung pagpapakilala niya kay mom and dad? Hindi yun madali.
Imee: Ikaw ba talagang seryoso sakin ha? (Look at Rod)
Rod: Ms. Chavez you think haharap ako sa mga magulang mo kung hindi? Halos pagpawisan nga ako eh. Jusko! Kung alam mo lang, sobra akong kinakabahan kanina noh!
Imee: Okay. So .......... Ikaw na magsuot sakin.
Rod: H-huh? (Stood up and lumapit kay Imee)
Totoo ba?! So ibig sabihin okay na sayo? Okay na?!
Imee: Isuot mo na. Ay bahala ka, mamaya magbago pa isip ko.
After telling those words, kinuha niya agad ang relo then isinuot sakin.
Imee: Yang mga ngiti mo, bawas-bawasan mo nga. Abot hanggang tenga eh.
Rod: You can't blame me, ilang taon ko hinintay to noh!
Imee: Umupo ka na, kumain ka na ulit.
Rod: Pwede payakap?
Imee: Yakap ka jan. Umupo ka na!
Rod: Hayst! Oo na, Ito na po.
It took us a couple of minutes to finish our food then after that I've decided na umuwi na. Habang nasa byahe kami, he keep on staring at me. Ngiti ng ngiti, sobrang saya mo ba Rod ha? At exactly 8:30pm, I got home and he opened the car door for me.
Rod: Pasok ka na. I'm sure kanina ka pa nila hinihintay.
Imee: Thank you (then smile)
He was about to come closer but I step back then nagpaalam na ako. Alam ko kasi na yayakap na naman siya eh. As I enter our house, nasa living room sila kuya, mom and dad.
Daddy Edward: Lizzy anak, can we talk?
Imee: I'm tired dad. I want to sleep.
Mommy Maddison: Hi-hindi ka ba muna kakain? I cooked your favourite food.
Anthony: Tara na Liz! Hindi pa din kami kumakain. Hinihintay ka namin eh (then smile)
Imee: Sorry. I'm really tired po. Enjoy the food nalang (then smile bitterly)
Mom was about to speak but dad stopped her and said "Hayaan na muna natin siya Hon, bukas nalang natin siya kausapin". As I enter my room, I immediately took a bath then dry my hair. Medyo maaga pa naman kaya I've decided to read some books muna. While reading my phone vibrates so I grabbed it then read the message.
From Rod:
Matutulog ka na ba?
_Mr. R_
From Rod:
Ms. Chavez hindi ako makatulog dahil sa sayo. I keep on thinking about you.
_Mr.R_
"Ah so kasalanan ko pang hindi ka makatulog ngayon?" I was about to continue reading the book but he sent a message again.
From Rod:
Can I call? Gusto kong marinig yung boses mo ulit before I go to bed.
_Mr. R_
To Rod:
Stop typing "_Mr. R_" na nga.
From Rod:
Ayown! Nagreply ka na din ulit. Matutulog ka na ba? Medyo late na din eh. You should sleep na, see you tomorrow😉.
To Rod:
Anong tomorrow ka jan. Wag kang pupunta dito.
From Rod:
Paano yung bulaklak?
To Rod:
You don't have to give me flowers everyday naman eh.
From Rod:
Ah okay. Goodnight my Lizzy! Sleep well ❤️
To Rod:
Goodnight.
From Rod:
I love you!❤️
After reading his last message, nagulat ako kasi ngayon lang siya nagmessage ng ganun. I don't know what to reply so I turned off my phone then continue reading the book.
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