Ariana’s Gift

Maya's POV

I ended up looking back on what happened a year ago, and the memories are still fresh, and the pain that I felt that time lessened after I slapped Adonis.

I felt triumphant for what I did, but I knew I needed to be careful since I was sure he was now plotting revenge against me. I am not afraid anymore since he has been hurting me countless times.

It was nothing new; it was customary for him to make me cry; that is why I opted to have my summer job at the flower farm of Rich's family because there I felt important even though I was only a farm girl.

I put my laundry on the basin; I hate Adonis for disturbing my peaceful morning. I came here to wash the clothes, and he showed up to ruin my morning.

I would have finished my laundry early if they hadn't just arrived, and he does nothing in my life but confuse my heart and mind. I just wonder why he has to be so handsome and rude at the same time.

I am just glad I made him leave me in peace. I just hope that slap would cause him to realize I am not the same Maya he used to know. He has no right to look down on people, even though their family is super-rich.

I get up and put the basin over my head, and I realize I have washed many clothes, and it is too heavy for me to carry, but I don't want to leave the other dresses for someone who might take them.

We don't have extra cash to buy clothes, especially now that I will be in college next opening of classes. I will study at a prestigious University in the country, and I hope to maintain my scholarship, for I perceive we don't have money to support my education.

My grandfather's income so far is enough to sustain my grandmother's medicine; that is the reason I need a job to help my grandpa Bert, and I want to save some for my allowance. Lisa, my other best friend from Elementary until High School, was our class salutatorian

We were close like sisters, and we always loved to have friendly competition, but we never argued because she treated me as her sister, and her family loved me too, especially her mother and, of course, his older brother John.

Lisa's brother is an introverted type of guy, but his family noticed that he admires me; Lisa warned him to keep his distance from me because his sister realized that I only have eyes for Adonis Monleon.

We discovered that John wanted me when he put an entry to Lisa's scrapbook when we were in the second year of high school; since then, his family has always teased him every time I visited their home. John is tall, humble, and very attractive. Maybe if I was not so crazy about Adonis, I could have liked him.

He will be in second-year college next semester. He used to be the so-called crush of the school during his Senior Year, and I felt flattered that John was interested in me, but I turned him down twice already, and I think this time he will give up.

I gasped the moment I got home because of the heavy laundry, I was hanging laundry in the back of our home when I heard my grandma calling my name.

"Maya! Is that you?" She hollered, and I quickly got inside the house since I didn't want her to have a relapse since she had just gotten out of the hospital.

"Yes! Grandma Flora, why are you calling me?" I asked her.

"This thing keeps ringing, and I think a cell phone is inside that paper bag." She said as she pointed at the paper bag, Ariana gave me a while ago. I reached for the contents of the paper bag, and I was shocked to find the iPhone 6plus Ariana; my grandma was right; it had been buzzing.

"Hello!" I answered.

"Oh, my goodness, Maya, what took you so long to answer your phone?" She asked, and I could tell she was almost screaming with irritation.

"I just got home from the river, Ariana!" I replied.

"Oh, I see; I'm sorry, I only gave you my old iPhone since I realize you won't take it if it is brand new. I know you, Maya; even though I want to buy you something fancy as a gift, you will not use it. I hope you will accept my old phone as my graduation gift for you." She declared.

I have already saved your number on my phone since I bought a new SIM card, so you don't need to buy one. I also saved Rich, Lisa, and Adonis's numbers. Don't react. I felt you don't want my twin's number, but who knows, things will change, and you will be close friends in the future." She spoke, and I could tell she was beaming right now.

"Ha! Ha! Ha. Let us talk about something real, Ariana; you know the fact your brother will forever hate me. Thank you so much for your gift, Ariana; it means so much to me." I replied, and I felt sad thinking about Adonis. To be honest, I always wish for special occasions, especially during my birthday and new year, that time will come when Adonis Monleon will have a change of heart.

"You're welcome. I really wish to give you a new iPhone; at least you have a phone now. Actually, I wouldn't say I like it when I need to talk to you, and I can't because you don't have a contact number." She stated.

"You bought a phone for your sister, and you don't even have one. You don't have any social media account, or if there is, Lisa made it, and you haven't opened it for forever. Maya, you are the valedictorian in your class; how come you don't want to socialize?" She asked me over the phone, and here we are again.

"You know, all the reasons, Ariana first. I don't have extra money to buy a load, and I don't have time to check the social media posts of other people when I am too busy studying and working at the same time," I responded.

"Okay, I know, but I hope this season you will have some social life." She said.

"By the way, I called because I plan to have a barbecue party this coming weekend, and your attendance is a must." She added.

"Are you my teacher now since you will check my presence?" I asked her.

"No, but I am your best friend, and I will be hurt if you won't attend my party. You know the usual crowd, so try to clear your schedule in the afternoon." She said.

"I don't know, Ariana, I want to spend time with you, but not in your mansion," I said, and I heard the voice of her twin brother in the background. He is calling his sister to have lunch, and he sounds so sweet; that is why I wonder why he always acts like a monster in front of me.

"No buts, Maya, I have to go now. I will call you later." She answered, and before I could say goodbye, she already ended the call, and I was left standing in our tight living room. My grandmother is sitting on a sofa made of bamboo.

"Where is Mary, Grandma?" I inquired.

"She took off, and she mentioned she would spend the afternoon at the stables of the Monleons. She was hoping to meet some of Adonis's friends. And she begged your grandfather to earn extra at the farm. You know she likes animals." She replied, and I couldn't contain my smile.

Mary always loves animals, and I prefer plants; that is why I tend our cute flower and vegetable gardens while she takes care of our dog, cat, and chickens. I like animals too, but I love planting plants more. It felt so overwhelming every time I harvest tomatoes, eggplant, string beans, and other vegetables in our backyard garden. We don't own the land, but Don Miguel allows us to plant vegetables.

"Are you still going to the Hernandez farm, Maya?" My grandma asked, and I nodded.

"You better eat lunch first." She added.

"Yes, Grandma, I will prepare our food so you can take your medicine on time. I'm sorry, Grandma, I promised Donya Esmeralda to visit her garden today. I will start working tomorrow, but she invited me to come," I said.

"Esmeralda likes you and Mary; they are rich, but she always welcomes you in her mansion. And his two sons are both good boys. It's such a pity she lost her husband and parents during the accident, and I am glad Rich is fine." Grandma said.

"I know, Grandma, it was hard for them. Benedict is now full-time on their farm to manage their crops while Donya Esmeralda and Rich are busy taking care of their family firms in the city, but as of now, Rich is the one in charge.

He is still young but very responsible, and I am just glad his uncles and aunties help him run their businesses since he is still studying, I don't know how he manages his schedule," I answered, and I am proud of Rich.

"Yes, Don Enrique was a good man, too; he just died at a young age." My grandma said one time.

I couldn't imagine the pain Rich went through that time. He always stays here in San Antonio, even though they also have a mansion in the city and other properties.

I felt so lucky to be friends with Rich that I wondered if he already arrived home. He promised to spend his entire vacation at our place this year, and I am excited to meet him.

I washed our dishes after eating lunch and then gave my grandma her medicine. I just got dressed when I heard a car horn in front of our house. I hurried out of our dwelling and was overjoyed to see Rich leaning against his car, widely smiling at me.