My First High School Reunion

“To: Mr.Pepito Abarzuena, you are cordially invited to attend the University of the Philippines Reunion Batch 1987 at the Waterfront Hotel, Lahug. We expect you to be there!”

I don’t know if I’ll get excited or frustrated upon receiving this spur-of-the-moment invitation and knowing that after 22 years of hardships and joy after our graduation rites, I would see my High School classmates again. Gee, I’m already 38. Am I this old already?

I kept on deciding whether I should go or not. There are mixed emotions. I feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. Why? Excitement, because of course, I’m dying to know how those guys are doing right now. And a particle of anxiety because of insecurity. I heard, some of them became successful.

My life is not that auspicious. I’m just an ad hoc electrician and only earning a meager salary suffice for my family’s basic needs. Oh, by the way, I wasn’t able to finish my college studies as a Mechanical Engineer because I tied the knot too early. I met Sarah when I was 19; we fell in love with each other so much that I forgot to dream again. And boom! God is indeed gracious. There go the 7 kids.

The day finally arrived. At last, I decided to attend the reunion. I don’t care about our careers. What important are the connections between us. I want to see the geeks, my ‘cheat-mates’, the athletes, and most of all, my high school girlfriend, Melissa. I’m going to run after those undying memories of our youth.

I wore my hand-me-down maroon T-shirt, faded jeans and a trusty pair of Rambo Slippers. I wore my soft yellow hat and put my leather jacket on. I’m ready.


On my way to the venue while riding in a jeepney, I felt a sudden uneasiness. I wanted to go back. My mind changed. I think I’ll just go back. But No! I really wanted to see them no matter what they say.

I got off the jeep and walked a few tramps up to the main entrance. I already saw tons of Mercedes and Porches. People wear elegant dresses. Men were in their coats and ties. Gosh, this time, I was really nervous. I saw the huge tarpaulin of our school welcoming the batch’s alumni.

Sweat from the pores of my skin got colder and colder. My heartbeat was pumping like an up tempo drum roll. I wanted to pull-away.

I saw one group of familiar people in the front part of the Grand hall. And there they were. My former classmates. I hid somewhere where they could not see me.
They looked so good. I know some of them own those chic cars outside the hotel.

I saw Mike, our class valedictorian. He looks really successful. I heard he already owns a real estate company. And there’s Andy, the most famous basketball player in our batch; he already made up to the PBA. He’s a lucky bastard! Beside him is Anita, one of the geeks in our class. She got really fat but she’s well-dressed and I also heard she’s has a franchise of Mcdonalds here in Cebu. Wow for her!
And in front of them, I saw Melissa. My ex-gilfriend. She didn’t change that much. She’s still beautiful, except that she’s already married to Tomas, the only musician from our batch.

I felt a rapid loneliness by what I saw; my esteem went down but, satisfied because I know most of them became successful. “Oh, well..I think, they don’t need to see me. It’s enough that I saw them.” I mumbled. And there was a tear fell from my eye.

I turned my back and sneaked slowly outside the hall when unexpectedly someone shouted,

“PEPITO!!!!!!!”

The music has stopped. Everyone became silent. I looked back at them again and I saw their eyes were staring at me.

I just smiled. And they all laughed at me. I heard someone saying, “Why are you here nomad?! You don’t belong here!!” Some said, “Haven’t you received a notice that this is a formal party?!”.

I was standing still without knowing what to do or say. I wanted to shrivel because of embarrassment.

Then, a familiar voice called my name again.

“Mr. Pepito Abarzuenaaaaaaa!!!”

I looked back, and what I saw are my classmates. Mike, Andy, Anita and Melissa were there, smiling. They’re wearing their prescribed school uniforms. They are still staring at me. But they looked 22 years younger. And what the heck! There goes my physics teacher.

“What time is it? Why are you sleeping in my class?”