Sheena's POV
My friends and I got into the University we dreamed about. Masaya naman ako with my College life pero ibang iba na pala talaga compared to High School. Ang daming requirements, ang daming quizzes, ang daming kailangang isipin, at ang daming maaasim sa campus.
Through countless promises that we'll not end up getting into an accident and ending up in the hospital, my dad finally gave me my car and I got my license too. No more teenage sneaking out and illegal driving late at night for me and for my friends.
Speaking of driving, Colet is the one driving my car while I am sitting nervously in the passenger seat, Maloi and Mikha in the backseat with Gwen and I's cat, Nael. Today is Stacey and Gweneth's graduation day and of course, being the proudest girlfriend that I am, I have a little surprise for her.
Disappointment gnawed at me. Sobrang lala ng traffic sa Manila, swertehan nalang kapag nakarating kami on time. Ang tagal naman kasi maligo ni Maloi, kinailangan pa namin siyang antayin. I yearned to be there, cheering my sunshine girl on, celebrating her years of hard work.
"Col, bilisan mo naman!" I protested while fixing my hair. I glanced at my friends at the backseat, only to see Mikha sleeping again and Maloi writing something.
Nagulat ako nang biglang itabi ni Colet 'yong sasakyan ko. She turned off the engine and looked at me with her sharp eyes. "Oh! Bumaba ka diyan at ikaw ang magdrive. Ang aga aga pinapainit mo lalo ulo ko. Kung hindi ka sana reklamo nang reklamo, hindi lumalala traffic ng Pinas!" she said.
Nagising pa si Mikha dahil sa sinabi ni Colet. I heard small giggles at the back.
"Ah .. ano, Col, ikaw nalang. Sabi ko nga I'll keep my mouth shut na." I said with a low voice.
Napindot na naman si Anger.
I was focusing on the road when someone poked me. When I looked at the person, I saw Maloi smiling sheepishly. "Do you think Gwen will like your surprise?" she asked.
"I don't know. I literally bought the biggest bouquet in the flower shop, ewan ko nalang kung hindi siya matuwa. Center of attraction siya sa gagawin ko." pagmamayabang ko pa sa kanila.
"Really? Ganti mo ba 'to sa mga missed dates ni Gwen sa'yo? I swear, Shee, labas ako diyan ha!" Mikha said, pretending to not know and care about my surprise.
Hours later, I stood breathlessly at the back of the graduation hall. Sila Colet, naghihintay sa labas with my surprise. The scene before me unfolded like a movie â black gowns swarming the stage, speeches blurring into a background hum. My eyes scanned the crowd, searching for that familiar mop of dark curls.
There she was, Gweneth, looking radiant in her graduation gown. My heart swelled with pride. Bebe ko lang naman ang Salutatorian ng batch nila! Pinagmayabang ko pa sa parents ko 'yon.
"See that? My girlfriend is giving her speech. Ang ganda, diba? Bebe ko 'yan!" sabi ko sa katabi kong teenager na nakikinuod din sa ceremony.
"Ang yabang. Akala mo naman siya 'yong nag-aral at nagpa-aral." I heard them whispered pero masyado akong proud sa girlfriend ko para mag-amok pa ng gulo.
This was it. No turning back.
Taking a deep breath, I marched towards the back of the stage, drawing gasps and bewildered stares from parents and faculty alike. A security guard materialized in front of me, his expression stern.
"Ma'am, you can't be here. This is a restricted area." he said.
Panic threatened to engulf me, but then I remembered Gweneth's face, the joy that would erupt upon seeing me. With a smile that could melt glaciers (or at least a grumpy security guard), I launched into my carefully rehearsed speech.
"But I'm here to celebrate my girlfriend's graduation! Surely there's an exception for love, right?" I reasoned out.
The effect was magical. The crowd erupted in cheers, drowning out the initial shock. Even the security guard seemed to soften. Fortunately, a kind-faced professor intervened, saving the day (and possibly my graduation-crashing career).
With a triumphant grin, I reached Gweneth, who looked like she might faint from a mixture of shock and delight. Tears welled up in her eyes as she threw her arms around me.
"Sheena, kanina pa kita hinahanap!" she whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "But... thank you. This means the world to me."
"Congratulations, my love. I crashed the ceremony to tell you that my surprise is waiting outside. I'll see you later?" I told her and kissed her forehead. Sa lips sana kaso baka hindi makagraduate ang bebe ko.
She smiled sweetly at me. Too much for a nonchalant like her. "I'll see you later, love." she replied and went back to her designated seat.
I went back to my friends only to see them playing with the kindergarten pupils of our school. Si Maloi nakikipag pitik bulag pa sa bata, halata namang nilalakasan. Si Colet tinuturuan ng Calculus 'yong kasama niya kahit hindi naman naiintindihan. Isa pa 'tong si Mikha, binilhan daw ng ice cream 'yong kalaro pero siya naman kumain lahat.
I shook my head. Bumalik sana lahat ng mga ginagawa niyo sa mga anak niyo soon.
"Guys, prepare my surprise. Lalabas na sila maya-maya." I announced.
Nilabas na agad nila 'yong flowers, huge teddy bear, tarpaulin, at musical instrument. I want this to be special because my girlfriend deserve it.
"Sure ka na ba? Andaming tao." Maloi asked. I smiled at her and nodded. Never been this sure.
When I saw some students exiting from the venue, Colet started strumming his guitar. Naupo na rin si Mikha sa beat box while Maloi and I prepares to sing.
"Col, Intro kakantahin namin." I reminded her.
"Intro nga. Ano bang meaning ng Intro? Intro na nga ginagawa namin. Umpisahan mo na." she said grumpily.
"I mean, Intro by Ariana Grade" I said.
If the sun refused to shine
Baby, would I still be your lover?
Would you want me there?
If the moon went dark tonight
And if it all ended tomorrow
Would I be the one on your mind?
Your mind? Your mind?
"Oh my God!" Stacey commented.
And when I met Gweneth's eyes, I automatically thank God for giving me someone like her.
And if ever we will not end up together, for some reason that I don't know, maybe priorities, or just like will happen;
If ever we got lost in translation, and decided to search for ourselves all over again in our own;
If ever we are destined just to be each other's lessons, each other's memories, each other's regrets and heartbreaks;
I will always be thankful, grateful and glad that once in my life, I met her, I had her during my ups and downs, and I loved an amazing person in her.
I will never forget that there's someone who accepted me, embraced every broken pieces of me, and made me feel that I am the easiest to love.
If ever we will not end up together ...
HINDI PWEDE 'YON! IPIPILIT KO!
"Surprise, love! Happy graduation!" I ran towards her and enveloped her with a hug as I gave her the huge teddy bear.
"Thank you, bebe." she started tearing up. Pero umurong ang luha niya when she saw the flowers. "Sheena Mae!" she yelled while pulling my ear.
My friends started laughing with her reaction. Bakit? May mali ba sa ginawa ko?
"Why love? That's the biggest flower in the flower shop eh, ayaw kong magpatalo 'no!" I told her.
"Oo biggest flower talaga 'yan kasi may stand and sash sa gitna. Pang patay 'yan, leche ka!" she yelled again.
My friends started laughing while pointing at my awkward face.
"Pinipilit ka naman to look for a smaller one kanina diba? Ayaw mong makinig. Buti nga sa'yo." Mikha said and shook her head while still laughing.
"Bebe, I can explain ...."
After the graduation at ang epic failed na eksena namin in front of the school, we all decided to celebrate for Stacey and Gweneth.
The day after their graduation, we found ourselves enjoying the crashing waves, calling seagulls, and the little banters.
"Ahh, the smell of freedom and sunscreen! This is amazing, guys." I told them.
"Kwento mo sa flowers mong pang patay." Colet butted in.
"Tigil na! Nakakahiya kaya 'yon." I told them.
I smiled sheepishly as I walk towards my girlfriend. "Hey there, sunshine girl. You look amazing!"
"Thanks, love. You too. You know, I can't believe we're finally here. Graduation feels like ages ago." she smiled.
"It does, but in the best way possible. This beach trip is exactly what we needed." I replied.
I held her hand as we started walking. Dinala kami ng mga paa namin sa part ng beach kung saan walang halos dumadaan.
I looked at the scenery in front of us. The sunset.
"This is perfect." I commented.
"It is, isn't it? Just us, the beach, and maybe a few sandcastle casualties." Gwen said. I leaned in and gave her a peck.
We both smiled after. This, this simple moments. Sana hindi matapos ito.
The sun dipped towards the horizon, painting the sky in a dazzling display of fiery orange and bruised purple. Streaks of gold shimmered on the cresting waves, turning the ocean into a molten tapestry. The playful shouts of my friends, still battling it out on their inflatable unicorns, faded into a distant hum. Here, on the warm sand, nestled beside Gweneth, a hush fell over me.
It was a comfortable silence, filled with the rhythmic sigh of the waves and the quiet contentment radiating from Gweneth. The day, a whirlwind of laughter and joyous chaos, seemed to slow down, allowing me to truly appreciate the beauty around me. The way the setting sun cast a golden glow on Gweneth's face, highlighting the warmth and kindness in her eyes, was a picture I wanted to etch forever in my memory.
As I gazed out at the breathtaking scene, my hand instinctively reached for Gweneth's. Her fingers intertwined with mine, sending a spark of electricity through me. It was in these moments, these quiet spaces shared only with her, that the depth of my love for Gweneth truly overwhelmed me.
It wasn't just the way she made me laugh until my stomach hurt, or the way she understood my unspoken thoughts and anxieties. It was the way her presence brought a sense of calm and completeness to my life, like a missing puzzle piece finally clicking into place. The fiery hues of the sunset, a masterpiece of nature, paled in comparison to the warmth that bloomed in my heart knowing Gweneth was by my side.
This wasn't just another beach sunset. It was a symbol of the future we were building together, a future as vibrant and ever-changing as the colors dancing on the horizon. And as long as I had Gweneth beside me, hand in hand, I knew we could face any storm, weather any challenge, and create our own personal paradise under any sky.