The Exit (2 of 2)

The first part was just posted two days ago. Here's the continuation.

After our candles were lit, it was the skies that turned bright. Beautiful fireworks colored the dark skies above us, themed after the movie The Greatest Showman. It began with the famous hypebeast anthem by Ex Batallion, which I admit I enjoyed and I thought it would go through the chorus! But it was just an intro. 

The music and the pyrotechnics are picturesque, in tune to the movie's soundtrack which many in the crowd are singing by heart. I even admit I got almost-teary eyed at one point. But that halted. In fact, my wishful thinking was fulfilled at the end of this wonderful show! A remix of Momoland's "Bboom Bboom" was played as the fireworks' finale! Just so happy to witness this spectacular, with a simple surprise to wrap it all up.

Departure

Finally, we're all set for leaving the Arch. Yet we're even the ones pending to leave the area, so it took long before we walked towards the Arch. While chairs were initially picked up and stacked up, we were still waiting for our turn. Out of boredom, I talked to classmates, seemingly finding out their energies beginning to loom because it's already 9:00 pm and we're not moving yet. I also blew bubbles, trying to make a mini-spectacular out of it.

By about past 9:30, we're finally moving. From the field, we crossed towards the Plaza Mayor, then through that path to the Arch. It was a bit slow, but it's getting a bit more exciting. We'll finally depart that historic structure which welcomed us four years ago. The hype rises again as we got nearer. Cheering resounds around me, and I gradually joined in.

Then, there we are, a few steps facing the Arch. We weren't that complete as a block, unfortunately, but we who were there (three to four squads I guess) are about to approach the Arch when we're finally given the signal. The drums kept on beating. The cheers were elevating, as well as some of my friends' cameras. Someone pauses our running, until he gave us the signal.

Like bracing for a sprint in an arena, we're geared up to reach our college's finish line. And all of a sudden, we were freed.

Lift off!

It's a sudden run, a sudden departure. I can see the Arch enveloping us, like Santa Rosa's arch saying "Thank You!" and Binan's saying "Welcome!". Like an OFW finally reaching NAIA and reunited to his/her family. Like cyclist El Joshua Cariño winning the Le Tour de Filipinas weeks ago.

I found it a bit awkward I raised my arms like that of a cyclist. I should have raised an arm like that Freddie Mercury meme, or that final frame in The Breakfast Club. 

But hey, it is finished. We're done.

"And that's the way it is," said Walter Cronkite every time he concluded the broadcast of CBS Evening News from the 60's to the early 80's. That's how I describe summarized this day in summary.

Homebound

I even saw people gathered at the front of the Arch. They must have been waiting for their friends, classmates, org-mates, and/or children to pass the historical marker. I witness people congratulating fellow graduates, cheering for them like meeting someone in the airport's arrival area.

If my parents were there, that could have been the scenario. I wish I could have brought them there, but I had in mind that they had to wait for me somewhere for a very long time. I wish I could have invited them so that at least I won't worry about my dinner as well as my commute back home. That would have been a good time.

The excitement continued at a steady level for some, but later on it all ebbed away as the night came to an end. Likewise, I gradually parted ways from my friends. I found some again and decided to join them. But when I found out they won't eat, I said "I guess mauna na ako." I was a bit confused where to go possibly because I was hungry and have not had a dinner yet. Since it's past 10:30, I decided to find out if there's a UV in España to drive me back to Buendia.

As I walked along the long path (which I should have done earlier), I saw some classmates again. They embraced me because that might be the last time we could (but the last time was really at graduation). 4CA3 will indeed miss each other. I parted ways once again.

I finally found a UV right in front of the gate as I left the campus that has gone a bit quiet after all the roar. I entered the UV and played something for my ears as the van goes its way. I decided to make it a slow-down playlist since I'm going home, and it's an evening and the road's so much clear it will be a fast ride.

I played one of those mellow songs I love from Momoland (which has more to offer than "Bboom Bboom"). It's "What Planet Are You From?", then I followed it up with another one from them, "Love Sick", which I really find worth playing while riding on a bus. I guess I pressed many times towards the next song until Twice's awesome ballad "Turtle" played. Then, it was Blackpink's turn with "Stay". I just found it fit to have a senti playlist. Besides I'm tired. 

At Buendia, I decided to take a long walk to 7-Eleven because I haven't bought a paper to record that day. Unfortunately, I failed to buy a Manila Times or Philippine Star earlier. I settled with a Manila Bulletin which showed a striking masthead.

I returned to JAC Liner, finally heading back home. And I did carrying a bag full of memories. Now that's a legitimate reason why my bag's big and heavy.

And I saved for the journey back one of Charlie Puth's new songs that gives so much feels—"If You Leave Me Now". My senti playlist continued when my phone played the beautiful finale to Twice's twicetagram—"Good Night, Sleep Tight". What a calming lullaby as the bus smoothly and swiftly rides back home for the night.

And that's the way it is. Thursday, May 24, 2018.