19 Chapter 19: Everything

Time is indeed astonishingly short and unstoppable...

"Andrada, Noelani Lynx C."

The time I met Kale, everything... Everything just got better.

"Angeles, Alyzeah Eden M."

Every road he showed me, became my guide. Every uncertain road, I learned to take and walk on.

"Acosta, Maiden R."

All the unnecessary thoughts and unanswered questions, I learned to ignore most of them one by one.

"Bruce, Maria Faye A."

The little things I once ignored, now means a lot to me.

"Custodio, Arianna S."

The dreams that I found which I thought were for me—taught me how to accept my own failures.

"Delos Reyes, Tanya Jade V."

Every exploration and last minute decision Kale had for us, became the memories I treasured the most.

His sweet smile, his laugh, and every expression he showed me— all of them became part of me.

"Dirain, Cyra Misie T."

Every second I spent with Kale changed me. He taught me how to be better. He showed me the things I am missing out in this lifetime.

"Ferrer, Inara Araceli D.," I marched towards the stage after hearing my full name.

The perilous road I dreamed to take, I took it with him by my side. Every now that I have, I spent it with him as much as possible. I got lost in the moment whenever Kale is around.

The moment I am standing in the middle of the stage, I looked around the crowd before accepting my diploma.

Finally, I passed one stage of my life.

From a distance, I saw him—the guy I've been searching for earlier. Looking at me intently with a smile on his face. His smile is too contagious, that I can't suppress mine anymore and it came out bigger than his smile.

Kale is my compass, he shows me the direction when I was lost. He is my anchor, when waves of complications came crushing towards me, he kept my feet on the ground—not letting me get swayed by the tide.

"Thank you, sir," I whispered to our dean when he gave me the diploma.

I faced the crowd. Down there, my whole family is watching, with proud expression plastered on their faces.

Their proud smile put me in a high bliss. Hot tears starts brimming as I gave them my wide smile.

I walk towards the sideline, my eyes linger in every corner of the auditorium looking for the guy that changed my life.

There, closer than the position he has before. Standing and holding a bouquet of flower in his right hand, the other is inside his pocket. The corners of his lips are still up, I saw stars in his dreamy brown eyes.

In a very slow motion, he take out his left hand then raise his fist in the air like he just won a competition.

I laugh at his gesture.

Looking right into his eyes, I did the same with my hand that holds my diploma.

"You did it," he mouthed.

I gently close my eyes then nod.

Today, I felt the overflowing joy and happiness I never had in my past years. So this is how it feels, huh. Everything is going perfectly.

My family being here with me, my friends graduating with me, the guy that I like is here as well. All of them are proud of me. I shouldn't lose to that. I am prouder than them. For the very first time, I am proud of myself, for what I achieve, for what I gain.

"Naliiiiiiii!" Noe's girly voice is the first thing I heard after having a photo opt with my family.

She's running towards me, Aly is behind her, laughing and shaking her head while holding a bouquet.

Then, Noe suddenly jump and hug me. I nearly lose my balance, thank god I didn't. "We're done, babe! We did it!" I shrugged then hug her back.

I felt a soft arms wrapping around the two of us— our Aly. Group hug. Haha.

We stayed in that position, enjoying each other's warmth.

Someone fake a cough behind us, causing us to break the hug.

In front of me is the bouquet of white tulips. "Congrats," it's Kale.

I heard my friends' squeal and chuckles. My eyes automatically rolled and shrugged to set aside the fast beating of my heart.

"Thanks," I sparingly muttered.

"Let's take a photo."

I just bob my head up and down. Suppressing the smile because of too much joy.

"I wanna join!" Noe shouted. You stupid girl! This is our moment, huhu.

That's what we did. A photoshoot. We also took photos with our classmates and other acquaintance.

After this, a different journey is waiting for us. The time we step outside this hall, we are going to take different directions for ourselves.

Today is the end of a chapter. This is the beginning of a new beginning.

Now, nothing matters anymore, no more overthinking, no more what-ifs, the hell with the future, I'll enjoy my 'today', I'll deal with my 'tomorrow' tomorrow.

A whole new road is waiting for me out there. And this time, I am ready. I am brave now, I will be braver tomorrow.

"Nali, we will wait for you at the parking, okay?" my mother said.

I nodded then looked at the guy beside me.

"What now?" he asked.

I smirked. "Woah woah, I was the one asking that before. The tables really have turned, huh."

Kale pouted, "Yeah yeah, whatever you say," he muttered.

I bid my good bye with my friends, we each have our own plans with our family so we can't celebrate together.

We were walking towards the exit of the auditorium.

"What's your plan for college?" he asked. "Please, answer properly."

A laugh came out after hearing what he just added, "I don't know yet. I'll find my calling one of these days," I confidently said.

"You will. But, it's not bad if you'll consider other options," he is being careful with his words now.

"Yeah, I can't decide yet. Nonetheless, don't worry, I will not fail my family and friends..." I looked at the flower I am holding. "I won't disappoint you."

"Right. I will never be disappointed in you, anyway," He cooly said.

There's still something bothering me. I want to tell him what I feel. I want to tell him that the feeling didn't fade.

Right now, I can't think of anything but the road that will lead me to him. The hell with his answer, as long as his beside me, nothing matters. I might be selfish for doing it, but I don't care anymore.

I stopped walking. "I like you," his back is now on me.

"I know," he softly said, not looking at me. "My answer is still the same."

I remember his answer on my first confession.

"I'm sorry, but I'm already in love."

I wonder who the lucky girl is.

"Come on, your family's waiting for you. I will accompany you to the front gate, your brother texted me that they are already at the restaurant, your ate and your Pops is waiting for you."

I set aside what I'm feeling right now. Today is a great day. I should dwell on this feeling for now.

Tho what I'm feeling right now is not pain, I'm kind of relieved. It's like there's a huge barrier that's been lifted in my life.

From here, I can see group of people surrounding something.

My brows furrowed, my instinct told me to go nearer.

Nervousness rise within me when I saw blood on the pavement.

"Someone, please call an ambulance!" A lady shouted. The shaking voice is familiar.

I froze at my position when it dawned me. My sister! She's the one shouting for help and the blood on the road... It's from my... My grandpa.

"P-Pops..." my knees started to shake. I felt Kale's tight grip on my arm, not wanting me to fall on the ground.

When you thought everything is going smoothly and getting better... That's when something will go wrong as well.

For a moment, I had everything. Now, it's all fading away.

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