Luqa Wasser's POV
"I've been through a lot but what happened to my daughter a year ago made me so much devastated. It wounded my heart knowing that I will run the business without my daughter assisting me. I grieved for her loss for almost seven consecutive months but I strive to stand up and plan to improve our business because I know if she's alive she wanted to see this company on top, going further than what is it before. It's been the toughest moment, I don't know how to start but fortunately I had overcome it all. Now the Crossroad Shoes and Bags Company is celebrating its one decade of service! I want to offer this success to my late daughter. I want to let her know that I love her and her memorabilia will linger in my heart forever."
That was an emotional speech from Mr. Albert Crossroad, a multi-bilionaire man and the owner of Crossroad Shoes and Bags Company. A solitary tear trickled from the left corner of my eye without me noticing it.
The reporters was stunned and the audience are secretly wiping their tears after hearing the story of Mr. Crossroad.
Even I can't escape the feeling of woe and pity for the old man who lost his treasure.
"Child why are you still here? Don't you have a class today?" I accidentally throw the remote I was holding and abruptly wipe the tear in my cheek. I turned my gaze and flash a sweetest smile to my father who just arrived from work.
I came forward to give him a hug, "we do have classes today Pa. Actually I'm on my way when i see Aunt Melba selling green mangoes so I voluntered to help her." I said as I put my things in my old shoulder bag, I wear my shoddy shoes and bid goodbye to my father.
" Pa there are boiled eggs on the table. Go and take your breakfast, I know you've been tired of eating it but a little more patience..I will find a better job so that I am able prepare delicious food for you everyday. Don't worry, it's rich of protein so it will be a great help to achieve hair growth." I chuckled seeing him touching his hair that is starting to go bald.
"Just kidding, anyway, I have to go. Take care Pa!" I wave my hands while stepping away from the door of our apartment.
"Do your best, take care!" I smile as I hear my father's voice, I gentlly nod my head and continuedly take my path down the stairway.
My name is Luqa Wasser, a nursing student at the University of Arizona.
College life has never been easy for me, I'm one of the scholars and I work as a student assistant causing some of my schoolmates to call me names like sycophantic, a teacher's pet and a lot more -I don't know where they get from.
I maybe soft-hearted but I am not easily affected by those people with toxic mindset, I let them think what they want to think of me.
My friends once told me that if they were put in a situation like mine, they would've just give up and beg in the streets of Arizona hoping to meet a billionaire that will marry them, but that is more on fictional stories and it surely doesn't exists in real world.
I laughed as I remember those scenery but the smile in my lips oblated when I see a young soul with an emaciated body begging in the 6th street of Tucson, Arizona. When she laid her hands toward me, I hand her the green mangoes I get from Aunt Melba a while ago as her thanksgiving for helping her. She murmured words and walked away,travelling from one person to another.
Seeing something like this encouraged me more to persevere, I badly want to help people like her.
"A little more push and you're getting your diploma." I whispered to myself.
If you are lack of financial support you will understand how persistent I am to graduate in college. My father is a construction worker, he works overnight disregarding the possible danger in order to support my school finances. I can see in his eyes the tiredness of raising me but everytime I told him to stop working because I can find a way to raise myself, he would answer that he will never give up on me because he loves me.
He is the only family I have because my mother is nowhere to be found. There are rumors that my mother is living luxuriously with the old rich man and that they have their own family.
It hurts me hearing those words coming from other people but I haven't witnessed it by my own eyes, she must have a reason she kept only for herself or she had been put in a situation that made her chose a decision to leave us.
I stopped in front of a wide,modish campus of University of Arizona, almost every building of the campus has red brick as it is the major component of its design. I walk in the long corridor passing the students that is seem to have their own world, some glanced at me for once and most of them ignored my existence.
This school is known for having students that are possessing quick-witted intelligence and I can't disagree. The only thing I dislike is they are all competitive, discreting one another just to be on top.
When I reached our classroom, I can see through the expensive glass the dusky-faced of my Professor staring at me.
I exhales loudly and slowly get inside the room.
"You're five minutes late Wasser! Aren't you a scholar? If so! then be a good influencer, be responsible!" She shouted, "I wont let you slide if this happens again, go ahead and take your seat." she calmly added.
"Thank you Prof. Legaspi." I bowed my head and head my way to an empty seat located near the window. I lean my shoulders on the back of my chair and listen to our discussion.
The entire class was quiet, pretending to be interested in the lecture. Mrs.Thania Legaspi, our Anatomy professor that is in her above fifty is known for being stern and serious that's why she earned respect from the collegers.
After an hour, the class was adjourned so my fellow classmates leave the room and go to the cafeteria.
I fixed my hair by tying it with a lace and take the staircase to reach my favorite spot --the arboretums. It'll be faster if I'll use the elevator but I know it's crowded with popular and high profile students so it's better to pass through the stairway.
I was near the bench beside an olive tree when I sight a man's figure approaching, I was about to change my direction but it is too late because he already noticed me.
"Luqa! Woah it's been a long time since we last met. How are you? You look skinnier than before." He tapped my shoulder and moved his face closer to mine, smiling from ear to ear. I shoved him away and slap his hands on my shoulder.
"Noah -"
"Hi Luqa, hi babe. Let's take our lunch together?" I didn't finished my words when Trisha hugged me from the back as if we haven't seen each other for a year when in fact, we are eating lunch together every school days. She then draw near to Noah and interwined her fingers to his causing them to hold each others hands. I shifted my gaze, coughing awkwardly. They both look at me flashing an annoying grin.
Obviously Noah and Trisha are having an intimate relationship. They are both my friends. I met Noah in grade school while I met Trisha during my first year in college.
"I'll stay here. I'm not so sure if my father has added money to my credit card, you know I can't afford to buy those expensive foods in the cafeteria." I said and sit down in one of the benches while playing the strap of my bag.
"I'm not gonna let you eat alone Luqa, come with us. I'll be the one to pay for your order." Trisha insisted and hold my right hand dragging me to the cafeteria.
"No, I'll be alright. You're so kind to me since then, that's too much." I objected. We are friends but I should not take it for granted. Well, Trisha comes from the family of businessman and was born with a golden spoon in her mouth. I'm so grateful that in spite of our status gap in society, she is never ashamed to introduce me as her friend. Maybe that is the reason why she captured Noah's heart. Undeniably, they are perfect fit.
"Don't you ever refuse Luqa and one more thing, I have gathered a lot of gossips, I can't tell it to anyone but you." She chortled showing her well-defined cheekbones.
"I'm telling you -" I was interrupted when I saw a group of girls coming towards our way. I breath in, preparing a sack of patience for I know they will try to irritate me again.
"Here comes the leech, hi Luqa the sycophantic. I love your outfit! Where did you buy them? At the trifth shop? Why don't you try to fool your bestfriend and ask her money, hahaha..." I looked at Thalia moodily. Thousands of students here but only she and her company are wasting their time to make me feel embarassed. I remained calm and quiet, honestly I don't know what to say. My clothes are looking old, maybe that made her think I'm wearing clothes that was already worn by someone. I can't withstand her shallowness.
"Hey, who are you to talk to Luqa like that? You're not feeding her so stop humiliating her and mind your own business!" Trisha said defending me.She rolled her eyes to Thalia and look at me, indicating to just leave the area. I nodded and followed her but after my third step, Thalia hold my shoulders and stop me.