Graduation Day

I peered into the clear blue sky and thought of nothing in particular. The aroma of morning dew-stained grass was a sweet perfume. I was lying on my back under the shade of a glorious, ancient oak that seem to defy and test fate as it remains standing there with its arms wide open to catch the sun's loving rays. 1

It was a lazy day; yet, to me it seemed like my life was beginning to take shape. It was the moment when innocence and ignorance were exchanged for maturity and wisdom. With every breath I took, I pulled in the fresh air of understanding lost were the days of childhood bliss. Now would come the days of adult worries and responsibilities. That day, I entered into the world of adulthood.2

Yet, I couldn't bear to think about the future. Perhaps I was afraid. I don't know anything really; a piece of paper saying I was worth something, but even I didn't know what that was. I couldn't look past that day; though, the realization had sunk in and there was no turning back. 3

I was leaving... leaving everything I knew and loved: my friends, my family... things that I was familiar with. But, the most devastating epiphany of all was that I would be leaving her. She who sat next to me with an amazing smile, holding my hand with such tenderness that it was hard to let go. Her beautiful eyes searched mine, and she seemed to put her confusion aside and hold on tighter. 4

I don't even know if you could what we have as love... it started out as an innocent meeting with a simple glance that changed everything: her smile. She didn't know I was nervous when I first met her. She didn't know I had issues about meeting new people, and when I saw her, those anxiety issues melted as if I never had them. Her laughter always reached her golden brown eyes, just like how her smile transforms her face and leaving me to wonder why I haven't met her until now. To think that a simple glance, a simple act, could unravel and help me get through this routine called life. I sighed and stared out into the distance. 5

"What's bothering you," she asked quietly. And I asked myself if I should spoil the day with sad news. 6

"It's almost time, you know," I replied without glancing towards her direction.7

I could tell that I puzzled her with that response. She just looked at me with a question in her eyes and said, "Time for what? Is it time to go?" 8

I sat there staring at the sky, wondering what she was thinking. I turned my head to look anywhere but at her. I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. I can't look at you, I thought, not right now because... because I don't know what to say. She must have felt my hesistation for she gently grabbed my chin to make me look at her. We were eye-to-eye. I don't want to ruin that smile, I thought, I dont't want to be the cause of your sadness. 9

Softly, she whispered as if what I was refusing to tell her was a secret, "What aren't you telling me?" 10

She gazed directly into my eyes and then, I think she just knew. I can tell that she began to understand what I meant about which time was almost up when I saw tears forming. I watched as realization dawned on her face and saw her struggle to hold the tears back as she closed her eyes. Then, she looked away from me, her back towards me. I felt a gap began to grow, and I didn't want that. For awhile, neither one of us uttered a word. I wanted to say something funny and lighten the mood, but I couldn't find the right words. Every word that appeared in my mind was wrong. What am I suppose to say now, I wondered. I couldn't take it any longer and broke the silence. 11

"It's almost time for me to go," I said, and I thought that this was just too much of harsh reality for the both of us. After a long pause, I took her chin and made her look at me. Tears caressed her face and I gently wiped them away. I leaned closer and kissed her. 12

She moved a fraction away and rested her forehead on mine and whispered, "I'll miss you."13

She began to sob and I moved in closer and laid her head on my shoulder. My arms surrounded her small frame. I felt her tears drenching my shirt. I knew what needed to be done, what we both wanted to hear, but somehow, the words stayed inside our souls. I held her tighter to me and I wondered what she was thinking, if she was thinking this was the last farewell. I wasn't ready to face that. Not now, I thought, I just met you. From the deepest cave of my heart, I said, "That time hasn't come yet."14

We held onto each other for what seemed like forever. I wiped her tears again, my thumbs caressing the satin planes of her face. We gave each other hugs and kissed eternity. We left holding hands at first, but I felt like she was far away. I gently tugged her closer and she looked up at me. Then, she placed her arm around my waist as I placed mine around hers. She laid her head on my shoulder.15

We left not knowing what was going to happen to us, but knowing without words that the love we felt between us and for each other is endless.16