The dim light flickered on the opened textbook that lay in front of me and I rubbed my tired eyes.
"It is midnight already, go to sleep then you'll resume tomorrow." Nana's weak voice came up from behind me as she placed a cup of water on the desk and patted my head lovingly.
I raised my head and met with her affectionate gaze. Smiling, I took her hand in mine. " The test is in a week. Just another week then I will rest to your satisfaction." I tried convincing her.
Her long grey hair fell over her face as she bowed to kiss the back of my palm.
"You have been working so hard for the past months. All I want is for my baby to rest. You are a brilliant girl, I know you will ace the test ." she rubbed my hair as concern flashed through her wrinkled face.
"That makes me study more. It's a scholarship, Nana, and I have to earn it so I can save you the stress."
"When have I ever complained about you stressing me?" She argued.
"Yeah, yeah, you do not complain." I giggled as I turned back to my books.
Realizing that she did not move from where she stood, I faced her. "What? Go to sleep." I waved at her to go to her room.
"No, I won't until you do." she refused.
"Nana," I whined but she shook her head.
"Don't Nana me. I would not move from here until you go to bed." She huffed stubbornly and I sighed.
"Okay, let me finish this question then I will sleep."
"I will wait."
Noticing that she would not budge, I jumped up from the chair and held her hand.
"I am done, let us go to bed." I nodded in the direction of her bedroom.
"Okay." A big smile appeared on her face attenuating her beautiful face and it also brought a smile to my face.
Ever since I grew up with Nana, ever since childhood. I was bullied at elementary school that I was a bastard child whose parents left her to her grandmother. I came home with bruises several times from engaging in a fight.
There was this particular day I came home after a fight and met Nana crying in the backyard. I was so heartbroken, I blamed myself for making her cry. That day I had gone home intending to ask the whereabouts of my parents but when I met her like that, I kept my mouth shut as I felt guilt eating me up.
Since then I had not the heart to ask her about my parents as I chose to believe they were dead.
"That reminds me, your boyfriend came over this afternoon requesting to see you," Nana spoke up in the dark room.
"Rowan is not my boyfriend." I interjected as a little smile crept onto my lips.
"I do not know why you both are not dating yet." She mumbled and I rolled my eyes as I felt heat slowly rising on my cheeks.
"Nana stop!"
"Oh, okay." she laughed, waving her hands in front of me.
"Why was he here?" I curiously asked.
"How would I know, however, he dropped something for you. Check on the desk in your room. Now go to sleep."
"Okay, goodnight." I kissed her forehead before leaving the room.
Sprinting to my room, I went straight to my desk and met a wrapped square gift. I felt my heart thumping harshly against my ribcage. In the box was a tiny piece of paper taped to the top.
"I won't be around for the next two weeks and I had to get you something to keep you company in your exam. There's a clause though .... DO NOT OPEN IT TILL THE DAY OF THE EXAM.
I BELIEVE YOU. YOU CAN DO IT."
"As expected, a thoughtful Rowan." I mumbled as I jumped on my bed.
Rowan had been my best friend since I was five. We went to the same elementary school. The first day, I entered the school I was drawn to him but he was the aloof type of person who loved to be by himself. During playtime he would be by himself, sticking to his picture books.
Then one day I was being bullied by the other kids and he rescued me. Since then we went home together as he claimed he wanted to protect me from the bullies.
Thinking about his cute face then made my smile grow larger.
..........................
"Tora." Nana called as I rushed out. "Eat something before you go."
"No. Nana, I am good. I will eat when I get back." I assured her before running out of the house.
Soon, I was on the bus that headed toward the venue of the exam. I was excited at the same time nervous. Gripping onto the bag on my lap, I sighed and suddenly felt something hard inside my bag.
It was the wrapped box from Rowan. I had intentionally put it in my bag the night before so I wouldn't leave it behind.
Carefully I untied the ribbon and wrapper. When the wrapper was gone, I gasped at the sight in front of me. It was a wristwatch and a new pair of shoes.
Beside the pair was a note and it read;
"Think of it as my little Goodluck gift ;)"
Tears formed on my face, blurring my gaze as I read the note repeatedly.
I unboxed the shoe and wristwatch happily and wore them.
I was still lost at the sight of it when my phone rang.
It was Rowan.
"Surprised enough?" he teased and I laughed heartily.
"Thank you."
"They fit perfectly?"
"Yeah." I looked down at the shiny shoes, nodding my head.
"Thank goodness." He heaved. "I wish I was around to give you all the support you need."
Chuckling, I shook my head. "Nana already did."
"Okaaay."
"So when would you be back?"
"Missing me already?" he asked cheekily and I blushed.
"No, I was just asking so you remember the things I sent you."
"Eish, you are such a lady."
"I know right."
"I will be back earlier, maybe this Friday."
"Oh."
"Do not worry, darling. Wait for a few days, I also miss teasing you." He chuckled and I laughed.
"I am about highlighting from the bus, I will call you back when I am done."
"Okay babe, good luck."
"Thanks, bye.".
"Ciao, Hermosa."
As always, Rowan found a way to make me smile that as I got down from the bus I was grinning from ear to ear.
Grabbing tightly onto my bag, I walked towards the entrance of the renowned Crestwood Academy, a school known for its prestigious alumni.