I approached the microphone.
Hundreds of faces before me.
I didn’t mention revenge.
I didn’t talk about injustice.
I mentioned waking up at 4:15 am.
Night buses.
Teachers who change a life because they take the time to read.
I spoke about invisible students.
Those that are not the preferred investment.
Those who build in silence.
My voice did not tremble.
I had nothing left to prove.
After the ceremony, my parents approached.
My father looked shorter.
“Why didn’t you tell us anything?”
I smiled slightly.
“You had already assessed me.”
My mother clutched the bouquet to her chest.
Victoria spoke first.
“I didn’t know.”
I watched it.
“Now, yes.”
There was no anger in my voice.
Just a stable truth.
The rest is on the next page
