This was the day... My graduation and my 18th birthday. The first one who greeted me was Yeignna na sinundan ni Manong Ben.

4:30AM pa lang bumangon na ako, kaagad naligo. Matapos ayusin ang aking sarili at lahat ng dadalhin I checked my phone na nasa tabi ng bed side table ko.

12:00 AM Monday

Yeignna:

habadu b-day, princess Akira!
Long live- Iwabyuu!
💗🥰😘

I smiled sa nabasa ko. I replied my thanks to her. And I think my eyes suddenly welled up ng makita ko kung anong oras niya ito mismo isenend saakin.

This girl...

Agad na akong humarap sa salamin at agad nag-apply ng kaunting make-up saaking muka then after that I hurriedly curled my hair. Napatingin naman ako sa oras and its already 5:30 AM.

I released at deep sighed. Because of what happened last friday night hindi ko alam kung tutuloy pa ba sila Mommy and Daddy na sasama sa akin sa stage.

Simula ng gabing iyon hindi ko pa muli silang naka-usap. Although I already said my sorry to Alana. Pero hindi ko alam kung papaano kong haharapin sila Mom and Dad especially now na they're probably busy.

I think its not that bad to go alone... Hindi naman iyon masama...

Nagsimula na akong tumayo sa aking vanity desk at agad chineck ang dala kong maliit na bag kung nandoon ba ang lahat ng kakailangan ko.

Nagtungo na ako sa pintuan at kaagad iyong binuksan ngunit ang bumungad saakin ay ang nag-kakagulong mga kasambahay.

Nang mayroong mapadaang isang kasambahay sa aking harapanan ay kaagad ko siyang tinawag at tinanong.

"Magandang umaga po, ano pong mayroon?" taka kong saad.

"Magandang umaga din po, Ma'am Akira. Na-adjust ho kasi iyong araw ng recognition ni Sir Alonzo ngayong araw," saad naman niya. Nababakas ang gulat sa kaniyang mga mata kung bakit marahil ganito ang ayos ko ngayon.

"A-ah ganon po ba," I said bitterly.

"Ah eh Ma'am, ano ho bang meron?"

I shake my head. Ayaw sagutin ang kaniyang tanong. Instead I asked her again.

"K-Kung ganoon, kanina pa po ba sila naka-alis?"

She looked confused for a moment.

"Ah! Eh kaalis lang ho nila Ma'am, kasama rin ho si Ma'am Lana at Doc Lorein... Nagtataka nga ho kami bat hindi kayo kasama,"

"A-Ah ganon po ba," I smiled bitterly.

"Oho Ma'am, ang sabi po kasi ni Ma'am Ana mag-ayos daw ho ng mabuti at maraming bisita ang darating mamaya,"

She said again- adding a salt to my wounded heart.

Mom and Dad literally know how to treat me poorly huh?

I thought Alonzo's recognition would be on June 25.

But even so! Anak din naman nila ako! They should make a way... Kahit papaano, they should make another way...

Paunti-unti ko na lamang itinango ang aking ulo at kaagad ng lumayo doon.

I closed my eyes very tightly fighting the urge to cry... This day shouldn't be ruined like this... Hindi dapat ganito...

Pinapakalma ko ang aking sarili ng biglang lumabas si Manong Ben sa kung saan, may hawak na isang bento cake at pulang rosas.

He smiled genuinely to me. While I looked at him, shock.

"Happy Birthday, Ma'am Akira! Congratulations din po!" he said those words clearly.

I was shock. Iniabot niya saakin ang pulang rosas at ganon rin ang maliit na cake na hawak niya.

I looked at Manong Ben whose still smiling at me. I hugged Manong so tight.

I heard his laugh. "Thanks, Manong! You made my day..." I whisphered to him.

He just patted my shoulder. "Tara na ho Ma'am! Malalate na ho kayo niyan!"

Agad naman akong humiwalay kay Manong at tumango.

We arrived on time. Agad akong nagtungo sa aking upuan. Feeling a bit lighter now.

Manong Ben is outside, he said he wanted to watch me that's why I let him. I offered him to sit beside me total I already knew that Mom and Dad would never come. Probably they're with Alonzo right now. Being a happy family...

Tanggap ko na, that when it comes to me. It's always gonna be like this... Na pagdating saakin, hanggang ganito na lang.

BUT.....

But kahit na anong gawin ko, no matter how I tried to deny it there's a little hope in my heart that they would make it. That they will be here to watch and greet me...

I don't care anymore if they don't give me a luxurious party or even give me gifts. All I want right now is for them to be here beside me congratulating me on my achievements, telling me that I did very well and tell me that they loved me...

And after this, we will eat outside as a one big happy family... Iyon lang naman ang gusto ko, iyon lang...

That's the only wish that I could ever ask for...

"On this part, we all shall listen to Miss Akira Ace Del Luna of Grade 12 HUMSS, for her valedictorian address. Lets give her a round of applause."

When I heard my name I stood and gracefully walked to the front.

I bowed my head when one of the head teachers handed me the microphone.

Nagtungo ako sa pinaka-gitna. Agad na ipinalibot ang aking paningin, hinahanap ang bakas ng aking mga magulang dahil baka kahit papaano makaabot sila sa sandaling ito...

I smiled bitterly to myself. I could even see their silhouettes from afar so they didn't make it, as always...

I closed my eyed before I started saying my speech... Imagining that my parents could also hear this...

"To our principal, to our guest speaker, to our teachers, parents, and of course, the graduating class of 20**, a pleasant morning to all of you!" I said and looked at them for a bit. I saw Manong Ben filming me, habang hawak niya ang kaniyang telepono ng naka-patayo, nanliliit pa ang mga mata habang naka-extend ang kaniyang braso.

I chuckled because of that.

"We are gathered here today because we have somehow managed to start something worthwhile. Yes, you heard it right. We have only just begun and therefore we have only just started. The road to education is one of the hardest and most rigorous journey we'll embark on. As they say, "Nothing worthwhile comes easy." I know we've all been through a lot of hardship and ordeals already but we held on. And we need to hold on further because when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. And I know we are tough. So we keep going." I paused again to look at them.

"To our dear teachers and mentors, thank you for all the lessons, skills and passion you've shared with us. We will use it as our vehicle in this journey to our goals and dreams. To our parents, friends and families, please continue to support us and fuel our burning desires and hunger for success. And to dear Lord, our God, please always keep us safe and to always guide us so we may not stray from our path." Once again, I looked at them... Muli kong sinuyod ang aking paningin sa paligid ngunit katulad kanina ganoon pa rin...

Wala ang anino ng mga taong nais kong makita...

Muli akong nagpatuloy...

"To my fellow graduates, never forget who you are. You can change the world but don't let the world change you. For we can only achieve who we want to be, if you know who you really are. After all these, our paths might be different after all. You might find yourself right on track or not even a bit where you planned to be. But no need to rush. Breathe if you must. Rest if you need. Then keep on going."

Narinig ko ang ingay na nagmumula sa mga estudyante at nagulat ako ng nag-iiyakan na silang lahat, ngunit kahit papaano nandodoon ang kanilang mga magulang sakanilang tabi upang sila' y pakalmahin.

Agad akong nagpatuloy muli...

"Congratulations, Batch 20**! You have now ignited the fire within you. You just have to keep it burning. Thank you." I gave everyone of them a small smile and bowed my head.

Iaabot ko na sana sa guest speaker ang aking hawak na mikropono ng biglang hablutin ako ni Ma'am Lara at niyakap ng napakahigpit.

"You did very well, Anak! I am so so so proud of you," she whisphered those sweet words in my ears.

I hugged her back giving the same intensity as her...

Because of her, Yeignna and Manong Ben I feel like the big hole in my heart was now been filled. Its because of their LOVE.

Na dapat ang magulang at ang pamilya ang siyang pumupuno.

But I am definitely wrong. Sometimes hindi basehan ang dugo upang masabi mong sila'y isang pamilya, sapagkat, maaari mo rin itong mahanap sa mga taong nakapaligid sa' yo na nagbibigay ng tunay na pagmamahal at saya...

Nagsimula na akong bumaba I looked at Yeignna's way, she was crying real hard...

She gave me a smile and a thumbs up.

Pagkatapos niyon agad naman naming kinanta ang graduation song namin- Long Live by Taylor Swift.

After that sumunod na kaagad ang panghuling pananalita.

Pagkatapos niyon ay agad ng idiniklara na kami ay graduate na.

I looked at Yeignna. Papatakbo siyang nagtungo saakin at kaagad akong niyakap ng napakahigpit. I only smiled.

Agad siyang kumalas ng yakap at tinitigan ako sa aking muka.

"Akira! Graduate na tayo! We endured that two years in our life!" she said so happily.

"Yeah, its like a rollercoaster ride..." sambit ko naman.

Tumango siya. She gave me a half smile. At agad akong hinila sa pinaka-gitna upang makapag-papicture kaming dalawa. At nang makita namin si Ma'am Lara agad siyang dumalo sa amin.

She embraced us both.

"Girls, lets celebrate?" she suddenly asked.

Kaagad namang nag-ning-ning ang mga mata namin ni Yeignna. Sabay pa kami tumango ng paulit-ulit.

"Okay! Let's go to your favourite coffee shop which is th-"

"COFFEE DAWN!" Yeignna and I shouted.

Miss Lara only looked at us adoringly and smiled- like a proud Mom to her Daugthers.

Papalakad na kami papalabas ng biglang mayroong mabanga si Yeignna, we all looked who it was— Leihanna.

“Sorry!” Yeignna said apologetically.

Agad namang umiling si Leihanna, “No! Its okay!” then she glanced at me. “Congrats, again, Akira!” she smiled sweetly.

Agad naman akong pinanliitan ng mata ni Yeignna.

“Tsk! Tsk! Tsk!”

Hindi ko na lamang siya pinansin at kaagad na binati rin si Miss Secretary.

She let out a smile and handed her hand, “Congrats, Akira Ace!” I accepted it.

“Congrats, either!” then we both smiled.

Nakita ko naman na sinusuri kaming mabuti ni Yeignna. But I only laughed sa tinuran niya.

Nagtungo kami kaagad sa aming usual spot kasama si Miss Lara.

"Okay girls! Sagot ko lahat... Kaya naman... You can have anything you want."

"Yeeeeyyyyy!" Yeignna exclaimed so excitedly.

Tumayo na si Yeignna kaya naman sumunod na din ako sakaniya patungo sa counter. Napansin ko naman ang ginawang pagtayo din ni Miss Lara at pansin kong kami lamang ang taong nandidito sa loob ng coffee shop.

Kumunot naman ang noo ko, its weird...
Ang alam ko hindi nawawalan ng customer ang lugar na ito ngunit-

"Akira..." Yeignna nudged me. "Ano order mo?" tanong niya habang naka-panghalumbaba. Agad naman akong natauhan.

I choosed the new one which is the Mochaccino and for my meal I ordered Creamy Carbonara. While Yeignna ordered her favourite as always.

Kuya Vince smiled at us, "Just wait for 15 minutes Ma'am!" But there's something on his smile. Ngunit hinayaan ko na lamang iyon.

"Okay po! Thanks Koya..." Yeignna said nasasapian nanaman ng kawalangyaan niya.

I only rolled my eyes. Muli kong ipinalibot ang paningin sa paligid. Yeignna suddenly talked.

"Hmm..."

I looked at her being confused.

"Bukas na ako aalis hihi,"

Nanlaki naman kaagad ang mga mata ko.

"Bakit biglaan?" I asked suddenly.

"Eh pinapalayas na ako ng bruhilda kong Auntie! Kaasar silang dalawang mag-ina!" she spat. Now she's getting annoyed.

"Hey! What happened?"

She shake her head, "Wala naman, basta ang sabi niya sa oras na maka-graduate ako kailangan ko ng umalis sa pamamahay niya..." sambit niya habang itinataas-baba ang balikat.

I looked at her with my sad eyes.

"Tsk! Haynako, 'wag mo akong problimahin ante ko! Worry about yourself!" saad niya ng tuloy-tuloy.

Mas lalo naman ako ngayong nalungkot. Right, maiiwan na akong mag-isa ngayon! Without Yeignna Zushiane on my side.

She gave me a sad smile, "Maybe this will be the last time na makakapag-bond tayo ng ganito,"

I released a heavy sighed. Fighting the urge again not to cry.

“Haynako! Wag kang umiyak! Kasi pag-yumaman talaga ako kukuhanin kita diyan sa pamilya mo!” she said so seriously. “Tapos, kapag mayaman na ako ipapalamon ko lahat ng yaman ko doon sa tiyahin kong hilaw!”

I only laughed.

“What time ka aalis?” I asked. Not minding her silly jokes.

“Baka madaling araw,” nag-isip pa siya bago niya isagot saakin iyon.

Dahan-dahan naman akong tumango.

“Alam ba ng Auntie mo kung saan yung hometown niyo?" I asked carefully.

She shake her head, “No! Wala namang pake sakin 'yon!” she laughed forcefully.

“Mag-iingat ka,”

Tumango siyang muli, “I will,”

“Thanks pala kanina, sa pagsama saakin sa stage, Akira...”

I gave her my smile. “No worries, babe!”

Then she laughed. Wala rin kasi siyang kasama kanina kaya ako ang umakyat para sakaniya habang ako naman ay si Manong Ben, nahihiya pa siya nung una ngunit talagang pinilit ko siya.

Nagulat naman ako ng biglang mamatay ang mga ilaw at agad akong napaharap sa aking likod ng marinig ang boses ng mga taong umaawit.

Happy Birthday to you~~~ 🎵🎶 Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday! Happy Birthday dear Aki!

I was shocked. I didn't expect all of this. I was speechless for a moment. I've never been felt this especial before, not even once.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin I saw Miss Lara, Manong Ben and Kuya Vince holding a sunflower cake.

Agad naman akong hinila ni Yeignna papalapit sakanila. They were wearing a barbie hat. I mentally laughed in my head. I could see their genuine smile glued on their faces.

Nang makalapit sakanila agad na may tumulong luha sa aking mga mata. I didn't expect this.

“Happy 18th Birthday!” sabay-sabay nilang saad habang inilalapit saakin ang aking cake na mayrong 18 candles.

“Make a wish! Make a wish!” they all cheered.

Agad naman akong nag-pikit ng aking mga mata... I wish I won't cry later just because I'm currently happy and having fun right now... Then I blowed all the candles.

“Thank you... po...!” I said sincerly with all my heart.

“Tama na ang iyakan! Kainan na!” Yeignna shouted na nagpatawa sa aming lima.

Kaya naman siya na ang nanguna na kumuha ng mga pagkain.

We started eating, talking and laughing. They actually made this day bearable for me. They made this day extra especial.

Kaya naman ng matapos na kaming kumain muli akong nagpasalamat sakanila. Ngunit nagulat ako ng bago iyon matapos lahat. Agad lumapit saakin si Miss Lara at may iniabot saaking isang regalo.

I looked at her, shock. It was a sunflower na siya mismo ang nag-crochet. She only smiled at me and held my hand tighter.

My lips formed a small smile while saying my deepest gratitude to her.

I will be forever grateful to her, forever...

Hapon na ng mapagpasiyahan naming umuwi lahat ngunit kagaya ng dati inihatid naming muli si Yeignna.

Bago siya tuluyang makababa binigyan ko siya ng isang mahigpit na mahigpit na yakap.

“I love you, Akira! Take care, always...”
she whisphered.

“You too...” I said bago ko siya tuluyang pakawalan.

Ibinaba ako ni Manong sa main entrance ng aming mansiyon. I was still wearing my uniform ngunit nasa loob na ng bag ko iyong mga medalyang nakuha ko kanina. Habang nandidito naman sa sasakyan ang diploma ko.

“Ako na hong bahala diyan sa mga gamit niyo hong naiwan Ma'am, alam ko hong pagod na kayo sa mag-hapong ito.”

“Thank you po!” I said bago pa ako tuluyang makababa ng sasakyan.

Nasa labas pa lamang ay alam na alam mo na kaagad kung anong nangyayaring kasiyahan ang nagaganap sa loob.

Unti-unti akong pumasok, weighing the surroundings.

I opened our main entranced and I was shock kung gaano ka-engrande ang nangyayari ngayon dito sa loob ng bahay. There were a lot of powerful lawyers, mga kakilala, kaibigan, kamag-anak at maraming mga bisita.

Para na itong isang handaan kung tutuusin. Para bang mayroong may kaarawan at hindi na ito isang celebration.

May lumapit saaking isang kasambahay, “Magandang Hapon ho! Ma'am Aki... Kanina pa ho kayo hinahanap ni Sir. Magpalit na daw ho kayo ng damit.”

Agad-agad naman akong tumango sakaniyang sinabi kaya pasimple akong umakyat sa hagdanan at nagtungo sa aking silid upang makapag-palit na ng damit.

I wore a simple vintage dress na lagpas sa aking tuhod na agad kong pinaresan ng isang itim na stilettos. I also wore my sling bag to put my cellphone and my wallet. Hinayaan ko na ang pagkakulot ng aking maigsing buhok. At hindi na rin ako nag-atubiling maghilamos pa.

Agad akong nagtungo sa pintuan at dahan-dahan akong bumaba ng hagdan. At agad na hinanap sila Mom sa dagat ng mga tao.

I looked around habang nililibot ang buong bahay hanggang sa napunta na ako sa kung saan malapit sa may buffet. 

Agad akong napatigil ng mayroong mga taong nakaharang sa aking dadaanan.

Hihingi na sana ako ng excuse sakanila ng biglang marinig ko ang kanilang mga pinag-uusapan. Even though I didn't meant too.

“Ang ganda ganda talaga ni Alana De Luna 'no? Tapos ang admirable pa!” someone said lovingly.

“Oo nga! I agree! Kamukang-kamuka niya si Attorney Ana! Pareho silang anghel!” one of the girl my aged said. Nakatalikod siya saakin kaya naman hindi ko lubusang makita ang kaniyang muka.

I bowed my head.

“Tapos eto pa! Si Axel De Luna! Balita ko, Summa Cum Laude siya ah!” ibang boses ulit ng babae ang nagsalita.

“Guys! Eto pa, yung kakambal ni Alana sobrang gwapo daw! Sabi ng kapatid ko na kaklase niya sobrang bait at talino pa daw!” they all cheered.

I bit my lower lip.

“Sayang! Kung hindi sana sakitin si Alana. I am 100% sure, siya ang pinaka-sikat here sa San Mateo! Pipilahan siya ng maraming lalaki for sure!” sunod-sunod naman na sabi nung pinaka-unang babaeng nagsalita kanina.

“Girl! The way she walked, talked and carried herself. She will always be the face of our town! Dagdagan pa na tunay siyang mabait at talagang matalino.”

I wanted to excused myself so bad now...

“Ah bahala kayo! Basta ako hihintayin ko si Alonzo!” the other girl said and she laughed.

“Hoy! Child abused!”

“Basta ako! Akin si Axel!”

“Hoy! Akin!” at nagkagulo na sila doon. Nabali lamang iyon ng may isang babaeng muli ang nagsalita.

“Hindi ba may isa pang anak si Attorney De Luna?” someone asked innocently.

“Ay oo pala! Balita ko masungit daw iyon e!”

“Huh? Totoo ba?"

“Oo daw, sabi nila. Hindi daw kamuka ni Ma'am Ana.” one of the girls said again.

“Baka si Attorney De Luna ang kamuka?”

“Ay ewan! Ano bang pake natin doon! Eh wala naman yun compared sa mga kapatid niya! She's plain compared to her famous and lovable siblings!” she said so hastily.

The other girls agreed to her and they started laughing very hard.

Right! Compared to them I was nothing.
I felt a bang in my chest.

Kaya naman kahit nasasaktan na mas pinili ko nalang mag-excused sa kanila.

Agad napatakip ang bibig ng ilan ng dumaan ako roon. Ngunit hindi ko na hinayaan pang makita ang kanilang mga