fℓσωєяѕ fσя уσυ 💐 | Ongoing 🟣

Sunflowers

Sunflowers were first grown in Central and South America and are a unique combination of beauty and utility. They are used for decoration purposes and for providing oil and food. The cheerful faces of sunflowers symbolize the sun, warmth, happiness, adoration, and longevity. They are the 3rd-anniversary flower and are definitely the most loved among all the beautiful flowers in the world.

— — —

"Amaya!" her mom called.
     "Yes, mother?" she responded as she looked at her closed bedroom door.
     "Don't stay up too late, or you'll be tired for the exam tomorrow!" Amaya had been studying for the past five hours since she arrived home from her high school. She had been wanting to attend Lachmann University from elementary, and she had been working hard in her studies ever since. The reasons why she was working so hard—even though she was a mere female child from a poor family who only had enough to get by—were because of reputation and honor.
     In 1988, Haiti, it was difficult to make a name for yourself unless you went abroad, and gossip spread fast in their town. What each child of each family living there was known by everyone in detail whether they liked it or not, and criticism flooded the conversations of the elderlies and adults once something was not to favor. Their family was already once victim to those judgmental talks, and it would not happen again, not on Amaya's watch.
     "Are you almost done, darling?" her mom asked as she entered her room.
     "Soon, mother." She smiled a little.
     "You know what Fabienne said to me today?" Amaya shook her head. "She said, 'Mirlande, why let poor Amaya study so hard? All that time will go to waste when she end up like your sister Madeline. We all thought she was gone amount to something when she bragged about going to Chicago to become a doctor, but look at her now, she working to the bone only to provide for you three. Amaya should just stay here and learn to be a good housewife then marry a nice man from the next town over.' Man, I was furious when I was listening to her spout that nonsense. If Grann Judeline was there, she would've chased her out with the broom!" Mirlande crossed her arms with knitted brows.
     'Ah, people still remember Tati Madeline's situation after so long...She indeed dreamt big, along with mother, but there was hope for them; it just didn't last for long. Mother was held back because of me and father's death then by Grann Judeline, and Tati Madeline was met by reality as soon as she reached Chicago with no one to help her over there,' thought Amaya. 'If only God gave her another chance, she'd be able to achieve her dream. I'm not like Tati Madeline though. I have worked so hard and prepared for that moment, and I will not let my efforts go to waste.'
     "Now, don't listen to Fabienne, darling. She doesn't know what she's talking about. I know you can do it, and even if you can't, I'll still be proud of you because you've come so far! Even your Tati Madeline doesn't have the amount of knowledge you have right now. You have a better chance than she ever did decades ago, but these schools are really crazy, so I'll understand if it's still too difficult after all."
     "I understand, mother." She closed her textbook and stretched. "I think I will go to sleep now."
     "Alright, darling. I'll let you rest up then, goodnight." Mirlande kissed her on the head then left. Amaya got into bed and went over the info she just studied for one last time before going to sleep.

— — —

"Have you landed safely, Amaya?" Mirlande asked on the other line.
     "Yes, mother. It went smoothly," she answered as she held the pay phone close to her ear while other travelers bustled around her outside the airport. "I will end the call now so that it's not too expensive for you."
     "Oh, okay, okay. Be careful and good luck!"
     "Thank you, mother, I will." She hung up and thanked the woman who showed her where the pay phone was.
     "Was that Amaya?" Grann Judeline asked her daughter.
     "Yes, manman," responded Mirlande. "She has reached safely."
     "Oh, that's wonderful! When will she be taking the exam?"
     "Right before noon, manman."
     "Oh, bless the Lord for giving our sweet little Amaya this amazing chance! Please, I pray that she do well! That is all I ask for before my passing."
     "Manman, you will still live another few years. Don't say that. You will get to see our Amaya flourish."
     "Ohhh, I hope so, Mirlande. I do hope so dearly." She sighed, and Mirlande shook her head. Amaya then found a taxi and went to the motel she was going to stay at for the time period. Why was she staying at a motel? Well, that was because she was in New York City and not Chicago where her Tati Madeline was. She thought changing the location would be an addition to a better chance at succeeding there.
     A few hours later, she took another taxi to Lachmann University where she would be taking the entrance exam. She stood in front of the gates and took a deep breath to ready herself once more before entering.
     As she entered the examination room, she noticed many students going over their notes mentally and physically but in quiet whispers; it was nothing like she had imagined. She thought it'd be dead silent and intimidating, but she found it calming that everyone else was doing what she was planning to do. She chose a seat quickly and started studying before the examiner came in. Once the man entered, everyone's voices fell silent, and they quickly got ready to start.
     The man pulled out a clipboard with the register of all the students attending the examination that day and went to each student to have them sign it after checking their ID. Once that process was over with, he wrote the time schedule on the board then passed the papers out.
     As Amaya got her hands on the papers, her fingers trembled a little. 'No, Amaya. You must stay calm. The future of the Saintil family lies in these very hands.' She breathed slowly then started filling out the paper with answers after carefully reading each question.
     After what seemed like forever, she was finally done with the exam, and she was exiting the campus when she caught a glimpse of someone familiar by the gates.
     "Amaya!" they shouted out with the same smile ingrained into her memories from since she was a toddler.
     "Mother!" She ran to her mom in a hurry and hugged her. "Mother, what are you doing here? Weren't you in Port Salut a few hours ago?"
     "Yes, a few hours ago. I took a flight here in those few hours. I wanted to surprise you, darling." She showed her a small bouquet of Sunflowers, and Amaya's eyes beamed.
     "Sunflowers! For me?" Mirlande nodded. "Oh, I do love sunflowers!" She sniffed them.
     "That's why I bought them for you, and I wanted to congratulate you for reaching this milestone."
     Amaya giggled. "Mother, I only just finished the exam. The results aren't going to come out until next month."
     "But doing this much is already enough for a congratulations, Amaya." She hugged her again. "Come on, we should get lunch now." Her daughter nodded happily and followed her.

— — —

     "Oh, dear, just open it already!" Grann Judeline exclaimed next to Amaya who was sitting in front of a bulky computer inside the town library. Several of the townsfolk, the busybodies they were, were in there listening in too.
     "Don't rush her, manman!" Mirlande responded. "Take your time."
     Amaya took a deep breath then clicked on the email from Lachmann University and read it aloud, "Dear Ms. Amaya Saintil, firstly, we'd like to commend you for taking the opportunity to apply for our institute. We are honored to have peaked your interest. We understand you have worked hard for this moment just as the other students have, so we'd like to happily announce that YOU HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED!!!!!"
     She squealed, and her mom and grandmother both started showering her with hugs and kisses as they teared up. Even the townsfolk were cheering, forgetting the fact that they were in a place known for its deadly silence when customers were inside.
     "Oh, my sweet Amaya has done it!" Grann Judeline exclaimed happily as she wiped her tears of joy. "I've got to let your Tati Madeline know!"
     "I knew you could do it, darling," Mirlande stated.
     "I'm glad I did," Amaya responded.
     "My baby gone be a lawyer! I'm the happiest manman in the world! I love you, Amaya."
     "I love you too, mother."
     "I'm so proud of you, darling."
     "I know. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me all the way." Mirlande nodded and smiled before squeezing the life out of her daughter in delight.