3rd Person's POV

Days and months passed by in a blur. Soon, they saw themselves in the auditorium wearing their togas and graduation caps.

Also present in the graduation exercises are the politicians who served as decoration to the area. Included there was the one who has been sponsoring Andromeda's college scholarship, Andrew's brother.

The parents of Melissa were there too as well as Andrew's. The school principal concluded the graduation rites and soon, students rushed to the different spots on the stage to take a picture of themselves with their friends or special someone.

"Hija, congratulations sa iyo!" Andrew's mother, Madel, exclaimed when she got to the other side of the stage with her husband, Arturo. They came fully presentable at their son's event with his wife dressed in old rose 3/4-sleeves and slacks, as well as him, clad in pink long sleeves, slacks and a pair of leather shoes. "Congratulations, mare at pare!"

"Salamat po, Tita Madel!" Melissa gave them a shy and wide smile that brightened up her face. She was extra beautiful too in her pink lip gloss and natural make-up look.

"Salamat, kumare at pare!" Melinda, Melissa's mom, grinned at them. "Congratulations din kay Andoy! Nakaka-proud naman! Valedictorian! Napakahusay na bata!"

"Mahusay rin ang anak mo, mare. Pumangalawa siya kay Andoy. Manang-mana sa katalinuhan mo." Madel said modestly.

As the parents rained praises on their kids, an uncomfortable silence filled their atmosphere despite the noise of the graduates in the background. Both of them stood across each other without saying a word.

"Congrats." "Congrats sayo." Both of them chorused and looked away.

"Saan ka na magka-college?" It was Drew who spoke up first and looked into Melissa's eyes.

"Probably in Manila. I don't know yet." Melissa admitted shyly. For a moment, she was actually conscious of her looks with him standing in front of her. Casually, she tucked a strand of hair beneath her ear and tore her eyes away as she played with her fingers.

"Oh. Okay." He answered and placed his hands in his pockets. "Good luck." He smiled and for a while, she knew she will definitely miss his gentle gestures of encouragement and odd sense of humor.

"Halika rito, Doy! Magpakuha kayo ni Melissa ng litrato! Remembrance man lang!" Madel exclaimed excitedly which Melinda approved at.

"Let's take your photo, Mel." Melinda seconded as both of them uneasily posed for a picture.

They knew that they are good friends already but their parents' presence makes things edgy for them. It's as if they cannot act naturally towards each other.

After a couple of shots of them and with their parents, both families bid their goodbyes, leaving Andrew the thought of not seeing Melissa for a long time.

For him, what he feels for her is something more than a crush. It is of something deep and precious.

But, if destiny will allow their paths to cross once again in the future, he knows it will be the time for him to tell her of his feelings.

It will be the time for him to man up and be brave enough to let his heart out in the open.

With his brother, he will do something about it. For all he cares, he never see them hanging out either or spends time at their house.

As Andrew and his parents were heading out the place, Honorable Romero Bautista and his comrades happened to be going out, too. The same time as them.

"Magandang hapon ho, Mayor." Andrew's parents bowed and gave the town's leader a big smile.

"Magandang hapon rin, Madel at Arturo." Hon. Bautista returned their politeness with a smile. His gaze dropped to Andrew who shivered under his eyes for no reason. "Pagbati para sa pagtatapos ng inyong anak sa sekondarya."

"Maraming salamat ho!" Arturo gave him a brief nod and Andrew muttered his thanks at the town official.

"Mahusay ka, hijo. Pagpatuloy mo iyan at paniguradong matutuwa ang mga magulang mo." Hon. Bustillos said and Andrew managed a smile at him.

"Para po sa kanila ang bawat tagumpay ko, Mayor. Salamat ho sa papuri." He uttered and calmed himself from doing the impossible. He sensed something fishy is going on under his sponsorship that he couldn't put a finger on.

"Mabuti naman kung ganoon, hijo." He simply commented. He turned to meet the eyes of Andrew's parents and said, "mauna na kami, Madel. Arturo. Ingat kayo pauwi."

"Kayo rin ho, Mayor. Ingat rin ho." Andrew's mother said and let Mayor Bautista get out of the place first before they went out.

"Tara na at magcelebrate, anak! Kakain tayo sa labas ngayon!" His mom said happily.

"Sige po." Andrew nodded and returned the toga to the personnel assigned at the door of the venue before they finally exited the place.