“Who's that girl?”

　　“Maybe a new prof.”

　　“Gosh! Look! Isn't she's too young to be a prof.?”

　　“Eh, why she looks like, ewwww... old maid!”

　　Andrea just sighed at the rumors she heard from her fellow students as she entered the university, the Calderon College of Business and Arts. They are not rich but because of her intelligence she was able to become a scholar in the said school.

　　As soon as she entered their classroom, a noise and chaotic students immediately appeared to her.

　　“Go there!” A man said and kicked her chair away as she sits down.

　　Everyone laughed at her. She adjusted the chair and put some distance between their sits, then she sits properly.

　　Everyone was in silence as their professor entered.

　　“Mr. Calderon, you're late.” Said by their professor to the young man who had just entered.

　　“Are you also late prof.? You've just entered, haven't you?” James sarcastically replied.

　　The teacher just kept quiet and then loosened his tie a bit.

　　“All right, sit down!”

　　The young man just motioned the man who kick her chair earlier to get off, and he quickly stood up and handed his chair to the man. He sat down and slightly pulled the chair close to her sit.

　　He looked at Andrea and she bowed slightly.

　　“HI JAMES, how was your vacation? I heard you went to Australia?” A soft voice came from one of their classmates approached the young man after their first subject.

　　The woman pushed her slightly to penetrate between them.

　　“Yes, James, is it nice there? I also want to go on vacation there next year.” Another girl in the other side spoke.

　　The young man just sighed and put his fingers on his head as if it was hurting.

　　The two girls pout and returned to their seats in instant.

　　“He was so handsome but he looks rude.” Andrea whispered to herself.

　　“Are you saying something?” He asked with his forehead creased.

　　“Huh! Uhmm . No-nothing, nothing.” Andrea stutter.

　　He gave her a sarcastic smile.

　　“Pervert!” Andrea thought to herself.

　　“BRO, you're serious!” A pat on his shoulder by his friend Richard turned him to look.

　　They have lunch break but the students who should be busy eating their lunch have some other concerns.

　　“Who are they bullying?” Carl ask and sat next to him.

　　“New Student? Which province did she came from?” Richard asked.

　　“Seriously! She's too old-fashioned. Her skirt is almost too long. TSK!” Carl shook his head.

　　“Let's eat.” James broke the conversation with his friends with his cold voice.

　　He got up and headed for the cafeteria.

　　- - - - -

　　“SON, how's your day?” Greetings from his mother Mrs. Claire Calderon to her child who had just entered their home.

　　“Mom? You're here!” James greeted her back warmly and quickly hugged and kissed her on the cheek. “I miss you so much.”

　　“I miss you more son. Have you eaten yet? I have something for you.” The woman smiled.

　　“Why didn't you call, so I could pick you up?” James replied in question.

　　“Did I surprise you?”

　　“Of course!”

　　“That's my intention.” His mother said with a smile.

　　James just shook his head and then hugged his mother tightly. His mother had just arrived from Australia. They left together on vacation, but his mother left there because of business, the woman spent two more months in the said country.

　　“How's your trip mom? Aren't you tired?”

　　“I'm good, don't mind me. You, how was your studying?”

　　“Good!” He simply answered.

　　“I know you're a smart child. Oh, hey! Get dressed and rest, I'll just call you when I've cooked your favorite kare-kare.” The woman said.

　　“Alright! That's what I missed you so much. Thanks, Ma.” Then she smiled and went to his room after kissing his mother on the cheek again.

　　The woman's gaze brought him a smile.

　　- - - - -

　　SILENTLY James leaned against the fertile tree while resting. His Friends have their own classes, and he has free time due to the absence of one of their professors. He felt someone come and sit on the other opposite side of that big tree.

　　“Mom, for you. I can handle all this. I will not give up.” The girl's weak voice promise between sobs.

　　The young man turned slightly to see the crying lady.

　　“Why didn't you fight back?” He said, he can't stand it.

　　The girl turned to the source of the voice just to enlarge her eyes. There are only two inches between their faces.

　　The girl suddenly backed away and then quickly wiped the tears from her cheeks then left quickly.

　　James just shrug his shoulder by the girl's reaction. He noticed that as time goes by, the bullying of students here gets worse. He also once witnessed when they trip her leg and laughed, just being hit by anyone. Pity annoying he feels for her.

　　He then remembered the pains his father had inflicted on his mother. Calling her mother stupid, cheap and so on, his mother didn't resist. He was very angry with his father then, but he could do nothing because he was still very young at that moment. He wants to see his mother retaliate and fight back, but she does not, instead she just accepts all the hardships and pains of his father that was given to her.

　　“Mom, why aren't you fighting back with dad? He's overdoing it.” He remembered the question he had asked with his mother.

　　“Son, I really love your dad. And I know one day, I can change him.”

　　He just found out that only fixed marriage happened to his parents and that his dad loved someone else. Due to his mother's natural kindness, his father soon fell in love with his mother, but it was too late to make up for all the pain it caused because his father contracted leukemia and his life did not last long.