Prologue
The happiest and most memorable moment in a woman’s life was in fact not her wedding day but her graduation in college. Or so what Teresa believed.
For her, graduation was a symbol of the transition from being an adult-in-training to an actual adult. From a dependent to an independent.
The closing ceremonies signified the opening of doors towards several opportunities to choose from. The end of her school life was the beginning of her journey in navigating the real world.
But for now, she must savor and enjoy this one particular day.
Most of her batchmates were emotional. They had been sending crying emojis in the messenger group chat and said something about how they would miss the university.
She did not reply because she was more than happy to pack her things up and leave the all-nighters to study for exams, cramming to write a hundred page paper, surprise quizzes, and heart-pounding recitations and thesis defense.
Terry would say, “goodbye and good riddance!”
She busied herself dolling up for the event. There was no need to hire a make-up artist and hair stylist—she was the artist and stylist herself.
“If applying make-up takes this long, we will be late for graduation,” Josie, one of her best friends, complained. She was already dressed and ready because her aunt and uncle paid for salon services.
And if she wasn’t wrong, Benjamin, Josie’s boyfriend, bought the shoes that Josie was wearing right now. Terry could totally see that Josie would be the first one to get married among her best friends.
“Relax. We still have two hours before the processionals. And, you cannot rush a masterpiece,” Terry replied as she put on her earrings.
“Masterpiece my foot. Such excuses for non-experts,” Leorie, another best friend, was ready to kill her vibe. She and Leorie were almost similar in being bitches so they tend to have friendly banters.
“Shut it. I just need to have more practice, Miss-I-cannot-go-out-without-make-up,” Terry countered while rolling her eyes. But in all seriousness, Leorie was really good with make-up and she could do it at record speed, too. “Besides, you can’t say anything because you’re not graduating.”
"Yet. I’m not graduating yet but I’ll sure as heck march next year,” Leorie countered. She took a five-year course that was why she wouldn’t be graduating with the rest of the gang.
“Anyway, where are those two? We still have a lot to do about their looks,” Leorie paced the room glancing at her watch.
Josie and Leorie were not her only best friends. There were also Feli and Sammy who were still missing in action.
The five of them were collectively known as the Quinz because they were like quintuplets from different mothers. And because Quinz was a word play for “queens”. Anyway, their girl group had been slaying since high school.
“I’m here! Sorry, I’m late,” Feli came into the room. “I had to attend the twins’ recognition day because Mama had to go to Aaron’s elementary graduation.”
Feli then went to the couch and fumbled with the air conditioner. It seemed that she was so tired after the events with her three younger brothers.
“Seriously, why must elementary, high schools, and colleges have the same dates for their closing ceremonies?” Leorie complained as she moved to do Feli’s make-up.
“I have no idea. I’m just glad that it’s over,” Feli said.
“I’m so proud of the mini Monteses. I can’t believe Aaron was the valedictorian. And Andre was in the top ten. Your siblings are very intelligent,” Terry complimented.
“And what about August?” Josie asked.
“He was not in the honor roll. But I’m still proud either way,” Feli said with pride. “And good thing that Fatima and J.R. could take care of papa while everyone’s away.”
Teresa couldn’t imagine being the eldest among six children in the family. She didn’t know how Feli could handle it given her family’s situation.
And the least she could do to help as a best friend was to style Feli’s hair on her special day.
“I’m confident that you can make it in time for your graduation. But if Sammy couldn’t arrive within fifteen minutes, she had to go to the processionals with a bare face,” Leorie mumbled.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door, declaring Sammy’s arrival.
“Sorry, I’m late. But, good news! I brought these,” Sammy entered, holding up two eco bags of food.
“It’s graduation day, not a picnic. Though I won’t complain if the food’s for free,” Feli teased.
“Grab anything you like. It’ll take us hours in the graduation hall so we need lots of snacks,” Sammy offered.
“Do you still need us to do your make-up?” Terry asked, noticing that Sammy was actually good to go.
“No, thanks. Dad scolded me for relying on you for my make-up so I had to book a make-up artist at the last minute. Sorry,” she said apologetically.
Yeah, Sammy’s father was kinda strict and Terry wouldn’t want to cross him. “We’re good. At least, we can focus on Feli,” she said.
“I’m really sorry I had to ask you both to do this. I would’ve asked Fatim—”
Before Feli could finish her sentence, Terry stuffed her mouth with the tuna sandwich that Sammy brought.
“Don’t stress over it. Just be happy at least for today, okay?”
Feli took a deep breath. “Okay.”
She wished happiness not only for Feli but for all of them.
And the joyful feeling doubled over when they confidently walked towards the grounds. The four of them were clothed in off-white dresses with their university’s blue and orange graduation sash.
During the processionals, the graduates were accompanied by one of their guardians. In her case, her mother walked beside her. However, they had to receive their diplomas alone.
Josie and Feli received their diplomas for completing their degrees in secondary education. While she and Sammy finished their degrees in business administration.
“Im, Teresa Gizelle,” the emcee announced.
She carefully walked on the stage with a wide smile on her face. She prayed that she wouldn’t trip on her heels but it was unlikely because she was used to wearing high-heeled shoes.
She thanked the dean, secretary, and the chancellor as she received the piece of paper that represented her blood, sweat, and tears.
Eyeing the crowd before she went down the stage, she could not pinpoint where her friends were. But she knew that they were seated alongside their own departments and Leorie was on the sidelines, taking pictures.
She may not see them, but she knew that they were there—ready to tease, support, and love one another.
In turn she would also be there for these four, ready to witness them achieve their goals. Terry may not have a concrete plan for herself yet, but she knew she could journey any path as long as she was with them.
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AUTHOR’S NOTES:
1. This can be read as a standalone book. But to feel the whole experience, you may want to read Best Regards, Feli before diving into this one. Many characters mentioned here were already introduced there.
2. Please note that this is not an erotica book but it will include a few mature/sexual contents.
3. Like. Comment. Follow. And a review would be much appreciated because it will boost this story for a wider audience. Enjoy!
