11 Chapter 11: Scholarship for Chiko

Several kilometers away from the city, In a small house in the middle of a small farm, Chiko was busy eating his favorite fruit: chikoos. He was laying down above big carabao's back with one hand supporting his head and the munching the sweet and juicy brown fruit.

You can see the stars reflecting in his eyes. He just effortlessly laid on the top of the carabao while it was busy munching the hay inside its mouth while Chiko enjoyed the view of the bright and beautiful night sky.

"What a really beautiful blue star. I wonder why I have never seen this star before. What do you thing Birang?" Chiko asked the big humble carabao as he took a big bite out from the fruit and fed the other half straight to the carabao's mouth.

The latter took the food effortlessly with a quick grab using its long tongue. In less than five seconds, it was gone in his mouth and proceeded to munch its food stock from its esophagus.

"I will take that as an 'I do not know too' " The carabao could care less to what he says.

Suddenly from a distance, he can a mild and gentle voice of an old woman can be heard.

"Here you are, Chi. I have been looking all over for you." His grandmother has the most beautiful and calming smile that would never seize to put a smile on Chiko's face as well.

"It wasn't me Lola, it was Birang who took me here. I was just eating chikoos you know." Chiko tried to put the blame to Birang and the latter seems to have understood him.

"mooo~"

It gave a low and innocent sounding moo seemingly declaring his innocence. Grandmother seems to have understood it and gave it a light head scrub which it enjoyed very much.

"Cry-mooooomy-Birang," Chiko even bullied the gentle giant as he climbed down.

"By the way, I have a surprise for you," Lola said happily while showing a piece of paper folded from inside a white envelop.

"Really?" Chiko has excitement and curiosity written all over his face. His Lola handed him the white paper and Chiko read the content right away.

However, it did not take long for his smiles to fade away. Noticing the sadness in her grandson's face she asked.

"Why are you not happy with it?"

"It's a college scholarship."

"Isn't that great? You can finally get to school! You do not have to work!"

"I cannot take this Lola."

"And why not?"

"You are old Lola. I want to take care of you. I don't think I have time to go to school." He gave the paper back to her and added.

"You are everything that I have left Lola. I want to take care of you"

With these words, Santi's Lola was not able to reply right away. Her eyes slowly turned red as she hugged the young man tightly.