NICHOLAS
"Congratulations Batch 20XX-20XX!"
Everyone clapped their hands and after that they allowed us to take picture in front of the stage. Mom continue to look around. Just who is she looking for?
"Mom, your surprise?" 
I asked her and she scratch her head.
"Right, I’m excited about your gift!"
Jasmin said excitedly and Mom suggested that we wait outside. While we are patiently waiting for they so called gift, my friends then approached me.
"Dude, come and join us."
"Right, come on."
“You too, Jasper.”
“It’s fine. Enjoy the party.” 
Jasper refused. I think he’ll meet his girlfriend later.
"Mom, just call me when your surprise was already here."
"But Nicholas can’t you wait for another minute?"
"I have my phone, just call me and I will go straight here or in home?"
I kissed mom’s cheek and go with my friends. I then forget what time is it but we just continue to party. They started to open drinks and we go party that afternoon. I just tried to find my phone when I go to the restroom.
No wonder why mom was not calling me since I do not have my phone with me. When I checked my phone it was already 3:50 and there were about five missed calls from mom and a few text message from her and from Jasmin.
While I was reading my mom’s message, I drink water so that I will come back from my senses. She was asking what time when I will arrive and I think mom was already pissed since all of her text message were already in all caps lack.
I texted back that I will be on my way and when I opened Jasmin’s chat I feel like all of my drunkenness left my body.
Where are you? Rosalyn is here.
I don’t how I arrive safely in our house but when I arrive they all look and me and were already about to eat dinner but I didn’t see Rosalyn there. Jasmin must be playing pranks on me. Tch.
"Why you didn’t answer your phone?"
"I’m sorry, Mom. I left it on my car."
"You didn’t see Rosalyn."
Mom added and I calmly nod my head.
"Oh, so it was her. The surprise you were talking about."
I said casually and Mom nod her head.
"And Jasmin was so Idiot for asking what Rosalyn doing at our University."
Jasper sighed and shakes his head.
"I was surprised okay?!"
“Calm down, Jasmin, and Jasper don’t provoke your sister anymore.”
Said Aunt Catherine. I thought you missed her, just what are you thinking Jasmin?
“Okay, it was my fault now, happy?”
"Yes, you’re such an idiot. That will be the last time you’ll see her. After you said that you think she will showed up again?"
"Of course, she still hasn’t said her reason for leaving too soon and not contacting us for years. She'll surely talk to us."
But Jasmin was wrong, we were waiting for her to invite us on her birthday but we receive nothing. Jasmin soothe herself telling that maybe she didn’t prepare a party but the fact is, Rosalyn did do throw a party and Allen was also present.
I really did regret that I left that day and I secretly blame Jasmin. If she just filter her mouth. I look at the flowers that Rosalyn gave to me, it's now starting to wither.
Another month has passed when we received a news that Rosalyn just graduated. Another year passed and we didn’t receive any news about her.
"Nicholas. Hey!"
"Oh."
I look at Jean and raised my eyebrows?
"What is it?"
"I was asking if your taking your lunch outside?"
"Lunch, I have my packed lunch with me."
She then look at my bag and nod her head.
"That’s too bad… you always have your lunch with you. Why don’t you join us on the cafeteria next time?"
"Well, Mom always make sure to prepare me one."
"Are you a mommy’s boy?"
One of my co-workers ask and I shrug my shoulders. They all laugh and started to leave one by one.
"Don’t mind them."
"I don’t mind."
I simply said and get my bag, then Jean scratch her head.
"Can I join you for lunch tomorrow?"
"Okay."
"Okay! Okay hehe, I will go now."
"Sure."
I take a deep breath the moment I got onto the cab. Finally, I can now get lay on my bed. I was on my way home when I receive a text from mom that we will be having a dinner at Aunt Catherine’s house. Since today was the wedding anniversary of Uncle Jeff and Uncle Alvin.
We offer a small prayer to them and after that they serve the foods that Uncle Jeff and Uncle Alvin liked when they were still alive.
"Haa, I wish they were here. I already miss them."
"Kat, let’s not be sad for today, okay?"
"Yeah."
"Love your announcement?"
Dad suddenly said and I look at them.
"Don’t tell me you’re pregnant again?"
"Of course not!"
Then they started to laugh and Mom almost hit me.
"I will make sure to increase your work in office tomorrow."
"Mom, I’m just joking okay? I don’t know if I will still be alive if you increase my work."
"You still have five months left before your dad let you step in his office."
"I know."
"I’m glad that it was clear. I hope Jasmin and Jasper was also doing good in their job."
"Honestly, I already want to quit. I hate the marketing team! They like to ask for this and that, my work keeps on increasing."
"Yeah, if we complain they will retort that we are just lazy and was not that incompetent to do the work. It was us who were wrong in the end. I just don’t know why we do have to experience this when this was not the work we want."
"So, you’ll know the works in every departments. Doesn’t mean that you who will inherit the company soon will just have a free pass without putting a hard work. Just think this almost two years as a preparation for the work you’ll face soon."
Said Uncle Kiero and the adults nod their head. Then mom suddenly clapped her hands.
"Don’t worry all your efforts will not be in vain. Now, let’s go back to my announcement."
"Yes, please do proceed."
"I hope this was a good news."
"Of course."
"Rosalyn’s father will throw a party and we are invited!" 
I just nod my head and Jasmin just said okay.
“I thought it was that important…”
"Oh, I see. I already see this coming that is why Nicholas and you Jasmin was not coming with us. The only person that I confirm on coming will be me and Nik of course our baby Nicole. Jasper, Cathy and Kiero."
"What?!"
“Yes! You two will not be on the list.”
“But that’s unfair!”
“Yeah.”
"What’s with the violent reaction?"
Mom asked and I shut my mouth and shake my head. Jasper was now laughing and Jasmin focused on her food.
"I- I want to meet Rosalyn’s new family."
Jasmin suddenly murmured and I remained silent.
"But I thought you don't want to see her again?
"Well, I want to le-learn a thing there. It'll be full of business owners it was a good opportunity to make some connections."
"Just tell that you want to see her."
"That was different."
"Well, the Deogracia’s Architectural Company’s Anniversary will be on next Friday that is why there will be a party."
Dad said and Mom nod her head.
"They were just joking about you two are the only persons who will not attend. Jasmin, your mom already ordered for your dress, actually all of us. We just want to see your reaction."
Said Dad and everyone laughed.
"Ugh, that was not funny at all."
"In reality it was just us adults who were invited but Elris was kind enough to send the invitations so you three can come."
He continued and nodded his head. Elris?
"Who’s Elris?"
Jasmin asked and Jasper shrug his shoulders.
"That was Rosalyn. She’s now Elris Deogracia, I just happened to get used on calling her Rosalyn."
Mom then laugh.
“There are so many things that change, huh? She even changed her name.”
Jasmin's face change and she remained silent after that. She must be having a hard time accepting the reality about her life right now.
-IAmRoseee