The Offer

Kristina was sad after hearing that Augustus planned not to enrol in college the following year. She exhausted all her convincing power but didn't work at all since Augustus had already fixed his plan on what do for the following year.

They were having snacks at their school canteen while waiting for all the documents needed in preparation for their college enrolment. They were silent foe a long moment and both seem to have deep thought. They often times glance at each other and then look down or either look away as if they wanted to speak of something yet afraid to spit it out.

Augustus was sipping his milk tea while Kristina was tryimg to be busy while looking at her cellphone as if reading something and while the other hand was tapping the table where they were at.

"August, I can't blame you to make that kind of decision but please hear me out this time." She said as she looked at him intensely breaking the silence that seems to have lasted for half an hour. She had set an offer in her mind and she thinks it'll be fesible to Augustus.

Augustus was still silent knowing that deep down inside himself, Kristina's words might convince him after all.

"Just hear me out this once. You can't just waste the opportunities that lies ahead of you right now so please grab the offer that your uncle is offering you." Kristina plead while holding Auguatus hand.

"You know I can't do that. You know very well how my father hated my uncle and even if he begged him to forgive him, he cannot forget what he did to their family."

"But this is the only way you can pursue your dreams and at the same time this is a way that your uncle could pay off his debts to your father and to your family." She added putting an emphasis on how Augustus could achieve his goal with the help of his uncle.

"I don't know, but papa would really be against it if I will accept it."

"But think of it in a positive way, all your hopes and dreams of getting back and claim what should have been yours will be easier to achieve."

Augustus would really like to refuse his uncle's offer yet with Kristina's convincing prowess, he seems to accept the idea and think of it over.

"I will think about it Kristina." Augustus lowered his head and took Kristina's both hands, "I just hope that whatever decision I may come up tomorrow, I hope you'll always be there for me."

"Ofcourse I will August, you're my best friend and I will always be there for you no matter what happens."

She was really hoping that Augustus would change his plans and be with her so both of them could finish college together. She crossed her fingers and is really eager do such convincng so that it would happen. She had admired Augustus since they were in grade 7 but she just kept it to herself since she knows that he was so focused with his studies.

Even when they were already in high school, no matter how much effort she did to attract Augustus, she felt that he only see her as a friend close to become a sister. There was even a time she made a joke to him that she likes him more than a friend and what she got was only an outburst of laughter from Augustus telling her that her joke was almost too good to be true and that if it were really true it can't be since he is like a sister to him.

Kristina could still remember the look on his face at that moment and so she never attempted to brought it up again.

Once again she faced Augustus, "I just have high hopes that whatever your decision is, it would be the best for you. You have to think of it as an opportunity to become somebody you wanted to be someday and this is it." she begged him while not exposing her dire need to be with him as much as she wanted.

"You need not worry too much August, I will help you augment some of your necessary needs and if not, I will also ask for my brothers help if in case you really wanted to work while studying."

"Thanks Kristina. I will just have to weigh things and talk it out with papa and mama." Augustus replied and then stood up, "I have to head out first. I still need to help papa."

He then remembered Madam Odettes words.

Yes, he is very much eager to finish college and not waste am ounce of time but he just couldn't figure out how he could manage it without bothering his parents and worrying them much. He knows that even if his Berto seem not to worry at all, his papa would really find means and ways to provide for him at all cost.

"Are you heading towards Don Maximus rest house?" asked Kristina.

"Yes, we are almost done with the backyard but I still need to plow some part of it for Madam Odette's corn corner," he replied? "do you want to go with me?"

"No, I have to wait for our documents, you know I need to prepare it as soon as possible. Who knows that you can come with me by next week if you change your mind? At least your documents will also be ready by then." Kristina gave Augustus a positive look. "I'll just fetch you there so we can go home together later. Please tel Mang Berto I am thankful for the beautiful daisy in front of the house that bloomed already."

"Alright. Bye!" Augustus waved.

"Bye!" Kristina took her wallet and opened it. She looked at a photo of her and Augustus during their graduation day recently. She was hopeful but very determined to have his heart at all cost.

She looked at him as he left the canteen. She never had imagined how and when did it hit her admiring him this much. She was willing to give her all so as not let him out of her sight.