Meet Me at the Crossroad (Artist Series #2)

Epilogue

Guia's POV

"Torres, Guia Loreen V., With High Honors and Campus Art League Awardee."

Wearing my white toga, I proudly marched to the center of the stage with my mom. I took the diploma and shook the dean's hand. My mother faced me with a huge smile on her face as she wore two medals on my neck. I grinned from ear to ear while facing the audience. The blaring graduation song together with the applause of the crowd made my heart flutter in joy.

Kalayaan at pangarap.

Heto na iyon. Heto na ang unang hakbang patungo sa dalawang bagay na matagal ko nang hinahangad.

I giggled when I looked at the direction where my family is. Ate Gali and Kuya Gio were cheering, their cameras flashing at us. Beside them is my Dad on his wheelchair, clapping for me. He gave me a thumbs up with a heartfelt smile on his face. I pursed my lips and gave him a timid smile.

Noong tumuntong ako ng Grade 12 ay sinubukan kong bumawi sa acads. I managed to graduate as the overall Top 10 of my batch. A rank lower than what my dad expected from me, but I finally heard those words I've been longing to hear, "Proud ako sa 'yo, anak."

Now, my two-year senior high school journey has finally come to an end, and whatever wound this journey has left on me, I am now healed. At this very moment, I felt nothing but freedom... from all the pain, from all the pressure, the expectations, the longing, the sorrow, the heartbreaks.

After the ceremony, humiwalay muna ako kina Mommy para i-congratulate ang mga kaibigan ko. We were all goofing around the venue, taking photos, bidding our goodbyes to each other. Naluha pa ako. I will miss everything, the memories I shared with my classmates, my professors, the university, and of course, I will miss the Campus Art League family. Gustuhin ko mang manatili, pero lilipat na ako ng school sa college, kaya kailangan kong tanggapin na ito na ang huling sandali.

Kahapon, mayroong ginanap na farewell program ang CAL para makapagpaalam ang graduating members sa iba pa naming kasamahan. We had our last art trade before the school year ended. Sabi ko hindi ako iiyak pero parang may tumusok sa puso ko nang may matanggap akong mga portrait galing sa iba naming members na tinuruan kong magdrawing noon.

Pinasalamatan ko sila habang pinipigilang maiyak sa tuwa. Pagkatapos ay tinawag pa ni Sir Marcus ang mga graduating officers para magbigay ng speech sa harap. Ako pa ang nauna dahil hindi pa naman aalis ang president at vice namin. Nang nasa unahan na ako ay nag-cheer pa para sa akin ang mga kaibigan ko, kabilang na si Clary. Hindi pa naman ako nakapaghanda kaya sinabi ko lang kung ano talaga ang nararamdaman ko.

"I've been a member of CAL since Grade 11, and I never would've thought that I'll be promoted as secretary. Like most of you, sumali ako rito kasi nangarap din akong makihalubilo sa mga taong kapareho ko ng interest, and I am so thankful to have that opportunity. Masaya ako dahil tinanggap ako rito nang buong-buo kahit hindi naman ako ganoon ka-galing,"

"Magaling ka, Guia," sambit ni Kuya Dave habang pinapanood ako, kaya napa-pause ako at napangiti.

Huminga ako nang malalim, mahigpit ang hawak sa mic. "Masaya akong may natutunan kayo sa 'kin, at lalong masaya ako kasi mas madami akong natutunan mula sa inyo. So thank you, CAL. Thank you for everything. Sa mga masisipag kong co-officers na never na-late sa meeting, alam niyo 'yan, salamat sa lahat,"

Sa sinabi kong iyon ay natawa at nagkantyawan pa sila dahil alam nilang kabaligtaran noon ang sinabi ko. Palaging late ang karamihan sa kanila kaya naiimbyerna minsan si Sir Marcus. I chuckled while reminiscing those precious moments.