HIS BROTHER GAVE UP HIS DREAM OF GOING TO SCHOOL SO THAT HIS SIBLINGS COULD GRADUATE, AND NOW THAT THEY WERE SUCCESSFUL, THEY CAME BACK TOGETHER TO STUDY WITH HIM

Lito held tightly to a letter from the State University. He took a course in Architecture. It was his childhood dream — to design houses.

He looked at the other room. She saw her three younger sisters—Grace, Jun, and Buboy—in uniform, studying under the light of a lamp. Their parents had just died in an accident, and they didn’t have any money left.

Lily silently picked up the letter. He tossed it in the trash.

“Oh my gosh, I’m going to go back to school,” Grace said.

Lily smiled, trying to hide the tears. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of it.”

The next day, instead of a book, he had a shovel and cement. He worked as a construction worker. At night, he took a nap. On Saturdays and Sundays, he was a farmer.

For 15 years, Lito had forgotten about himself.

Her shoes are swollen. Her clothes were shabby. He had no girlfriend, no friends, no luxury. All of the money he earned went directly to his brothers’ tuition, food, and clothing.

“Brother, I’m sorry… “You don’t have anything to buy for yourself,” Jun said once tired from school.

“It’s okay,” Lito replied as he rubbed his aching back. “Your diploma is mine.”

Many years passed. It all paid off.

Grace is a full-fledged doctor.

Si Jun, isa nang Civil Engineer.

Bobby was a great lawyer.

They lived in a large and beautiful house with a large family. Lito stayed in his old house, taking care of chickens. He looked older than his real age because of the hard work.

One day, Grace called.

“Honey, get dressed. We had dinner in the Grand Ballroom of the hotel. It’s Bobby’s Birthday. You have to be there.”

Lito wore his best shirt—the one he wore to Jun’s graduation ten years ago. It’s a bit cramped, but it’s possible.

When he arrived at the hotel, he was surprised. There were no other visitors. It was just the four of them sitting at a large table full of delicious food.

“Where are the visitors?” he asked.

The boy stood up, dressed in a suit and tie.

“Honey, there really isn’t a party. It’s for you.”

Jun picked up a folder and placed it in front of Lito.

“What is this? Title? “Money?” asked Lily. “Not anymore. I felt good at home. I’m glad to see you doing well.”

“Open it, brother,” Grace said as she wiped away her tears.

Lily opened the door. Her eyes widened.

His hands were shaking.

This is an Enrollment Form and an Official Receipt of the Tuition Fee.

Course: Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Student Name: Lito M. Santos

It comes with a complete set of tools — a drafting table, a T-square, a tech pen, and a laptop.

“What does that mean?” he asked curiously. “I’m old. I’m forty. It’s embarrassing.”

Jun came over and helped him to sit down.

 

“When we were young, you laid the foundation for us. You literally mixed cement so we could finish,” the Engineer said.

“Now you have to live your dream.”

“Well,” added Grace, “we’ve all got the answer. Allowances, projects, medicines. It’s just your job… will study.”

“Don’t think about your age,” Buboy said. “It’s not too late. We want to see you take the stage — not to hang a medal on us, but to hang on to you.”

Lito was stunned. For the first time in so many years, he was stunned. Not because of fatigue, but because of fun.

Hands that are thick with calluses and are used to carrying hollow blocks… Hold on to pencil and paper again.

ANOTHER FIVE YEARS PASSED.

The PICC Plenary Hall was full. Graduates are called individually.

“Lito M. Santos! Magna Cum Laude!”

Loud applause. A man with white hair stood upright and full of dignity.

On the other side of the stage, the doctor took a picture. Grace, Engr. Jun, and Atty. Buboy.

When Lito came downstairs, his three brothers hugged him and hung the medal on him at the same time.

“I’m an architect,” Lito said with tears in his eyes.

“Architect ka na, Kuya,” sagot nila. “Deserve na deserve mo.”

And that’s when he proved that the dream — it could be delayed, it could be put aside — but as long as there’s love and family ready to come back for you… It will never die.