Goodbye Aunt Alicia, Hello College

Chapter 2

5 years later

Emerald had been consoling her mother since she had been crying for some time since Aunt Alicia had passed away. Her mother does not want to eat and Emerald is sure that she had not been sleeping as well. Emerald is so worried about her mother’s health. If she keeps on going like this her health would definitely deteriorate.

The two of them were so much affected by Aunt Alicia’s death. She was the one who helped her when they were so broke and in need financially. She let them stay and not just that, she helped in the espenses for Emerald’s education. She was now about to finish college and that is thanks so Aunt Alicia. Emerald just feel bad that she was not able to repay Aunt Alicia's kindness since she is already gone right before Emerald could finish college and get a job. She has many plans for Aunt Alicia and she became her inspiration to thrive and study hard. 

“Mom, you need to eat.” Emerald said.

But her mother did not say anything as if she did not hear her. They just came from the cemetery where they delivered Aunt Alicia’s last remains. Her mother never stopped crying. Throughout the years she has always been there for the both of them.

Emerald just finished her senior high and soon will be in college for the next school year. Aside from the sadness of Aunt Alicia’s loss, Emerald had no idea that her mother is worried for her future now that Aunt Alicia is gone. Her mother does not know what to do. For sure her salary will never be enough to send Emerald to college, thus, they will need to buy their necessities. It is a big help that they do not need to pay for the rent since Alicia owned the house.

Despite that their rental is free, it will still not suffice all the expenses they needed and to send Emerald to school. Emilia’s heart seems like being squeezed tightly by giant hands whenever she thought that Emerald will not be going to school. She will definitely get upset and of course, Emilia herself wants her daughter to finish a degree on time. She don't want her to delay her studies and it breaks her heart that can't do anything about it.

Emerald is a good daughter, she never complains though Emilia knows that she is struggling. The mother and daughter have been struggling so hard just to survive. Emilia has no one to turn to, she only got herself until she met Alicia and they helped them but now it is completely different. She is alone once again and the responsibility is heavier. 

“Mama, please do not make me worry. Aunt Alicia is gone now she is in heaven with God but I am still here. If something bad ever happened to you I will not be able to make it. Please be strong for me.” Emerald said trying to suppress a cry.

Because of her words her mother suddenly look at her and it seemed that she was brought back to reality. She immediately stood up, approached her daughter, hugged her while crying in her shoulder. Emerald’s words just brought her back to her senses.

“Forgive me Emerald, I am just so scared what will happen to us now that your Aunt Alicia is gone. I am scared that we might go back to the life that we used to and much even worst, I will not be able to send you to college. I don’t have any idea if I will ever.” her mother explained.

Emerald hugged her mother back and give her a backrub. She was thinking that her mother was so hurt and sad because Aunt Alicia died but now she knows that her mother was just thinking of her. She was thinking about her future and it saddened her knowing that she will not be able to give Emerald a bright future.

Once again, Emerald felt the familiar emotion that she has been carrying all her life seeing her mother down and upset for the same reason. Her blood boils and her heart beats so fast because of so much abhorrence. 

“Hush Mama, stop crying. Of course, I will go to college. I will finish a degree. We will find a way and I will help you. We will figure it out together, okay? Are you underestimating my abilities?” she crack a joke to make her mother smiled and she did not failed.

“You know what baby, you always lighten up my gloomy state. How will I ever survive without you?” her mother lovingly said to Emerald.

“Mama! That should be my line. How will I ever survive without you? No scratch that, how will I ever live without you? Mama, I will not be here if it was not for you. You let me live, you did not abort me even if you know you will surely have a difficult life because of me. I love you Mama.” Emerald said sincerelyh

 Hearing these words form her loving daughter, Emilia can’t help but burst into tears. She is a single mother, she raised Emerald alone despite of all the struggles that she had been through raising her and working at the same time she could say, it is all worth it.

“I love you more child. You have no idea how made my life so beautiful. You complete my life and put colors on it.” her mother replied.

Emerald's eyes sharpened as she continued comforting her mother, her lips thinned while jaws clenched. She is thinking of that man again. Every time that they are in a difficult dilemma she can't help but throw the blame of the man the her mother loved and she hate the fact that he is her father.

That man puts them in this messy life that they are living. He is the one responsible for all her mother's sorrow. She will do everything in all her power to make him bend on his knees for forgiveness and begged for mercy. Emerald swore that she will crushed him into pieces.

“Okay, enough of the drama mother. Let’s eat and take a rest. Look at yourself, you are not pretty anymore. You are not eating much and you are sleep deprived as well.” Emerald said

“Fine child, I will eat now. Please join me." her mother said with glee.

"Of course mother, I am starving." Emerald said.

The mother and daughter then went together in the kitchen to eat. Emerald heats the cold food in the microwave and then they share a meal that she herself prepared. Her mother was delighted as soon as she took a bite of the food Emerald prepared and this made the good daughter forget all the aversion that she felt earlier.

"Hmmm this is good dear. Your cooking skills are improving day by day." Emilia complimented.

"Of course mother. Thanks to you and late Auntie Alicia you both are good teachers." her daughter proudly said.

"Tell me dear, what are your plans are for college? What degree are you going to take up?" her mother asked.

"You know I have always had a passion for cooking Mama and I want to be a chef. But culinary arts is a bit expensive so I planned to finish a degree which has the cheapest tuition fee then once I get a job I will pursue culinary."  

Emilia's heart clenched as she hears her daughter's plan. She knew that Emerald loves to cook. It is her hobby and she always experiments in the kitchen and of course she and late Alicia is the jury. She knows that her daughter has always been passionate in preparing a meal and it is her joy to see her and late Alicia loves the food she cooked.

"Forgive me Emerald, I don't have the capacity to send you to the university with a choice of degree that you wish to take, much worse I can't send you to college." she sadly said. 

"Mama, I told you. I'll figure things out. You focus on our basic necessities and I'll take care of my education expenses. Anyway, I can work while the classes are not yet starting. I will inquire about scholarships as well or I will work for one year to earn enough money and enroll for the next school year." Emerald explained.

"I can't afford to think that you will stop going to school for one year." Emilia said.

"Mama, that would be the worst case scenario but let’s be optimistic that it won't happen. But if it will, you don't have to be sad. I am a year ahead right? If I will not be able to enroll for this year and can only ebroll next year well, it is just right for my age as a college student." Emerald said while caressing her mother's right arm.

Emilia just smiled and nodded. She prayed that her daughter will be successful to avail a scholarship. She don't want her to miss the enrollment for this year's semester. It seems like Emilia’s prayer was answered automatically because Emerald receive a call and when she ended the call she was jumping and shouting.

“Mama! I received a call from Clayton University. They offer me a scholarship!”

“Clayton University.” Emilia said weakly.

Emerald saw her mother’s reaction and she was astonished because she expects that her mother will jump with her and scream with her because of the good news. But it looks like she heard a bad news.

“Mother what’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“Yes dear of course I am okay. I am happy that you got such offer and Clayton University is one of the famous schools in the country. You had a great and bright future ahead of you.” her mother said.

“Thank you Mama. Wish me luck, my examination for the scholarship will be on Monday.” Emerald said with so much excitement in her voice.

“Of course sweetie. I’m sure you will pass the exam.” her mother said encouraging her.

“You are really the best. C’mon now Mama let’s eat.” Emerald said while grabbing her mother’s hands.

They ate together happily but Emerald can still see her mother’s worried look. She seem uneasy over something but Emerald just ignore it. Emerald don’t want to bother her mother as she respects her mother’s privacy. Maybe she is still grieving for Aunt Alicia's death.

=Sarsi=