Painting Clovers 17 Chapter 16

We were sitting in an almost empty cafe. It's been a month since we've been back home. Since the funeral. I didn't want to think about it, but it was all I did. Everything reminds me of her, everything brought me back to her, no matter what I think of I always end up thinking of her.

I looked at the writings on the package and looked up at Lester, confused. "It's yours."

He shook his head. "No, they just sent it to me cause we used my details when we checked in at the hotel."

I flinched at the mention of the word 'hotel'. We both pretended like I didn't.

I looked at the package, it was already opened.

"Yep, I already opened everything." Lester answered even though I didn't ask him.

I peeked inside and took out two long brown envelopes. What could the hotel possibly send me? Did I leave anything behind? This isn't a will right? I mean, would she even have a will? Why would she? It's not like she knew this was gonna happen. Or do rich people just automatically have a will? Is it a requirement?

"Open the thinner one first." Lester interrupted my thoughts.

I took out a letter and read it out loud.

"Dear Mr. Cortez, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted…"

I couldn't continue, I looked up at Lester who was smiling. "It was Lena, she sent in your application. She asked me one night to get a copy of some of your works, she made you a portfolio and submitted it to the university."

I heard everything he said but it's like my brain couldn't process it. Lena? She did this? I looked at the letter again, reading it once more. 50% scholarship. I didn't realize there were tears softly falling. Oh Lena, my angel.

"Now open the other one." Lester instructed.

I did as told and what my saw made me tear up more. It was pictures of the hotel lobby, and on the walls, hangs framed photos that I took of Lena's works. The parade, the beautiful floats, the bird that she was painting the first time we spoke, the clovers, the frame of my and Lester's work. I looked at the photos one by one, slowly, every photo brought on a memory, and then I got to the end. It was the middle of the lobby, a picture of Lena painting. It was the one I took of her when she was finishing her painting of the parade, she was wearing her cropped shorts and a plain gray shirt, her hair was in a messy bun, she was standing on the table barefoot, earphones in her ears. She didn't notice me taking the picture, her face was serious, concentrating on her work, one hand was on her hip and the other was holding a brush to the wall. I smiled at the picture, I remember that day so clearly I practically hear her sing, I could almost smell her scent, Vanilla and paint and lavender. Oh Lena.

I couldn't help it, it was like everything I've been holding in suddenly wanted to burst out of me. And I cried, I sobbed. Lena, my Lena, my Angel. Lester put his arms on my back, consoling, I heard him sniff and noticed tears on his face.

The staff at the cafe was looking at us concerned, good thing there wasn't anyone else in the cafe at that time. After a while Lester and I started laughing, we laughed and cried at the same time. By then, the staff went from slightly concerned to full blown worried. We must look crazy, and maybe we were a little, me at least.

==

I looked around at the crowded auditorium until finally I spotted them. Lester and my Mom was sitting together, waving. Earlier that day Liam called to congratulate me, he got my invitation but couldn't make it. Three years after receiving Lena's final gift, I'm finally here on my graduation day. I smiled widely at the two and turned my head back to the stage.

I still can't believe it, I never thought I would actually graduate college, and in a good university too.

Three years ago I got a call from Liam, offering to pay me for the photos they used in the hotel, of course I couldn't charge them for that, those were my gift for Lena and the hotel, but he insisted. In the end, I agreed to 30% the amount of what he was offering. That money helped me to pay for the other half of my school fees, I still had to work here and there though, but it was all worth it.

Now here we are Lena, I'm graduating. Are you proud? You should be, I'm even giving a speech, top student thank you very much. Told you I'm smart. I smiled to myself as I looked at our Dean in front.

I can already imagine showing this to her, bragging. Every year on her death anniversary Lester and I always visit her, and I tell her everything. Liam, Lester and I always have dinner together after. Of course Liam always visit her whenever he is in the country. I smiled to myself, thank you my Lena, my guardian Angel.

I heard my name called. I stood up and made my way up to the stage. I heard people cheering and shouting. My smile was so wide my face could probably split open if I smiled any wider.

I looked out to the crowd and I saw her.

Then everything stopped.

I didn't hear anything. I didn't see anyone else. Only her.

She was smiling at me, her grin as wide as mine. She was so happy tears were pooling in the corner of her eyes.

This is for you, this is because of you, I thought and she nodded like she heard me.

All of this is for her, every achievement, accomplishment. Every good thing I did and I could ever do is for and because of her. She changed my life.

I. love. You. I mouthed at her and the tears fell from her eyes.

She opened her mouth.

I. Love. You…

Chapter end