PART 5 – NO ONE WANTED TO SIT NEXT TO ME WHEN I WENT INTO THE CEREMONY WITH THE BABY — BUT THE DIRECTOR REVEALED IN FRONT OF EVERYONE WHY I WORTH BEING THERE
The director’s voice brought me back to the present.
I was still standing in front of the stage.
Emma was sleeping in my arms.
Hundreds of people were looking at us.
“This young mother,” he continued, “didn’t get here because someone gave her success.”
He paused.
“He got here because he worked for her.”
The hall was silent.
“She passed all her exams. She completed all her assignments. She met the same academic requirements as the rest of the graduates.”
I felt my cheeks burning.
The director looked towards the front rows.
“And yet, a few minutes ago, some people thought it was funny that she was holding her daughter in her arms.”
Some students lowered their gaze.
“You don’t know the nights he spent awake.”
His voice became softer.
“You don’t know how many times she had to choose between a small personal need and something necessary for her child.”
My eyes filled with tears.
“You don’t know how easy it would be to give up.”
He took a step towards me.
“But he didn’t give up.”
For the first time, loud applause was heard.
I felt my heart beating fast.
The manager smiled.
“Today we do not reward motherhood instead of academic effort.”
He looked at the diploma he was holding.
“We honor a graduate who successfully completed her studies, despite the difficulties she faced.”
I felt a tear roll down my cheek.
“And there’s someone else who deserves a little recognition.”
Look at Emma.
The room filled with whispers.
“This little girl doesn’t know what a diploma means yet.”
Some smiled.
“He doesn’t know what exams, assignments, and endless hours of studying mean.”
His voice became emotional.
“But he was there, in his mother’s arms, in many of her most difficult moments.”
I felt tears flowing.
“And one day, when she grows up, she will be able to know that her mother did not give up on her dream.”
He paused.
“On the contrary, he found another reason to continue.”
Then the applause began.
At first, by a few.
After more.
And suddenly the entire room stood up.
People were applauding.
Some were wiping their eyes.
Teachers were smiling.
Students who were laughing a few minutes ago now looked embarrassed.
I was standing still.
I didn’t know what to do.
The director approached.
He gave me the diploma.
“Congratulations,” he said softly.
Look at Emma.
“You both deserve it.”
I couldn’t hold back my tears.
“Thank you,” I whispered.
And then Emma opened her eyes for a moment.
She looked around.
As if wondering why so many people were making noise.
The room laughed tenderly.
And this time no one was laughing at us.
CONTINUED IN PART 6…
