The Minxes Series Book One: Asking for the Moon

Chapter Seventeen

"There's a financial program aid that Princeton is offering. My auntie Jess already assessed if you are eligible for the program and fortunately, you are."

"How did you even know I was eligible?"

She looked at him guiltily. "Huwag kang magagalit ah... Actually I took your personal details from the school records. That was how we determined your eligibility. My aunt works as a faculty at Princeton so it was easy for her to get the job done."

Nag-alangan siyang magpatuloy pero nilubos lubos na lang niya.

"I... already told her to submit your application form so baka magnotify na sa iyo ang Princeton University one of these days through email. You will just have to pass your SAT and after that, you can study there sa kahit na anong kursong gusto mo. Part ng program ang pagbibigay sa mga eligible students ng board and lodging and campus job so hindi mo po-problemahin ang allowance at—"

"Teka lang, Sesha. This is too sudden." Pigil nito. But she wasn't having it. She have this feeling that if she doesn't push this now, he'll just let it go.

She took his hand in hers and gripped it tight. Mababakas sa aksyong iyon kung gaano siya kaseryoso.

"Think about it, Xavier. You will graduate in a prestigious Ivy League School without worrying about any student loan or debt. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng ganitong opportunity."

Wala itong imik. Tahimik lang ito habang pinagmamasdan ang popsicle na unti unti ng natutunaw. Kapagkuwan ay bumuntong hininga ito.

"Why are you doing this, Sesha?" Bigla ay seyoso nitong tanong. "If... if you're doing this to pay me back for helping you that night, hindi mo kailangang gawin. I'm not asking you to—"

"But I want to." Putol niya dito. She sighed. "I know you'll feel this way, Xavier. But I'm telling this to you. Don't confuse this opportunity as my payment or whatsoever. I'm not doing this because you helped me. Ginagawa ko ito kasi gusto kong ibigay sa iyo ang opportunity na nararapat para sa iyo." Pinisil niya ang kamay nito, "You are qualified, Xavier. This is a rare chance na baka hindi na dumating sa susunod kapag binalewala mo ngayon."

Marahan itong tumawa. "You're a slick talker, aren't you?"

"I am very good at convincing people." She chuckled.

"That... you're right."

Muli itong huminga ng malalim at tumingala sa langit na tila ba naroon ang sagot.

"If I don't accept..."

Ngumuso siya. "How will you get yourself a good hanap-buhay if you don't risk and take this chance? Xavier, life is hard just like what you said. And if you don't grab this opportunity, mas magiging mahirap pa ang buhay for you and Xanya. You want to give her the best future, don't you? Princeton is the best decicion you'll ever make, trust me. Isa pa, I don't want you to eat one hotdog and one egg lang everyday for breakfast."

Natawa ito. "What's wrong with that?"

"What's wrong?!" Ulit niya. "It's unhealthy. I know pricy ang healthy meals. So you need money to buy those. Your lola should eat pricy healthy food para hindi siya magkasakit."

Tumawa ito. Kahit siya ay gusto ng matawa sa kung ano anong sinasabi.

"Hindi ko basta basta maiiwan si Xanya..."

"Nandiyan ang lola mo."

"Hindi ko naman pwedeng ipaubaya kay lola ang pangangalaga kay Xanya. She's old and fragile."

Ngumiti siya. "I'm sure you're grandmother will be willing to look after Xanya once she knew about this, Xavier. Your lola is strong. She'll support you for sure. Tingin mo, hindi masasaktan ang lola mo at si Xanya kapag nalaman nilang pinakawalan mo ang chance na ito dahil sa kanila? Think about this way, Xavier. You're going to do this for them. Isa pa, maliban sa campus job, pwede ka din i-hire ng auntie ko para tumulong sa coffee shop niya as part time. Makakapagpadala ka ng mas malaking pera para kay Xanya at sa lola mo."