Rose-Colored Metamorphoses

Graduation Day. "Everyone, please let us give a round of applause for Xavier John R. Mendoza, our class valedictorian, who is about to deliver his valedictory speech," the emcee said. Everyone clapped their hands. Some even cheered. But as I walk towards the center of the stage to grab the microphone, I am more conquered by my unknown fear and pain. " Ahem, " I said as I cleared my throat before starting to speak. I let my eyes roam around the well-lit university gymnasium . I can see familiar faces of students, friends, teachers, and parents. "Today is one of the most anticipated days of our high school life. Graduation Day," I said, as I tried to compose myself. "This marks the end of an old journey, and signals the start of a new chapter. But during this journey, we created many friends, some even lovers." Everyone chuckled as I said the word "lover". "Most of us knew that after this day, we would not be able to see each other again. Some will go to prestigious universities. Some might go abroad. Some are gone. Forever." The room fell into silence. I can feel lumps starting to form in my throat as I suppress myself from crying. "But how can we anticipate it? Like as it has always been said, life is a journey. And none of us knew when our journey ended. And while we are taking this journey, all we have to do is to sit back, relax, and enjoy." I smiled. "Not long before, we were on our first day as Senior High School students. We were all naive, so innocent, pure and full of dreams and aspirations. Dreams of what we want in the future and fears of failure and incompetency filled each room as we introduce ourselves to new classmates. That was Day One. And before we even notice, that one semester flew fast. And so another one. And in a blink of an eye, we were already Grade Twelve students. Students who are in line of saying goodbye to their friends and teachers, and especially, to this Alma Mater. " " I was always an isolated student before, as you may know. I was known as the snobbish guy who is always in the corner of the room, always watching from the sidelines. But not long after the first term of Grade Twelve began, I met a girl," I smiled as I said those words. " Wait, you might all be thinking why this speech turned into a romantic story telling. Well, this girl made a very special change in myself. If not because of her, I might still be the same eccentric kid from before. " I sighed. I let the heaviness in my heart pour out as I deliver this part of my speech. " Her name meant 'a bright person'. She might be clumsy, childish, and a complete idiot but she's also strong, optimistic, and a fighter. A person who gave brightness in my life. Her name is..."