I have met so many people on my beloved Alma Mater. Many have been touched by the story of my life and they were all inspired by my perseverance to achieve my goal. So, though it had been tough to be a student in the morning and a campus janitor in the afternoon everyday, I thought that college life just flowed so smooth for me, far different from my rough childhood stories.

The Chairman and President of the University even invited me to share my testimony in front of the graduating Senior High School students that our University was catering. It was really a privilege to give people hope, and to inspire them to keep on dreaming no matter what situation they were currently facing.

I have been active in many campus organizations and campus events. That kind of exposure brought me to be known in the whole campus as "Doctor Janitor", and believe me, I have been quite proud of it!
And that fame also helped me to be voted as the PRESIDENT of Student Government Officers of the whole campus, on my third year in the University. I was respected throughout the campus. But not even a shadow in my heart did I felt any arrogance. It was still me, a simple guy who love to wear his red t-shirts.

Dr. Azriel Arañego really did became my mentor during those times. I shared almost all my heartaches and pain and he was just been there to listen. He even helped me in some financial problems I had faced. His wife was already dead, he had only one daughter and her name was Marie Arañego, and base on Dr. Arañego's description of her, he said that "she's just one heck of a daughter", then he laughed so hard with that Santa Claus laugh of him.
He saw me her graduation picture, and on that moment, I just thought in my mind, that she was (she is) the most beautiful woman I have ever seen.
She has that long brown-black hair, fair complexion, and a very lovely face - very opposite to her father's soggy look. (Dr. Arañego would forgive me on saying that. Lol)

My face turned red and you can literally call me Red, then I asked, "How old was she, Doctor Arañego?"

He answered my question, with that husky and raspy voice of his, "She's 5 years older than you, she will be turning 25 this coming September. Why you'd asked? You like her, don't you? She's beautiful, isn't she?", then he laughed so hard and gazed at me as if he was teasing me.

He always never failed to read my mind. "Am I really that so obvious and easy to read?", I ask myself. I like Marie, and I found her so beautiful. And the way Dr. Arañego described her was in a cool fashion way that means Marie was a good daughter and that she was really close with her father.

Before I uttered a word, he gazed at me and chuckled, he then asked me, "Do you want to meet her? She's a Government Highschool Teacher, and I know you will like her." He laughed so hard and scratched his head. Many students looked at us because we were at the Campus' Canteen, back then.

I looked at the ground and answered, "I.... I... I don't know sir!!!"

Well, Dr. Arañego was blunt in so many ways I guess, so he chuckled and teased me, "So you like her then! I got you! You are far too obvious, you crazy, stupid, red-faced kid! HA-HA-HA-HA!"

"Oh, come on Dr. Arañego!", I was really shy that I cannot even look straight at him.

"You are a good-looking kid. You are kind, hardworking, and you are one of a heck like her. She's SINGLE, and YOU'RE SINGLE, so, I don't see any reason why she won't like you. And BY THE WAY, I ALREADY TOLD YOUR STORY TO HER, and she was really INSPIRED AND LOOKING FORWARD TO MEET YOU IN PERSON, so don't WORRY ANYMORE, HA-HA-HA-HA 😂!!!", then he laughed more and more while continuously teasing me.

I really blushed after he spoke that words. HE IS PLAYING LIKE "CUPID"!

"You have a month to prepare young man. By the way, I have a tip for you. My daughter do appreciate gifts, but she's not materialistic. SUNFLOWERS will do it. Give it to her, and make her fall in love for me, you damn kid!"
After he gave me that tip about Sunflowers, he stood from his seat (we were finished eating our lunch at the canteen), tapped my shoulder, then he walked opposite towards the direction I am facing, while SMILING AND CHUCKLING.

"Marie.. Marie.. Marie and Sunflowers huh?", then I chuckled. "I guess I need a new polo shirt and a perfume.", I said to myself.

The next part was a start of a lovestory.
It's Red and Marie..

(To be continued) ...