Rise Up

                It’s already five in the morning and I’m still wide awake. I just can’t sleep without finishing my thesis paper. I need it to be done before my thesis defence and I’m starting to be frustrated. Why is college so hard?             I took a deep breath and decided to take shower first and to prepare everything: Panellist’s copy, flash drive, my attire, and laptop. All set.             I need to finish college, I must finish college. I need to do it to survive in this cruel world. I was lost in my thoughts when someone suddenly bumped my shoulder. I think I just arrived at the university entrance. “Woah girl, look at you. You look so prepared. I bet you didn’t sleep at all.” I smiled at what she said “Shut up I just want to end this day. Lucky for you, you’re done with your thesis defence.” She laughed teasingly at my reply. “Okay, okay” She raised her hand as a sign of defeat. “Don’t worry, once it’s done you have all the day tomorrow to take a rest and sleep.” she added. “Yeah, I know. And that thought comforts me.” We laughed with that idea “Okay then, my friend. May the Lord God bless you today. I know you’ll not attend morning classes because you are so nervous to absorb morning lectures hahaha. K Bye.” She left because I know, she’s late again. As for me, I need to buy morocco folder then head to library to have final editing and preparation.             You can do it Chai! In times like this, I need to encourage myself because I know no one will. Except for Cara, the one who just talked to me a while ago? “Okay very good, Miss Lucas… You defended your thesis boldly and without fails. Indeed, it is a job well done.” I smiled to Mr. Garcia’s compliment. By the way he is one of my panellist             Is this it? Am I done, Am I going to graduate? Am I? Am I? Yes!!! Thank You Lord!!! After all those sleepless nights and starvation days, I’m finally done! “Congratulations  Miss Lucas”  My adviser congratulated me and some other students who are also waiting in line to finish their defence. “Girl congratulations.” Cara greeted me as we walk away from the hall. She handed me a milk tea and 2 pieces of bread. “Ow, you are so thoughtful.” I said as I get the foods from her hand “Girl, it’s not free. You have to pay for that.” She laughed with an evil tone and here I am thinking it’s free. Might as well take it and pay for it than to die due to starvation. “Oh, right. Do you have news already about Tita Carina?” she asked me with her questioning eyes. “I assume, you haven’t received any information yet?” she quickly responded as she noticed my bothered expression             She is actually referring to my mom, who ran away from home. What kind of mother will do that? Run away from home like a teen ager? It’s fine if she left for just a week but that week turned into a month and now it has been a year already.             I sighed out of frustration. I stopped by the window. Our college is hosting again a basketball league I guess. I continued to walk and Cara I still behind me, “You know what sis, ah never mind. So, where do you plan to finish your internship?” Oh right the internship…I don’t have actually any idea where to go “I don’t know Cara.” I sighed out of frustration. “You know what, why you don’t just join me in H-Co?” she said             H-Co stands for Heights Company. It is an engineering firm owned by one of the highest paid engineer, Patrick Gonzales and Cara’s cousin. How did I know that? I once attended one of their family gatherings and Cara almost made me greet all the members of her family tree. Cara is rich, I mean her parents are rich, as what she always say. They own lots of restaurants placed in different areas in Luzon and they are expanding going to Visayas and Mindanao.             I’m not as rich as Cara’s family, living for me is hard. I need to work hard to finish school and need to work hard if I want to make a change for my life. “Ahhhmmm, I don’t think it’s a bad idea Cara. Can I join you? Pretty please” I locked my arms around hers and made a pretty face. She just laughed at what I did and pushed me.             Others may think that I’m just using Cara, that I’m just using her connections and wealth just to please my want to lift myself out of poverty. But Cara and I, we know that what we have is a real friendship… I once worried that she may think like that, but she said that she found real friendship from me and it doesn’t matter of what others think. That she will continue to give me things that I need and she will help me to climb the ladder of society. With that, I also decided to help with I can. “Yeah sure, sure. I’ll let my cousin know and I’m sure he’ll be thrilled.” She smiled and I’m not sure of what she’s talking about. “Bye, Chai. See you Monday morning. Okay?” She waved goodbye as she entered her car. “Wow, She didn’t even let me bid my goodbye.” Okay I’m talking to myself again in a loud voice hahaha. Okay I need to keep moving. For the people like me, time is gold.   “Good evening sir.” The customer smiled at me and he went straight ahead to the food shelves. I waited for him to collect all he needs. I work at a 24-7 Convenience store near our school. So mostly our customers are also college students, who stay in boarding houses near the area. After I punched all the items he got, I placed it to the paper bag. I’m almost finish when suddenly “Ahmmmm, Can I also have these.”  He nervously said as he handed me a pack of condom. I raised my right eyebrow to him but he just look the other side. I laughed at his expression. “Yeah sure sir. First time?” I teasingly asked but he did not answer. And again I did what I need to do. “Total of 989 Sir.” He handed me his cash and walked out. After the customer left, another entered “Dam this son of  bitch.” The woman looks so angry. I think she’s trying to call someone. She went straight towards the beverage section and got all what she needed. “Arggh, damn it. It’s really hard if you have a boss that is so grrrrr.” Is she talking to me? I think? I smiled at her she handed me a bottle of juice. She then left after that. My day is very tiring, I just finished my thesis. I still have no sleep but I have to work as a night shift in a convenience store.  I need to go home tomorrow again to make sure that my siblings are eating and still kicking. One thing is for sure…             This is it, next goal: INTERNSHIP HERE I COME