Between You and I

Chapter 27

Continuation

"Look who's here! The lovely and gorgeous engineer herself!" Narinig kong sigaw ni Lenne.

Hindi pa rin ako nakakarecover sa nangyaring quick interaction namin ulit ni Ron kanina. Maraming nagbago sa mukha niya at maging sa katawan niya. Mas lalo siyang naging... gwapo sa paningin ko ngayon.

Nang makarating na ako sa table kung nasaan ang mga kaibigan ko ay agad akong bumati sa kanila at nag-usap tungkol sa life.

"Itong si Daniz, di na ma-reach! Nag-top na sa boards tapos pinag-agawan pa ng mga malalaking construction firm. Iba!" Kantyaw ng mga kaibigan ko sa akin.

"Hindi lang 'yan. Na-feature pa sa isang sikat na magazine." Dagdag pa ni Jenny.

Bigla naman akong nahiya sa mga pinagsasabi ng mga 'to. Kahit na ang totoo ay malalayo rin ang mga narating nila. Well, we deserve this. We worked hard for this.

We're not complete because unfortunately, Lovely wasn't here because she's now residing at New York. After she graduated college she pursued her dream, and that is to become a super model. And now she was a super model. True to her words.

I also walked around so that I could talk to some people I know. Some of them congratulated me for topping the boards even though it happened nine years ago.

I was so happy when I knew about it. I almost faint in the middle of my work  when I found out that  I topped the boards. Imagine 2000 aspiring engineers have tried but only a few had passed. I'm just so proud of myself up until now.

Halos hindi na ako kumakain at natutulog dahil sa pagre-review noon. I enrolled myself in a review center but I'm just too paranoid. There's a lot of what if's in my mind that time.

While roaming around I saw Ron talking to some of our batch mates. I also saw Issa beside him. I stared at him. He's ...happy.  They're happy  Then, good for him. For them. I think we were both happy with our own life now.

We chased our dreams....seperately. I smiled then went back to our table. When I arrived, I noticed that they were already drinking.

I grabbed the glass of tequila in front of me then drank it with lemon. I made a face after drinking it, this drink is insane! We talked about our careers and whatsoever.

"May I have your attention please." Sabi ng MC.

We all looked at him.

"Before this night end I would like to invite our class valedictorian, Engr. Daniz Mae Suason here in stage to give her speech." He said then turned his gaze at me.

I stiffened with what he said. I wasn't aware that I'll be having a speech! God! I even saw the invitation yesterday! I wasn't prepared!

I let a heavy sigh before walking. Bahala na nga!

He handed me the mic. I smiled at him then faced the crowd.

"Good evening." Panimula ko.

Now, what I'm going to say next?! Ugh, dapat sanay na ako sa mga impromptu speeches eh!

"It's been a long time since we last met. How are you? Well, I think you guys are super fine. You  reached your dreams... perfectly. We have here some doctors, nurses, accountants, architects, attorneys, and engineers. Our Alma mater must be proud."  I stopped as I saw how Ron looked at me.

That eyes... that stare... that's my weakness. I put my hand at my back and pinched myself. Reminding that it is not the right time to feel weak. Not in front of these people and not even in front of him.