Chapter 9: Chapter 9

Ingrid's POV

"Ingrid, no one's with you?" they asked me. I nodded. I immediately saw the insulting grin on their lips.

"Poor you. Your dad won't pay attention anymore. ” They pretended to feel sorry but I could see the hidden grin on Steffanie's lips. The sneaky laughter of their friends added even more.

It's our graduation and I will walk alone to the stage again. Sometimes no matter how many more achievements I have, I feel like it was all for nothing. I don't really have someone to share it with.

We sat in our chairs. I was just silent as I looked at the graduates. Almost all of them are sad because we are about to graduate senior high. I'm the only one who's glad to get out of this school.

When my name was called as the highest honor with various other awards. I can see how they look at me as if they are insulting me. I did not bow my head. Why should I? I won’t affect anything they think.

“Congrats, Ms. Galang. You did well,” my teacher greeted me with a smile. I just smiled at her.

"Why isn't your parent here?" she curiously asks. I just shrugged before turning my gaze to the principal who congratulated me too.

When the ceremony was over, they said goodbye to each other. Hug each other as if they will never meet again.

"Omg, I'll miss you, Ingrid," Steffanie said. She even came over to me for a hug. I just accepted even though I knew it was just for show. They're that good at acting. I wonder why they didn't apply to be an actress?

"Let's take a picture, Guys!" she said to her friends. I took my things, ready to leave.

"Ingrid, please take a picture for us," they said so that's what I did. When the photo was taken, Jayvee and Sarah also want me to take a picture for them so I let them be. I could see Jayvee's grip on Sarah's waist. When Jayvee noticed me looking at his hands, he grinned at me and pressed his waist even tighter. I just smiled too. Only now did I find out that he was so stupid.

“We look good here, Babe. Let's frame it, ” Sarah said as she smiled at Jayvee.

“Lastly, Ingrid. We are parents now,” Sarah said, prompting her and Jayvee's parents. I was slightly hurt because Jayvee and I somehow got along but never… He never introduced me to his parents as his girlfriend. What do you fucking expect, Ingrid?

I just took a picture of them. When it was over Jayvee’s Mom smiled at me. She knows me as her son's friend but I don't think she'll like me being Jayvee's girlfriend.

“Congrats, Ingrid. You are really smart, Hija, ” she greeted me.

"Thank you, Tita," I said just smiling at her. She smiled and turned her gaze to Sarah before she stroked her long, pitch-black hair. Even though I didn't like it, I still felt excruciating pain because of it.

I finally said goodbye to them. During the time I was already walking away, people were still talking.

"Poor Ingrid."

“She deserves that! She's too proud of herself! ”

“She's so stupid giving Jayvee away as if he's a gift. ”

"I hope everyone is being introduced." They sarcastically said to me.

I don't really understand why people pay more attention to harming others. I mean don't they have a life of their own? Can't they focus on their self-growth instead? If they choose to do that then that will be good.

I just ignored the gossip about these and walked away first.

I was even sadder when the parents passed who were overjoyed because of the achievements of their respective children. Dad doesn't even remember me. I was just shaken by the sadness I'm feeling right now. It’s like a very hungry lion ready to eat you. It's like you're in a big forest. You have to find a way to survive and that's what I'm doing right now.

Instead of sulking, I just walked towards Aling Gloria's convenience store. I needed to bring something home to eat later for my younger sister and brother. I started working in her shop, two weeks ago.

I just put the medals in my bag as well as the toga but while doing that. I collided with someone. I just looked at him for a moment. He looks familiar but I don’t really have time to think about where I saw him.

"I'm sorry," I said before entering.

"I know you," he told me as he entered the convenience store.

“You're the one that has an ex who cheated, right? The one with the teleserye story of the past?” he asked me with another smile. I turned to him because of that. I raised an eyebrow until I remembered him.

"Ah, you're the one who stupidly watch it," I said so he laughed. I ignored him and greeted Aling Gloria who was watching.

"Good evening, Aling Gloria," I greeted her. I'm only here for four hours and I'm on duty every night. 'Cause, that's the only time I can.

"Good evening, Ingrid," she said turning to me. She looked at me for a moment before frowning.

"It's your graduation?" she asked looking at the toga that I didn't successfully put inside my bag. I just smiled before nodding at him.

“Why didn't you tell me? You should just celebrate it and rest right now! You should spend your day with your family, Hija! ” she said to me but I just smiled and shook my head.

“I'll spend my day tomorrow with them, Aling Gloria. I'm sure my siblings are asleep now, I don't want to wake them up, ” I said with a smile. She just looked at me and forced me to go home first but I'm already there. It's a pity to go home.

I also got dressed before going out again to replace Aling Gloria who was still stubborn.

“I can do it, Aling Gloria. I'll take care of it,” I said, still smiling at her. In the end, she also agreed because she was also already very sleepy. She also left the convenience store. I looked at the man I had met earlier. He is still thinking about what to buy. He just keeps on putting things in his cart. He just went around until he was stunned when he looked at me. He looked surprised so my eyes narrowed.

“You're terrible to look at! You seem ready to end my life at any moment!” He laughs before he comes over to pay. Just looking at him makes me tired because he seems to have a lot of energy in his body.

“Why? Are you planning to steal?” I asked him. His eyes widened.

"No!" He laughed before shaking his hands.

"I'm rich," he said proudly, so I just shook my head. I don’t know if he’s joking or really bragging. I ignored the smirk on his lips and just continued working.

"Here it is," I said as he left an ice cream and a drink.

“That’s for you. I heard about your graduation. Congrats!” he said so I was stunned before he turned away.

"Meddler," I whispered, which he heard as well. He just laughed before waving his hands. I just followed him with my gaze until he was completely gone. I couldn't help but bite my lips as I look at the ice cream he handed me.

Even though I didn’t like it, I felt happy. I can’t believe that with a stranger I didn't know, I heard the congratulations that I wanted to hear from people close to me.

"The heck?" I whispered with tears welling up. I can't believe I'll cry just by a simple congratulation from a stranger.

I was about to finish work and I was about to go out but stopped when I saw Aling Gloria entering the shop.

"Congrats, Hija, this is what my husband and I bought," said Aling Gloria who handed me a small cake. I couldn't help but look at her. She let out a wide smile.

"Because you didn't say you were a graduate, we didn't have time to prepare. I wish we had prepared more," she said but I was just stunned. I suppressed my own tears. How can my worst day turn into a great one even if the day is only a few hours away?

"Thank you," I said, so she just messed up my hair.

"It's a good thing we caught up with you," she said with a wide smile. We took pictures in their polaroid camera of her husband. When that was over I came home with a smile on my face.

I thought that was the highlight of my night. It was even more exciting to see Sandro and Irah who were in the living room while they were both asleep. There was a biscuit that looked like they had just bought it from the store in front of our house. There's a letter that comes with it.

'Congrats, Ate! We're proud of you! I love you! '

I just smiled before I carried them one by one into the room. I just watched their peaceful faces as they slept soundly.

Sometimes I wanted to end my life but suddenly I remembered the faces of the two of them. How are they going to live when I'm gone? They are still young but the amount they do is not what children should be doing. They should just play and study but instead of playing, they took care of Mama. They make yema to sell at their school just to buy something. Even if I wanted to spoil them, I also knew that we don't have enough money.

But now that I have a job, I don't think they have to do that. I will work hard for them.

That night, I fell asleep with a smile on my lips. I don't even remember what happened in school. I'm just happy.

I just woke up the next morning being watched by my siblings.

"What's your problem?" I laughed at them.

"Is the cake on the table ours, Big Sister?" they asked excitedly. I couldn't help but laugh and nod.

"Wow!" they said as they plan to run there but faced me again.

“Congrats, Ate! We saw your medals! There's so many!" They were so happy for me so I couldn't help but laugh before I hugged the two of them. They also go outside after that so I followed them.

I also fed Mama and cleaned the house after we ate.

“Irah, Sandro, you don't have to sell your yema anymore. Ate already has a job, ” I told them while watching them busy wrapping their pastillas and yema.

“It's okay, Ate. Aling Fey also ordered. It looks delicious! Sandro and I also have something to save up our money with,” she said so I raised my eyebrows before looking at them.

"Why, what's that?" I ask. They had no intention of saying anything and just shrugged. I didn't ask them anymore. I know how hard-headed they are just like me.

"Are you still leaving?" they asked me. I nodded. I can't just stay here at home. What a waste of days. While on vacation, I wanted to look for another job working at a convenience store. After all, I was there at night.

I have to buy Mama's medicine and Sandro's vitamins.

“Watch over Mama, okay? Do not wander on the road either. I will buy what you are saving for,” I told them.

“We are, Ate. You're the one who's saving for college, aren't you? ” Irah asked me so I stopped there. I know my siblings are smart and reliable but I just feel bad when they are maturing so fast.

"Big sister will stop first, I will support you to study first," I said so their eyes widened.

"But your dream is to be a famous producer, Big Sister!" Sandro couldn't stop screaming. I was silenced because of that.

"It doesn't mean I'm going to stop now, I'm going to stop forever." I laughed at them.

“Sometimes you have to stop to continue,” I said before ruffling their hair.

Maybe not now but someday I'll chase after my dream…