Today happens to be one of the best times of my life and No it isn't a Sunday morning, today some of the biggest chocolate companies from the big city will be coming to our little town Yulen to patronize us. It might seem small or something not worth celebrating but not here. One of the major occupation of the people of Yulen is farming especially cocoa farming, but luck hasn't been on our side for years as our neighboring town Berut always seem to have an upper hand. Unlike our little town Berut is known for their bountiful harvest and the rich soil. The people of Berut have always dominated the market as all the big companies always go to them for business leaving us in the shadows. We always carry our products to the big city market praying for people to buy to avoid spoilage and sometimes when customers come to our village which they rarely do we are always underpriced and we have to sell at a low price, as we have no choice. This year our Goddess Balu, the Goddess of harvest and earth has favoured us. The Black pod Rot fungal diseases one of the major threat of cocoa has taken over the country of Tiltel leaving our little Yulen out of it, I know we are always taught to cry and morn with our neighbors when tragedy befalls them but I guess we couldn't hold back our joy when we heard about what happened to Berut, we drank, danced and took sacrifices to the Goddess Balu to thank her as our time to shine has come. We heard the disease wiped away all their farms sparing no one. The big companies had no other option but to come to us to continue production. They finally realized our value and we are not going to allow this one in a lifetime opportunity pass us by without making the best out of it.
We didn't take our cocoa to the big city market begging and competing to buy from us. Amongst all were the Avelino's the biggest chocolate company in Tiltel known for their exotic chocolate candies and beverages, it is believed that they only make chocolates for the high and mighty, their chocolate boxes are so appealing one could get lost looking at them but with a Fate like mine tasting seems impossible. The Peterson's the second biggest chocolate company in Tiltel came to our town. The town of Yulen was buzzing, farmers ready to show off their farms. Our farm might not be one of the biggest but we were grateful for what we have. My Dad Gomez seem to have developed super powers because he seem to be everywhere at the same time, super excited to be part of something this big, he calls to Mateo and Chris my older brothers. Unlike Mateo and Chris who have been to the big city, I have never. Chris is my Dad's first child and he loves me unlike Mateo the second child who I guess hates me for my mom's death, they said Mateo was closest to my mom Sarah and after she died giving birth to me, he distanced himself from me even as an innocent baby. Although Mateo never told me directly but I saw how he acted differently around everyone else and was always cold towards me. He never looked me in the face, never smiled or played with me and sometimes he even left the room or space once I come in, I am not really bothered because I have my Dad's love, my elder brother Chris and my best friend Joe but it still hurts thinking another had to die for you to live. I guess that's the guilt I have to live with for the rest of my life but I won't let that bother me today, I haven't been to the big city because Mateo can't stand been in the same car with me and Dad thinks the city is too big and wild for me, so I'm better off staying back. But all my life I have always dreamt of living this small town that seems to limit me to try life in the big city but it seems impossible. I just finished high school with no hope for university, the town of Yulen only has a day care up to high school and that's it, while our neighboring town Berut which is 20 minutes drive has a beautiful college were Papa wants me to go but that's not happening. I want to go to the university in the big city "National University of Tiltel", as a girl from the country side that has always been my dream. I want to see those tall buildings my brother Chris and Joe talk about, I want to visit all the exciting places I have heard them talk about. I hope to see my favorite role models as they all stay in the Big city. My elder brother Mateo feels it's all a waste as he could not even get to college and Chris dropped out of high school to focus on the farm because to him, he isn't cut out for education. So why should I even dream of going to the university, I know my Dad might be poor but I believe I can rewrite my family story and turn things around when I become a chocolatier, have always wanted to be a chocolatier at age 5 when I was a Tv commercial for an Avelino's chocolate. I want to create magic from my Dad's farm I want to compete for a spot with the big chocolate companies but I can't do that here with no resources.
Earth to Sabrina;
My best friend Joe called out, they are here ;
I could hear voices coming from the sitting room down stairs, I'm guessing both the Avelino's and Peterson's are here with my dad after going to see his farm and they are back and trying to compete for who will have the farm. I could hear voices from my room but I couldn't make out what was said.
I'm going downstairs to hear what they are saying,
I said to Joe already up from the bed heading towards the door
I thought your Dad asked you to stay in and not interfere as he and your brothers could handle this;
I know that's why we are going to be quiet like a mouse papa won't even know we are there ;
We !!!!
I could see the shock on Joe's face but I guess that's what you get for been friends with me, we both ride together and I guess die together but nobody is dying toda,
Yes we, you are my best friend and we are suppose to laugh and get scolded together that is the code ;
I was already at the door trying to open it as quietly as I can.
You are literally a walking disaster ;
I heard Joe say in a hush tune which I responded with a low chuckle.
I tiptoed down the stairs trying to hide as possible, Papa had his back to me but I could hear him saying he will only sell his farm at that price, his farm might be small in size but he knows how successful his plants are. Papa added he is trying to save enough money to send his dearest daughter to college.
In that instant I saw the way Mateo looked at papa before storming out of the house banging the door like he wants to break it off causing everyone to turn towards the door.
College is way too small, we offer your daughter a full schoolarship to the National University of Tiltel if only ;;
We accept;;
I cut the woman mid sentence whose fashion style screamed elegance and luxury causing all eyes to be turned towards me and I realizing I was not supposed to be seen