CHAPTER 13

Surprise!!

"I'm home!" I shouted to inform them that I'm home. I saw my mom putting those designs I brought last day.

Dad is cooking in the kitchen, while Lourie is with my baby Ely. I went to the kitchen to put those ingredients and to help my dad while cooking.

Before that, I kissed Ely's forehead before I continue cooking. They were laughing like they all understand each other so I got curious why are they laughing at.

"Why?" I ask them but no one answered me. I didn't receive an answer but I notice someone slowly going out in my room. I can't speak nor run to her or even shout, I got stuck and left speeches and shocked.

"Surprise!!" they all shouted to me so I got to recover from a sudden shock.

"Keanna!" finally I shouted and run to her so I can hug her tightly. She just laughs and I notice a few teardrops in her eyes. I chuckled at her and she joined me laughing.

"Crazy! You didn't answer my calls." I said in a sad voice.

"It was a surprise visit, how can I tell you that I'm coming? Lucy, it won't be a surprise then." She answered while laughing. I missed this girl! so much!

"Thank you for coming! I thought you won't come here." I uttered.

"Oh shut up! how can I forget my baby Ely's birthday! I was with you when you give birth to her." She shouted while playing Ely's little fingers.

Keanna was busy having a phone call cause her mom called her to ask if she arrived safely. I cook her favorite foods so she can eat them here. Because after this night she'll be going home tomorrow morning.

I ask her to stay for days or weeks but she refuses because she still has books to read and finished some plates. The food is set and the designs were all set.

I went to Lourie to get Ely so she can change clothes for the picture time. When we started to take a few pictures. Keanna was holding the camera when she took a picture of me and my family and after that, she was with us in the pic.

Then me and Ely's pictures and Keanna is beside me, mom took a pic for us. It was a simple celebration for my little angel who gave color and hopes to my life.

"Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, happy birthday, happy birthday Ely!" we sang while clapping our hands.

Ely just said her first words. "Mama" I was a bit shocked and happy because she finally said those words to me. It was my dream to be called a mother by my child and now, it is starting.

After taking pictures and singing, we decide to eat dinner. I'm the one who leads the prayer and after that were now starting to eat. Keanna talks about her architectural skills.

The rest are some topics they had in their university. She was studying at UST or the University Of Santo Thomas. We talk also about having a child while studying, I just said it was fun and those struggles aren't invisible for me.

When Ely cried I went to my room to check on her and to feed her. She was on the bed sleeping but now she's already awake. I went closer to her so I can feed her, I lay down in the bed.

I was staring at her while caressing her black hair that slowly becoming long.

"Soon you'll be grown up like me," I said in pain. I can't help but let those tears slowly falling from my eyes. I wiped those and get Ely out of the bed and bring her to the kitchen.

The nights were special and memorable to me. We are indeed a complete family, I can say that I don't need a man in my life to help me with my struggles being a mother.

I wake up because of Ely's voice. She's pinching my cheeks right now that's why I'm awake. That's her routine every morning, when she wakes up first she always pinch or bite my cheeks. I giggle because of what she did, I also pinch her cheeks then she laughs.

"Good morning baby!" I greeted her happily.

I went to the bathroom to do my morning routine and took a quick shower. Every time I woke up in the morning, I always cook them breakfast before I went to school. The babysitter's time is 6 am to 6 pm.

"Mom! the breakfast is ready!" I shouted so they can hear that I'm calling them. A minute after they're now walking to the kitchen.

I went to the living room to fix my things and I saw Lourie, she's still reading her new case. She brought it in our talks last night that the case she's handling right now is very hard.

I ask her if she can still have it, she just answers "yes".

"Marina, I'll let get going please don't let Ely, crawl anywhere." I remind her and turn my head to the kitchen to tell them that ill becoming.

"I'll go now. Mom, dad I have to go, bye." I uttered and then kissed their forehead. I kissed my daughter's cheeks before I went out to the unit.

"Take care Lucia!" my mom shouted.

I drove to school at 6:30 am. I still have few minutes to study for the first class before our professor conducts a long test.

I was busy studying when some of my classmates talk about Ms. intramural's.

"who do you think will be the representative of the Architecture department?" Fiona ask.

"Maybe Emyse Federon?" she answers in doubt Fiona just nods her head slowly.

They talk for more but our professor is now entering our classrooms, so everyone was now quiet. The whole class was fine not until Devon brought out the topic about our Ms. Intramurals.

They were all shouting everyone's name and suggest some outfit that will be used. I barely join pageants and become one of the representatives.

I was chilling in my seat when they all stop shouting and I got curious why did they stop shouting.

When I look at our professor's side, I was shocked because he was staring at me and also them. I'm a bit nervous because of their eyes directly pointing to my side.

"W-hh-hat?" I answered nervously. Lorraine smiled at me while Fiona is surveying my face and body.

" Lucy, can you stand up?" she asks. I slowly stand up without knowing what is her intentions.

She just nodded her head and went to our professor. She whispered something that no one can even hear it.

"That's a very wonderful idea Ms. Galvei," he said and was full of impression.

I was a bit shocked because of their suggestions. I don't even know how to become a model nor being a candidate for our department.

They might get it all wrong, my silence where my attitude ever since I went here.

"No." I decline.

"What!?" they all shouted while our professor went closer to my chair and ask me.

"Ms. Diaz, this is a very important event and everyone agreed for you to become our candidate. The upcoming pageant in our school." He explained while pointing each of my classmates who agreed.

"I'm so sorry, I just can't." they all stayed quiet until someone raised her hands at the back. Everyone turned our head to the person who just raised her hand.

It was Annalise...

"Yes?" the professor asked her. She stood up and introduced herself like we all don't know her.

All of us were just listening to her words. While some of us were busy reading books and playing video games on our phones.

"So you nominate yourself for the upcoming Ms. Intramurals is that it?" Jersey asks her. She just nods her head and seat down.

"Then they'll be no more problems I guess?" No one bothered to answer so he called it done.

"Then class dismissed." he declared and everyone was busy fixing their bags and books.

Jersey with his friends came closer to me and ask why I refused the offer to become one of the candidates. The upcoming Intramurals this year are much hectic than before, they say.

I just answer them that I'm kinda busy and have no plans to practice myself for that kind of event. I know in myself that I hate being exposed.

When it's needed to flex your body and you walk in the whole crowd. Everyone will stare at you like they're admiring or should I say they're all judging your body.

On how you walk through, on how you delivered your answers fluently, and your attire for the talent shows. I hate all of it, caused first of all I am not into this.

I am not used doing that thing cause I prefer being covered with those thick clothes. Still gave my virginity to the man I thought was faithful to me. Guess what, what I have right now.

Right now I'm living with the pain he gave me but I m even small anger of mine. I didn't put some of it to my daughter, I didn't hate her just because she was made by mistake.

No, she wasn't made by a mistake, we or should I not consider him? I don't even know if he meant those sweet words he said to me or I was just the one want it.

Am I being delusional or I'm just crazy in love with him so I easily give up myself, my whole self. The least I can do right now is to walk away from my past and create another memory with my daughter.

"Lucia? are you okay?" Paulin asks me. I didn't notice that I was staring at the window and I just felt some teardrops on my face.

I wiped it faster so others won't notice it. I just nod my head to assure Paulin that I'm okay she didn't bother to ask me also why or am I was okay.

I quickly went out into the room to feel some fresh air outside. My soul decides to stand by in the library and read some architectural books and law books.

In the library I find peace,

In the library, I see myself,

In the library, I felt the pain,

In the library I find care.