Morning Surprise

The crisp morning breeze tousled my still damp hair as I strolled along the sidewalk, the road sparsely populated with the occasional vehicle hurrying to its destination.

I owe a debt of gratitude to the children; their lively morning preparations roused me from slumber when my alarm failed to do so. Hastily, I leaped out of bed and dashed to the bathroom to freshen up. Just as I emerged from my room, the children, on the brink of departing for school, paused in astonishment at the sight of me.

"Am I witnessing a mirage this early in the day?" Rix quipped, his eyes wide with surprise and disbelief.

"No mirage, my friend. This is the real deal," I replied with a chuckle, making my way towards them. I affectionately ruffled their hair before bidding them farewell.

"What's going on?" Mrs. George called out from the kitchen.

"I have some matters to attend to," I replied as I made my way towards the kitchen.

"What might those be?" she inquired, busy preparing an omelette for her husband. The beaten eggs sat waiting in the plate as she expertly poured them into the pan, garnishing with green chilies and black pepper. Cooking truly is an art, I couldn't help but admire her skill.

"I've made the decision to enroll myself in college to further my education," I announced as I reached for a water bottle from the fridge and poured myself a glass at the counter.

Even though my back was turned to her, I could sense her gaze shifting towards me.

"A good choice," she remarked.

"Mm-hmm," I murmured in agreement.

"I'm proud of you," she added after a pause, her voice laden with emotion. "You've found the courage to take a step I couldn't. I just couldn't."

I turned around to face her, but she had her back to me. Yet, I could envision her expression, her eyes brimming with tears as she struggled to hold them back.

I longed to approach her and offer a comforting embrace, yet the courage eluded me. With a heavy heart, I quietly left the kitchen after a few moments and retreated to my room. Retrieving my purse, I prepared to depart from the house.

As I stood ready to leave, a familiar, masculine voice called out my name. Recognizing it, I paused and turned to face him.

"Where are you off to without having breakfast?" he asked, concern evident in his tone.

"I'm in a rush. I'll eat later," I replied, attempting to brush off his concern.

"Wait! It won't take long. Sit down and have breakfast first," he insisted.

Reluctantly, I abandoned my initial resistance and joined him at the table as his wife prepared breakfast for both of us.

"Your aunt informed me of your decision. I'm pleased that you've taken this step," he remarked.

"Thank you," I smiled, taking another bite of bread.

"I'm here to support you," he added, and tears welled up in my eyes. The overwhelming emotions threatened to spill over. Sometimes, it's not material support but words of understanding and empathy that truly touch the heart. These shared feelings can't be replaced by anything else one might offer.

"I can't express my gratitude enough," I managed to say.

"There's no need for thanks," Mrs. George interjected.

"How will you get there?" he inquired.

"I'll take a cab," I replied.

"No, I insist. I'll drop you myself," he persisted, his kindness evident in his offer.

"That's incredibly kind of you, but I'll manage," I replied, though grateful for his gesture.

Despite his insistence on extending further favors, I didn't want to burden them with more obligations. I knew that directly refusing him might come off as rude, so I cited the need to leave around 10 am, a later time than his departure.

After he left for the office, I set off for my destination. Eventually, I found a cab waiting around the corner of the street. Arriving at the imposing iron gates of the college, I passed through security and proceeded along the road flanked by pine trees, leading to the main building where the admission center awaited.

As I ascended the four staircases to reach the main building, I observed students scattered around, likely enjoying a break between lectures. Entering the building, I located the admission center, the second room on the left.

Before entering, I gave a polite knock on the door.

It was a dream I never dared to imagine, neither in the quiet of night nor in the idle moments of daydreaming. Things could have unfolded differently. I might have attended the most prestigious college in the state or ventured abroad for my higher education, following the footsteps of many in my family.

Yet, here I was, on the verge of embarking on this journey entirely on my own. The idea felt surreal, almost too incredible to believe. I longed for someone to be by my side, to pinch me hard and jolt me into the reality of the moment.

Lost in the labyrinth of my thoughts, my fingers gripped the doorknob tightly. I struggled to convince myself that this was indeed real—that I was about to enroll in college independently, responsible for my own expenses.

In that fleeting moment, when I yearned for someone to ground me in reality, a sharp pinch on my arm shattered my reverie.

"Ouch!" I yelped, jolted back to the present.

As I turned to see who had interrupted my thoughts, I met the gaze of a boy around my age, adorned in the college uniform. His emerald green eyes shimmered with mischief, hinting at the mischief he harbored within. With a round face and a sleek, straight nose, his lips curved into a subtle smile.

"What's your deal? Just get inside, Miss Lost," he chuckled, his tone teasing.

Furrowing my brow, I looked up at him. He towered over me, his black hair falling effortlessly onto his forehead, seemingly unfazed by my irritation.

"I can't believe you had the audacity to pinch me," I grumbled, my annoyance evident.

"Ouch!" I exclaimed once more as he pinched me again, his laughter ringing out.

"Just like that," he remarked, his amusement palpable.

His nonchalant demeanor left me astonished, caught off guard for the second time. I yearned to give him a piece of my mind right then and there, but before I could react, a voice from inside the room interrupted us.

"Who's there? Come in!"

I stomped my foot in frustration and tightened my grip on the doorknob. With my other hand, I made eye contact with him, silently conveying that he was now my rival here.