Chapter 100 - Allie's Gift

On the 10th hour of the last day of June, the twenty graduates of Nahanam Maritime University made their processional march towards the school's graduation hall.

Inspired and moved by the melancholic graduation march by Edward Elgar, Allie made the first step nervously into the red velvet carpet as the holder of the highest honor, summa cum laude. Dressed in her black graduation toga paired with its black academic cap with gold tassel hanging sideways, she was a vision of beauty and excellence.

Hayri came up tearfully next to her as the magna cum laude recipient, brooding upon the fact that his daddy was not around to witness this great accomplishment of his. Yet, when he looked at Allie before him, his heart swelled with great pride and gratitude. If not because of her, he wouldn't see this great day of his life.

When the two came up first to the stage to receive their diploma for completing the Dual Degrees of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Mr. Gregorio proudly marched up to the stage. With his bald head shining against the light, his grin reached up to his ears as he handed them the token of their success. His smile was even wider as it was still him who hang the medals on their necks as the two received their highest honors. His friend, Mr. Caesar Dioko would be too happy for his son. He even hired the best videographer to record that momentous event for him to watch later.

During that inspirational speech by the keynote speaker when she talked about thanking those people who gave them the inspiration, she couldn't help but think about Ajie. Since he returned home, she no longer heard about him. He no longer read her apologies and even her simple greetings.

A notification letter for his intention to annul their marriage was event sent to Cherry. If not for her daughter, she would have already lost her desire to leave. She tried hard to understand him, why in his anger he had decided to end their marriage. Why in his anger, all those beautiful moments they had just shared just disappeared like dreams in the night.

He was right. Being comfortable in another man's arms and even kissing him in public, would hardly explain that there was nothing between them. Whatever she would do now to clear herself, would not work out anymore.

Brushing the tears away which had escaped her eyes, she tried to focus on listening to the speaker. Yet, like a river's flow which always find its way to the sea, the more she tried to hold back herself, the fiercier was her urge to cry. She ended up sobbing bitterly, and Hayri, being helpless to comfort her enough, gathered her in his arms.

Allie was so lost in her thoughts that she did not realize that the ceremony was already over. One thing was in her mind, she would finally reveal herself to Hayri. Come what may, she was already ready to die. Her daughter had now someone she called as mommy, someone who took her place perfectly, leaving her nothing to worry anymore. Her daughter was in good hands.

Just last night, Adrian had posted photos of Chloe and Jane in a park and the three of them in a restaurant. They looked so happy together and there was no trace of pain in his eyes anymore. As they say, the eyes are the windows to the human's heart and in his looks last night, there were that sparks of being in love. She was now completely forgotten!

Mr. Gregorio brought them to a certain hotel's biggest function room and to her surprise, all the company's personnel were there including the housekeepers. There were also few men whom she hadn't meet yet. At their entrance, the graduation march was again played and Cherry ran up to her, crying in happiness and grief. After they released themselves from that emotional hug, her colleagues went up to them one by one and congratulated them.

After their lunch, Mr. Gregorio came up to the front and made an emotional speech which sent Hayri into tears.

"My friend, Mr. Caesar Dioko, had made himself a very famous man in the business world because of the great success he had achieved. But above all these achievements, nothing would compare to the joy he now feels in knowing that his only son, his greatest pride and success, has accomplished so many things these days. Graduating as a magna cum laude of the dual degrees of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, completing his first course in Business Administration and firmly deciding to take over in running his father's main business, the Gretel Shipping Lines, no father could be as happier as him... "

"I would also like to thank Miss Zheena Kiamko for the inspiration she gives my son. But it's not my task to do that. Before I would give the floor to Hayri, shall we all listen first to her response. "

Allie was a bit startled but since her sense of gratitude was written in her heart, as well as her desire to make up for all the moral damages she caused Hayri and his dad, it would not need her a long time to prepare for her speech. With an air of confidence, she handed Cherry a micro SDHC, then went up into a stage.

"As I received the honor of my success today, I would like to give these honor back to Sir Gregorio, the one who gives me the opportunity to study and work at the same time. And for all the things I cannot tell the public on how grateful I am, please know that I am indebted with its sense of gratitude. I also want to thank Hayri for all that he is to me. It is always my prayer that he will not hate me in the future. "

"As my way of returning all these blessings that I receive today, I would like to present my graduation gift to Hayri. Please see this. " As she ended her talk, she invited everyone to watch the video she made for him.

Then, the music from the background began to play. Photos of her and Hayri appeared on the screen during the moment she made her first design. Together, they discussed what were those things she lacked and where she must improve.

The video moved forward and photos of superyachts in twenty different great designs then unfolded in the big screen. Flashes of all its specific details were quickly reflected as the movements of the photos went along well with the rhythm of the music.

Finally, she was ready to die. She had already left him her promised legacy.

As the crowd was awed by the ingenuity of her work, Hayri sprinted towards the stage. Overwhelmed with so much happiness, he drew her into his arms and hugged her tightly. She laughed, happy that Hayri was overjoyed with her gift.

Just as when she pulled out to end her presentation, Hayri pulled her forward, instead, for a deep kiss!