the expected return.

It was finally that day. The graduates were ecstatic to a certain degree, and perhaps even light-headed at the ceremonies that wouldn't seem to end in this glorious Saturday. Classmates, who've become friends over the past few years, congratulated each other in advance and in masked relief. The black robes had become stifling as we anticipated the closing rites, most of us getting a little too impatient just standing. But there was a reason to celebrate, and it's not because we finally came out of college alive, even just barely so. Somebody made a comment about seeing you here. Isn't he supposed to be somewhere else? He asked me. I didn't bother listening to his next comment as my attention had shifted easily to the spectators who were standing in the upper right platform. By this time, I couldn't hear the noise that was steadily rising. My eyes had lifted themselves to your profile without effort. Now, there you were, casually leaning on the blue railing, unchanged and beautiful. You must've been watching me for a long time now because you knew I was going to see you there, smiling down at me. I allowed my own smile to pass my lips as I waved. I hope you're proud of me.