BIANCA’S POV

“How… what..” my voice trembling, “nooo” tears dropped down my eyes uncontrollably.

I always thought the worst sound in my life was my alarm clock that rang at 5am. It turned out it was an email from my school that tells you your scholarship has been canceled.

One second, I was a scholarship student the next I was just a name they deleted on the list.

“Why me.. why” my voice cracked as I stared at my phone. “ No apology, no warning, just gone!” tears dropped down to my cheeks.

At that moment I realised that life doesn't always come perfect, sometimes it quietly deletes your dream. I read the message over and over even though it hurt badly.

“Your sponsor has been bought by a Global company. Due to restructuring, few scholarships have been cut off immediately.

“Cut off? like we aren't humans and suffered for this” my hands shook uncontrollably my phone almost fell.

I called Vanessa immediately and told her what happened.

“Are you for real?” her voice dropped.

“It must be a fake email or a prank” she said, “they can't just erase you like that”.

“Yes but I read it over and over. It was the same site where I received my approval letter and all” I replied.

“I'm so sorry about that, has your mom heard yet?” she asked

“no.. no” I swallowed. “don't tell her anything yet or anyone, please”

“Let's meet up later in the day,” she said softly.

“Okay”

I waited for the morning to become brighter before I went to the office.

I arrived at the University office and it was confirmed in less than five minute

“Yes, you aren't under scholarship again, for you to continue your studies you have to pay normal fees” a bald man replied.

“Sir.. I think..” my voice shaking

“No!” he shouted, “ leave the office.”

I turned my back slowly, my hands were cold and sweaty.

The hallway kept moving around me, laughing students, footsteps and buzzing phones. I sat for a while, just sat there quietly while someone beside me complained about a coffee. Cold coffee when my life was breaking.

“My law school gone”

“The bakery bills”

“My future. Expired” they all echoed in my head.

I took out my phone and called Vanessa, I was already inside the cafe.

“Where are you?” I asked softly

Her voice cracked, barely able to hear her words.

“I'm sorry I can't make it” the phone hung up.

I sat with my hands wrapped around my tummy. I started feeling uneasy, the air smelt different, I walked outside the cafe because the walls suddenly felt tight.

“What am I going to do now?” I whispered, pressing my hand over my face.

My phone ran once again, It was my mom. I stared at the screen then took a deep breath.

“Hi, mom”

She spoke softly about the time she uses when not to worry me.

“We got another bill from the bank today”

“Another?” my chest tightened.

“Yes” she paused. “They said the bakery loan is due again and other bills, but don't worry okay we will handle it”

“Yes” I said, “we will”

I didn't tell her about the scholarship yet, not to make the situation more difficult.

“Don't forget to come by next week, your brother misses you” she spoke again.

“I won't,” I said. “I promise”

I looked at the University building across the road and sighed. The place that rejected like nothing happened.

We said goodbye and went back to my apartment.

That evening, I sat quietly on my bed and stared at myself like a stranger.

“I cannot give up yet” I grabbed my laptop and started searching.

Job boards

Graphic designer

Receptionist

Retail Assistant

I applied to them all. “Yes I can hold on to these for now” a smile showed on my face.

I scrolled further than one job made me pause.

Translator needed for an international summit.

Duration: 3days

Application: Thursday 13th 2022, 8pm

Pay: high

Venue: Oslo villa

I read it, then again. “Oh my Gosh, it's today” I murmured.

“But I've never done this before, what if..” I whispered to myself.

“Well I don't have a choice” I swallowed, then clicked apply.

The application information arrived five minutes later.

“Oh, that was fast” I chuckled, “I guess the universe didn’t break me after all”

The application came and it was accepted.

I sat back on my bed, my heart raced. “Can I do this?” I asked myself

“Yhh” I nodded.

I stood up and got ready, I couldn't miss the opportunity.

I arrived at the summit Hall, it looked like heaven had its own hall on earth. Glass walls, shining chandeliers, people in suits who looked like they never lost any or worried about a tuition fee. I stood at the back with other translators, I adjusted my badge several times trying not to make it obvious my whole life depended on the short time job.

“Relax young lady,”one of the translators beside me whispered, “it's just a temporary job. ”

“Yhh I'm okay” I nodded. Inside the hall we're global investors who could buy countries, they were people who never worried about bills or tuition.

I glanced at my phone one more time to check for a miracle message or a message saying my scholarship was back, but nothing. I whispered and tapped myself “you can do this, just three days.”

A female coordinator snapped her fingers immediately. “Translators be in position please” her voice echoed, “we'll be

starting in twenty seconds.”

My heart raced. “twenty seconds, I can do this.” I adjusted my mic and earpiece one more time.

“First summit?” the girl beside me asked.

“Yhh, obviously much?” I replied.

“You'll be alright, don't just mess up the numbers and names”

“Num.. numbers” I murmured, “Sure..sure" I chuckled nervously.

The doors opened widely, light spilling out.

I took one step, then another.

Reporters stood still, cameras flashed, then the moderator's voice echoed. “please welcome the CEO of Wilson global…”

My breath stopped “ohh”

He walked onto the stage like he owned it, I stared at him uncontrollably and took my spot at the translator row.

“Stay focused” I whispered. “Just do your job.”

The meeting began, numbers, different languages were spoken then we translated. For sometime I translated like a robot until Gabriel stated a number wrong.

“He said the wrong number,” one of the translators said.

“yes, how do we tell him” another replied

“He'd lose a lot from this,” another said.

My chest burned, no one would speak, no one dared to correct him. Everyone stood back and murmured quietly.

I took a step forward.

“Sorry.. excuse me,” I said, my voice shaking.