Chapter 4

JAZMIN

Flashback continues…

AND THE WINNER OF THIS YEAR'S CUPCUPCAKE AND DESSERT WAR IS..." the emcee's voice echoed throughout the school gym as the fake drum rolls played.

My stomach is doing somersaults, but I'm confident I'll win this competition.

"Angel Bonnie Ramirez!" The crowd applauded my name, and I heard my name called and announced as a winner, but I'm still processing the situation; I'm so overwhelmed that I think I'm going to cry, a cry for victory and happiness.

"Miss Ramirez, please take the stage!" The emcee called me again, and this time I obeyed. "Requesting Mrs. Mendez to present the awards to our winner," he added.

The Senator's wife greeted me warmly and congratulated me. Then she handed me my cash prize and scholarship paperwork.

"Thank you, ma'am," I said sincerely, and she smiled. I'm overjoyed right now, and now that I've won this award, I desperately needed to see Mama. I'm curious how she'll react when she finds out about this. I can imagine her ecstasy right now. When I thought of her, my grin widened.

More pictures, a brief interview, and a chat with the Senator's wife later, and we're done.

~*~

At my small house...

"CONGRATULATIONS, BABY," Mama said for the nth time since I returned from the competition.

"Thank you, Ma. You know it's all for you," I hugged her as she sat beside me at our small table, Pearl and Ben on the other side.

We're here at my tiny house celebrating my victory; my teachers and classmates came but left because it was late, and my two best friends will sleep in my house even though their houses are only in the neighborhood; they live in a subdivision next to our slum area.

I already know we'll end up not sleeping again because we'll talk about many things as if we hadn't seen each other in a long time. This will be another long night.

"Thank you, baby. I'm so proud of you. I'm so lucky to have you. You're my angel." I smiled lovingly at my Mom and kissed her cheek.

"Aww. Sweet," Pearl said as she looked at us.

"Hey, that's enough; I'm starving," Ben interjected, not averting his gaze from the food in front of him.

He has the appearance of a lion about to devour his prey. He's ravenous. Ben's worms, I think they're fighting in his stomach right now. We hadn't eaten yet because we had to entertain the visitors first. Talk about Filipino hospitality.

Pearl slaps the back of his head.

"Ouch! What was that for?" he scowled at Pearl, rubbing the back of his neck. She had to have smacked him hard.

"What was that for?" she asked, repeating what he said. I notice she is raising her left brow. "They're having a mother-daughter moment in here, and you're ruining it with your big monster mouth; can't you wait?"

"I'm sorry. Okay? I'm hu—-" He couldn't finish what he was about to say when his stomach growled loudly. "Hear that? Hehe! Do you still need proof?" he asked, pointing to his stomach. He was blushing. He's the color of a tomato.

We were all laughing because of him. Haaa! This is the happiest day of my life!

We started eating. We're chatting while eating.

"Auntie, this is so good. No, not good. The best tinolang manok ever!" Ben exclaimed as he ate.

"Eww. Don't talk when your mouth is full, you beggar," Pearl said to him.

"I'm just complimenting Auntie Bella's cooking; why do you always have to be against me?"

They are always playing the "cat and mouse" game. They always argue and fight about almost everything, but they always manage to forgive each other in the end. I'm not sure why they became best friends if they constantly fought. But I suppose that's part of the appeal. They're fine. They're not taking it seriously or physically, just waging a verbal war.

I met Ben for the first time on the first day of my first year, and we hit it off right away. He comes from a middle-class family, and his father is the Chief of Police in our town, so he is not to be trifled with. And when I become his friend, I'm protected by his umbrella, if you know what I mean.

Pearl is a wealthy young lady whose parents forced her to attend Public High School due to her stubbornness. She's the obnoxious daughter of our town's Governor. She transferred in the middle of the school year, and no one wants to befriend her because she bitches everyone who comes near her.

Then, one day, I noticed her crying in the deserted classroom and approached her. Fortunately, she did not scream at me. Instead, she hugged me, and I comforted her. We became friends, and I introduced her to my best friend Ben, with whom I am still friends to this day. We discovered the honest Pearl, and she is a kind and sweet young lady.

Regarding appearance, all I can say is that we are more qualified to be models. I'm not bragging, but I only speak the truth. We're stunning not only on the outside but also on the inside. Teachers and students look up to us because we are attractive, talented students who excel academically.

Not that I'm pulling out chairs, but we nearly made the top three in our class. I'm first, followed by Ben and Pearl in second and third place, respectively. Yeah! But, what can I say? Even though they're wealthy, they always make me feel like we're on equal footing. They befriended me despite my poverty. I'm so fortunate to have them.

"Best?" Pearl inquired.

"Ah yeah?" I returned from my daydreaming.

"What's your plan?" she asks, not taking her gaze away from me.

"Plan? For what?" I asked as I went to get a brownie. Pearl has finished her meal, while Ben is still digging into his. His plate is heaped with food. He eats a lot!

"About the scholarship," I say, leaving the brownie that I was about to eat hanging in front of my mouth. I cleared my throat before responding.

"Uhm. I- I-" I had no idea it would be so difficult. Mama's hand rubbed my back. When I looked at her, she smiled and said, 'It'll be fine.'

"Mama and I talked about it a while ago. The Mendez's wanted me to finish my senior year at UST, and they also gave me a job at Frozen Treat as an assistant chocolatier, so... Uhm..." I hate to tell them this, but I hope they understand. My gaze is fixed on the table. I can't look them in the eyes.

Pearl drew my hands from the table. "It's fine, best; we understand, right, Ben?"

"Yeah, Bonnie. It's only two towns away, so we can easily visit you there; we'll visit you on weekends if that's okay with you?" I nodded. They're still not looking at me.

My heart is aching right now at the prospect of leaving them and starting over at another school without them, but what can I do?

This is for a greener pasture. It's the first step toward realizing my dream of becoming the most extraordinary chocolatier in the world. It's Mama's dream, but it's also mine. I want her to be proud of me and show my father, who abandoned us, how my mother raised a successful person all by herself.

"Hey, look up. Come on," Pearl said hoarsely. When I looked up, I noticed her sad smile. She's crying. Ben and I, too.

"It's for your future, best," Ben said forcefully, laughing. I smiled and nodded to him, as I had done to Pearl.

"I promise it'll be fine," Pearl said, quickly wiping away her tears.

"Group hug!" Ben exclaimed in a baby voice. We laugh at his cuteness.

"All right, kids, who want to eat Leche Flan?" Mama said, breaking the dramatic atmosphere. She knows how to make us feel better. She is aware that the three of us are madly in love with her flan. It's the best flan in the world.

"I!" we all yell at the same time.

"Leche Flan with chocolate toppings, coming up!" she exclaimed as she entered the kitchen.

We squealed with delight. Mama is the greatest!

End of flashback…