Chapter 2

"I ordered some food, Aunt, for your dinner so that even if I'm late, you won't have to go out." I picked up my bag and Tita stood up. Adjusted my collar and caressed my arm. "I am proud of you son. You did your job as Lorenzo's daughter and I know that he is thankful, because you became his son." I hugged Aunt Amelie tightly before I walked towards the door and waved at her. Mouthed thank you before closing the door. I'm starting to get nervous leaving the hospital and I'm on my way to campus, I want to see Navi to receive her diploma. Finally, it's over, it will be even more busy and so will I because it's my fourth year. I walked out and called a taxi. I got on there and it didn't take me long because there was no traffic today, which is good and I didn't get caught by rush hour. Just outside the campus there are many decorations and graduations now. I went down and paid, I checked Navi's message and he said it was already inside. But I saw him waiting in the parking lot and holding his phone. I walked quickly and hugged him from behind. He pocketed his phone and hugged me tightly. I smiled and felt Navi's chest, I heard the strong beating of her heart and it was like music to my ears. His warm hugs are making me comfortable. "I thought you wouldn't come, I was waiting outside a while ago. I left Mama inside." I broke the hug and held Navi's arm as we walked towards the gymnasium of the campus, many people were looking at us and there were also many people in togas who walked with us.

"I'll take you to Mama, we'll have dinner later and the ceremony will start soon." He smiled and pinched my nose, I immediately avoided my face because I knew that the next thing he would stop was my cheek. Tita waved when Navi saw me, I left Navi where she was standing and I ran closer to Tita and hugged her tightly, she waved to Navi and we sat down now. "Son, it's good that you came," Tita said and held my hand and looked at my face, because my nose was red because Navi pinched it and pulled it away. "Yes, I waited for Tita to wake up before leaving, sorry I am late." I lean back and watch them make a speech while they pray now. "How's your father, Navi said that he is fighting now. I am hoping that your Dad has recovered. I know that it is difficult that you are the one who almost understands your store, especially since after this you are also graduating." I smiled and watched Tita take out her camera while we waited for Navi to pass by the marchers. "Yes, I can handle it for Papa. And I also hope that he will be fine, it's really hard for me to handle the store. If I really can't, I'll close one store first. I have so many things to stop. Then one Our manager is the only one," I explained and took out my phone, Navi was just passing us and we took it. "I can help you hija, after all Navi will take care of our business. She also wants to rest and Navi is my only child, and the store is not that heavy so I can help you." We sat down and I shook my head, embarrassing Auntie. "Come on Auntie, I'm okay. And then take a vacation and do what you want, it's been a long time since you were alone since Navi was a child, and you deserve a rest. It's nice to wake up and have coffee in Paris or Italy. Navi said that you love to stay abroad," I said and Tita looked at the stage. The guests made a speech and Tita smiled. look at me "Yes, I love to. But you know that there are dreams that I don't want to do anymore, because no one with me dreams of staying abroad. I'm just hurting, so I've spent my whole life in business and for let it grow, I want my grandchildren to have a good life with Navi. They deserve the best thing on this world."

I nodded and continued to listen to Tita. He rarely opens up about Navi's father, all I know is that he left them when Navi was young and Navi's father got someone pregnant then, but he is her legal husband. "Well, Navi's father was nice but I didn't know that he had a boyfriend before. I started dating him when I was young and he decided to marry me. We were happy and okay, until his former boyfriend came and he left ." He looked at the stage and took a deep breath. "He promised that when Navi graduated college, we would go abroad and go around the world. But unfortunately, I was not with him, he left me alone." I caressed Tita's hand. I know that he should be happy about Navi's graduation, but it's really hard to forget the person who was a big part of your life." I nodded and remembered Papa and Aunt Amelie, maybe Mama feels the same way, even though I want to come closer to Mama. She doesn't like it and pushes me away

"Auntie, but maybe Navi's father is happy today. Because it's his son's graduation." She smiles and caresses my hand and points to Navi who is receiving her diploma now. "Yes, he is. And I hope he sees Navi's achievements, because he always does his best to replace my sacrifice with Navi, and I feel it." I woke up and Navi was looking at our place.

I mouthed I love you and he smiled, got off the stage and Tita continued to speak next to me. "Son, I want to see my grandson with you. I am excited to see both of you on the church." I was stunned by Tita and she laughed at my reaction.