The Guy I met on Omegle

From a young age, it has been my parents' dream to have a child who becomes a teacher. Yes, it was my parents' dream, not mine. But what else could I do? Teaching seemed to be the only course I could pursue when I enrolled in college. "Joan Saragoza, Bachelor of Secondary Education Major in Mathematics. Graduates," and everyone in the hall applauded. But I know that the most enthusiastic applause is coming from my Mom. She's been waiting this ever since she gave birth to her one and only daughter. It's me. I looked behind me and saw my Mom walking towards me with overwhelming joy. Yes, it's my graduation day. I finally finished my master's degree. It was really challenging, to be honest. I struggled for weeks to choose what to wear. It's funny how I spent two years studying hard and going in and out of school, only to realize that the most difficult part was deciding on what will be my outfit today. But here it is. This is what I've been waiting for. I dedicated my whole life to this moment. Well, maybe saying my whole life is a bit exaggerated, but let it be. This is my moment. "Let's go," my Mom said, and holds my hand. Oh, it seems like this day is not just my moment. It's even more of my Mom's moment. With her perfectly straightened hair, she looks like the one who's graduating, not me. I held her hand and said, "Let's go," with a smile that reached the sky, and we started walking towards the stage. In the past, I only dreamed of this. To finish elementary, high school, go to college, and now I'm suddenly a degree holder. (Can't believe it.) The feeling is incredible. I feel like I'm flying, unable to explain it. As I step on the stairs of the stage, people there greet me with a genuine smile on their faces. "Congratulations," the guest speakers said to me, and I exchanged pleasantries with them. I am truly happy tonight, so happy that I can't believe that I'm here, that I have achieved something at the age of 23. Who would've predict this to happen, right? "Picture... Smile," the photographer instructed us from below the stage. I smiled as he said. Of course, why would I frown? This is my moment, I shouldn't be shy. "One more," my Mom signaled to the photographer. And the photographer quickly took another shot of us before stepping off the stage. It seems like my Mom intends to have as many pictures as there are albums with the photographer. It's a bit embarrassing, but it's worth it. "Mom," I called her with a smile as we descended from the stage. She turned to me and said, "Well, do you want another picture?" with a playful tone. I laughed a little at what she said. My mom really loves taking pictures. "No, we already have a lot of photos with the photographer. Our faces might be the only ones there," I replied to her and went to her side to hug her. I showed her my diploma and said, "Mom, here it is. The one you worked so hard for, for more than two years." I said with a slightly teary voice. Oh, now I'm getting emotional. I feel like my tears are going to fall at any moment. My mom smiled slightly and said, "You worked hard for this," and she hugged me unexpectedly. "Did I already tell you that I'm proud of you?" she whispered in my ear. "Yes. You told me earlier," I replied. She nodded slightly and said, "I'm very, very proud of you," whispering with tears in her eyes. I also cried at what she said. I couldn't hold back my tears. I already knew that my mom was proud of me, but hearing her say it repeatedly felt like winning the lottery. No, not just the lottery, it's like I had a chance to have a mother who is very kind, loving, and above all, the source of my beauty, which is in reality. "Okay, enough now, and your makeup will go to waste. That cost two thousand," she said, breaking our embrace and wiping the tears falling from my eyes. I sniffed a little and held back my tears. "It's because of you..." I said, playfully pointing at her. She furrowed her brow as if unconvinced by what I said. "Oh, here we go again, making it seem like it's my fault," she said to me. "But I will admit that it's my fault if you'll treat me," she said, and winks at me. Oh, my Mama, always wanting things for free. I don't even have a salary yet, and there are already expenses. Well, she deserves to be treated; all of this is really for her. "Where do you want to go, Oteps, Kuya J, Green Mustard, or Tropiks Cauayan?" Iisting all her choices. My Mom shrugged her shoulders, seemingly overwhelmed by the options. It looks like her head hurts from choosing where we'll eat, with all the restaurants I mentioned. She thinks I have a budget the way I mentioned expensive restaurants. "Hmmm, the ones you mentioned are too expensive, wait..." her eyes widened. "Maybe your salary for the end of the month has arrived, huh?" she asked cheerfully,poking my waist. I was slightly surprised by what she did. "Maaa, come on," I said, stopping her. "It's embarrassing, there are so many people around, and I'm too old to be poked," I said, brushing my hair. Well, my pretentiousness just naturally comes out, doesn't it? "Joan, you act like I never wiped your butt when you were a child after you pooped..." I quickly covered Mama's mouth with my hand. "Sssshhhhh!" "Mom, really, what if someone hears you," I said, feeling paranoid and looking around behind me. Okay, I admit that when I was a child, I made Mom wipe my butt after I pooped, but that's normal because I was a child. What could I do? I thought poop looked like chocolate back then. Admit it, all of you did too, don't act all holy. My Mom removed my hand from her mouth. "Alright, I'll stop now, I'm closing it," she said, pretending to zip her mouth. My Mom can be childish sometimes too, you know who I inherited that from. I stood up straight while Mama fixed my sash. "So, where should we eat?" I asked, looking at her. "Umm, maybe just Green Mustard," she answered. I involuntarily drooled a little due to her answer. "GREEN MUSTARD!" I shouted, and suddenly everyone in the hall looked at me. Oh yeah, the graduation isn't over yet, I forgot. (I scratched my head abruptly) "Sorry," I said with embarrassment to everyone, even making a peace sign. "Come on, let's go," my Mom said with embarrassment, pulling me out of the hall. "Why did you choose something so expensive, Green Mustard?" I said in disbelief to Mama as we walked out of the hall. She stopped walking. "I thought I was the one choosing and you would pay?" she said, making me think. "Did I say that?" asking myself. "Alright, alright. Green Mustard it is, then," I said hurriedly, and we continued walking. I don't want to argue anymore. I'm too exhausted and hungry for that. I don't have energy anymore. I sighed. My Mom walked so fast that I couldn't keep up with her. There she goes, leaving me behind, not even waiting for me. Impressive, right? She left me and now who's gonna pay? I wonder if she even has money. (Laughs) Oh, by the way, we left the hall not because I didn't want to watch my fellow degree holders, but because we couldn't endure it any longer. With three thousand graduates, it might take until 2024 to finish the graduation ceremony due to the large number of graduates. I was about to walk when I suddenly glanced at my diploma. I didn't realize that my heart was gradually starting to ache. I slowly began to feel regret. Regret not because I didn't finish the graduation ceremony, but because I remembered someone whom I also shared the excitement of my diploma with, aside from my mom. I looked up at the sky with no stars. But there was one prominent source of light, the incredibly large and beautiful moon. I spoke to the moon as if it were the one I was conversing with. "Wherever you are right now..." then raised my diploma. "I have fulfilled my dream. I hope you do too. Wherever you are, I hope you're happy, just like me." These were the words I uttered to the moon, as if I were talking to it like a crazy person. I found myself laughing unknowingly. I laughed because my sentences meant nothing to the moon, just like in Bruno Mars' song. No matter what I do, it won't respond. I took a deep breath. I felt the cool breeze, as if it were embracing me tightly and comforting me in the longing I felt. "Can we start over again?" I softly asked while gazing at the moon. I laugh strangely, "I must be a fool. With all the people I can talk to, I'm talking to the moon," and I scratched my head in a time-lapsed manner. I'm probably going insane. Because I'm speculating about someone who, from the beginning, was gone because of me. My selfishness was the reason why I can't be with him anymore. The reason why I'm not part of his life anymore. That we don't talk, or contact each other not like the old days. But if I were given one last chance, I would never waste it or let it slip away because... "Jacob, I still love you." I said with teary eyes, and I turned around because I heard someone shouting. It was shouting my name. I carefully observed the person approaching me. "I've been waiting for you in the car for a while now, and here you are." My mom greeted me slightly out of breath. Oops, I forgot. We were supposed to eat out today. I forgot. Then, my mom got annoyed. "What are you standing there for? Let's go." She impatiently uttered and pulled me along. My mom, always ruining my moment. She's like doing it purposely or maybe accidentally, I don't know. But, I'm really hungry now. We better go and have our late dinner. It's 10 in the evening already, and I know that she's pissed because of my tardiness. After walking for almost five minutes, "Why did it take you so long to come back? I'm sure they are waiting impatiently in the..." Papa exclaimed irritably as he saw Mom approaching. However, he suddenly stopped speaking when he saw me behind Mom. He immediately halted his words as if they were inappropriate. "Stop talking..." Mom interjected, trying to stop him with a hint of uneasiness in her voice. Is there something I don't know that they don't want to tell me? It seems like there's something going on between the two of them that doesn't involve me. Hmmm, it's intriguing, but... "Are we still waiting for something? Because if not, we can leave now," I persuaded my parents. Mama immediately came up to me. "Yes, of course, my child. Let's go and let's just leave your father; he seems too hungry and saying all sorts of things!" she muttered irritably, blaming Papa. Mom guided me to get inside our car, considering the gown I was wearing. Yes, I was wearing a gown, quite extravagant, right? When the three of us were inside the car, we immediately headed to Green Mustard. But upon arriving there, it was dark and eerily quiet. It was weird because restaurants are not usually like this. You should be hearing music inside and lots of people eating. Hmmm, what's going on? "Mom," I called out to Mama, and she turned to look at me from behind. I wanted us to enter together. Yes, I was a bit scared. I'm a fearful person, and Mama is the only one who can calm me down. You know, that's the greatest power of mothers, to instantly dispel fear from their children's hearts with just a grip of their hand. "Why? Is there a problem?" she responded to my call. I scratched my head slightly. Though it's embarrassing to admit to her, I said in a clingy tone, "Let's go together," then walked towards her side and gently held her hand. She also held my hand in return. "O-Okay," she reluctantly replied and walked towards the front door of Green Mustard. When we were near the entrance, I hesitated, "Mom, it seems like there's no one inside. Should we just go back?" I'm worried that a killer might suddenly appear and slit my mom's throat or even mine. Oh no, I hope not. I just received my diploma, and am I going to die right away? Seriously, I won't even get to savor my diploma for at least a day? "Just open that door, and I'll shine a light for you," she commanded, taking out her phone and turning on the flashlight. Wow, she didn't even consider that I'm scared. It seems like what we're going to eat is more important to her than me. (Joan sighed) When I opened the door, I quickly entered until I heard a pop. A pop of... confetti? The lights in the restaurant suddenly turned on, and I was greeted by a crowd of people inside.