Everyone craved for riches and wealth but for Nelson Baristan, he simply craved for his mother's happiness. He knew he was his mother's pride and joy and she would do everything she could to make him happy. For this, he would never take her for granted and also promised himself to continue making her proud. Sure, his life wasn't the best at the moment, but he didn't mind, so long as he still had his mother, his girlfriend Elven, and his dreams.
Getting into the most prestigious private university in New York, BrainWhite University, was a dream to many from such humble backgrounds as his, but Nelson worked hard for it and got into the school on merits which included a 50% scholarship fund. The day he broke the news to his mother, she hugged him tightly while she kept showering him with praises from her tears filled eyes.
His mother was one you'd call a jack of many trades. She did every kind of odd job she could find to cater to their needs and she did it all without complaints. All his life, Nelson had never heard his mother utter ill of anyone, not even about her employers. He knew she didn't always have good days but Everytime she returned home from her many jobs, she would simply hold Nelson in her arms and tell him how she was doing everything for him, and of better days ahead.
He knew they had just each other and he would make everyday count. When he turned sixteen, he got his first job as a pizza delivery guy despite arguments from his mother. He would work after school on weekdays and on weekends, would accompany his mother to her many jobs and work extra shifts with her. Because of how diligent he was, he got many tips and favours from the customers.
It was the first day of school after summer break and his mother made a whole fuss about preparing and getting him ready for school and this time, he didn't bother to remind her that he was already an eighteen-year-old and no longer five. After she had allowed him have her fill, he chuckled lightly and held her hands in his.
"Mum, I'll be late. I've heard everything, and I'll do just what you have instructed."
She sighed before pulling her hands gently from his and cupping his cheeks. Staring fondly into her son's face, she smiled and nodded her head. "My little boy is growing up so finely" she said.
"I'm no longer a little boy, mum. You know that," he replied while kissing her both palms affectionately.
"Nonsense," she scolded. "You'll always be my little boy. Now, eat up before your food gets cold."
He groaned, having forgotten that his mother would never let him leave home without eating. He stared at the cup of tea and plate of omelette his mother had left on the kitchen counter for him and walked quickly to pick them up. Just as he brought the hot cup of tea to his lips, his mother scolded.
"Nelson Baristan! We may be poor but I did not raise you without proper etiquettes!"
"I express my deepest apologies, Victoria Baristan, I will now take my food to the table to eat like the fine gentleman you have raised me to be," he replied with a mock bow to which his mother laughed at.
He ate his food as quickly but courteously as he could, inorder not to run late for school while his mother watched fondly. "The food was delicious, mum. Thank you."
"Make sure you do the dishes before leaving," she replied, to which Nelson gave a fake hurt stare.
Done with doing the dishes, he picked up his bag and asked, "am I free to go now?"
"Not till after you've given me a kiss," he mother replied sassily.
"I love you, mum," Nelson said, then kissed her goodbye.
"I love you more, my darling," she replied.
"I'll go out later today to see if I can get another job to help out with your tuition for this session."
"Mum, you don't have to. I said I'd do it," Nelson argued.
"No way am I letting you pick up another odd job. You already spent your entire summer doing them, you didn't even have a free chance to open your books," his mother countered.
"Mum, it's fine. I don't want you stressing yourself over me."
"Absolutely not! If I don't stress over you, who then would I do it for? Many are not previledged to have the kind of treasure I have in you and for that, I am extremely grateful and would do everything to make sure you get the best."
Knowing he couldn't say anything more to dissuade her, he finally resigned. "Thank you, mum. Bye!"
Out of the house he went, as he bade goodbye to his mother. He wanted to make a good first impression on his teachers and he decided that lateness was not a good way of doing that. Knowing that he had quite a distance to cover as his university was in the most wealthy part of New York and he lived in the slums, he picked up his pace.
He finally made it to the university's massive building with 5 minutes to spare till the start of classes. Immediately he came into face with the school's large gate, he heard a call that made his heart flutter. It was Evelyn, his girlfriend of two years and she was his everyday dream.
Evelyn Rowland was beautiful in every sense of the word and many of the guys in school envied their relationship. She was the only one he had back in highschool and was very happy the day she announced to him that she had also gotten into BrainWhite University. Although, not a scholarship student like him, as Evelyn's parents were quite well to do and so, she didn't need to take an entrance exam like he did.
All through the summer holiday, communication had been minimal between them owing to the fact that he could hardly find the time to text between his numerous jobs, and she was away in California, enjoying the beaches and going from party to party.