Chapter 1

Graduation day. For every student graduation is the right of passage to transition into adulthood. This is when they will say goodbye to teenage crush and welcome young love. The time when their simplest problem is no longer having the trendiest shoes, bags and hair in school. Life will get real, job hunting, dream of family and marriage. But for Eva Vergara, all of those were regular part of her life. Since the day she went to college she already taught herself how to be independent and wise. She has too, she doesn't have choice.

As an adopted child, Eva taught herself not be dependent on the life her mom gave her. She worked part time while studying without her mom's knowledge. She worked on fastfood restaurants, printing shop and washed clothes of her boardmates in exchange for money. She did everything to save for her future.

"Oh my God, we graduated, at last!" Giselle, Eva's best friend, exclaimed happily.

Eva shrieked and answered, "I know. Can you imagine? After all the grueling hours we spent on thesis, all those sleepness nights before exams! Finally!" Eva's happiness could not be contain. After all the sacrifices, she finally made it.

"It's starting! Let's go!" Giselle excitedly dragged her by her hands. Together, they entered the hall with the happiest smile they could ever muster.

Every parent and student were emotional. One crying parent stands up after another as their sons and daughters march towards the stage. Accepting the proof that their perseverance and hardwork has finally paid off. After all those heart-warming scenario, it's time for the most important part of the program. Awarding the excellence award and the highest recognition to the Summa Cum Laude. Eva smiled. She hasn't even stand up yet, but the tears in her eyes are already fighting their way out.

"Let's give a round of applause to our Summa Cum Laude, Ms. Eva Vegara." The universtiy dean proudly announced. Eva started to march towards the stage wearing the proudest and the happiest smile.

"I don't know what to say." She laughed at herself. "I was never able to write a speech because until last night, i still could not believe that i'll be awarded this great honour. All i wanted was to graduate with good grades so i can land a good job. But here i am, blabbing like an idiot." Everybody laughed with Eva's statement. "For those who doesn't know me, i'm an adopted child, i never met my real parents and i don't know if i would ever will. But i don't hate them, i have nothing against them. Because i don't even what happened all those years ago." Few already started crying while listening to Eva. "And i hope, they could see me know, that i could tell them, they are a big part of why i did everything i can to reach this point right now. But above all else, this is for my mom. The woman who took me from that orphanage and gave me home. The woman who gave me a reason to live. My mom, Sara Vergara." Eva had to stop for a few seconds to calm herself. Her voice was already breaking. "She sacrificed everything for me, even her own happiness. And all she ever asked from me is that i live happily. That i will live the way i want to and not the way other people wanted to see in me. That even though i never met my real parents, i was never incomplete. This is for you, Mom. I love you."

Emotional silence followed Eva's speech. Everyone was wiping their tears. Until one of the professors clapped slowly while tears still flowing from his eyes. It's like the hall was awaken and the claps and cheers of the other students errupted. As Eva descended from the stage, the congratulations, good luck and best wishes were the words that followed Eva. She was welcomed by the warm hugs of her best friend, Giselle. Both of them cried in due to so much happiness.

"Congratulations, best friend. I am so proud of you." Giselle said in between her cries. "All your hardwork and sacrifices paid off. I'm sure your real parents, especially, Tita Sara will be so proud of you."

"All of these are for them, i will do right by their memories. I'm going be successful." Eva promised. As the program continues, Eva remembered how she met her mom.

-Flashback-

The six-year-old Eva sit on the bench near the entrance of the orphanage every single day. She's waiting for her real parents to show up and finally take her home. But everyday she only gets disappointed. Couples would frequently come by looking for a child to adopt. Eva would thought they are her real parents and they arrived at the orphanage for her. But everytime she would be disappointed. Most of the time, Eva would ask why someone would want to leave their own son or daughter and never come back. Wasn't they suppose to love their children?

"Eva, come. Your adoptive parents are already here." Mrs. Bernardes called Eva. She's waving her hands at the little girl signalling her to come.

As Eva walk beside Mrs. Bernardes toward the head office, her heart was racing. Questions keep flashing on her mind. What they won't like her? What if they change their mind? What if her parents finally come? What if they treat her bad like those kids in the movies they watch on Sundays? Where would she go to ask for help? What would happen to her? As the door to the head office slowly opens, Eva's anxiety arise. She gulped a few times trying to calm herself.

"Oh my God! She's so beautiful!" An amazed voice of a woman echoed inside the room. Eva was staring at the couple sitting across the room, waiting for her. The man looks strict but kind, and the woman looks sweet and loving. "Hi!" The woman slowly approached Eva. Tears began falling from her eyes. It was obvious that woman was so happy to have finally met Eva.

"Hi." Eva greeted back hesitantly. Her eyes darted from the woman standing in front of her to the man still sitting in the couch. He was smiling genuinely at her.

"Hello, sweety. I'm Sarah, and that is my loving husband David." The woman introduced themselves. "We are you new parents."

-End of Flashback-

From the first day Eva moved in with Sara and David, her mom never failed to make her feel loved and that she belong. Sara would always tuck her in at night and wake her up in the morning with the kiss on the forehead. David was good to her but as dedicated as Sara. But at least, he's not doing something bad to her. That is until one night, when David entered her dark room quietly. At first, Eva thought her dad just wanted to double check if she's already asleep. But David starting parts of her body her never should have. Eva was quick to crawl away from him. He tried to make her belief what he was doing is something normal. But Eva maybe young, she's not dumb. She called for her mother who unexpectedly believed and protected right at the beginning. She threw David out of the house and file an annulment and a criminal case the following day.

"They are smiling down at you from heaven. And they want you to happy on this special day. Okay?" Giselle tried to lift mood up when she saw the sadness in her eyes.

"I really wish they are here right now. I wish i could hug them and show them these awards that i got."

-----

After the graduation, Eva and Giselle together with some of their classmates had a late lunch at a restaurant near the venue. They took pictures as remembrance and bonded for over an hour. When Eva and Giselle arrived at their boarding house it was too quiet. They were expecting to hear the same Weslife playlist they've been hearing every afternoon for the past year. It looks like no one's at home.

"This is new." Giselle said.

"Yeah, it's too quiet." Eva agreed.

They walk towards their room but before they even reach their door, they notice the door next to their's was ajar. Something was swaying in the air inside. It looks lik something dawned at them that made them lookd at each other before pushing the door wide open. What they saw next was something they would remember for the rest of their lives. It was Giselle who cried first for she and Violet were close. Eva was standing behind Violet remembering the last thing she said to her.

"I'm—uh—i'm gonna call the police. Don't touch anything." Eva said.

"Aren't we gonna cut her down?" Giselle said, her eyes are already red because of so much crying.

"Right! Uh—Knife, i'll the knife get a highchair." Eva answered before running out of the room to get the knife to cut Violet down.

As soon as they lay Violet to the floor, Giselled slumped to the floor, crying so hard. Eva ran out of the room again to call the police. When she came back to the room, her eyes caught a glimpse of a piece of paper protruding in between the pages of a magazine at her bedside table. Eva carefully walked around Violet's body to get the paper.

"Hey, look at this." Eva showed the paper to Giselle. "A suicide note. She's pregnant and her boyfriend cheated on her."

Both Eva and Giselle gasp in shock. Violet killed herself because of the man she loved. Violet was a very nice lady and friendly to everyone. She always smiles and joke around. Who would have thought that she has some serious problems. Eva felt so bad for her. She had her whole future ahead of her but now, just because of a worthless man, everything's gone. What breaks her the more is the fact that she was pregnant. This made Eva recall one of the best advise her mom gave her.

-Flashback-

Thirteen-year-old Eva was sitting on a chair inside a vacant classroom. She wanted to hide because she was ashamed of her herself and envious towars her classmates. It's Family day at their school and every student have their moms and dads with them. Some even have their older or younger siblings. But not her. It's been three years since her mom kicked her dad out of the house and two years since he got incarcerated. Now, it's only her and Sara on a huge house.

Eva understood why her mom needed to kick her dad out of the house. She just couldn't understand why her dad had to do it. They could be a happy family. It made her question herself and her worth. She thought maybe, she's worth it of a happy family.

"Hey, sweety. What are you doing" Sara asked Eva after sitting on the chair next to her.

"Nothing, Mom." Eva lied.

"Do you really think you could lie to me?" Sara insisted. It made Eva bow her down. She shouldn't be complaining. Her mom already gave her more than she deserve.

"None, Mom. I'm sorry." She apologized.

" I know it's hard, seeing your classmates play and bond with their dads, having a regular family day." Sara took her hand and squeeze it a bit. "But Eva, you have to remember. It's better to not to have the family you've longed for than to live with a monster like your father. There's nothing wrong about waking up alone than not waking up at all. Always remember that, Okay?"

-End of Flashback-

That was the most beautiful thing she's ever heard. Her mom was always strong and wise. Always knows what's the right thing to say or do. That's why Eva was so thankful that it was Sara who adopted her. She had a life better than having a real parent around.

Graduation day. For every student, graduation is the right of passage to transition into adulthood. This is when they will say goodbye to their teenage crush and welcome young love. The time when their most straightforward problem is no longer having the trendiest shoes, bags, and hair in school. Life will get real, job hunting, dream of a family, and marriage. But for Eva Vergara, all of those were a regular part of her life. Since the day she went to college, she has already taught herself how to be independent and wise. She has to; she doesn't have a choice.

As an adopted child, Eva taught herself not to depend on the life her mom gave her. She worked part-time while studying without her mom's knowledge. She worked in fast-food restaurants, printing shops and washed clothes of her board mates in exchange for money. She did everything to save for her future.

"Oh my God, we graduated, at last!" Giselle, Eva's best friend, exclaimed happily.

Eva shrieked and answered, "I know. Can you imagine? After all the grueling hours we spent on thesis, all those sleepless nights before exams! Finally!" Eva's happiness could not be contained. After all the sacrifices, she finally made it.

"It's starting! Let's go!" Giselle excitedly dragged her by her hands. Together, they entered the hall with the happiest smile they could ever muster.

Every parent and student was emotional. One crying parent stands up after another as their sons and daughters march towards the stage. Accepting the proof that their perseverance and hardwork have finally paid off. After all those heart-warming scenarios, it's time for the most crucial part of the program. Awarding the excellence award and the highest recognition to the Summa Cum Laude. Eva smiled. She hasn't even stood up yet, but the tears in her eyes are already fighting their way out.

"Let's give a round of applause to our Summa Cum Laude, Ms. Eva Vegara." The university dean proudly announced. Eva started to march towards the stage wearing the proudest and happiest smile.

"I don't know what to say." She laughed at herself. "I was never able to write a speech because, until last night, I still could not believe that I'll be awarded this great honor. All I wanted was to graduate with good grades so I can land a good job. But here I am, blabbing like an idiot." Everybody laughed at Eva's statement. "For those who don't know me, I'm an adopted child, I never met my real parents, and I don't know if I would ever will. But I don't hate them, and I have nothing against them. Because I don't know even what happened all those years ago." Few already started crying while listening to Eva. "And I hope, they could see me know, that I could tell them, they are a big part of why I did everything I can to reach this point right now. But above all else, this is for my mom. The woman who took me from that orphanage and gave me home. The woman who gave me a reason to live. My mom, Sara Vergara." Eva had to stop for a few seconds to calm herself. Her voice was already breaking. "She sacrificed everything for me, even her own happiness. And all she ever asked from me is that I live happily. That I will live the way I want to and not the way other people wanted to see in me. That even though I never met my birth parents, I was never incomplete. This is for you, Mom. I love you."

Emotional silence followed Eva's speech. Everyone was wiping their tears. Until one of the professors clapped slowly while tears still flowing from his eyes, it's like the hall was awaken, and the claps and cheers of the other students erupted. As Eva descended from the stage, congratulations, good luck, and best wishes were the words that followed Eva. She was welcomed by the warm hugs of her best friend, Giselle. Both of them cried due to so much happiness.

"Congratulations, best friend. I am so proud of you." Giselle said in between her cries. "All your hardwork and sacrifices paid off. I'm sure your real parents, especially, Tita Sara will be so proud of you."

"All of these are for them, and I will do right by their memories. I'm going be successful." Eva promised. As the program continues, Eva remembered how she met her mom.

-Flashback-

The six-year-old Eva sits on the bench near the entrance of the orphanage every single day. She's waiting for her birth parents to show up and finally take her home. But every day, she only gets disappointed. Couples would frequently come by looking for a child to adopt. Eva would think they are her birth parents, and they arrived at the orphanage for her. But every time she would be disappointed. Most of the time, Eva would ask why someone would want to leave their own son or daughter and never return. Wasn't they suppose to love their children?

"Eva, come. Your adoptive parents are already here." Mrs. Bernardes called Eva. She's waving her hands at the little girl signaling her to come.

As Eva walk beside Mrs. Bernardes toward the head office, her heart was racing. Questions keep flashing in her mind. What won't they like her? What if they change their mind? What if her parents finally come? What if they mistreat her like those kids in the movies they watch on Sundays? Where would she go to ask for help? What would happen to her? As the door to the head office slowly opens, Eva's anxiety arises. She gulped a few times, trying to calm herself.

"Oh my God! She's so beautiful!" An amazed voice of a woman echoed inside the room. Eva was staring at the couple sitting across the room, waiting for her. The man looks strict but kind, and the woman seems sweet and loving. "Hi!" The woman slowly approached Eva. Tears began falling from her eyes. The woman was so happy to have finally met Eva.

"Hi." Eva greeted back hesitantly. Her eyes darted from the woman standing in front of her to the man still sitting on the couch. He was smiling genuinely at her.

"Hello, sweety. I'm Sarah, and that is my loving husband, David." The woman introduced themselves. "We are your new parents."

-End of Flashback-

From the first day Eva moved in with Sara and David, her mom never failed to make her feel loved and that she belong. Sara would always tuck her in at night and wake her up in the morning with a kiss on the forehead. David was good to her but as dedicated as Sara. But at least, he's not doing something terrible to her. That is until one night when David entered her darkroom quietly. At first, Eva thought her dad just wanted to double-check if she's already asleep. But David starting parts of her body her never should have. Eva was quick to crawl away from him. He tried to make her believe what he was doing is something normal. But Eva may be young, and she's not dumb. She called for her mother, who unexpectedly believed and protected her right at the beginning. She threw David out of the house and file an annulment and a criminal case the following day.

"They are smiling down at you from heaven. And they want you to be happy on this special day. Okay?" Giselle tried to lift the mood when she saw the sadness in her eyes.

"I really wish they are here right now. I wish I could hug them and show them these awards that i got."

-----

After graduation, Eva and Giselle, together with some of their classmates, had a late lunch at a restaurant near the venue. They took pictures as a remembrance and bonded for over an hour. When Eva and Giselle arrived at their boarding house, it was too quiet. They were expecting to hear the same Westlife playlist they've listened to every afternoon for the past year. It looks like no ones at home.

"This is new," Giselle said.

"Yeah, it's too quiet." Eva agreed.

They walk towards their room, but before they even reach their door, they notice the door next to their's was ajar. Something was swaying in the air inside. It looks like something dawned on them that made them looked at each other before pushing the door wide open. What they saw next was something they would remember for the rest of their lives. It was Giselle who cried first, for she and Violet were close. Eva was standing behind Violet, remembering the last thing she said to her.

"I'm—uh—I'm going to call the police. Don't touch anything." Eva said.

"Aren't we gonna cut her down?" Giselle said, her eyes are already red because of so much crying.

"Right! Uh—Knife, I'll the knife get a highchair." Eva answered before running out of the room to get the knife to cut Violet down.

As soon as they lay Violet on the floor, Giselle slumped to the floor, crying so hard. Eva ran out of the room again to call the police. When she came back to the room, her eyes caught a glimpse of a piece of paper protruding in between the pages of a magazine at her bedside table. Eva carefully walked around Violet's body to get the paper.

"Hey, look at this." Eva showed the paper to Giselle. "A suicide note. She's pregnant, and her boyfriend cheated on her."

Both Eva and Giselle gasp in shock. Violet killed herself because of the man she loved. Violet was a very nice lady and friendly to everyone. She always smiles and jokes around. Who would have thought that she has some severe problems? Eva felt so bad for her. She had her whole future ahead of her, but now, just because of a worthless man, everything's gone. What breaks her the more is the fact that she was pregnant. This made Eva recall one of the best pieces of advice her mom gave her.

-Flashback-

Thirteen-year-old Eva was sitting on a chair inside a vacant classroom. She wanted to hide because she was ashamed of her herself and envious of her classmates. It's Family day at their school, and every student has their moms and dads with them. Some even have their older or younger siblings. But not her. It's been three years since her mom kicked her dad out of the house and two years since he got incarcerated. Now, it's only her and Sara in a vast home.

Eva understood why her mom needed to kick her dad out of the house. She just couldn't understand why her dad had to do it. They could be a happy family. It made her question herself and her worth. She thought maybe, and she's worth it of a happy family.

"Hey, sweety. What are you doing" Sara asked Eva after sitting on the chair next to her.

"Nothing, Mom." Eva lied.

"Do you really think you could lie to me?" Sara insisted. It made Eva bow her down. She shouldn't be complaining. Her mom already gave her more than she deserves.

"None, Mom. I'm sorry." She apologized.

" I know it's hard, seeing your classmates play and bond with their dads, having a regular family day." Sara took her hand and squeezed it a bit. "But Eva, you have to remember. It's better not to have the family you've longed for than to live with a monster like your father. There's nothing wrong with waking up alone than not waking up at all. Always remember that, okay?"

-End of Flashback-

That was the most beautiful thing she's ever heard. Her mom was always strong and wise. Always knows what's the right thing to say or do. That's why Eva was so thankful that it was Sara who adopted her. She had a life better than having a natural parent around.