Paper Planes (Sandejas Siblings: Companion Book)

Kabanata 16

Kabanata 16

"IT WAS NICE seeing you all here," a smile left my lips while looking at my batchmates who looked in awe that we are finally stepping out of this university and will take another path towards our success.

"Parang dati lang, nag-aayos lang tayo ng mga banners para sa school fest. Parang dati lang tumatambay tayo sa library para mag-cram sa mga quizzes." Nagsitawanan sila kaya ngumiti ako at natawa rin.

"But seeing us here now? I have never felt this proud, we finally made it, guys! Kung akala natin ay ito na ang katapusan, ito ay simula pa lang. After we step out of this university then the real challenge will start, the real battle will finally face you. The reality of our life, careers and future," I said.

"This batch will forever be the best part of me, alam kong hindi lang masaya ang lahat, there are times that we are sad and angry but despite that, we managed to stand strong, that we actually made it here in this place, wearing our black togas and gripping our dreams." I said and smiled.

"Gusto kong magpasalamat sa aking mga magulang na hindi sumuko sa akin," I looked at my parents and saw my mother crying.

"Sa mga guro at instructor, maraming salamat po sa pagtatyaga, pasensya at mga aral na ibinigay n'yo sa amin." I smiled and nodded at the faculty.

"And I wanted to thank my friends, my classmates, my batchmates and my fellow graduates today, for being here, making my college life memorable." Mahinang sabi ko bago sumulyap sa isang lugar.

My eyes got stuck in that empty space where he is supposed to be seated by now but he isn't here.

"And to my inspiration...thank you. Wherever you are right now, I hope you'll continue to fly, even without me. I believe you. I trust in you. See you again someday, my love. When the right time comes...I promise to see you again, my paper plane." I murmured.

Nang maramdaman kong nangingilid na ang luha ko ay tumayo ako ng maayos at ngumiti na lang para maibsan ang sakit ng dibdib.

"Congratulations again, everyone!" I greeted.

"Take a flight, soar high, like paper planes in the sky." I raised my black cap and they all cheered and raised their cap with me.

I was filled with congratulatory messages the moment the graduation ended, my eyes swelled with tears when I saw my friend, Cecille, waving at me.

I ran towards her and hugged her, she hugged me back. Nang yakapin niya ako ng mas mahigpit ay napaluha ako.

"At least, you didn't cry in front of the audience." She joked.

I sniffed a bit harshly drying my tears.

"H-He isn't really here," my voice broke.

"He's on his way to Cambridge." She said, "I heard the professors talking, narito sina Tita ngayon para kunin ang diploma niya."

"G-Gano'n ba?" My voice broke.

"Lena, hija..." I suddenly heard my Mom kaya lumayo ako kay Cess at ngumiti sa kanya.

"Mamá..."

"Come here, quick! Let's take a photo!" She called at ngumiti si Cess sa akin at tumango.

"Congratulations, Cecille!" My mother said when she noticed my friend.

"Salamat po, Auntie. Ingat po kayo, mauuna na ako." She waved at me, ngumisi naman ako at mahinang sinabing mamamasyal kami minsan.

My family and I took photos of each other, puro ako ngiti sa mga litrato kasama ang pamilya at mga batchmates pero hindi pa rin mawala ang bigat sa dibdib ko.