CHAPTER 1

GRADUATION

"In life, there are no ends, only new beginnings."

The silence permeating the atmosphere within the small gatheringof figures in black coats and hats surrounding the garden compoundgave way to a sudden tremor of raucous ovation that lit the nightsky.

A person in the crowd could easily identify the contrasting colorsof the scenario. The bright stage, lighting around the garden, andflashing cameras were overshadowed by the friendly commotion ofgraduation caps flung in the air as students and friends embraced oneanother in joy. It was graduation night for the class of 2009.

The happiness that sustained the emotions felt within that shortinstance of laughter and applause was accompanied by tears; tearsflowed as I embraced my dear friend Cindy and whispered my wellwishes for her future. We would now begin our selective journeys inlife. This would be our last night together.

The crowd slowly dissipated toward the main quad; a grand buffethad been arranged a few feet away from the garden. The quad wasa wide, concrete assembly formally used for school announcements.Tonight, it served to entertain the students, professors, and families.Life passed by in a glance that night. I enjoyed each and everymoment, and I indulged myself in the freshness of it all: the familypictures, the melancholic and somber farewells, and the deliciousgraduation cake.

Wherever I turned, I was greeted by well wishes for my future.I felt at home with my company that night. I anticipated a brightand adventurous future, but my heart was still laden with emotionssuppressed deep within me. I was disappointed by how a memorablepart of my life—that I had wanted to last forever—had found itscourse all too soon.

I was spent emotionally when I returned home from the prom atone o'clock in the morning. The streets were empty but familiar. A fewlampposts lit up the street corners. I favored walking in the darkness.It gave me a sense of closure from the outside world, allowing me tobalance the emotional tides in my heart. After moments of randomwanderings, I finally made it back to my apartment complex. Myfamily and I lived in an apartment on the third floor. The expansivecomplex had a swimming pool near the gates that also enclosed theparking spaces.

I had informed my family earlier about the prom. I knew thatMom and Dad would be exhausted after the long day, but when Ientered the apartment, I had a preemptive notion that they werestill awake—and awaiting my arrival. They would always wait tobid me good night, no matter how long it took or how late it was.They loved me so much.

Our apartment complex was about fifteen minutes away fromKAS. The prom had taken place at a nearby location, making mywalk home a suitable distance. From our kitchen, we could seedirectly across to the airport. The opposite streets were lined withrestaurants that remained open for the night.

The apartment opened to a wide veranda filled with couches,showcases of ceramic figurines, art tapestries, and a large TV thatcould be seen across from the entrance. To the left, a series of pillarsand corridors separated the kitchen and the dining table. There werethree bedrooms. My parents used the master bedroom in the farright corner of the apartment. Annie and I occupied the bedroomsat the opposite end of the apartment.

Slipping off my shoes quietly, I made my way down to Annie'sroom. I saw a light shining through the crevices of the door and knewshe might be up reading a book as usual. Without the knowledge ofour parents, she would use any opportunity to pull me to her roomso we could read books together or talk the night away until she fellasleep on my shoulder. This would finally allow me to tuck her inand then pursue the sleep that I needed.

With the occasional creaking of the door, I slowly nudged myhead around the corner to find Annie, surprisingly, fast asleep underthe blanket. Her copy of The Berenstain Bears was tucked underher arms. Her small, round face poked out from the corners of theblanket. With her rosy complexion, she appeared cute and angelic.In reality, she was an exemplary model of Loki, the Norse god ofmischief.

She had wept sincerely throughout the graduation ceremony. Itfinally dawned on her that I would now be absent from school, andshe would miss my company. After receiving my diploma, I hadteased her about crying. Shunning my remarks, she had given mea warm hug, a kiss on the cheek, and had whispered, "I love you"in my ear. Although she often enjoyed getting me in trouble, heractions tonight showed that she still loved her older brother.

Being careful not to wake her up, I gently tugged the book fromunder her arms, lightly stroked her cheeks, and gave her a small kisson the forehead. She was fast asleep. After tucking her in and turningdown the lamp, I proceeded to my parents' room.

In the hallway, I paused briefly at Grandpa Antony's (Mom'sfather) portrait. Six years had passed since his death. I loved himgreatly. He had been a wonderful mentor. His death came as ashock to all of us, and I was distraught the day we received the sadnews. I was certain that he had been there in the crowd with myfamily tonight, cheering me on, and wishing well for my future. Thethought made me smile.

As I approached my parents' room, I heard their conversingvoices. I stepped in to find them relaxing on the bed. The lights wereon, and their faces brightened as they saw me approach. Giving themboth hugs, I got down on my knees and received their blessings. Thiswas a customary gesture in our culture, in respect of our elders. Iconsidered my family to be my...