Guessing Sparkles (WA 2013)

Shock Yourself

"A dream is a wish your heart makes when you're fast asleep." - Cinderella

Chapter Twenty-Eight: "Shock Yourself"

 Once upon a time, there was a man and a woman who loved each other so much. The man belonged to the world of commoners while the woman he loved all his life—belonged to the opposite world. But despite of the difference between the two of them, they still stayed together and learned how to understand each other's difference. Thomas was a farmer's son and he spent merely half of his life planting in the rice field. But one day while he was sitting down under a big tree, he made the biggest decision in his life. It was, of course, to change the way he was living. He loved his life in the farm, but he didn't want to stay there forever. Thomas wanted to build a name in the society. He wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a lawyer. So, even though it was against his father's will, Thomas packed up his things and bid his father a farewell. That time, the only thing he had with him wasn't money but determination—and plenty of it. 

 He was very sure of what he wanted and didn't mind what his family said to him. The only thing that he wanted that time was to get the opportunity to, once and for all, live the life he had been dreaming. The life that would stay as an elusive dream if he doesn't do something to achieve it. Thomas arrived at his best friend's house in Oaklace. Shaun was a merchant's son. Which, of course, meant that he was rich. He asked for his help, so that he could enter the university that he wanted. And since Shaun was a kind hearted man, he agreed to help him. He called up his Uncle John and asked him a favor to help Thomas enter the university without paying no money. Thomas was more than thankful when he heard that Uncle John agreed to help him. He told Shaun how thankful he was for his help, and Shaun told him that it was the least he could do for a very special friend. Thomas wrote a letter for his family, telling them about the good news. But, unfortunately, he got no response in return. 

 During his first day at the university, Thomas was quite shocked with how different it was than his life at the farm. The people all around the campus looked at him as though he was a piece of dirt flying around the corridors. Unfortunately, that wasn't how he pictured it to be. He thought that people were friendly and would accept him for what he was—a farmer's son. But just like what his father said, reality was way different than fantasy. And somehow, he wished that he listened to his father before. But no, he didn't give up that easily. As a matter of fact, he used their words of humiliation as his inspiration so he could reach his goal in life. He wanted to show to them that even though he was just a local farmer boy—he could still succeed in life. Something that he had always wanted to achieve.

 And just like what he expected, Thomas succeeded in all his classes. Little by little, the people who used to say that he was just a poor farmer boy—started to give him a new treatment. They even invited him to join the Annual Winter's Ball, but he was not sure if it was a good idea. With a little help from his new friend, Irving Hudson—Thomas went to the party despite of his first decision not to go. The party was great, in fact he met some new friends—but, of course, he still wasn't happy. Thomas went to the courtyard to find peace, but what happened was more than what he asked for. As he was looking at the night sky, Thomas heard a woman crying. He turned to his side and saw a woman crying her heart out. She was beautiful, and he was curious as to why a beautiful girl like her was alone at the courtyard, crying. 

He gave her his handkerchief and asked her the reason why she was crying. The woman kept her mouth shut and didn't say a word. Thomas had a feeling that she wasn't the type of girl who will talk to a complete stranger. So, thinking it would help the girl, he told her about his life. Thomas told her that he once dreamed to marry a girl, but since he was just a poor farmer boy and couldn't afford to give the girl a wonderful life he wanted—Thomas made a decision to disregard that dream. He wanted to focus on what was more important. Surprisingly, the girl began telling him what went wrong. She found out that her fiancee, Mayer Kingsley, was having an affair with her sister. It was pretty obvious how in love she was with the man. But, in the end, the love she felt only gave her a heartache.