It's my graduation day, and we're just wearing our school uniforms and a sash.
I just curled my hair and did a half ponytail, I just did my own light make-up.
I told them that I invited J to attend my graduation as a guest din, pero doon na namin sya kikitain sa venue.
"Our baby is going to be a Senior High School na" Mommy said.
"Always remember that we are so proud of you, ok?"
"I know, kaya I'm doing my best as well. And also, I want to ask your blessing and permission"
"About?"
"I'm planning na sagutin na si J later after grad, would it be ok?"
"Up to you, since gagraduate ka na today, every decision you will have depends on you na, ok? We are here to support you and be happy for you" Daddy said and kissed my cheeks.
Umalis na kami and I saw J waiting for us at the entrance habang nakasandal sa motor nya, pinagtitinginan sya pero nakafacemask naman sya, minsan gusto ko ng ipatanggal facemask nya kasi naaawa ako, mainit din kaya mag-facemask.
"You can remove your mask later kasi madilim naman sa seats ng mga parents and sa seats niyo nila Mommy" I said.
Tumango lang sya at hinalikan ang noo ko.
"Flowers for you, madam" he said and gave me the bouquet.
"Hala, ang cute! Thank youuu" I said and kissed his cheeks.
"Hi Tita, Hi Tito" he greeted my parents as well and nagbeso kay Mommy
"Matagal ka ba naghintay, hijo?"
"Hindi naman po, halos kararating ko lang rin po pagkarating niyo" he said.
Pumasok na kami sa loob, hinayaan ko sila Mommy mauna sa pwesto nila, pero kinausap ko si Jeo.
"Lover, I have a favor" I asked and pout.
"Yes, madam?"
"They didn't know that I am the Valedictorian, alam nila na with honors ako, but, they didn't know na valedictorian ako. So, once bumaba sila to prepare to go on stage, can you go with them? Then take a video of their reaction?"
"Kopya, madam ko. Congrats, babe" he said and kissed my cheeks kahit naka-mask sya. "Sige na, punta ka na sa pwesto mo, samahan kita, bago ako pumunta kila Tita" he added.
Kinuha muna nya yung bouquet na binigay nya sakin and my bag para daw hindi ako mahirapan kumilos.
"Taray ni Pres, may bumabakod na"
"Jowa mo, Pres?" My seatmates asked.
I nodded and halos himatayin sila sa kilig.
"Parang hindi dito nag-aaral, Pres"
"Nope, he's a Senior High School" I said.
"Taray ni Pres, Senior High pala ang nais!"
Once the ceremony started, syempre tahimik na lahat tapos may mga pa-acknowledgement lang sila, hanggang sa bigayan ng diploma ng nga graduates, then high honors.
J winked at me, a signal that everything is set, para pa syang nagsasalita sa cellphone nya, dala dala pala nya yung mic nya na kinoconnect sa phone, so aakalain mong nagbavlog sya dun. Kinakausap nya sila mommy para madistract onti.
"Our Valedictorian for this batch. Ariones, Madeline Denisse C."
Kitang kita ko yung gulat sa mata nila Mommy at Daddy. Si J naman tuwang tuwa dahil successful ang surprise sa kanila.
Inakay ko sila papunta sa stage and instead of putting my medals on me, I put it on them with a heartfelt smile.
Naiyak si Mommy at niyakap ako.
Pagbaba ng stage, niyakap ako ni J and kissed my forehead.
"Nakakaproud ka naman, Madam" he said.
He took a picture of me and my parents
"Pictur kayong dalawa" sabi ni Daddy at pinatayo si J sa gilid ko.
They took a picture of us at kinikilig kilig pa na parang teenager ang magulang ko.
After ng ceremony, pinicturan ako ni J sa may gilid ng stage wearing my medals, sash, holding my diploma, and the bouquet he gave me.
"Ganda talaga ng madam ko, very photogenic" he said admiring my photo he took.
"So meaning, April 23 din ang anniversary natin?" I asked
"Huh? Di mo pa naman ako sinasagot eh"
"April 23 nga ang anniversary natin"
"Sinasabi mo?"
"Isipin mo kasi yung sinasabi ko" sabi ko habang naglalakad kami palabas dahil hinihintay kami nila Daddy.
"Eh hindi m– Sinasagot mo na ko?"
"Yes" I said with a smile.
Bigla syang humiyaw at binuhat ako at inikot.
"Totoo nga? Tayo na?"
"Oo nga, ayaw mo ba?"
"Syempre hindi. I love you, Madam ko" he said and kissed my forehead and hugged me.
"I love you, My Lover" I said and kissed his cheeks.
Sya na nagbuhat ng mga dala dala ko habang holding hands kaming naglalakad palabas.
"May ngiting panalo" sabi ni Daddy.
"Para rin po akong grumaduate sa saya eh" sabi naman ni J.
"Daig mo pa nga nanalo sa pageant sa hiyaw mo" asar ni Mommy.
"Kanino ka sasabay, anak?"
"Sa inyo na po, nakapalda si Mads eh, delikado po sa motor, convoy po ako sa inyo" sabi nya.
Inalalayan nya ko pasakay ng backseat at sya na nagsara ng pinto.
Habang nasa byahe papunta sa celebration venue namin, nagpost ako sa IG ko ng picture ko ng solo, with my parents, and with him.
Ending my Junior High School life with the highest honor, such a supportive parents, and such a supportive lover.
Thanks for the memories, Martinez High!
I received messages from the Ong Fam as well congratulating me, and I thanked them naman.
