Monica smiled at Hazel as she sat on the garden bench beside her.
"You were faster than me in submitting the assignments," acknowledged Monica.
Hazel laughed, her playful eyes twinkling. "P' I only had to go over to the Electrical Engineering Faculty today."
"While I had to drop off a few notes at the faculty office. Believe me, they are so slow. Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Hazel shrugged her shoulders. "I don't mind P', the weather is nice."
Seated as they were in the university garden, with a balmy breeze blowing after a hot summer day; Monica had to agree.
"Are you going home now?" she asked her companion.
"I should be," replied Hazel sheepishly. "But I don't feel like heading back. Staying in a tiny dorm room with four other girls is rather suffocating."
"Then, how about grabbing a coffee with me? My treat," offered Monica.
Hazel hesitated, "You don't need to P', it's okay."
"Rache is busy in the Student Council room and Mars is in the computer lab. I have to wait for them. Come take a break with me. The café is just opposite the university gates."
Hazel grinned, "Let's go."
Once Monica had ordered a latte for herself and a cold coffee for Hazel she returned to their table.
"So, Hazel. Tell me more about yourself and your family," invited Monica warmly.
Hazel pushed back her hair and smiled. "I am from Narathiwat and I belong to a family of fishermen. My grandparents brought me up as I lost my parents to the sea when I was very young."
"I am sorry," murmured Monica.
Silently they watched the young waitress place the drinks before them.
Monica added sugar to her coffee and stirred it thoughtfully. "I don't mean to be insensitive, but it's so expensive here. How do you manage?"
"I am a scholarship student. Our university has some great scholarship programs. My university fees and dorm fees are taken care of. As for my daily expenses, I work as a waitress on the weekends and as a part-time cashier at the nearby supermarket on the weekdays."
Monica worriedly glanced at her watch. "Won't you be late?"
"No, the supermarket is closed today. It's my rare day off. Besides it will be easier for me to catch a bus to my dorm from here."
Monica took a sip from her steaming mug. "You already work so hard, why do you help me? I am feeling ashamed of myself right now."
"Please don't. You don't need to be upset. I always helped my grandparents whenever I was free. I am used to hard work. Besides you and Sarah are the kindest people I know. Sarah allowed me to borrow her dress for the Fresher's party and you gave me the nicest gift I have ever received."
"You're such a positive person," admired Monica.
"Frankly I have every reason to be grateful. I never thought I would land a scholarship at one of Bangkok's premier universities. I have good friends here and the Professors are also nice. The money I earn is enough for my daily expenditures, and hopefully, after graduation, I will land a good job that will enable me to take care of my grandparents."
Monica leaned back in her seat, taking in the carefree smile on Hazel's face. "You love your grandparents a lot."
"Not as much as they love me," answered Hazel setting down her cold coffee on the table. "I don't think I could have made the sacrifices they did for me."
YOU ARE READING
Porcelain behind Glass
Romance"You wouldn't ask for such a deal if you didn't have a solid reason?" challenged Danish, his grey eyes flashing. "Not when you and your friends can barely stand us." "True," replied Rachel. "Just like you and your friends wish to seek revenge on me...
