I was having a great day during our graduation practice this afternoon when we received our grad invitations.

We were allowed to have only one companion to walk with us to the stage.

I should be happy. I get to be a dean's lister.

But, I don't know which of my parents will I give this invitation to.

Looks like this week, sighing, is all that I can do.

I do not even have the guts to tell them that, 'Hey, your eldest daughter  will receive a medal before she graduated from college. Care to walk me to the stage?".

Funny, I even have the nerve to talk back at them when I can't look at them in the eyes.

"I'm starving! Come on, let's eat!" Louisse complained while holding her tummy.

Trina seconded her and the three of us went to the canteen.

It's around one o'clock in the afternoon already.

We are having our last rehearsal today before our Baccalaureate Mass the day after tomorrow.

We have our share of snacks and returned back to the auditorium on our scheduled time before we go home.

"Alright, last few reminders for your Baccalaureate Mass and Graduation this week. " Prof. Chaves announced to us at the podium. "Please be in your decent semi-formal attire. Bacc. Mass will start at ten in the morning so the call time will be eight o' clock. Graduation Day, be at the Convention Center by one o' clock in the afternoon. Call time is eleven in the morning so have your early lunch before we begin. Are we clear?"

"Yes, Sir." We all promptly answered.

"Relax yourselves today. I'm happy to see you all graduating." Prof Chaves gave us his winning smile.

The atmosphere was overwhelming.

We can see all our efforts finally paying off.

Our four years of sleepless nights for projects, midterms and final exams, and thesis have finally ended.

We are all about ready to face the real world.

The next day is the schedule of my return to our house.

To be honest, I am still torn who will I give the programme invitation to.

Dad went home alone today.

Mom did the same and both did not even shared a meal.

Dad ate earlier than the rest of us and stayed at the guest room.

Mom preferred to work for a couple of hours before deciding to go to bed.

Is it possible for my sister to come instead of them?

I sighed.

I knocked on mom's door hoping that she's awake.

I was about to give up when her door opened.

Her eyes were swollen and her nose was red.

It appeared like she was crying.

"Yes, dear? Do you need anything?"
Mom asked staring at me.

I adjusted my eyeglasses before meeting her eyes.

"Uh, tomorrow is my Baccalaureate Mass and on Saturday afternoon is our Graduation day. Will you come with me?" I asked.

"Oh, dear! Yes! I'll come with you tomorrow. But, I'm not sure I can attend this Saturday. I have to meet someone from the office." Mom said.

I just nodded.

That was all I need.

"I'll ask dad for Saturday. Tomorrow's call time for Bacc Mass is eight o' clock. We have to leave at seven am." I said to her and she nodded.

"Great! Thanks for letting me know! Let's get to sleep then." Mom said, trying to sound enthusiastic.

I managed a small smile and thanked her before heading to dad at the guest room.

I knocked and he let me in.

Dad is still up and he removed his reading glasses.

"Dad, can you come with me on Saturday afternoon? Graduation Day ko po. Mom can't come." I said without hesitation.

Dad nodded without having second thoughts.

"Graduation Exercises call time is one o clock. We have to be there by eleven." I added and he nodded again.

"Don't worry, dear. I will go with you." Dad smiled and I smiled too.
He patted my head before closing the door.

I did not know what to feel.

Should I be happy that they still chose to spend time with me despite their situation?

Or should I be sad because I used to not having this troubles when everything was fine between us?

I went to my room and found Sheena staring at the ceiling.

She was listening to music with her earphones on.

"Hey, what's up? You still won't talk to me?" I asked Shee.

Sheena ignored me and rolled to her side.

What else can I do?

The younger sibling is still mad.

I decided to let her cool down so I went to my laptop.

I opened my account in Inknotes and started typing how I felt.

State of Mind

I should have known better
When you said you will stay

I should have known better
When you said I'm your only one

I fell for your looks,
Your sweet and flowery words

But when I'm not beside you,
You chose to spend it with another

In my absence,
You found someone better

I was always the optimistic one
But when I found out about it

My state of mind goes haywire
And started thinking,

I never should have met you
Coz all you do is to make me cry