Chapter 27

Ivan"s pov
Today is Monday and now is the only time I'm so eager to go to school. Usually, i wake up 5:30 a.m. since 7:00 a.m. is the start of our flag ceremony at school but I woke up at 3:30 a.m. earlier so our helpers at home were very surprised. Dad was not home, but Mom was, and she was as surprised as I was when I awoke so early.
"What happened to you? Why did you get up so early?" my mother asked, smiling.
"Am I not permitted to wake up early, mom?" I smile and respond, smiling.
"I'm simply curious, I didn't say it was forbidden; it's unbelievable, and you're blooming now. What did you dream about? Is that your girlfriend?"
I gulped and laughed at my mom. "What are you saying, mom? Don't be startled; I'm blooming every day."
"You bloom every day, but now it's different; it looks like you're in love, Ivan; why don't you tell me who she is if you don't want me to look for her myself?"
I chuckle once again as I approach her. I hugged her back while she sat on the chair. "I don't have a girlfriend, mom," I promised, kissing her on the head. "If I ever do, you'll be the first to know."
"Go back to your seat. I have a question for you," she said, tapping my arm.
I returned to my chair, and we exchanged glances at the dining room table, as she had said. I gave her a friendly smile, and she reciprocated.
I am extremely fortunate to have her. She was the ideal mother for me, and I never had the impression that she lacked love for me. She is the primary reason behind who I am and where I am now. When it comes to my family, I am really privileged, and I have no concerns. My parents are both successful, and despite their wealth, they have not spoilt me with things that will not benefit me. They told me that if I want anything, I had to get tired of it, which I am doing in many facets of my life.
"Tell me the truth, Ivan, do you like someone?" my mother asked solemnly.
I swallowed my saliva and smiled at her, but she remained somber. She needs me to be serious as well in this case. I've never told her about my girl issues, and I'm anxious and uncomfortable right now.
"I am a guy, and to like or admire a girl is normal, mom," I replied, biting my bottom lip.
"I know, son," She say, "because it's natural to like or admire someone, especially when you're of a certain age. My question is, who is she? What is her name? Is she a student? Where is she studying?"
I laughed as I said, "You're not clarifying your question, mom," and then I went straight. Before I begin to answer her question, I take a deep breath. "We're batch mates, mom. Her section is STEM-A, and she also studies at CU."
She covered her mouth with her palm, emphasizing her surprise. "Really? What is her name?" she questioned, her face beaming.
Before uttering her name, I take another deep inhale and bite my lower lip. "El. Elanor Geove Trivor is her name."
When I spoke El's name, she had no reaction, and I felt a wave of nervousness wash over me. I have no idea what my mother is thinking right now because it was my first time sharing such a topic concerning a girl issue with her.
"First and foremost, son, study hard," mom replied sternly.
At the same time, I swallowed and bit my bottom lip. I'm at a loss for words. I'm not sure if I need to make a smile because her remark literally made me melancholy.
I simply said, "I'm doing my best, mom," and that was the truth.
I'm striving to improve my academic performance. She expressed her satisfaction in me for becoming an honor student, and it was only lately that I heard her advise me to study hard. In fact, I was the first to be recognized as outstanding in the HUMMS 11-A section, and I am proud of myself for excelling in class despite our soccer training.
I broke the silence between us by asking, "Mom, don't you want me to have a girlfriend?"
"Why?" she inquired, perplexed. "Did you court her?" With a shake of my head, I expressed my displeasure with what she had stated. "Way to go, son; you still have to study and outshine your entire batch before courting her."
I couldn't help but wonder as I nodded. I'm not sure why she acted as though she didn't like the girl I told her about. She was ecstatic to learn who the girl I adore was earlier, but this is how she reacts now. I assumed she would be pleased, so I finally brought up the subject with her. I expected her to give me advice on how to make everything I do with El more effective.
I asked, "Do you know her, mom?" referring to El.
"Of course, I know her," she replied with a nod.
I took a deep breath and then pursued the question to the answer. "Didn't you think she was too good for me, mom?"
"Why did you ask that?" she questioned, her face expressionless.
"Because it appears to be how you're feeling, mom."
Her expression changed, "you have no rights to lead my opinion," she said, trying to hold her laugh.
Mom is so weird. What happened to her? She is not like this. "Why do you say that I still need to study hard and I need to excel in my entire batch mate?" I asked, perplexed. "It's because, Ivan, I know her. I know Elanor Geove Trivor. Based on recent research about the most excellent student in CU, the girl you like is the rank one. Aren't you afraid of the possibility that you won't be her girlfriend because she's better than you? Every girl's dream is to have a boyfriend who is smarter than her," she explained.
I froze in my seat, unsure of what to say. I'm amazed El was ranked first in our entire batch. I didn't think she was that smart and she defeated Teren who was our valedictorian of jhs.
"And what was your question earlier? I don't want you to have a girlfriend yet? And I don"t want Elanor for you?" My mom asked and she laught. "I didn't say you couldn't have a girlfriend, Ivan; you can have one if you want, and I want you to choose a woman who will love you as much as you love her. You also need to make sure you're serious about getting into a relationship; a relationship isn't a game, and a woman isn't a toy, so you need to appreciate, love, and take care of her. And when it comes to Elanor, i can say that you have great standard when it comes to girl, Ivan. You have the same standard from your daddy," she said and winked at me.
I laugh and can't believe what she said. I didn"t expect everything and I"m thankful that she supported me.
"Mom, do you think I have a chance for El?" I asked, out of the blue. I gulped and avoided my gaze from her. Why did I ask that to mom?
"You're a good guy," she said, smiling, "and you're like the man I wanted when I was a teenager, so I'm sure the woman you like will like you." I nodded, and she added, "just show her your love, care, and don't do anything that will break her trust in you."
Our breakfast came soon after she said those words, so we ate. She was continually giving me advise, which made my day even better. Our dining room table was filled with laughter when our servants heard that I had a crush on a girl.
Mom and I left after we finished eating and went to the service. Mom and I rode in separate services, and she held my arm before we parted.
"Why, mom?" I asked.
"Even though El isn't your girlfriend yet," she added with a smile and a kiss on the forehead, "ask her to dinner with us. Invite her when your dad gets home. I'm sure your father will be glad as his young man has already liked someone."
She let go of her grip on me after I gave her a nod. "Take care, son. I"m happy for you," she said smiling. "Thanks, mom. Take care also," i said before heading to the service i"ll use.
Upon arriving on campus, my eyes immediately caught sight of a familiar figure. I can"t be wrong and I"m sure El is the one I see walking. I immediately called her and she turned to me as well. I ran because she was waiting for me and when I got to where she was standing, she also started walking with me.
I"m so overjoyed to be with her and until now, I still can"t believe we"re both friends. I prefer that we are friends compared to before that I have to make a way for her to notice. She already confirmed me in facebook and I don"t know how many times I took a screenshot when I saw her name in my notification. I had so much fun that day, I treated my friend at the mall. We ate, played, and watched a movie and i paid all the expenses. What I used is my savings so when I got home, I felt like I wanted to call them and ask them to pay me. I didn"t think of anything else during those times because all I knew was, I was having so much fun.
When El and I got across from their classroom, she told me how much she hated people"s attention. All the students were looking at us because this was the first time I had been with a woman except Baki. I know that this is a big deal for the students, especially since they know that I already like a girl.
I told El that I would fetch her later so we could have a snack break together before I went to our classroom. I wanted to include her at my friends' table so that I could formally introduce her to them. I stopped waiting for El to say something because I didn't want her to say no. I know she's shy, but she doesn't have to be around my friends because they're all friendly and know who she is. I simply want to see her face to face.
When I entered the room, El and I had become the talk of the class. When I turned to face my friend, he simply shrugged.
"They don't think you're homosexual, dude. They have an issue with you," Carew replied, tapping my shoulder as I sat in my chair.
I ignored them, and our subject teacher arrived not long after. I can't wait for a snack break, so I'm not paying attention in class. My brain was flying to El's classroom so when we took a quiz before dismissing, I didn't get a perfect score.
"What is wrong with you, Ivan? Why did you only score 14 out of 20? Almost all the scores are 20 because the quiz is so easy. Are you still asleep?" Carew asked laughing.
"I don't know either, bro." I answered and ignored the score I got. You, Raf and Hunt will be the first to go to the cafeteria. I will be next," I added.
Baki isn't there, which is fortunate because I still don't know what kind of relationship El has with her, and I'm not sure what I guessed back then, so I won't believe it until I hear from El.
"Why, Bro? Why don't you come with us?" Carew"s asked.
I smiled and said, "i"ll invite El to have a snack together with us."
He smiled as well. "I like that," he said and winked at the same time.
I tap his shoulder before exiting our room and I go to El's classroom. She came out after a minute and looked like she was finishing something but the smile never left my lips especially when she approached me.
I accepted her explanation that she couldn't be with me because she didn't want to become involved in any issues, but I didn't lose sight of the fact that I was unhappy. I expected and I got the lowest score because of the thought of what would happen but I could do nothing but accept her decision. It"s okay with me, and at least now, I know that she really doesn"t want her to get the attention and she doesn"t want the issue to affect her. And as long as I can, I won't make any excuses to do what she doesn't want.
I was happy and accept of everything when I went to the cafeteria. I immediately saw my friends so I immediately approached them.
"Hey, bro. I thought you were with El?" Carew asked as Hunt and Teren looked at me both holding the cellphone.
I shook as i sit the vacant chair they provided for me. "She doesn't want an issue, bro. She doesn't want attention," I explained.
"What? Did you says he doesn't want attention?" Teren asked, calmly.
I nodded in response and Hunt laid his phone down on the table. "Look at the content of my newsfeed, bro. Who is that?" He asked.
I picked up his phone and looked at what he was referring to. When I saw what he was talking about, I gulped and couldn't believe it.