"It has been a great journey you have fought and it already ends here, Delaney."

I smiled as my tears fell. A great journey indeed.

Until now hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala sa mga nangyari. It was so sudden and until now hindi ko pa rin matanggap. I did everything naman but why it isn't enough.

"It was a tough fight, Delaney. Atleast tumungtong ka ngayon dito. So, we should celebrate!"

"I did my best, but maybe my best wasn't good eno—"

"Oh, stop it, you idiot. You're not good with dramas. Just throw a party, let's drink our ass out, bruh!"

It was indeed a tough fight. It was five months ago when I joined the Book Writing Club. My book was chosen by our University and competed Nationwide. But yet, maybe, it isn't really for me.

The chosen genre was romance, it yet mine wasn't, I guess? I just don't consider it myself as one kasi I don't know.

A lot of my friends told me na sana daw nilagyan ko na lang ng good ending, e sa ako yung writer e. I am not a fan of happy endings ʼcause in reality, there isn't happy endings just like those in books. Our whole childhood is a lie. We believed in happy endings just like the Disney Princess stories. We were fooled. Because in reality, every Disney Princess suffered. I know some of you knows about that. I really know!

Though hindi naman ako bitter, sadyang suoer fan lang ako ng tragic stories. Like damn addict, swear.

The book I wrote was inspired by the one and only love of my life. I mean, she's my girlfriend, hindi nga lang sya aware.

Actually, I really tried na gawan iyon ng happy ending but you nauuur, people's mind do change. Kasi naman, I am a big fan of tragic stories.

I put all efforts on that book and it's really fine for me naman na kahit hindi nasali sa top 3 yung book ko, atleast most of the readers liked the plot twist, kasi you know, nakakagulat ba.

“Hey, Zielle! Pinapatawag ka sa Student Council Office.” Tawag ng SCC Officer.

“Yeah, susunod ako.”

Nagpaalam akong mag-cr muna bago pumunta doon. Ang haggard na ng face ko, I don't deserve to be seen by my crush in this state, gosh no!

Nag-retouch muna ako. Put some lip balm on my lips and a light foundation on my face. Curled my eyelashes and put some mascara and I'm done.

I knocked twice before I enter the room at buong SCC Officers ang bumungad sa akin.

“Congratulations, Zielle!” Sabay na bigkas nila at siyang ikinangiti ko ng malawak.

“Thanks, guys. I do appreciate it.” I said with a hint of tear in my eyes.

You know that feeling? Being seen all the efforts you have made. Nakakataba ng puso.

“Zielle?” Tawag sa akin ni Kuha Zander, our SSC President.

“Yes, kuys?” I asked.

“She's waiting for you inside.” He stated as she widely smiled. I know what that look means.

And yeah, he knows who's behind that book I wrote. They all know, baka nga siya na lang ang hindi aware.

Nagpaalam na ako sa kanila at dahan-dahang tinahak ang office niya. I knocked twice and heard her say, “Come in.”

Nadatnan ko itong nakaupo sa swivel chair niya habang tutok na tutok sa kung ano mang ginagawa niya sa kanyang laptop.

I cleared my throat to catch her attention but she didn't even lift her head but rather told me to sit down.

“I asked you here to formally congratulate you for a job well done. You did great and I am proud of you.” She said in a stern voice.

Grabe naman, kahit sa pag-congratulate napaka-seryoso niya. Sobrang galit talaga sa mundo ang propesorang ito.

“Thanks a lot, Miss.” She just nodded and go back to what she is doing.

The atmosphere became awkward and I felt a bit of uncomfortableness. So I get up at magpapaalam na sana ng magsalita ako.

“I haven't told you to stand up nor leave this room, Miss Bautista.” She said in a serious tone, still focused on her laptop.

“I apolgize, Miss.” I said as I sit down again.

“Wait for me there.” Saad nito atsaka tumayo, naglakad na parang isang Victoria Secret Model on how the way she walks.

Pumasok ito sa mini-kitchen niya, alam ko na ang pasikot-sikot dito kasi I used to 'tambay' here before nung I was training for Journalism when I was in 1st year.

Oh, yeah. Professor ko na siya simula 1st year college up until now.

“This oneʼs for you. Congratulations again, Delaney!” This time, she's holding a chocolate cake with a wide smile plastered on her face.

Hindi ko alam kung nananaginip ba ako o nag-i-ilusyon lamang ang aking mga mata. Tama ba yung nakita ko?

“Oh, cʼmon. Accept it already, stupid!” Grabeng mood swings nga naman. Kaya agad ko naman itong tinggap na may ngiti sa labi.

“Thank you po, Miss-ma'am. I really appreciated it, po.”

“How many times do I have to tell you to cut the “po's”, Delaney?”

“Yeah, hehe. Sorry p—I mean, sorry.”

She just rolled her eyes at me at tsaka ako tinalikuran.

“One last thing, the University thrown a party for you, Miss Bautista. Be on time at exactly 8 PM this evening.”

“Noted, Miss.”

“You can leave now. You can put it back in the box if you want, it's just right there.” Kinuha ko naman agad ang box at ipinasok jyon dun.

“Thank you again, Miss. I'm leaving now.” I saw her smiled for just a split of second and just nodded.

Lumabas ako ng office niya na may malapad na ngiti sa labi. Nakakakilig, tangina! Pwede mo na po akong kunin, rold. I am ready, charot!

“Naks naman, kay lapad naman niyang ngiti mo, bunso. Sinagot ka na ba?”

“Ogog, am I courting her?” Natatawang pahayag ko na ikinatawa din nilang lahat.

“Ay hindi pa ba?” Nakakalokong tanong ni Ate Shai, SSC Secretary.

“Oo nga naman.” Pag-agree ni Mai, my block mate and the SSC Auditor.

“Hindi pa ba panliligaw yung pagpapadala mo ng flowers and chocolates everyday, ulam tuwing lunch, gifts on normal days especially in special oneʼs—” Hindi naituloy ni Kuya Zander ng may biglang nagsalita sa likod namin na ikinapitlag naming lahat, lalong-lalo na ako. Tangina!

“You were the one who did all of those?”

—

A/N: And yeah, it's the end of my first published story. Hope you enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much! God bless and thank yʼall!