1 Mom, Here's My Diploma

She held her mom's hand tightly as the graduation song filled the entire quadrangle where the graduation rite was held. The graduating class together with parent escorts all qued up at the corner outside the entrance. As soon as the music reached their ears, they all marched towards their designated seats facing the brightly decorated stage.

She was among the top students of the university yet she never actually liked her course. All her life, she was dictated by either her parents or her older siblings. She doesn't remember making any major decisions for herself. However, she just obeyed and trusted their judgments being her elders. She just complied with their wish... but this made her an easy-go-lucky student...atleast to her. But to others, she was a diligent and studious learner.

They have been a family of Educators and her parents naturally expected her to take up a degree in Education. She always wanted something more thrilling like traveling to new places and meeting other people. She didn't imagine herself being confined in a classroom until her hair turns gray. Although she considered that training the young minds for the future was also a noble task and she somehow enjoys sharing her knowledge, she was easily bored with routines.

"Congratulations Daryle!" she took the extended hand of the professor and shook hands with him as she received her diploma and passed it to her mom who was next to her.

"Thank you sir!" She bowed slightly to show her gratitude. Then they marched down the stage.

"Mom, there goes my diploma. I hope you are happy now." She said as she squeezed her mom's hand catching the proud look of the middle aged woman beside her.

"And now, let us allow ourselves to be inspired by our suma cum laude as she gives her speech. Ms. Daryle Duran ." The emcee's clear and piercing voice took over the air.

She stood from her seat and strode tall and elegant as she made her way to the stage. She stood 5'5" but appeared much taller this time that she was wearing a two-inched high heeled shoes. Her graduation toga had a blue strap draped over both shoulders.

Her speech shocked almost everyone as she narrated her hard student life. She nrarrated her working every week-end to sustain her studies, sometimes not having enough money to buy her school needs, sometimes choosing not to eat so that her siblings can have enough. This touched the heart of everyone in the audience and almost everyone needed several pieces of tissue to wipe their tearful eyes.

" ... Standing here infront and seeing you all in tears tells me something more." She said as she paused to scan the audience. Everyone lifted their eyes to look at her expecting to hear what she was about to say. "Dear parents, don't feel sorry for me. You don't have to be guilty. I'm telling this to inspire everyone who is going through the same challenges. To my fellow graduates, where shall we go from here? After we are released from this institution, the reality of life is out there waiting for us. Our contribution to the society will reflect how this institution has molded us for many years. To the students who are following us, just enjoy your student life, go easy, learn as much as you can but don't let your guard down! Congratulations to all graduates and double congratulations to all our parents!" She ended with a slight bow then stepped down to join the graduates for their graduation song.

After the graduation program, her parents hurriedly went home as they needed to prepare a simple graduation party. The whole batch was expected to come over to their home after they settled things in school. Their house was situated on a hill about 20 minutes walk from the school.

"I dont have much at home guys. My mom only prepared a special rice wine. That's her specialty. Although I need to warn you, my dad is very strict and straightforward person. He can shout at anyone whom he sees doing wrong." She faced her classmates before she lead them towards their home.

"But he can allow us to drinks wine, right?" Charles sounded bargaining.

"Sure, otherwise, he will not allow my mom to do those wines." She responded.

Charles has been looking forward to meeting Daryle's family. He had a deep crush on her since their first year in college. He was excited to meet her parents and get through them before courting their daughter. She somehow heard about it and didn't bother to give any malice to it. She thought it's normal for classmates to grow fond with each other given the long years of companionship. The truth is that since she learned about Charles' feelings for her, she had been secretly observing him.

She didn't understand men's ways but everytime there was an opportunity for them to work together as a group, he would step aside and just agree to what she was saying. Not so when he was working with other groups, he would initiate everything for others to follow. 'Was he just being polite or intimidated by me?' She thought.