1 Prologue

Graduation

Isabella Laarnie Lumia povs:

I opened my eyes when I heard the rooster crowing.

I looked at the clock placed on the headboard of my bed. 3:30 am. I stretched my arm for a moment and wiped my face with my hand.

I also heard that mama was talking to someone outside the house so I got up. Mom really wakes up early in the morning.

When I got out of bed I made my bed first. I tied my long hair and went to the window to open it.

The orange sky opened up to me, there were flocks of birds flying. It is too early so the sun will just rise from the east. The breeze from the ocean and fields. In our mango tree, there are also many birds singing. our pet pigeons went straight to my window.

Ngayong araw ay gagraduate na din ako sa wakas sa senior high sa strand ko na STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Next two months I will also go to college. My dream course to take is Architecture. Except sa pageexel ko sa math ay marunong din akong magdrawing that's why that course is really suit to me.

I left my room after I picked up a dress to wear to graduation. I put the clothes in the bathroom first and went out to fetch water from the well.

"Good morning Ma!" I went to her and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Mama hugged me.

"Hindi naman obvious na hindi ka excited sa graduation mo. By the way, I prepared your breakfast at maghahanda din ako para mamaya ng isang maliit na salo-salo. "sabi niya ng kumalas ako sa yakap.

I smiled. "Mama naman, hindi mo naman kailangang mag-abala pa. Ayos lang sa akin kahit walang ganyang salo-salo. "nahihiya kong sambit sa kanya. Paniguradong maghahanda si mama at gagastos ng sobra na ayaw ko dahil ayokong gumagastos sya ng dahil lang doon.

She shook her head and touched my cheek. She looks pale but she smile like she did not. I see that she is weaker and became weaker but she still insisted resistant. Mama is dealing with her disease. She has cancer in heart every day I am afraid for the possible things for her. Kung sana lang may magawa ako pero wala, hindi ako diyos para mapagaling at tanggalin ang sakit niya.

"There can't be no celebration, Bella. You only graduated once and was valedictorian in class. I'm so proud of you honey. So you can't stop me celebrating for your achievements. Tsaka isa pa, ngayon lang ito pagbigyan mo na lanh ako. " Her voice was hoarse.

I smiled sparingly. "You are spoiling me so much Ma. And where are we going to get-" she cut me off

"Don't worry about that honey. Ang mahalaga ay may handa tayo. " she said and smile to me.

Nagpaalam muna ako sandali para makapag-igib sa balon. Dalawang timba, kaya ko namang buhatin. Naabutan ko sa balon si Mang Esteng, kaibigan ni mama.

"Oh hija, mag-iigib ka ba? "tanong nya sa akin na tinanguan ko.

"Opo Mang Esteng. "tipid kong sagot at lumapit sa balon. Sya na ang nagkuha ng tubig para sa akin. Pagkatapos kung makakuha ng tubig ay binuhat ko na ito

I went to the bathroom to take a shower and then I got dressed and ate. Mama stopped coming to my graduation because of her illness. She is not able to travel yet because of her current situation. I sighed.

I waved at her as I rode the tricycle. "Manong, sa State University po. " SDSSU is still in barangay Rosario, the school I attend is still in another barangay but even if it's far away, it's okay. Because they give us a Scholarship.

Ng huminto na ang tricycle ay bumaba na ako sa harap ng gate ng unibersidad, I first paid the tricycle driver and then turned around the school for a while.

"Thank you manong," I said happily to manong when he handed me the change.

Surigao Del Sur State University

I smiled. The smile of success. That finally, today I will also graduate from high school.

Maybe this will be the last day I will step foot in this university. I'm not sure where I'm going to study in college. And I'm also not sure of the course I'll take. Mama is sick and we just have a hard and poor life. Just in case, I want to be an Architect but destiny doesn't seem to suit me.

"Pres!" I realized to those who called me. My classmate at kaibigan ko din; Lorelie and Alejandro.

They were the only ones I was close to at this school, I really wonder why someone rich befriended a poor person like me.

"Bella!" Lorelei called

Smile the two approached me. "Congrats to us, we will finally graduate." Lorelei smiled.

I smiled, "Yeah. At bagong mga pagsubok nanaman sa college. " I said

"Oh! Don't think about college first. "

"Huwag ka ngang KJ, Pres! By the way, can we celebrate later at your house?" Alejandro said.

"Mama will give me a simple party. You know me, and you can't celebrate with me. " I told them. Inakbayan nila ako at mariing umiling.

"Why? Dahil ba iyon sa pagiging mahirap mo?"kunot-noong tanong ni Alejandro, natahimik ako. Yun naman talaga ang dahilan. Para ko kasing nadudungisan ang isang brilyante kapag lumalapit ako sa kanila.

"Oh my Bella. We don't care if you are. We want to be with you," Lorelie insisted and faced me. I sighed. There. They are my true friends because they are so annoying but cute.

"We want you to celebrate our success with you. Where you are, we will be there. Besides, the pompous celebration Isabella is boring. I'm telling you." Alejandro laughed.

"Thank you so much Jandro, Lorie. If you two are not here, I'm sure that my highschool life is completely boring" I told them and we continue slowly walking.

I have been with them for almost 6 years. We fight like a cat but we c. We did a lot of nonsense but it wasn't that bad as we will have a record in guidance or maybe in the barangay.

"Oh, let's go. I'm sure they're already looking for us. Especially you, " tsaka ako tinuro ni Lorelie

"Sir Isaac is already looking for you. You know that teacher of ours, you are treated like a child." dagdag naman ni Alejandro.

That he was referring to Sir Ismael Wolf. Sir Ismael was our teacher and my mentor in Math and whenever there was a competition. Many people say that Sir and I have a lot in common, So they don't wonder why Sir is so kind to me, pero sa ibang studyante lang siya masungit at strikto, he's very strict and snobbish to others. Plus, he is terror too. I laugh at that thought. I remember how every student here became like a mouse whenever they see Sir Isaac.

"Tito." I greeted when I saw him in the corridor of our university. He smiled to me when he noticed me.

"Oh hija." he said

" Good morning. I'm glad you come here" he greeted, ngumiti lang ako.

"Aren't you with your mom?" He asked and look somwhere like he is searching for someone. I shook my head and smiled bitterly. Pansin ko din na lagi niyang bukang-bibig si Mama. Siguro nag-aalala lang siya dahil alam naman niya ang sitwasyon namin.

Sir Ismael grinned as if thinking of something mischievous. "Bellatrix is ​​always living in lies and shadow huh." he muttered. Maybe he was referring to his wife. Whatever is that.

"She's sick so she can't come here in my graduation. I'm little bit sad and worry but I think it's okay at least she's glad and happy. "I said to him. I tried to cheer up. Ayoko namang mahalata niya na malungkot ako dahil hindi makakadalo ang magulang ko.

"Besides, I meant to come here to you Tito. Can I ask for a favor?" I told him. Medyo nakakahiya man, pero siya lang alam kong mahihingan ng ganitong pabor. Tsaka isa pa, para ko na din kasi siyang ama.

Nagtataka nya akong tiningnan at kalaunan ay tumango. Ginulo nya pa ang buhok ko tulad ng ginagawa ng isang ama na natutuwa sa kanyang anak. I never experience na magkaroon ng ama pero dahil kay Sir Isaac ay nakalimutan ko na ang kalungkutan at pangungulila ko.

"Anything hija. Basta ikaw, alam mo namang para na kitang tunay na anak. "ngiting pagsang-ayon nya. Tumikhim ako, I cleared my throat.

"Maaari po ba ikaw na lang ang magsabit sa akin ng medalya sa stage mamaya? "nahihiya kong tanong sa kanya. Nakita ko ang pagkislap ng asul nyang mga mata na tila isa syang batang binigyan ng kendi sa sinabi ko.

"Oo naman. Ako na ata ang pinakamasayang ama para sa kanyang anak. So halika na anak? "ngiting saad nya.

"Naku salamat po talaga Tito. "masayang wika ko tsaka ako sumabay sa paglalakad sa kaniya sa corridor ng school namin.

"Walang anuman hija. "wika niya sa akin.

Ito na siguro ang pinakamasayang araw ko.

Meanwhile...

"Congratulations students and honors! May your journey continue towards success. And again congratulations and good bless all" said the principal after the ceremony.

I got an award in math, science and english subjects. That also includes my awards whenever there is a competition. My medals and trophies are also countless. At ang lahat ng ito ay para kay Mama. She's my inspiration that's why.

"Congrats Pres! Finally" Justine said coming over to me and hugging me. This is another one of my friends. Justine Loque is the Salutatorian of our batch.

"Congrats to us Vice!" I told him and let go of the hug. Smiles and tears could not be erased from the students. Graduation can be said to be one that will bring tears to the eyes of the students.

Kahit halos mapudpud na ang utak mo sa stags ng senior high ay worth it naman kapag nakapaggraduate ko. You can choose many ways, it's either continue your college... o kaya magtrabaho ka na lang dahil maraming tumatanggap na mga senior high grad sa mga kompanya... o di kaya pwede mo ding pagsabayin ang pag-aaral mo at pagtatrabaho bale working student.

"We're on the road to college Pres. Ahm I would like to say something but for now let's celebrate first." Justine said. And Justine is not just my friend. He is my crush since we are freshman.

"So, you're coming with us? We'll celebrate at home, that's Lorie's choice" I asked. Sana.. sana pumayag siyang sumama sa amin... Piping dasal ko.

He smiled and scratched his head shyly. "Nahihiya ako kay Auntie kapag pumupunta ako doon pero syempre hindi ko naman tatanggihan ang grasya. I have some food in addition for the celebration" he said with a smile.

"So, let's go pres!" He excitedly invited.

Lorelei and Alejandro were about to go when Sir Ismael approached us. I smiled at him showing my gratitude to him.

"Tito." I call

"Congrats hija." he greeted me

"Thank you. I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your efforts. So thank you very much" I said

"Nothing hija. Where are you going?" He said.

"Ah I would like to invite you to our home. We have a small party prepared by mama. Kung gusto niyo po sana, bilang pasasalamat ko na din po. " I said. Familiar joy flashed in his eyes. With no one to contain his joy, he hugged me.

"Sure hija. Thank you also. "wika nito sa akin.

We were about to leave campus when a black car arrived. It stopped opposite us and out there was a burly man wearing a black V-neck shirt, black pants, cap and black facemask. He doesn't seem to know anything about those around him. He focused on Sir Ismael.

"Why are you here?" Sir Ismael asked. The man smirk. I bowed my head in shame.

"Bawal ko na bang dalawin ang pinakamamahal kong ama? "sarkastikong tanong nito sa ama. Walang galang, tsk.

"Is she your slu-" Sir Ismael shouted at him immediately. Parang mas namula ako sa kahihiyan. T-tangina! Pinagkamalan pa akong slut! Hindi ako slut, baka gusto niyang maheadshut sa akin. Nakakabwesit tong lalaki na ito, kung hindi lang siya anak ni sir kanina ko pa siya hinampas ng toga ko. Hmmp

"Lionel!"

"Then who is she dad? May fiance or what?" he asked in his baritone voice.

"Don't you dare Lionel! You don't know anything. She's my student here so don't fucking disrespect woman. Don't compare the people here to your gold diggers, son" Sir Isaac replied seriously.

"Huwag kang mag-aalala. Uuwi din naman ako sa magaling mong ina kaya huwag ka ng umaktong nag-aalala ka sa mama mo. "dagdag pa ni Sir Ismael. Mahina namang natawa ang binata.

"I'm not worried to death. I'm just bored so napagdesisyonan kong dumalaw sa cheap na lugar na ito. "may panlalait na mahihimiga sa boses niya.

Why doesn't he seem happy that his son is here? Maybe dahil iyon sa asal ng lalaking ito. Pero kahit na diba. Dapat nga kasama niya ito at ng magabayan at madisiplina niya ng maayos.

"Your wife is waiting for you in Manila. And what the hell are you doing here dad?" The rugged young man said in tough English. What a waste. He is handsome but have a cruel attitude. A snob and no manners man.

"Ahm please excuse us Tito. I'll just call my friends" I insert into the conversation to give them privacy.

Sir Isaac just nodded while I no longer looked at his son's reaction. Maybe nothing has changed.

"Hija, I'll be right next. Get in the car and I'll be taken to your house." Sir Isaac ordered before I could leave.

I also left because the young man looked down on me. He thinks I'm a drag girl because I'm with his father rather than his mother. It's not my fault and I'm not doing anything wrong.

"Are you alright Pres?"Justine asked. I almost forget his existence because of that bastard.

" Seriously, we had a nice day with that" he said in sarcastic tone.

"I'm fine Vice. Don't even bother" I said and smiled slightly.

Is it hard for Porket to think like that right away? I don't need Sir Isaac's money or anyone else's.

"That man is so arrogant !" Justine exclaimed angrily.

"Yes, he is. And it because he is from Manila. Born with a golden spon" I agreed with him

"He's attitude is different from Sir Isaac." I added

"You hate Manila and rich people aren't you? So, do you hate me too? " he chuckled

"Why?" I asked. I suddenly stop.

"Because I'm also from Manila and I'm rich but I'm not like that. " Justine protested and I just laughed.

"Alam ko. "

"But you can't deny that most of you are just like him. "I rolled my eyes and continue walking.