Graduation Day came and I was excited and nervous to be marching down the stage.

I woke up with a light feeling.

I was elated.

I don't want to think of my current problems in the family.

Today, I choose to be happy.

Even for just a moment.

I feel confident and proud of myself.

"Suarez, Shaniah Ella B. " The host said and me and dad marched up the stage.

I smiled and mumbled my thanks while shaking hands with the university officials.

Dad did the same.

I removed my cap and adjusted my  eyeglasses before dad put on my medal.

He kissed me on my cheek and smiled proudly.

I smiled in return.

We faced the audience and put on our best smiles for the photographer.

Afterwards, we went down and walked back to our seats.

The graduation rites ended shortly and we were now posing for our group shots with some of our friends.

Louisse, Trina and Ryzza requested for our squad photo to be taken and I did not object.

We were having a wonderful time but have to separate ways to celebrate with our respective families.

"Thanks, Dad. " I said when we were inside the car.

"Anytime, bub." Was Dad's reply.

I almost got teary-eyed because I heard his endearment to me.

He used to call me 'bub' when I was about a toddler until grade school.

According to him, I was their bubble of joy.

Even if Sheena was only four years younger than me, I can still feel their love and happiness.

Usually, it's the youngest who get all the attention.

But, in fairness to them, they treated us both equally.

What toys I have, Sheena also has.

They treat us fairly and with equal love.

That's why it pains me even more to know that they are about to get annulled.

Dad drove me home and was greeted with a surprise party with our closest relatives and cousins.

Balloons and streamers were being hung on our wall and congratulatory cake and tasty treats adorned our dining area.

We have spaghetti, carbonara, menudo, chicken wings, buko pandan, tacos and bottles of softdrinks on our table.

Our cousin, Yassi Estorninos, two years younger than me hugged me as soon as we saw each other.

"Congrats, Ate Shai!" Yassi grinned.

"Thank you, Yas! Namiss kitaaa!" I exclaimed and was pulled for a hug again.

My eyes widened when I saw who it was.

"Shaii!" Xenon Rafael, our oldest cousin who was living in the United States of America, enveloped me in a hug.

"Kuyaaaa!" I exclaimed and hugged him back. "Nakakaasar naman kayo ee! Pinapaiyak nyo ko! Namiss ko kayooo!"

I wiped tears that were starting to form in my eyes.

"Miss you too, Shai!" Came another familiar voice.

I turned around to see his brother, Xander, smiling from ear to ear.

I slapped him in annoyance.

"Oh! Oh! Amazona ka pa din!" Xander dodged away from my slaps and laughed. "Ganyan mo ba ako kamiss? Hahaaha!"

I frowned and continued wiping my tears.

"Congrats, Shai!" Tita Elena and Tito Romel, Xander and Xenon's parents, greeted me and pecked on my cheeks.

"Thank you po, Tita and Tito!" I said and gave them a brief hug.

I thanked another group of our relatives who were at our den area.

Finally, when we are able to sit down, we started to eat.

"Kamusta ka na, Shai?" Xenon asked while we were enjoying the sumptuous treats.

"Eto. So-so. Kaw, kya? Musta na kayo dun sa US of A? Hindi ka pa ba mag-aasawa? Aba'y matanda ka na!" I joked and he chuckled.

"Hindi ko pa nakikita forever ko. Kaya nga umuwi ako eh, baka may mairereto ka sa akin. " He laughed and bit on the chicken wing.

I chewed on my food first and swallowed it before replying.

"Loka! Mga matitino kaibigan ko, wag sila, utang na loob!" I exclaimed and he frowned.

"Grabe. Ang sakit mo naman magsalita!" Xenon chuckled. "Matino ako, uy!"

"Saan banda? Sa ilong?" Xander butted in and sat beside me. "Ikaw, Shai, asan ang boyfriend mo?"

My forehead creased and continued eating.

"Ayos ah. Deadma pag ako." Xander shook his head and twirled the spaghetti noodles on his fork before bringing it into his mouth.

"Barado ka na naman, tol!" Xenon exclaimed and took a saucer from our dining area. He returned with a serving of buko pandan and my mouth started to crave for sweets.

I immediately finished my food and wen to the dining area to get my own serving.

I also brought one for Xander and when I returned to our place, I heard them talking.

They immediately stopped when they saw me coming.

"Oh, ano meron? Tuloy nyo lang usapan nyo." I said and sat between them.

I saw them exchanged looks and both shook their heads.

"Luh. Ano yun? Pinagtitripan nyo na naman siguro ako no?" I said in mock defense.

"Uhm, we learned about Tito Hugh and Tita Jas' situation thru our mom." Xander said straightforwardly.

"Pumreno ka naman, tol! Masyado namang diretso!" Xenon slapped his brother's nape.

"Ganon din yon, tol! So, kamusta ka Shai? Kayo ni Shee?" Xander turned to me.

I tried to look away and tried to appear unaffected by smiling.

"Yun gusto nila eh! Bahala sila! Malalaki na sila!" I said half-heartedly.

"Gagawa ako ng GC para sa ating magpipinsan para pag need mo ng kausap o kainuman, isang PM lanv sa amin." Xander said and I could only managed a small smile.

"Mama mo, inom! Puro ka inom, bro! Maaway ka sa atay mo!" Xenon exclaimed and Xander only rolled his eyes.

"Oy! Andaya nyo! Hindi nyo kame tinawag! Para namang others!" Our younger cousin, Juris Galvez, saw us and pulled our cousins, Trevor, Yves, Flora, Vanessa, Yassi and Ylona as well as my sister, Sheena to our place.

"Kayo kaya nagsosolo!" Xander shot back and rolled his eyes again.

"Uy! Nabuo ulit tayong lahat! Groupie tayo!" Vanessa, our ever bubbly cousin, exclaimed and pulled out her phone.

We instantly posed for a couple of shots and Vanessa automatically posted it in her Facebook and Instagram profiles.

"Diba, Ylo, oks yung GC para madali magkayayaan sa labas?" Xander asked her and she nodded.

"Naghanap talaga ng kakampi brad!" Xenon exclaimed and pulled out his phone. "Dali, add ko na kayo sa GC."

"Sira ka talaga! Kokontra ka pa! Nauna ka pa gumawa ng GC!" Xander commented and we all laughed while we were looking on our phones.

Thank God for cousins!

I don't feel lonely anymore.