18 GRADUATION IS NEVER THE END

"I finally graduated!" The students shout after the ceremony!

They toss their hats in the air.

Ely, Luz, and Joel are there.

Tony, Paulo, and Ruthie were there also.

Three days before Graduation:

The class had a meeting. Jacky was assigned to lead the folk dance presentation of "Tinikling".

Jacky called out all dancers right away and assigned who will be the partners. Jacky selected Rogelio to be her partner to the surprise of everybody including Juan. Rose was partnered to Juan, Lalaine with Tammy.

"What happened? Why I was partnered to Juan" Rose wondered thinking.

They practiced.

Juan danced with Rose, who is happy, but wondered.

Rogelio was reluctant because of consciousness that Juan may get jealous.

Tammy and Lalaine are doing fine.

The practice was finished but never Jacky and Juan talked.

Juan approached Jacky but she is avoiding that they will have a chance to talk.

Juan was annoyed and uneasy about the situation.

The next day practice in the Gym including dress rehearsal, the dance went good.

Juan can not still have a conversation with Jacky who seems to be very busy with graduation. She even ignores his text messages, messenger video call or text, even his calls are ignored.

Juan was furious, what is my fault? Why I'm being tortured like this?

He went to Rogelio who was uneasy with the dance, Juan told him, "Please take care of her" If you like her also and you try to court her and she accepts you, I will not keep a grudge. I'm a sport as long as it is a fair fight. Rogelio said: No! I will not betray you, Sir. Referring to him as his CAT Battalion Commander.

Juan went to the canteen and sit alone, Rose sit beside him and asked "what's the matter with you and Jacky." Juan did not answer right away.

"I don't know," Juan said sadly. I don't know how to solve a problem I don't understand.

"Rose I think I need your help. Please find out why? Then He went outside.

Rose made a way to talk to Jacky. She gets Jacky's bag and went to her.

"Jacky, I know you are so busy I already get your bag for you" Rose smiled trying to be friendly.

Jacky looked at her blank and said: "Thanks"

"Jacky, can I talk to you a minute?" Rose asked.

"Yeah, I'm already going home, walk with me," Jacky said.

"What's the matter with you? Rose asked.

" What do you mean?" Jacky asked.

"Don't be blind girl, you know what I mean. What's your problem with Juan? Rose asked.

"Nothing, did he say I had a problem with him?" Jacky asked.

"He does not understand you," Rose said.

"Why you are silent and avoiding him?"Rose added.

Jacky did not answer.

" Jacky, please be clear, what is the problem?" Rose insisting.

" I am the problem Rose," Jacky said.

"What do you mean you are the problem?" Rose followed up.

" I'm afraid and hurt already of the separation that will eventually happen, I want to..." Jacky starting to cry.

"Jacky, I get it. Don't be crazy girl, you are hurting yourself. Don't do that." Rose exclaimed.

Jacky did not answer, and crying signaling that she will go home stopped a tricycle and vanished in the night.

Juan can't figure out what is the problem. How it started, what he did that offended or hurt Jacky.

Could it be the grading system, but she is the valedictorian. Was it the... what?

My head is aching with this. Juan is desperate.

I just cast this to God.

Day of Graduation.

The program went smoothly. The dance, the valedictorian speech of Jacky that made parents cry because she cried during her speech. " Graduation is not the end. It is the start of a new life, new challenges, and new problems."

Juan also had a good salutatorian's speech. "Life must be faced headlong! Never half-hearted, put your engine in full throttle, win or lose, no regrets as long as you fight and made progress because those who will backout, never will reach anything"

During the ceremony, Ely, Luz, and Tony, and Joel are enjoying their company and the program. It was agreed that after graduation, All of them will go to the farm. Ely had rented the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. While Tony brings his loaned Bongo truck.

Ruthie, Paulo, and Jacky are talking so closely, embracing, congratulating...

Tony gave Jacky a fresh flower garland that the smell of "Ilangilang" dominated them. Congratulated her with a handshake and smile.

Luz congratulated and embraced Juan after his speech. Then Ely and Luz put garlands to him. Joel embraced Juan and said "Congratulations Bro."

"Thanks," Juan said.

Joel noticed something, why Jacky never talked, or even greeted Juan.

Luz asked her daughter whispering: " Hey girl what the matter? Did you have a fight or something?

"No Mama... Jacky answered whispering.

Did he do something wrong? Luz whispering.

"No Mama" Jacky replied whispering.

"So why you are not talking to Juan? Luz asked insisted her to answer.

Joel answered whispering: "Mama, I think your daughter is putting up a defense mechanism to protect her from the pain of separation."

Luz confirmed her daughter is truly in love.

"Jacky, I will talk to you after graduation." Luz embracing her daughter then went to Juan and embraced him too saying, "Can we talk after graduation?" Yes Ma'am, Juan answered.

After the ceremony, the giving of awards, where Ely, Luz, Tony, Joel, Paulo, and Ruthie were so tired going up and down the stage because of Juan and Jacky's medals and certificate.

Juan was officially given by Ely's company a scholarship and another scholarship that the government can give to him aside from being a Salutatorian.

Jacky was given the scholarship up to medical proper.

Jacky and Rose embraced cried in its others arms. "Friends forever"

Rose whispered before they separated, "Talk to Juan, settle your feelings with him, or else I will take him from you" Rose said jokingly. Jacky pinched her in the side. They both laugh with tears.

"Rose, finish your college. If you have problems never hesitate to call me, promise?" Jacky let her promised and they had a childlike pinky swear.

Picture taking.

All went home.

The Tira and Yamadachi family headed to the farm.