Chapter 17

"Is your make up ok?" The makeup artist asked me.

I nodded and smiled at him. After that incident Ciro walked away and I went inside and cry myself to sleep.

He didn't texted me after that and I didn't even bother to text him. It's not about the pride, all I know is I hurt him and I didn't have any courage to talk to him.

"Yuri Santiago." I clapped my hands when the teacher called Yuri.

"Selena Portia." I walked on the stage and they handed me my certificate.

I feel so good but maybe I would feel better if we are ok.

"Congratulations sweetie!" My mother hugged me tight.

I saw my auntie's and uncle's beside my parents hugging my cousins.

"Where do you want to eat?" My father asked me.

"Maybe let's just have a dinner later. Someone is picking you up." My brother said as he pat my head.

"Hi, Ma'am and Sir. Can I take Selena for a while?"

I saw Ciro behind Kuya Anthony. He is holding a bouquet of flowers and smiling at me.

I never expected him to go here after what happened. I know he's really mad at me.

"Sure, just take her home before 8:00 because we are having a family dinner."

"Copy Sir, we are going now." He smiled.

He handed me the bouquet and he held my waist. His scent lingers on my nose, the butterflies in my stomach are alive.

I went inside his car and looked at him. He lost weight and his eye bags are showing.

"Why are you staring at me like that? Am I too handsome?" He joked.

"Nah, I thought you are mad." I frowned.

"I'm sorry for what I did. I'm sorry." He said and held my hand.

"Nah, I'm the one who should said sorry. I didn't even ask you if you're ok." I frowned.

"Stop being sad baby. It's your graduation today, we should celebrate." He smiled.

Like those old days, he didn't mention where we are going. I just looked at the window while he drives the car.

We stopped at the cemetery. I saw his mother waving his hand at me.

"Congratulations, iha! Here's my gift." His mother handed me a paper bag.

I smiled awkwardly and looked at the ground. I saw his father name engraved in it.

Nathan Privino "He said we will celebrate your graduation in our house. He will throw a welcome party for you." Tita Francheska said.

"My father loves you so much." Ciro said as he handed me a plate with food in it.

"He organize everything to welcome you in our family. He said Ciro became so happy and alive when you came." Tita Francheska said.

I couldn't eat, I felt sad. I didn't come to his wake. I saw Ciro looking from afar.

"I never knew that it's his last day. He was happy planning everything, he even ordered a cake to congratulate you." She wiped her tears.

"My condolences Tita." I said and handed my handkerchief to her.

We started to eat and enjoy the day. We play mobile legends, I didn't know that Tita is on that game. Ciro always saved us even if he dies.

"Mom we gotta go now." Ciro smiled.

"Ok, I will pick your sister too. Maybe she's at the bar." His mother frowned.

"I will talk to her when I got home. Bye mom I love you."

"I love you too darling."

"Where are we going?" I asked.

"Somewhere far away from here." He smiled and put my seatbelt on.

I looked at him while he's driving.

"Why did you lose weight." I frowned.

"I haven't eat for a while."

I looked at the window and let him drive peacefully. I just want to comfort him but I don't know why. I blamed myself for what happened, I felt guilty because he lose his weight. I should be there for him but nah, I chose to make things miserable for him, for us.

"Share me your thoughts." I heard him said.

"I'm sorry."

"You don't have to, bab—"

"Please hear me out." I frowned.

He nodded and drive slowly.

"You are always there for me no matter what happened. You are there at my happiest moments and on my darkest nights. You always asked me if I'm alright but I always failed to ask you if you're fine." I looked at him.

"That's insensitive and immature. J always think that you will find somebody new. I always think that we were not meant for each other."

"We are." He whispered.

"And that night, instead of asking you if you're ok I even shouted at you. I didn't even text you or go to your father's wake. I'm sorry Ciro." I cried.

"Shh, it's ok baby. Don't cry, it's ok I understand." He said comforting me.

"Why can't you just be mad."

"I can't, I can't even get mad at you." He smiled and opened the door for me.

We are here at a house, I don't know who owns this but maybe it's his.

"Congratulations, this is my gift." He smiled and held my hand.

"What? I don't understand?"

"When did you get slow huh?" He asked and handed me a key.

"It's my graduation gift for you."

"A house?!"

He nodded and dragged me inside. This is a luxurious house, the things looked so expensive, like who the hell will buy this and give it as a graduation gift.

"But this is expensive." I mouthed.

"You deserve this."

"I don't." I looked at him.

I caused him much pain and then he will give me this.

"You deserve it because I love you and that's what matters."

I can't help but to cry because of joy. His love is so precious, do I really deserve this man beside me.

He hugged me tight and patted my head.

"Don't cry, I used to save money back then and I don't even have a dream." He smiled.

"Then you came. I saw this house and it reminded me of you, simple yet elegant. You gave me direction in my life Selena and I can't even asked for more." He smiled.

"But I can't give you gifts like this."

"But you can give me love and that's all I want." He chuckled.

"You are so kind, damn is that really you?" I joked.

"I'm kind when it comes to you. You're special." He chuckled.

"Special child." He added.

"I just have one wish baby." He closed his eyes.

"What is it?" I asked.

I badly want to give him his wish, I will try my best to give him everything that I can.

"Whatever happens don't give up on me."