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Chapter 7 - Chapter 7 — "Graduated, Glowed Up, and Still Slightly Insane"

Diary Entry #1100

Date: June 30, 2026

It's been 3 years and 5 days since I got diagnosed with a brain tumor.

But guess what? I'm still here. Still breathing. Still broke, probably.

Doctor said I might be okay soon — either that, or he just pities my jokes.

Also… I finished law school.

Yeah, I know. Shocking.

I can finally join The Department now...

...assuming they don't ask for my transcript, mental stability, or decent Wi-Fi.

— Ryan H.

**✶✶✶[ My apartment ]✶✶*

BZZZ! BZZZ! BZZZ!

> Me (eyes squinting, hand blocking light): "AHH! What is that—hope?! Sunlight??"

I sat up slowly, hand dramatically reaching for the ceiling like I just got resurrected in a soap opera.

Me(thinking)

Three years of law school.

A thousand headaches.

And I'm still breathing.

I made it.

Same thrifted suit. Same haunted eyes.

But this time... I'm not just surviving.

I'm stepping in — not as a victim…

…but as someone ready to fight back.

🎓 Flash montage: Graduation stage. Holding my diploma like it's a championship belt. Classmates crying, laughing, posing. Even Sir Sexy shook my hand and said:

> "Congrats, Mr. Hawkins." (Internally: Sir. Please. Control your veins.)

Skipp!!..

*** (After the dramatic, Montage) *

I took a bath with the confidence of a man who passed Remedial Law by luck and caffeine. Then stood in front of the mirror—wearing my expensive (Lazada-sale) tuxedo.

> Me (smacking cheeks while applying baby powder): "Let's scam the scammers. With legal backing."

Yeah. "Let's get to work, Agent Hawkins"

GRRRrrrgggkkk…

> Me (blinking at the ceiling):

"Oh. That wasn't thunder…"

> Me (holding stomach):

"Yes, yes, I get it! Breakfast first, life decisions later."

Breakfast? One egg. Three grains of rice. A coffee that tasted like regret.

> Me (sipping coffee): "Yup. Still tastes like law school loans."

***

After i finish my breakfast.

I grabbed my degree certificate, held it like Simba in The Lion King, then stormed outside.

*** (15 seconds ,later)

Me, showing off my diploma to no one:

> "Good morning world! May degree na ako! HAH!"

Then a bus rolled in. Full.

> Conductor (shouting): "Sir! Sa taasmay space pa!" Me (panicking): "No choice. Baka ma-late ako sa future ko."

I climbed up like a warrior ascending Mt. Province.

> Me (panting):

"Ohhh—hahhh! Finally!"

I wiped my sweat, looked around, and smiled.

*** (Somewhere in EDSA)*

> Me (grinning):

"Nice view up here. Mahangin. Clear skies.

Oh look—there's another guy acting like the Statue of Liberty. Iconic."

Then the bus sped up. I squinted. My hair almost flew off.

> Me (shouting):

"Hey! Hey! Can you hear me?!"

> Random Guy (confused):

"What?!"

> Me (yelling louder):

"I said—THIS BUS IS INSANE!

We might as well apply for a Saint Peter funeral plan!"

> Random Guy (nodding like he understood):

"Yeah, okay!"

He clearly didn't hear me.

I kept screaming until he finally climbed toward me. He got close, looking dead serious.

I smiled. He leaned in.

> Random Guy (shouting):

"Shut up, bitch!"

***

I blinked. I didn't even respond right away.

> Me (calmly):

"O-okay, Mr. Gorgeous."

> Random Guy:

"What?"

> Me (mocking):

"Nothing. Thanks for your… input."

> Me (thinking):

"Yup. He's crazier than me."

*** ( A few inches later)*

Eventually, I saw my stop coming up.

> Me (screaming):

"STOP! Para po!!"

No reaction.

We zoomed past.

So what did I do?

I climbed down to the side of the bus, hanging beside the driver's window like some action star on a budget. The driver looked at me—confused, mildly scared.

> Me (banging the glass):

"STOP!"

> Driver (startled):

"What the—?!"

I stared him down. Awkward. Angry. Slightly crying inside.

> Driver (raising hands):

"Okay, okay! I stop, I stop!"

He finally pulled over. I jumped off dramatically.

Then the conductor came over, asking for payment.

I looked him dead in the eyes… and just walked past.

He scratched his head. I walked off, slow motion style.

Then—symbolically, emotionally, proudly—

> Me (raising my hand):

"F*** yo—!"

Wait!

Ohh! What time is it—9PM?!!

My eyes widened like they saw a ghost.

Dramatic run: ON.

I sprinted like a budget James Bond.

**✶✶✶[ The Department ]✶✶*

I arrived in front of the department—

After sprinting 300 meters like I was being chased by destiny itself.

> "Hahhh… hahhh…"

Hiningal. On the brink of dying.

But here I am.

I straightened my back like a villain entering his final boss arc.

I looked forward with the confidence of a man who had zero plan.

Then—

I opened the door…

And flipped my hair like I was a hotshot from an action drama with bad ratings.

> "Let's do this."

**✶✶✶[Directors office]✶✶*

I entered like a man on a mission. The Director looked up from his paperwork. I walked forward... …then slammed my college diploma onto his desk like I was dropping a search warrant in a teleserye.

> Me (dramatic): "Here. Proof I'm no longer a joke."

The Director blinked.

> Director (grinning): "Ikaw?? HAHA! Seryoso ka talaga ah!"

He stared at the diploma. Then at me.

***

I barge out of the Director's office like a wanted man in a suit. Grinning. Glowing. Giggling slightly. Every employee I passed?

> Me (nodding with swag):

"Goodmorning, futureteammate!"

Me (to janitor): "Hello, Mr. CleanEnergy!"

Me (to water dispenser): "You hydrate lives, king."

Me (internal monologue):

"Yeah. I'm totally not overcompensating. I belong here. Totally."

***

*** [Flashback | 7 Minutes Ago]

> Director (smiling, sincere): "WellRyan, total nakikita ko namang seryoso ka…" extends hand "Welcome to the Department." Me (trying not to fist-pump): "Salamat po. I'll make you proud. Or at least… legal."

*** (Rooftop Department,)*

(present)

I stood under the sky, diploma in one hand, the wind dramatically hitting my face.

> Me (shouting): "I'M OFFICIALLY IN!" Me (laughing to myself): "HAHA! From delulu to department!"

The wind whipped past my face. The city below was alive—cars honking, birds flying, dreams crashing into reality. But for a moment, all I heard was my own breath.

I exhaled slowly and whispered to no one in particular—

> "Finally… I can start."

[ Days 1100 continued]

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