I couldn't believe it, I blinked my eyes to make sure I wasn't dreaming. I opened my eyes but he was still there, standing on the podium looking so confident as he started his speech. "good day ladies and gentlemen, it's a pleasure to be here today to witness this great event. life as we all know is a like a battle ground, we were all given birth to at a particular year and since then we have been fighting for one thing or the other " he paused and continued "life makes us happy, life brought is our family, we smile, we laugh, we love and we cry but we all accept that with an open hands cause we know that's those are the perks that comes with living, but there are some moments that happen in life that reminds us that we're making progress and graduation is a part of those moment, we all started from childhood, then middleschoool then high school and now you're graduating college and we're all here to celebrate with the people we love" he was interrupted by the audience clapping.
"I wasn't born into a rich home, contrary to what they write in the magazines, it wasn't easy. my dad did everything he could to make sure I and my sister had the most comfortable life we could have even though he earned little from working at the factory so I have first hand experienced poverty and I know how it feels like to be helpless" he continued
"that's why after working so many years and striving to be better and succeeding, I started the Giovanni scholarship foundation, to help those that dreamed and wished to attend college but didn't have the tuition for it make their dreams possible " he was saying but I tuned him out.
I couldn't believe that this was the boy that helped me six years ago, not only did he helped me then, but he's being helping me unknowingly without even knowing it because I was a partaker of his scholarship programme. he's the reason why I'm graduating today and he's the reason that I have hope now. I couldn't help but smile and thank God for him.
I remembered sitting on my dads grave site that evening and just staring into nothingness, I can remember how he looked when he came to sit with me, I remembered how even though he wasn't talking to me I somewhat felt comforted . I remember all what he said to me and how I left my dads grave that evening feeling a little bit if hope. I remembered going home that night and having the energy to comfort my mom while she cried in my arms. all that was possible cause I met an that evening, never thinking I'll ever be seeing again but he was right here, in the same room that I'm in, the same boy from 6 years ago.
"kim" I felt Rachel tapping me and calling my name, lost in my thoughts I didn't know what was happening again, I looked up to the podium and the dean was next to Axel Giovanni calling out my name. I looked at Rachel and raised an eyebrow . "they're calling you out for the best graduating student" Rachel told me helping me out of my sit.
I stood up and all eyes were on me, I felt so small. I knew I had done well but 'best graduating student ' I never dreamed of it, walking towards the podium I looked at the place were my mom was sitting, she had tears in her eyes and smile on her face and she blew me a kiss. in the faces of every one else was respect and adoration. I felt so happy.
I got to the podium and I took the stairs to where the dean and where mr Axel was. the dean took my hands, shakes it and said "congratulations" I said "thanks" and he motioned me to where Mr Axel Giovanni was standing. I walked there and I couldn't believe I was about to stand in front of the man that changed my life six years ago. I got in his front and I held my breath, I couldn't breath. he stretched out his hands and spoke into the microphone "we the Giovanni foundation are very glad that we've produced one of the best graduating student this year and to reward your effort, the foundation is giving you a cheque of $20,000" he said looking straight at me with a small smile on his lips and the audience erupted into a clapping and cheer frenzy.
I couldnt believe it, I wasn't only graduating, but I was graduating with money enough to start off my life and my black haired boy was the one presenting it to me. I couldn't be happier. I took the cheque and said "thank you" to him, "it's my pleasure" he replied walking away from me.
I looked at my mother and she was full on crying now, I walked back to my sit and Rachel gave me a big hug, while getting 'congrats' from the people sitting close to me.
the dean came on stage and said " we want to thank everyone today for making time to be a part of this great event, to the graduating student, the parents and we'll wishers, we say a really big thank you. it wasn't an easy year but we all strived through. and I personally want to thank our biggest benefactor 'the Giovannis', thank you all for being part of this great event today and to my graduating students, GO AND SUCCEED " He finished. and they audience started clapping and all we students that were graduating pulled out caps and flung it High and there was cheers around.
people started getting up and locating their families, I stood up with Rachel we walked together to the platform the school had prepared for celebration and we pulled off our gowns. "girl I can't believe we're finally through with this " she said sounding really happy. "I know elle I'm so happy and I'm glad we made it through, and together" I said we and we hugged.
"I couldn't be anymore proud of you girls " I heard my Moms voice as she hugged us from behind. "all the coffees you guys drank from my shop didn't go to waste" she said jokingly and we all laughed. "well we love you too much to fail you, how can we waste those precious coffee, you two have fun, I'm gonna go find my family before they get lost. I'll see you around " Rachel joked and said to me, then after hugging both I and my mom she left looking for her parents.
"I'm so proud of you Kimberly, you've made me the happiest woman on earth" my mom said crying "I'm happy mom, I'm happy I made you proud " I said hugging her back. "you look real beautiful today" I said to her looking at her outfit. "well you don't expect me to come here today looking like a coffee maker right or do you" my mom joked and we both laughed.
"I'm so happy and this day could've been better and completed only if dad.... " I started saying but my mom stopped me. "shh... Kimberly even though your dad isn't here, you've made him so happy wherever he is and I'm very sure he's proud of you right now " she said giving me a serious look. I shook my head and smiled sending a mental 'I did it for you dad's In my head.
"I have to go and pee, I'm pressed" my mom said, "the restroom is outside to your right, I'll be waiting for you here" I told her and she left. I looked around and there was joy on every body's face, from little children to adult, everyone was happy. I was so happy I could graduate from college even after all the hard times I've been through. I looked to my right and I saw Mr Axel Giovanni walking towards me. my heart stopped beating, I immediately made sure my gown was in the right place and I fixed my hair.
"hello ms summer" he said to me "hi..." I replied maybe to quickly, I pinched my inner palm while bunching my arms. "I just came to congratulate you once more on being the best graduating student " he said with his eyes looking like his trying to remember something. I thought in my mind maybe he was trying to remember me "thank you sir, for everything " I answered. he was staring at me as if he wanted to say something but was holding back, I then saw it as a chance to reintroduce myself to him. "Mr Axel ..." I started but he said "have a nice day ms summers" and left immediately.
I was taken aback, 'did I say anything wrong'? I asked myself. why did he leave like that, did he recognise me at all but didn't want to speak to me or what?. my mom came back when I was in my confused and looked worried " what's wrong Kimmy " she asked and I quickly brightened up my face cause I didn't want her to worry about it "it's nothing, just somebody I knew before " I said trying to fake smile. my mom looked at me and gave me the looked that said 'I don't believe you and we'll talk about it later ' and I nodded.
we went to say hi to Rachel's parent and a few people we knew, then we took a few pictures and went home.