Mom in Secret

01

"Torres, Tasiana Arabela J., Valedictorian..." 

"Conduct awardee"

"Regional Press Conference 1st Place"

"Leadership Awardee"

"Ms. JA 2011, Grand Winner"

And the awards continue...

Halos lahat ng tao na nanonood sa graduation ceremony ng 4th year students ay napapanganga dahil sa sunod sunod na award.

"Grabe, hakot award"

"Tao pa ba yan?"

"Dapat ina-accelerate na yung ganan, e"

"Nako, kung ganan kagaling anak ko..."

Everyone was murmuring and chattering about me.

But I didn't care at all.

I am simply receiving the payment of my hardwork.

"Congrats, love" Benedict said and hugged me.

He's my boyfriend for 3 years now.

"Thanks, love" 

And he's also an amazing student. He's this years Salutatorian.

"Gomez, Benedict Rem H., Salutatorian"

He has a lot of awards, halos lahat ay sa sports.

But his academic awards are a lot too.

"Congrats, Rem!" I greeted.

"Thank you. Congrats to us" he said.

We walk towards our parents.

"Awee, what a great couple you two are. Congrats, anak, Tasiana. And you too, son" Tita Bea said and hugged us both.

"Thank you, Tita" I said.

"Congrats to both of you. Continue studying hard, okay? College na kayo and things won't be as easy as before. Make each other your inspiration" my dad said.

"Yes, Tito. Thank you po" Benedict answered.

"Tasiana, Benedict. Congrats to the both of you. Ang ganda ng relationship niyo. I hope you two will stay together until the end" Ms. Cruz, our homeroom teacher, said.

"Thank you, Ms. Cruz. Salamat din po sa pagtuturo sa amin for 4 years." Benedict answered.

"I am thankful too because I have two of the most intelligent students in Juarez Academy" she said and hugged us.

There were more people who greeted us and took a picture with us.

I won as Ms. JA 2011 last last month and Benedict won as Mr. JA 2011. 

Sabi nga nila, we are the best definition of "perfect couple". We both have the beauty and brain.

Our relationship is well-known in the entire academy, and other schools too.

There were a lot of people who supports us, as well as hates us. 

But we never give a damn about it. For we both know that it won't do us any good.

Benedict?

He's one of a kind. 

He can be as soft as a cotton sometimes,

but most of the time, he's hard as rock.

He got jealous easily, he hates being away from me. Maliban nalang kung lalaban siya for sports for some weeks or even month.

Our relationship isn't as healthy as everyone says. 

It's not as beautiful and perfect as they see.

Walang araw na di kami nag aaway,

bagay na never nangyari nung kasisimula palang ng relationship namin.

There are times na pinipigilan ko nalang yung sarili ko na magsalita kapag nag aaway na kami becayse nothing good will come out of my mouth.

But he will still say everything he wants to say.

"Hey, are you alright, Tara?" he asked.

Yeah, Tara, he gave me that nickname.

"Yup, just tired. Ang dami kase ng tao and ang bigat pa nitong medals. Mom said that I shouldn't take it off" I answered.

He chuckled.

"Well, Tita just want you to show off that awards to those who gossip around you when we got in a relationship" he said.

"Well, I can't disagree with that. I just wanna slap them with this heavy metals and tell them 'NOW, WHO'S PREGNANT?' hahaha. But I can't, since wala naman benefit na makukuha dun" biro ko pa.

"Crazy. So, I'll leave with my parents, see you at the party!" he bid his goodbye and left with his parents.

"Are you excited for the party, sweetie?" Mommy asked.

I am the youngest between their 3 children. 

The first brother already graduated from college and now working as a doctor, the second brother is now 4th year college. He's studying Law.

While me? I want to be a Psychologist.

"Yes, Mom. Where is Kuya Tarou and Kuya Arthur?" I asked.

"Oh, they're home. Your Kuya Tarou took a day off although his schedule is too tight because he wants to spend this special day with you. While your Kuya Arthur is at home too, he sent a letter at the university saying he is sick. He just want to skip school, tho" Mom answered.

"Pffttt. That is so Kuya Arthur. I'm sure Kuya Tarou already nagged him because of that" I said.

"Well, what do you expect from Tarou? Hahaha." Mom answered.

"We're here, darlings" Daddy said "Sorry to interrupt your coversation"

"Hmph. Baka nagseselos ka kase nagchichika kami ni Tasiana tapos di ka kasali" Mom answered.

They're fighting. 

Lumabas na ako ng sasakyan at pumasok sa loob ng bahay.

"CONGRATULATIONS OUR TASIANA!!!" sigaw ng mga tao sa loob kasabay ng pagputok ng mga confetti.

Nandoon ang ilang kaibigan ko, sina Kuya Tarou at Kuya Art and their friends too. Then some of our relatives and the rest is the maids.

"Congrats, baby Tasi" Kuya Arthur greeted and hugged me.

"Waah. Thanks, Kuya Art" I answered and hug back.

He even kiss my forehead before letting go. 

"Congrats, My Tasiana." Kuya Tarou said and gave me a boquet of lily before hugging me.

"Wow, thanks Kuya Tarou" I answered him.

"Thank you everyone! Thank you for the effort! Please enjoy!" I said sincerely.

"Miss Tasiana nandito yung regalo namin. Sana magustuhan mo!" Anna, my personal maid, said.

"Yes yes. I appreciate it, Anna. Thank you!" 

"Tasiana, it's been a while. Congratulations" Kuya Gustav said.

He's a doctor too, friend of my Kuya Tarou.

"Kuyaaa Gustav! Long time no see, how are you? I'm glad you came" I said and hugged him.

I'm really happy to see him, really!!! I was infatuated to him for a while before, but now I only see him as my older brother. 

Besides, I know something is going on with him that a lot of people around him knows. It's his secret that I found out recently. 

"You're big now, huh?" Kuya Gustav said. 

He was about to hug me back but someone pulled my arms away. 

I was shock. 

Tumingin ako sa taong yun and nanlaki ang mata ko. Natahimik naman ang mga nandoon.

"Benedict?"