Chapter 1
๐pon completing my college education, the moment of my graduation marked a significant and joyous period in my life. As my name echoed through the crowd, signifying the moment I received my diploma, I felt a profound sense of relief, as if all the exhaustion and sleepless nights endured during the past four years had been entirely overcome. Then, hearing the announcement "Martinez, Rose Elizabeth P.," I could see my awaiting family, ready to adorn me with their proud garlands. Following the ceremony, we celebrated this milestone at home with a modest feast, consisting of delectable dishes such as lechon, spaghetti, and menudo - some of my personal food favorites.
But the mere fact that I was delighted that day meant that not everything was aligned with me. It came to the saddest time of my life. The next day, when I woke up, my mother immediately shouted my name, "Betchay! It's already noon. There's still work to do in this house!" In an instant, my world stopped. I wasn't even able to fix myself and was just thinking about the joy that I had finally graduated from my studies in college. I thought it was okay for Mama to scold me. If it weren't for her, maybe I would have been too lazy to study on the first day of school, and I wouldn't have woken up to the fact that I also had to start looking for a job. "For the economy!" I mumbled.
Though the tiredness from the last four years of school is still visible in my eyes, I think I'm ready for the next chapter of my life. When I left the room, I instantly felt the cold breeze of air hit my skin. Another day to start my new life, I thought to myself. Being twenty-one years old was like "I don't want to get up from my bed just yet." I want to enjoy my youth as a free, outgoing woman. Is it not easy to be patient and obedient to your studies and then work shortly after? But honestly, it's fine with me that my parents want me to go to work right away. I also don't want to hang out at home and get the pressure of doing nothing.
I went straight to school to get all of the proof that I graduated. Well, I'm not a great student, but I'm thankful that I always attend my class, even though I'm often the one who copies the answers of the people next to me, especially in mathematics. I arrived at the registrar's office, and I noticed that there were many people in line. I scratched my head and repented why I woke up at nine in the morning. Now I can taste the cruelty of the time I wasted.
Speaking of it, I unexpectedly felt startled when I saw a man in front of me who was somewhat familiar, but then turned his back on me. I thought about who he was, as I recalled that he was the person I was once friends with. I didn't know either from the looks at the beginning, but I knew it was Joe. I tapped his shoulder and made him face me as I called his name and said, "Hi John." He smiled at me when he saw that I was behind him until we said hello to each other, and didn't care that we were about to reach the office window.
Even though John and I haven't seen each other in a long time, since he was just two years ahead of me in school, I still know that he was the only one who understood me in all my troubles. I think we are more than just friends. But when it comes to love, we don't always think that we feel the same. John was more of the best buddy for me because he was too modest and kind and didn't even realize how much I felt for him.
He often berates me. I used to cry in front of him for no other reason, and he was fine with it. I wanted to ask him about the status of the love letters I sent to him, a reminder of those times when I was still crazy about him. Though he didn't say anything or acted more about it, I didn't continue bothering to ask anyway, because I understand that we are both satisfied now in our respective relationships. "How are you and that Mr. Criminologist? Are you still together?" I was appalled by his question. I mean, if it were me, why would I ask a question about something that I knew would irritate someone? But then I was forced to respond, "We're done!" laughing at the same time so as not to get notice that those subjects are sheepish for us.
He already knew by now that I left him for that guy and what we had together because of that "Mr. Criminologist", but that's over now. I played around for a few years trying to move on with the thought of forgetting Joe, but I lost just about an inch of me to the wrong person. I thought he was unlike any other. After just a few minutes of our conversation, his phone unexpectedly rang, and I knew it was his girlfriend who called. He got up from his seat, so I couldn't hear what they were talking about, but when Joe came back, he began talking again about something for our next friendly meeting. I was about to say yes to him until my boyfriend, Migs, came to fetch me.
It looks as though I'm betraying my boyfriend in public, just when the two people who were important in my life introduced themselves to each other. Migs understood that meet-up. He is not like the other men who get jealous when they see their girlfriends with other men. That's why I love him so much.
John and I both said our goodbyes but anticipated that it was not the end of our reunion. Just after we met, we saw each other again when I saw that he had stopped by his friend's house, who is my neighbor. We had an uneasy moment when he introduced himself to my parents. They thought it was my lover because of the pleasant treatment I had with him, but in the end, it turned out to be just as I thought, as a friend.
I just laughed at my family's conclusions, as if they expected Joe and me to be together, so John left shortly after with a few laughs. They looked at us with their false suspicions. Though I told them to stop, their faces remained unresponsive, which, while it was rather humorous, I tried to resist the temptation until I told Jun what had happened. Even he couldn't believe my parents had traded him for John. My life was improving because I had people around me who treated me like the person I was supposed to be, and Migs were there to bother me about things that weren't covered by our relationship. He knows me more than I know myself. My family loves him. I love him.
From the time I fell for those I once loved, he was there to take hold of me. Just as I thought he would permanently be there, it was not the same as I thought it was going to be.
Months later, he suddenly walked away. The joyous splendors in my heart sadly withered. I don't know why Jun did that to me as I was calling and asking him, "Where are you?" Do you have a problem?" Those were my last calls before he finally decided to speak to me in person, with the grimmest expression I'd ever seen on his face.
"Rose?"
It was dreadful to hear his voice. It seems like there was uncertainty, but I don't know if the tone of his voice still has its sincerity. If only I could walk up to him and punch him in the face, but I didn't wait for him to speak, as I ran off like how he ran away from me, as I didn't want to make him feel good about the things he did.
