Chapter 4: Rejecting Maia

Clyden

I woke up at exactly 5:00 in the morning. I always have to wake up early since I still have to cook for my younger siblings and cousins. My family was currently living in our ancestral home because we couldn’t afford to move out and pay for rent every month. Although the house is a little bit cramped, I am thankful that grandma and grandpa still accepted us into their home. They may be a little bit bossy at times, but I think it's only normal since we’re intruding in their home.

I cooked for exactly 12 people, and it was about 6:30 AM when I was done. My relatives were now going down the stairs and sitting down in their respective seats. There were only ten seats at the dining room table, so my elder sister and I would stand up to eat.

I went upstairs, taking two steps at a time, to come to fetch my mom for breakfast. I gently knocked on her door and waited for her to respond.

“Come in,” she said, so I opened the door and made my way over to her.

“Good morning, ma,” I said while opening her curtains. “Did you already take your insulin?”

She got up and looked at me sheepishly.

“You forgot again?” I said with a teasing smile on my face. “Come, I’ll help you.”

I sat down on her bed and lifted her shirt up. My smile fell when I saw the multiple injection sites on my mother’s abdomen.

“Don’t look at my stomach. They’re ugly, I know,” she said shyly and tried to pull down her shirt.

I smiled up at her and kissed her abdomen. “I think they’re adorable. Like little custom beauty spots that signify your courageous fight with your illness.”

I opened up the insulin syringe and injected the substance into her abdomen. “There, all done. Now we can go and join them to eat downstairs.”

She nodded her head and held onto me for support.

My mother was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about four years ago when I was in high school. We were already on edge for living with our grandparents, so when we found out that my mother now needed maintenance medication, my sister dropped out of uni, and I started working part-time after school.

We were already living for free here, so we didn’t want to burden our other relatives anymore. For this very same reason, I steer clear of what usual teenagers do for fun— parties, drinking, hanging out, and dating. My family has always been the most important aspect of my life, so I was satisfied with just working for the welfare of my mom. Other aspects are just what I call “distractions.” All I had to do was go to school, play basketball for my scholarship, then work.

We arrived at the dining table, and I saw that the food was now only enough for one person. My mother glanced at me, looking worried. I flashed her a smile and said, “I already ate, ma. You can take the last plate. I also need to head to school.”

She nodded her head and said, “Okay, that’s good. Take care, Clyden.”

I kissed her on the cheek and prepared to go out. “I will, ma. See you in the evening! I have a shift in the mechanic shop in the afternoon.”

I went out of the door and unchained my bike. I started cycling toward school, now without a smile on my face. The only people in the world that could probably make me smile are my family. Although I have a couple of friends, they never come close to my family.

I finally arrived at school, so I parked my bike at the bike stand. On my way to the classroom, a lot of people greeted me. I only greeted them back with a nod, but most of them were happy with just that. I entered my first class and saw that the room was almost full.

More people greeted me on the way, but Maia, the girl who has been pursuing me since the start of the school year, said, “Good luck on the game later, Clyden,” she said with a blush on her cheeks while placing an iced coffee on my table.

I looked at her and muttered, “Thanks.”

She must have been very happy with my reply because she squeezed her friend’s arm. I almost smiled at her cute gesture, but I stopped myself. Nobody has really pursued me in the way that she has. Almost all of the people who would ask me out would only want to have sex or ask me to take their first-times, and I really wasn’t interested in any of that. Not that I’m saying that I want something serious or anything like that, but I guess it’s refreshing to see such a romantic pursuit.

I sat at the very back of the class and observed everyone in the room. My gaze fell on Maia, and she was attentively listening to the teacher. I have to admit that she really is beautiful, but I could tell that she comes from a very well-off family. She and I just don’t match. Besides, giving her a chance means that I have to allot some of my time for her. I can’t afford to do that since I need to work for my mother’s upcoming surgery.

Every day, my mother’s condition is getting worse. She has been hesitant in taking her medications because she feels like my sister and I are having a hard time keeping up with the finances. As a result, she has developed end-stage glaucoma and is at risk of being blind if she does not undergo a major surgery.

I sighed and looked back down on my desk. Yes, I need to get rid of these thoughts in my head. Why would I even want to give dating a chance? I just need to focus on studying and working. The championship game is also this lunch, so I need to get my head in the game. We’ll be having some incentives if we win the championships.

***

The buzzer sounded off, and I couldn’t help but smile. We actually won the championship game, and I was crowned as the season’s MVP. We were all now packing up, and some guys were talking about the party.

“Yo, Gonzalo! Are you coming to the party tonight? The chicks have been asking us to invite you since you’ve never attended our parties.”

I shook my head and continued packing my stuff. “Sorry, man. I still have work today, so I can’t come. Maybe next time,” I said. Although there probably won’t be a chance where I’ll be joining them for a party.

“Bummer, man. The chicks’ are going to be disappointed again.”

I only smiled at them and wore my backpack. I was preparing to leave, but loud music suddenly blared from the speakers, and the cheerleaders started shouting my name while performing a routine.

I frowned. What the hell is this? I’ll be late for work.

“Did you prepare this?” I asked Marco, one of my teammates, but he just held up his hands and shook his head.

“Nah, man. Why the hell would I do this for you?”

“Then who did this?”

My teammates suddenly whistled when Maia came into view with a yellow tulip.

“There’s your answer! The chick that has been following you all month long wanted to give you a surprise, huh?” He teased.

I hit him in the chest and walked closer to her. I looked at her coldly and watched as she played with her fingers and fumbled with her words.

“I like you. I’ve liked you since the first time that I saw you, and I’ve never felt this way before for somebody else. Would you give me the honor of calling you mine?” She asked with a nervous smile. 

For a second, I wanted to smile because I truly appreciated her efforts. But I think that what she’s doing is a tad bit embarrassing on both of our parts. Why would she suddenly make this grand gesture in front of the student body?

The audience started chanting, “say yes,” and I was getting more and more pressured by the minute. One thing that I hate the most in the world is leaving me in an awkward position that predisposes me to agree.

Since I was so busy with my thoughts, I didn’t notice that the court had gone quiet, and they were all anticipating my answer. Maia also glanced at me hopefully.

I sighed and looked her straight in the eye. It’s better to end this right away so she wouldn’t get any more weird ideas.

“Sorry, I don’t date,” I said coldly and turned away from her. I didn’t bother getting the tulip from her because I didn’t want to give her any false hope.

I heard the crowd laughing and my teammates teasing me, but I paid them no attention.

I glanced at my watch and clicked my teeth in annoyance. Guess I’ll be late for work. I’m going to be receiving an earful from my boss.

I scratched the back of my head and hastened my steps. Everything else really is a distraction.