Sunlight Deception (Isla Series #1)

16

"Grabe. Ang bilis! Graduate na siya!"

We were waiting for Echo while he was still talking to his family. I felt very excited to see him closely kaya naman when he turned around and started walking our way, nagmamadali akong tumakbo papunta sa kanya.

Natawa siya noong nakita na muntik na akong madapa sa pagmamadali. I got embarrassed for a second but that didn't stop me from running towards him.

"Congratulations, babe!" I exclaimed. He smiled and immediately spread his arms to welcome my embrace. I hugged him tight and giggled when he hugged me back. "Proud of you!" I added.

"Thanks, babe!" he said, happily and kissed the top of my head. I let go and gave him a smile. Ngumiti siya at napahagikgik ako noong bigla niya akong kinindatan. I pushed his shoulder lightly.

We were here at Enderun because it's his graduation day. I was watching him with a huge smile on my lips when his name was called and I saw him walking to receive his diploma. I felt so proud of this man. Ang layo na ng narating niya!

He earned another achievement in his life and I'm so happy I was there to witness it.

"Congrats, bro!" Sobrang saya ni Maki noong binati niya ang best friend niya. Niyakap pa niya si Echo nang sobrang higpit at inalog-alog niya pa.

"Ulol! Bitawan mo 'ko! H'yop!" Pabirong sinuntok ni Echo ang likod ni Maki, tumatawa.

"Isang kiss muna!" Ngumuso si Marco, nangti-trip. Akmang papatulan na siya ni Echo nang binitawan niya 'to at tinulak, takot na takot ang hitsura. In the end, the tables have turned and Echo was the one teasing Maki. Itong dalawa talaga na 'to, sila lang ang nagagaguhan!

"Uy, gagi, bastos! Inagawan ka na Esme, oh!" pangloloko ni Raya.

I shook my head and smiled at them. "I'll give way for their love to flourish," I jokingly retorted, making them laugh.

"Congrats, bradah!" Sasy said in such an enthusiastic tone and hugged Echo sideways. "Akalain mo 'yon, naka-graduate ka?" pang-aasar niya.

"Ikaw? Sure ka makaka-graduate ka?" ganti ni Echo habang may mapaglaro na ngisi sa labi niya.

"Aba, gago!" singhal ni Sasy at hinampas si Echo. "Sama ng ugali!" gigil na dagdag pa niya, which made our laughter double.

"Congrats!" singit ni Cali.

Echo said his thanks to us and we took a lot of pictures before going to the restaurant where we were going to celebrate. May ibang celebration din siya with his family. Pero ngayon, kami raw muna. Friends time.

"Ano'ng plano mong gawin ngayong malaya ka na?" tanong ni Raya pagkatapos namin sabihin ang order namin doon waiter. The way she asked it, akala mo naman nakulong si Jericho!

"Wala. Mag chill-chill lang sa kanto," biro ni Echo. I saw Raya rolled her eyes at Echo dahil sa sagot nito.

"Mag gigolo ka na lang. Bagay. And kikita ka pa." Ngumisi si Sasy. Raya snorted and rolled her eyes again.

"Ito kasi ang plano ni Echo," seryosong sabi ni Marco kaya nakinig kami ng mabuti. "Ang mahalin si Esme habang buhay, ayie!" pang-aasar niya. Natawa naman kami nang malakas dahil doon habang umirap naman si Raya.

Inabot ko ang tissue sa lamesa bago ito nilukot at tinapon sa kaniya. Nagulat si Marco pero tinapon ito pabalik sa 'kin. Hinarang naman ni Echo ang kamay niya para hindi ako mataaman. Dumila ako kay Marco, nang-aasar. Inismiran niya ako.

"Mais!" iritadong sabi ni Sasy. "Hindi na ako nagtaka kung bakit ka single," she roasted.

"Ang corny nga!" suporta ko.