They arrived and parked the car on the parking lot. There are already a lot of students outside the auditorium. Mia and her parents greeted other students and their parents too.
I looked at my watch and my phone. Her mom and dad could be here any minute now or were they late? She was about to walk when she feels someone's hands covered her eyes from her back. She turned around and look, its her father! And beside her is her mom. She quickly embraced her dad and mom.
"I'm so happy for you sweetheart. I know you will make it, and now look at you you've grown so much. We are very proud of you." Her mother said while in tears
"Honey, stop crying, we are supposed to be happy today. Do you want your daughter to cry also.? Her makeup would be ruined and she would be ugly" father said and pats mom's at the back to console her tears.
"Mom, Dad I'm very happy to see you again. I can finally help you both in our finances since I'm the highest awardee I know I can find a good job with high compensation and salary." Sydney proudly tells her parents her achievement. "who knows I might be a CEO one day" she jokingly said to lighten the mood of her parents because they are too emotional today.
While they were chatting , Bryan came from behind and greeted her parents then give her a bouquet of roses.
She looked at the roses " thank you Bryan, these are beautiful" Bryan smiled back " no worries and your welcome Syd.
Her parents look at her and said " is that your boyfriend?"
"No mom and dad he is just a friend and classmate" she answered back.
It looks like her parents wants to tease her but she doesn't have any special feelings for him. She see him as a male friend only and beside she don't want to get into relationship yet because her focus is getting a job after this and helping her family.
"By the way mom and dad did you bring a car with you?"
She suddenly asked them out of nowhere because she didnt seem to see any familiar car that her parents could have borrowed from their relatives.
"We didn't bring any car lace sweetheart. We were drop of by one of Mr. Lim's son. He asked where are we going and we told him where going to the university to attend your graduation. He said he would drop us off because he will be heading on the same direction." Her father explains shortly.
"Your dad and I can commute if we need to back to the mansion after we celebrate your graduation sweety."Mom added to what father said.
"Let me just drop you off after we finish the celebration Mom and Dad. Don't you think that's a good idea? So we can spend more time even if we're on a road travelling? She suggested and smile to them.
Meanwhile Mia and her parents greeted them.
"Hello uncle and auntie it's nice to see you. It's been 2 years already when we last saw each other. I really miss those delicious foods that you've preparer for me and Syd. Hehehe" Mia looks as if a kid who hasn't eaten anything yet.
"Amira and Franco, its been a while" Mia's parents greets them " You must be proud of your daughter Sydney for being the Summa Cum Laude?" They said afterwards
"Who wouldnt be? Janice and Adrian" I'm sure you are also proud of Mia. We really wanted to thank her and your family for treating our daughter like your own" they praised each other non stop , so Sydney and Mia decided to go inside the auditorium. Their parents already know what to do and where they will be seated.
Inside the auditorium, many eyes were on Sydney. Aside from she is the highest awardee, she also looks stunning on her off shoulder bodycon ruffled red dress. Her ash gray straight long hair is loose freely on her back which emphasize more her beautiful shoulder, face and body. She gets a little awkward so she put on her academic regalia on top of her dress. Everbody is inside and the program started.
It went on until it's time for her speech before the handing of diplomas. The hosts called her name
"Our Summa Cum Laude from Bachelor of Science in Architecture, Sydney Love Aguilar" she stand up and went to the stage while everybody is clapping their hands, admiring her intelligence and beauty at the same time.
She holds the mic standing in front of everyone. She first greeted all the students and important personnels, guests and parents and delivered a heartfelt message to everyone in the auditorium. Without holding back from where she came from, where she started. Her hardworks and all her struggles generally in life that people may seldom notice. She explain what education means to and for her family.
Lastly she thanked everyone who's with her throughout her college journey. Looking at her parents sitting at the back she thanked them for giving her the best gift that she could ever have, and that is EDUCATION. Standing proudly in front of everyone her last words are " I dedicate my success to God and especially my parents thank you"
She walk down on the stage and received a loud of applause from everyone including her parents who were teary eyed. The handing of diploma started. The name of the students were called one by one. The program lasted for a couple of hours. Everybody take photos of their family wanting a remembrance on this special day.
Sydney and Mia said their farewell to each other because they have their own family celebration as well
Sydney and her family went to the restaurant that she booked yesterday to celebrate. After that, they went back to her apparment to rest because tomorrow her parents are going back to work and she will drop them on the mansion where their working.
She finished her resume before going to sleep, she plans on applying for a job right away to gain some experience. She wanted to help her parents to renovates their old house on M city so that when they want to retire from their work permanently, they have a decent house to stay in for the rest of their lives. With this thoughts, she become more determine to achieve her goals.
The day has come to said goodbye to her parents. They woke up early and cooked food for their daughter. It's been a long time since the last meal that they cooked for her before she leaves for college. Eversince their daughter study on L City she become more independent.
"Goodmorning sweety! Come and eat your breakfast before you drive us back to our work" her mother smile sweetly. "Come here Lace, I prepared your favorite coffee" holding a cup of coffee in his hand, his father place it on the table. She sits down and eat breakfast with her parents just like a happy family would do more often when their together. She sips her coffee slowly as she take a glanced on her mother and father who were all smile while eating.
After their breakfast they all prepare for a long drive because M City is 3hrs away from L City. She help her parents packed their belongings and put inside the trunk of her car. They started their trip around 9am. Her mother asking her where she wants to apply for a job and she told her she'd be fine anywhere as long as the salary and the compensations are high. Her professor told her that she would recommend her to one of the best company he knows that's why she urgently finished and updated her resume.
While on the road she told her parents that she wants to visit their old house after she drop them on the mansion. Her parents agreed. Her mother give him the spare key of the house and tell her that the old house has been renovated slightly because of the help of the Lim Family. They rewarded their parents on working for them for a long time.
"You didnt get the chance to meet Mrs. Lim's Sons, Sydney because they studied in abroad and went back just 3 years ago." "They are nice people you've met Mrs. and Mr Lim before do you remember sweety? Her mother asked.
"It's been a long time mom and I hardly remember anything about them." She answered abruptly.
They arrived on the mansion almost lunch break and she told her parents she's just going to eat at the mall after she visits their old house. She was about to leave when she heard someone talking to her parents.
"Amira, Franco your back how was the graduation? Wait who drop you here?" Mrs Lim asked them.
"My daughter Mrs. Lim , you remember her the little girl before that we introduced to you way back then. Sydney come here, this is Mrs Lim she is the owner of this mansion and our boss" her father called her and she immediately walked and bow to the woman in front of her .
"Hello Mrs. Lim I'm Sydney Lace it's nice to meet you again" she greeted politely. Mrs Lim seems to be fascinated.
"Hello darling, my goodness I didn't know you look like an angel in person. Just call me Aunt Margaret your parents and I known each other for a long time. You must be tired let's go inside it's almost lunch time" Mrs Lim invited her
"I'm sorry to decline your offer Aunt Margaret, I really need to go, maybe some other time" she politely decline her invitation.
Margaret's eyes lighten up when she called her auntie. She remembers when she was a little girl she almost looks like a barbie and she's fond of her because she didn't have a daughter. She has 3 sons who studied abroad at an early age to prepare them to take over the companies one day.
She looked at Sydney and nodded in acceptance that she cannot stay any longer.
Sydney politely bowed again and left. She didn't forget that she still needs to go to their old house.
She parked her in front of a house that is very familiar to her. Although it has been slightly renovated, it still gives her the feeling of nostalgia. She grew up here with her parents.
After she left their old house she went to the nearest mall to eat and buy some new clothes for her future job interviews. She bring her laptop with her to review and analyze those companies that she wants to send her resume.
She entered the mall and choose a restaurant with few people so she won't be bothered with to much noise and she can focused on what she's doing. She sits comfortably and took her laptop out of her bag when the waiter approached her and get her orders. She ordered carbonara and a medium rare steak, ice tea for her drink.
She didn't notice that while she's speaking some of the male customers were looking at her. She continued working on her laptop as she is waiting for her orders to arrived. Her ordered were served shortly and she stopped what she's doing to eat first. Both of her order are already a heavey meal for her because she was tired from driving for almost three and a half hour. She finished her food and decided to continue what she's been doing to her apartment. She paid and left the restaurant to go to the second floor to look for some clothes that she can wear on her job interviews.