I can't forget that day. It's not that I don't want to. In fact, I want to, or I have to, actually, but I just can't. And I don't fucking know why. And it happened a long time ago. When I was 23 years old.
I woke up early that day, I said a little thank you prayer, took a shower and got dressed. I was wearing a blue patterned dress that day. It was sleeveless and the length was just above my knees. I fixed my hair and did my make-up carefully.
My mom was awake too and she was also busy preparing to go with me. I woke up my little angel and dressed her up too. She was only about a year old at that time. She was still sleepy, poor baby. But I had to wake her up. Today, she was going with me. One of my happiest days. She was a little irritable but I guess she really had to go with us. Nobody would take care of her anyway if my mom and I left her behind.
My older brother was still sleeping and my father was doing his chores, both of them unconcerned about my big day. Well, it was not the way I would want it to be, but I guess it was the way I expected it to be. So the three of us left the house to go to the venue of my Graduation from University. Yes, it was that a big deal. Well, for me at least.
When we arrived there, I saw my batch mates all smiling and so happy, surrounded by their families. I smiled at them too. My mom and I had to take turns carrying my baby. It's time for the graduation march, where the graduates together with their parent walk the aisle. This is the time photographers take a picture of you, the picture where you have to stand proudly in front of the camera to show that you have successfully finished the degree that you have chosen. There was only my mom and me so the picture looked like this. We were standing by the entrance to the venue, my mom was carrying my daughter and I stood beside her carrying a big summer bag containing my baby's things and my mom's bag. The picture could have turned out better but I was so proud at that time to have my daughter walk with me.
There was a part of the graduation where the parent has to go up the stage with the graduate for the ceremonial moving of the tassel , to shake the College Dean's hand, and of course to take a picture. My mom made it to the stage. I don't know who held my baby girl at this time.
After the ceremonies, usually the graduate together with the families take pictures, but since we were only two, we decided to go home. When we got outside of the venue place, one of my older cousins was there with her boyfriend. They greeted me and said their congratulations. I was so happy that someone else from my family came to share this moment with me. Even if I had the feeling that they only came for the food that a graduate should have for celebrations. But all the same, I would be forever thankful that she came.
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