When Dianne stepped into the principal's office, she was told to take a seat in the vacant chair beside the desk. Her hands folded nervously on her lap as she continued whispering silent prayers in her mind. Every heartbeat seemed louder than the last, her stomach twisting with anxious anticipation.
But her nervousness quickly turned into surprise when the principal spoke and handed her a paper—the certificate of scholarship.
"Excuse me… does this mean I passed the entrance exam?" she asked, barely containing her excitement, trying hard not to jump out of her seat in joy.
"Yes, my dear," the principal said warmly. "You needed to pass the entrance exam to enroll in this school, because without it… you couldn't have joined. Fortunately, you passed with flying colors. Your score was excellent, above average, and this school will grant you a scholarship. Tuition is free, and only the miscellaneous fees need to be paid. Congratulations, my dear." He extended his hand, and Dianne shook it, still in disbelief.
After her last class that day, Dianne could barely contain her excitement. She was eager to get home and share the news with her mother, knowing it would bring her joy.
When the jeepney stopped near the marketplace, Dianne quickly handed the conductor her fare and practically ran to her mother's stall. Her mother was talking with a customer about fish, so Dianne waited patiently until the conversation ended before approaching.
"Mom, I came home early because I have wonderful news for you!" she said, her smile broad and bright.
Her mother raised an eyebrow. "So you just had something to say, huh? Why not wait until Friday? It's a Wednesday today, and it's such a waste of your fare—you might have trouble finding money for the return trip."
"Mom, the principal gave this to me," Dianne said eagerly, handing over the certificate.
Her mother took it, wiping her hands first before accepting the paper. "What is this?" she asked, curiosity and pride mingling in her tone.
"The principal said it's a scholarship certificate," Dianne explained, unable to wipe the smile from her face. "I passed the entrance exam, and my score was above average, so I'm now a scholar at our school!"
Her mother's eyes lit up, a smile spreading across her face. Dianne could see the pride and happiness reflected in her mother's eyes, and it made her heart swell with warmth.
Dianne's scholarship continued uninterrupted until her graduation. Meanwhile, her former classmate—the valedictorian and the teacher's child—transferred to another school during their first year because the classroom's grading system had given her lower marks, causing her scholarship to be revoked. Dianne preferred not to dwell on the memory; it reminded her too much of frustration and disappointment.
It was late afternoon. DJ sat alone in the living room of Dianne's parents' house, reflecting on everything he had heard about her from those around her. His friend Dansel's admiration for Dianne's qualities lingered in his mind, as did the words of her mother, siblings, Mang Melchor, and even Ana Mae, Dianne's former elementary classmate. They all spoke in unison about the goodness and sincerity of her heart.
DJ thought of what Mang Melchor had said: true beauty isn't always visible on the outside—it's in the heart, in the kindness that people carry. He recalled his own agreement with Gerlie—to try to win Dianne's heart, toy with her feelings, and let her face heartbreak if she fell for him. But how could he go through with it, knowing the person she truly was? He exhaled deeply, conflicted yet resolute.
A few moments later, Dianne emerged from the room and approached him.
"Do you want to come with me? I'm heading to the beach—it's nearby, just a few steps from here. The sunset is beautiful this time of day," she said, her smile brightening the room.
"Sure, babe. I'd love to. It sounds beautiful," DJ replied, his heart lifting at her enthusiasm.
They walked together to the small stretch of beach Dianne had mentioned. Once there, they settled on a large, flat rock, sitting side by side as the cool sand pressed gently beneath their feet. The tide was low, revealing a smooth expanse of sand leading to the calm, shimmering water. The timing was perfect: the sun was beginning to set, casting warm hues across the clouds and reflecting on the rippling sea.
As they sat in quiet companionship, DJ reached for Dianne's hand.
"Babe, no matter what happens, I'll never trade you for anyone else. I promise I'll love you fully and sincerely," DJ said, his voice steady and heartfelt. She felt the warmth of his hands wrap around hers, and she believed the words were true, coming from the depths of his heart.
"Thank you, babe…" Dianne murmured, her voice soft. She hoped with all her heart that DJ's promise would remain unchanged.
As the tide began to rise, they moved along the sand, careful not to let the waves reach them. They settled in a spot where even the rising water wouldn't touch them. Dianne assured DJ it was safe to stay until nightfall. Local authorities patrolled the area, and there were always other people around, so they felt secure.
As darkness began to settle over the beach, stars slowly emerged, twinkling in the vast night sky.
"Whenever I come home," Dianne said, gazing upward, "I love coming here at night to watch the stars. They make everything feel calm and magical." By now, the sky was full of stars, their light sparkling against the deepening blue of the evening.
"Even if a star falls, I always make a wish," she continued softly.
DJ smiled. "Do you wish while you're at a resort with your friends?"
Dianne nodded, a shy smile on her lips.
"I hope it comes true," she whispered.
DJ lifted her hand gently and pressed his lips against it. "It will come true," he said firmly. "And I'll make sure your wish happens."
The sun had fully disappeared behind the horizon, leaving a soft twilight glow over the water. The gentle lapping of the waves, the faint cries of seabirds, and the cool breeze created a perfect moment of serenity. For a while, they sat in silence, letting the sounds and the beauty of the night envelop them.
Dianne felt a quiet happiness settle in her chest—a rare sense of being exactly where she was meant to be. DJ's presence beside her was comforting, grounding her in the moment. In his eyes, she saw sincerity and care, and it gave her a newfound sense of security.
The beach, the stars, the gentle ocean breeze—all of it felt like a promise of things to come. And for the first time in a long while, Dianne allowed herself to hope, not just dream. She believed that perhaps some wishes really could come true, especially when shared with someone whose heart was as genuine as DJ's.