My Royal Best Friend

The nightmare has happened

Nathalia POV

“How is it that you get to be the valedictorian when I was the one who mostly tutored you?” I pouted at Jerry.

“Don’t worry, baby, you get to be mentioned as my beloved tutor in my speech. My biggest inspiration.” Jerry hugged me from behind.

I’m not really mad at my boyfriend. In fact, I’m immensely proud of him. I’m very proud of us, as we both finished first and second in our graduating class. It was our last day of high school today and in four days, we will be having our graduation ceremony. Our principal had both called on us to his office this morning to tell us the news. He had confessed that it was a tie between the two of us, but Jerry got the upper hand at the end because of his contribution to the school’s swim team. I got no problem with that as I knew that Jerry worked really hard for his grades even as he struggles between studies and swimming. I love Jerry and love is about being selfless.

We were at Jerry’s grandma’s kitchen, planning a simple dinner for both families as we tell them later the good news during dinner. We had just finished making lasagna, baked chicken, and salad. We also bought Mama Mila’s, Jerry’s grandma’s, favorite mango cream pie at the nearby bake shop.

We are also to tell my parents and Mama Mila that we have decided to go to the lone private university in our state. We both got accepted there. Fortunately for us, we were also awarded scholarships. I’m on academic scholarship. Jerry both won academic and athletic scholarship. Talk about being smart and athletic. And handsome. Anyway, we chose to go there, too, because of his grandma. He doesn’t want to leave his grandma alone. It’s a win-win situation for all of us.

And after college, Jerry hinted on getting married, then have our first baby when we are stable enough with our work, perhaps in a year or two. I rarely reply to his daydreaming, but I would hide a smile. I love that he has already plans for the both of us and sees us being married and having our own family in the future. But of course, things might change. He’s a great swimmer and I thought he can go and try out for the Olympics in the future. He has great potential, he just needed the moral support and boost in confidence. I don’t want to be a hindrance in his dreams. He had been talking about Olympics ever since we became friends.

“What are you thinking? Are you still mad at me? You’ve been sighing for every two minutes.” Jerry had started to set the dining table.

“I’m just happy for you. Truly happy.” I went towards him, pinched both his cheeks and kissed his lips. “I was just kidding earlier. I was not really mad at you. I’m feeling overjoyed, actually, with how things are happening around us.”

Jerry grinned.

“Me, too, baby. Me, too.” He said while he took me in arms for a tight embrace.

I was feeling all warm and fuzzy in Jerry’s arms, when suddenly we hear someone clearing their throats. Jerry and I pulled back immediately. My parents had arrived together with Mama Mila.

“Everything all right here?” My dad asked.

“Better than all right, Dad.” I replied cheekily.

“Come around and sit down. We have great news to tell you.” Jerry excitedly told everyone.

To my surprise, both my parents were nervous. But Mama Mila has gone all smiles at the two of us.

Oh, my gosh. They must be thinking that we’re getting married or worse, that I’m pregnant.

We all got our food and Jerry went to speak first.

“As you know, Thalia and I are both done with high school and we will be having our graduation in a few days.” Jerry looked at me and I smiled at him for encouragement. “We are graduating at the top of our class.” Jerry is too modest not to let everyone know that he’s the valedictorian.

“Jerry’s graduating as our class valedictorian. I’m his second.” I proudly announced.

My parents seemed to sigh in relief and were now smiling, congratulating both of us. Mama Mila was already hugging his grandson.

“I knew you are on to greater heights, Jerry. You have that blood in you. I’m so proud of you.” Mama Mila said as she lovingly patted her grandson’s cheek. “Congratulations, too, Nathalia. I know Jerry would not be number one with you.”

You have that blood in you? What does Mama Mila mean?

“You’re sweet, Mama Mila. Thank you. But Jerry had really worked doubly hard to achieve the top position.” I replied quickly, but I was still thinking of what Mama Mila said to Jerry. Were Jerry’s parents also achievers like him?

“Ahh ha-ha… Thanks, Mama.” Jerry doesn’t want getting too much attention. “We also want to let you all know that we have decided that we will be attending The Column’s University for college. You know that we both have been accepted there and have won scholarships. We cannot deny that it is one of the best universities in this country. But the best thing is there will be no need for us to be far from each other.” He smiled at everyone around the table.

Mom rubbed my back. “Thank you.” She said to both of us.

“You two could have saved us from anxiety. Your mom and I have been thinking on this surprise for the past few hours.” Dad laughed, then in a serious tone, he said. “We are both thrilled for the both of you, Jerry and Nathalia. You will always have our support.”

“Thanks, Dad.”

“Thank you, Sir and Nadia.” Jerry had this habit of calling my Dad ‘Sir’. Nobody knows how Jerry got to be calling him that. It had always been a joke that Dad already knew that Jerry has been crushing on me. And Dad, being the usual protective father, had Jerry calling him ‘Sir’ if he wanted to pursue me. So, Jerry would always know that Dad has powers over him. Dad is crazy if that is true.

Anyway, we had a great night talking over dinner. They praised my cooking skills, and also Jerry’s even if all he had done was the cut the vegetables for the salad and boil the pasta for the lasagna.

The next day, when Jerry had been done with his training, he came up to our house and showed me his valedictory speech.

“See, here’s your name.” He pointed to my name on the paper.

“You didn’t have to mention me. Delete it.”

“Why not? It’s my speech. Here listen to me. See if it sounds good enough for everyone. I have not memorized it yet, but I’ll get it done by tomorrow.”

I listened to him say his speech, without even looking at him.

“Hey, was my speech boring that it got you sleeping?” He asked after he was done.

“No. I closed my eyes, because I might fall in love with you more when I look at you.” I smiled silly at Jerry.“

“Oh, is that so?”

“Duh. Yes.” Jerry closed the gap between us, then he started to tickle me.

“Jerry!!!” I was laughing so hard.

“You were kidding me.”

“No! Haha…It’s true!” Jerry had stopped tickling me, but I was still laughing. “Seriously, it was fantastic. I closed my eyes because I want to feel your speech.”

“Great! I’ll just have this memorized.”

“Then it will not be heartfelt.”

“I’ll say it with feelings. Just like when I tell you I love you.”

We looked at each other then started laughing. We are both being silly today.

Silly and in love.

The day before our graduation, I was to put the trash out when I saw three heavily tinted black cars parked in front of Mama Mila’s house. Then I saw men in black suits roaming around.

I don’t like the feeling of this. What’s happening? Why are they in Mama Mila’s house?

As I was walking back to our front door, I saw Jerry walk out with an elderly man, around the same age as my parents.

“Jerry?”

“Thalia!” He raced towards me, alarming the men in suits. He jumped over the bush that had been separating our houses.

“Is everything okay?” I asked him worriedly.

“Yeah. I’ll just be with my dad tonight, then I’ll get back as soon as possible. I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?” He kissed me softly on the lips.

“Is he your dad?” I looked pointedly to the elderly man.

“No. He’s my dad’s assistant.” Jerry replied as he gets something out from his shirt pocket. “Here. I’ll leave this with you. I love you, Thalia.” He kissed me again, then walked away. He gave me one last smile before getting inside the car.

I did not know that it will be the last time I will see him. The last kiss and the last smile. The last time I will hear ‘I love you’ from him.

The thing he gave me? It was his valedictorian speech.

That night I was waiting for his message if he has gone home already. I was waiting for his call. But nothing. I did try to call him, but he was not answering my calls. I left him messages, but I got no reply.

The following day I found out that he did not come home at all. His grandma also didn’t know what happened to him, but assured me that he will be fine as he is with his dad.

At school, before the graduation ceremony, I have been so anxious. I was still hoping that Jerry will arrive. But fifteen minutes before the programs begins, I still could not contact my boyfriend. I saw the principal and told him that I could not get hold of Jerry.

“That’s bad news.”

“Sir, here’s his speech. He had prepared this the other day and gave it to me yesterday.”

He looked at me as if thinking.

“Then I give you the honor to read it to everyone later, Nathalia. I know you can do it. I will tell the emcee of the changes.” My jaw dropped. I could not find my voice to say something. The principal patted my shoulder, then walked away.

The ceremony went in a blur. I got to read Jerry’s speech in front of everyone, while his face was flashed at the screen projector.

After the ceremony, we went to one the famous restaurants in the city. We just ate. No talking. My parents know how devastated I am, despite the honors that I have received at the graduation.

I still tried to contact Jerry, but his number is no long reachable. The nightmare I had months ago has happened.

And that night, I cried myself to sleep.