Ex Boyfriend

I heard a thunderous applause from the combined students, parents and teachers of the school when my name was called from the microphone. I wholeheartedly stood up and walked towards the stage where I would receive my diploma and medal. Mama was waiting for me at the bottom of the stage, crying because of the great joy she felt. I hugged Mama without saying a word. It quickly responded and hugged me. We climbed the stage together to accept the honor and diploma I got. I had a medal, because of someone who taught me the times when I didn't understand anything in the teachings of my teachers.

Today I have become an inspiration so that everything we share together is not wasted. The time will come when we will meet that person again, and I will dedicate the medal I received to him.

"I'm so happy to see you like that, son!" Mama tearfully put my medal on me. I also cried accepting that. I shook hands with my principal before facing the entire student body at the bottom of the stage. Everyone applauded because of the honor I received. Out of our four friends, I was the only one who received a medal, so my friends Niña, Elaine and Bianca were very jealous of me. Even so, they were very surprised by what they saw. So when I sat in the chair, they asked me.

"Why are you with your nanny? Your parents don't attend?” they asked me in surprise.

I felt ashamed of myself. I hid everything from my friends for a long time. Now, is it time for me to tell them everything? It hurts me to keep a secret from them, but it hurts me even more that they will hate and distance themselves from me if they find out the truth.

"Yes, my parents can't come because there's a lot of finishing work. I understand that everything they are doing is for my future, so it's okay." It smiled and nodded at me, as if I had convinced them of what I had done. I'm not ready to admit everything to them yet. Maybe instead of us being happy to be apart this year, this will be a reason for them to hate me.

After I said that, I looked again at Mama who was sitting on the other row of chairs. His somewhat wrinkled face disappears when he smiles at me. I'm just sorry because I can't brag about him to others. Because I'm afraid they might laugh at me.

"Not now, but one day I can be proud of you to my friends..." I only uttered to myself.

After the graduation day, we each said goodbye to each other. We'll just talk from time to time. I don't know if I will be able to enroll in college but maybe I will work first and save.

"Son, we have to go home. Sir has a lot of visitors today so I need to be there so I can help with the jobs. You son, you can not work first. Madam knows that you are a graduate too. I saw them a while ago, I was just shy to ride in their car so I said that you are still getting something from your teacher." Mama explained to me.

What Mama said was right. I don't want to go with Mama and my boss's car because Niña will definitely be surprised.

Yes, Mama is a maid. And her being a maid is what makes me study here in this beautiful and wealthy school. Mama doesn't pay the entire tuition fee, it's just my pocket that she uses to make ends meet every day. Mama's employer paid my tuition fees so I was able to graduate from a good school, even though Mama was only a maid.

Papa has been dead for a long time. He died of an illness that could not be treated. I'm an only child, that's why Mama takes care of me on a daily basis. Everything I want is stored by him. Be it nice clothes, shoes and other things I need, he makes a way to make me happy. Because Mama's boss is kind, he understands people like us who are poor, so Mama is very grateful to her bosses.

We went home so that Mama could go back to work. Mama said, we can celebrate but after her work. That's why I said no because it's a waste of money. I also don't have a guest like Mama's boss's son so there's no need to celebrate. I also thought that there was nothing to do either, so I would just help in the kitchen to wash the dishes that the guests had eaten.

The house of the maids is also close to our master's house. It is also just inside their big yard. I went to the kitchen to help the other maids there who were busy with their work.

"Oh, Aira! Why are you here? Didn't you just graduate too? You should be joining them outside," said Eva. There is twenty years older than me and it is also a maid there.

"Ha-ha-ha. Sister Eva, I'm not rich enough to join them. Maybe later our boss's guests from school will recognize me there and they will know the truth.

The other maids knew that I pretended to be rich. I was also put in danger several times, Elaine suddenly called the landline and they were the ones who answered. As my friends, even though they are several decades older than me, our attitudes do not differ and I am good at getting along with everyone, so they let me do such work even though I hate my mother.

"You're really crazy too, come on, let it go, we'll celebrate later. There is still a lot of food left over so we will be full of food later!” He spoke happily to me so I just laughed. It's really nice to be with real people. There is no hidden secret and everything you go through in life they can support me.

After the party, we celebrated. My guests are also the fellow maids. These are Sister Claire, Sister Eva, Mother Julita, Mama and me. The two family drivers, Kuya Jun and Dad Rodolfo, were also present. There are many more who will share the case with us, and the other staff of Gov. are still on duty.

“Congratulations, son!” Mama said to me.

"Thank you, Mom."

"This is a gift from Ate Lita to you, youngest!" Ate Claire handed me a paper bag. I was surprised because I didn't think they had a gift for me.

“Wow! Thank you Sister Claire and Mother Julita. You really even bothered to give me a present.”

"Of course, we still think of you as our youngest brother."

I'm glad I opened the gift. And I received a very beautiful dress from both of them.

"Oh, that's all I have for you, Aira. I have a lot of bills so there is nothing left from my salary." Sister Eva explained to me.

"Oh, Sister Eva. Don't think about it, I'm not after a gift. What is important to me is that you are always there for me and Mama."

I hugged Mama and she was crying with joy.

"That's going to make you and your mother cry again, come on and let's eat. There is also a lot of leftovers in the ready, we might not be able to use it up." Kuya Jun laughed heartily.

"Yes, I'm hungry too..." Father Rodolfo agreed as he took a plate and scooped up some food.