Chapter 21

The next morning, Cela and Nate's interrupted meeting is the biggest news in campus. Everyone can't help talking about it. In fact, no one remembers Mrs. Serrano and Lora's heated disagreement that also happened yesterday.

"You should be there, guys. It's like watching a scene in a TV series live. It's so intense drama," one of Lora's friends started the conversation upon seeing Cela enter the classroom.

Lora discreetly asked her friend to stop but she refused. "It's okay. What's there to be afraid of? I am not her mother's scholar and so are you now, aren't you?" she said.

Cela feels isolated and more traumatized than before when people in school would only talk about her parents' separation. She feels that they hate her mother more and dislike her too for what happened to Nate and Lora. Both were immediately removed from the scholarship program sponsored by her mother.

She looks around and almost everyone in the classroom is giving her intimidating look. Clearly, she has no friends in the room and they found a new reason to hate and isolate her even more.

"What a complicated life hers must be. She comes from a broken family and then having a forbidden love at an early age…tsk tsk," one of the girls said for everyone to hear.

The feeling of numbness quickly covers her body and soon it's dark inside her.

Ambulance came to pick up Cela's unconscious body. Her classmates are suddenly in shock but more students came to flock the scene.

Mr. Bro found Nate among the curious crowd and pulled him immediately.

"Stay away for now. Do you understand?" Mr. Bro told Nate.

"But why do I have to? I'm just concerned about her," Nate said.

"I know but can't you see? She is already stressed out. The more you make yourself visible around her, the more it will trigger your schoolmates to bully her because of that incident," Mr. Bro explained. "For her sake, please stay away from her at least until she recovers," he added.

Lora watches the two from where she stands. The amount of guilt she feels for unintentionally bringing Nate in to her issue with Cela's mother is heavy to carry for a young person that she still is and it gets heavier by the hour.

"Lora," Joshua called her name.

"Oh, sorry, babe," Lora responded.

"You fell asleep while waiting for me?" Joshua asked.

"I guess I did. I'm so tired. My shift yesterday ended almost at midnight then this morning, the assistant principal asked me to do data entry," Lora explained.

"What can't you just have one part-time job? Choose one," Joshua asked.

"Babe, I need these jobs. Actually, I need more than I already have. I enjoy working in the coffee shop than in the principal's office but the principal's office offers unique perks," Lora said.

Joshua doesn't really look like he's interested in what she's saying. Lora realized he didn't address her with their term of endearment when he called her earlier.

"Is there anything wrong?" she asked.

"Lora, I know it's not the right time to tell you this but I couldn't find any other possible time to talk to you," Joshua said.

Lora already has a hint of what he most likely will say next. It's too obvious of him and she's smart to know what's going on and what he intends to tell her.

"I think I know what you want to tell me," she said.

Joshua lowered his head.

"It's okay. After everything that happened and my jobs these days, I can't focus on our relationship and that's unfair to you," Lora said.

"I'm glad you made it easy for me. Just don't forget to be easy on yourself too," Joshua said.

"I wish I could but I just couldn't stop worrying about Nate and Cela," Lora said.

"Don't worry about Nate. He found a part time job in a graphics studio. He should be alright at least until graduation. Do you have updates on Cela?" Joshua asked.

Lora shook her head. It's been a week since Cela passed out. No one knows when she's returning to school. No one is allowed to visit her in the hospital or at home.

A day before the deadline of payment for tuition, Nate and Lora are asked to go to the principal's office. They are both given a certification of full payment for the rest of the year.

Nate looks relieved.

"The teachers' foundation found both of you deserving of a scholarship. You will continue studying here for free until you finish," said the principal.

"It's a relief. At least we can now concentrate in our studies. I will really need to improve my grades to make me qualify for the university's scholarship," Lora said to Nate.

"I'll continue my part-time job in the graphics shop. I probably continue working after graduation. I need to save money for my college education," Nate said.

"So you are okay with being a working student even with the scholarship?" Lora asked.

"Nothing wrong. It's so much better than begging. We don't know what the future holds for people like us," Nate said.

"I'm really sorry, Nate. I didn't mean any of these to happen," Lora said.

"I knew you didn't mean it but I am worried about Cela. If it was just me, I could bear it," Nate said.

"Believe me, I'm just as worried as you are. I'll help you find a way to see her again," Lora said.

"Let's not give her any more stress. For someone who only wants to be invisible, she's had too much traumatizing moments in her life," Nate said.

"So that's it for you? You'll just give her up," Lora asked.

Nate did not answer.

"Can I ask you a favor?" He asked.

"Anything," Lora immediately said.

Nate pulled a brown envelope from his bag.

"Please keep this for me but if one day you have a chance to meet her again, please give it to her," he asked.

Lora nodded. She keeps the envelope inside her bag without asking anything about what's inside of it.

Graduation season arrives. Cela hasn't fully recovered yet but is allowed to complete her high school through home schooling. She visited the school for the first time only for her graduation picture. Her adviser arranged a special session for her in the morning before the start of classes to make sure only a few students are in.

Cela rolled down her window to see even from a distance the waiting shed where she used to meet Nate while she waited for her service. It looks like a lonely place now.

"Have you seen Mr. Bro?" She asked Rolan who is accompanying her.

"Do you want to see him?" Rolan asked.

"I don't want to go down," Cela said.

"Alright. I'll look for him and tell him to meet you here," Rolan said.

After a few minutes, someone is knocking on Cela's window.

"Mr. Bro!" Cela is excited to see him again.

"Good morning, Cela. Advance happy graduation!" Mr. Bro said knowing she's not going to attend the graduation ceremony.

"Thank you." Cela said. She doesn't know what else to say to him.

Mr. Bro quickly looked around and inside the car for a few seconds.

"Have you had the chance to see Nate?" he asked.

Cela shook her head.

"I'm sorry I brought this up," Mr. Bro said realizing he might have triggered something.

"It's okay, Mr. Bro. I actually wanted to ask you about him. Is he doing okay?" Cela asked.

Mr. Bro's face turned sad. "Not lately but we're both relieved that he's graduating," he said.

Rolan is watching from near the waiting shed. He doesn't want to interfere. It's the only thing he could do for his sister.

"He still goes to the waiting shed hoping you'd show up one day. He actually sketched your supposed meeting place for you but I don't know how that will ever reach you," Mr. Bro said.

Cela tries to hold back her tears but she's happy to know that Nate still thinks of her.

"Your brother is approaching. I have to go now," Mr. Bro said.

"Thank you, Mr. Bro. Please take care," Cela said.

"I'll tell him you dropped by," he said.

Cela neither agreed nor refused. She'll leave it up with Mr. Bro to tell Nate about her visit to the school and their quick meet up.

Mr. Bro watches Cela and Rolan's car leave the school premises. He has so much to tell her about Nate but time is not on their side now.

"Is that Serrano's car?" Lora asked the teary eyed janitor. "Are you crying?" she asked.

"Yeah, that's them. She came for the graduation photoshoot," Mr. Bro answered.

"Oh, I was late," Lora said in dismay.

"You're usually early," Mr. Bro said.

"I was called to the principal's office. They gave me this." Lora shows the scholarship grant from Mrs. Serrano.

"That's good. After all, a bet is a bet and even Mrs. Serrano has to honor that!" Mr. Bro said.

"But I feel like I got it on their expense," Lora said.

"Stop thinking that way. You had no intention of hurting them, Things happened," Mr. Bro suggested.

"I also learned that there's no teachers' foundation. It was still Mrs. Serrano who paid for our tuition until the end of this school year. Please don't mention this to Nate," Lora said.

"What good would it do if he learned about the truth behind his scholarship?" Mr. Bro asked.

"I should have come earlier. I have something that Nate wants me to give to her. It's the least thing I could do for them," Lora said.

"Whatever that is, just keep it safe for now. If it's meant to happen, you'll find a way to give it to her. I believe one day, you will all meet again," Mr. Bro said with assurance.

Just like that, the years went by unnoticed.

"Everyone, let's welcome our beloved benefactor Ms. Lora Santos-Townsend," the emcee announced.

The audience stood up as they gave a big warm of applause to the school's biggest benefactor.

Rolan and Cela look around as the cheerful crowd gathered that afternoon.

"I wonder how many students she sponsors this year," Rolan said.

"I heard around 40," Ivy said.

"That's insane. She must be very rich," Rolan said.

Cela remains quiet. She's observing the surroundings of the school that have become old as years passed.

"You okay, sis?" Rolan asked. He noticed her being quiet.

"I'm good," Cela replied.

The three listen to Lora's speech along with the rest of the people who attended the ceremony.

"My biggest inspiration for doing this and will always be one of my heroes is the late Mrs. Celia Serrano. I would like to honor her through her children who I am delighted and honored to see this afternoon after a very long time. Thank you, Rolan and Cela for gracing this ceremony.

Before heading here, I saw the ever reliable Mr. Bro who still have the same energy doing his job. I reminded him of what he told me years ago that one day, we would all meet here again and he's right," Lora said towards the end of her speech.

The crowd cheers for Rolan and Cela. Rolan observes his sister who is not used to even small group of people giving her attention.

"I'm okay, Rolan," Cela assured her brother.

"Oh, by the way. I just want to share my excitement with you all. I am working with Cela and Ivy for a special that will be aired early part of next year. The stories are based on the books written by the best writer this school has ever produced – Cela herself. I am counting on your support!" Lora ended her speech.

The news is well received by the audience. Many of them are trying to get a glimpse of Cela who by now has become a celebrity herself.

Rolan is proud of his mother's legacy and her sister's achievement. Who would have thought about this moment becoming a reality?