1000 Season of Dream Chasing

part 18's

"Now you're so arrogant." Papa looked at his son in annoyance. "Papa wants to see when you can be like this. Don't expect papa to help you when you realize you've made the wrong choice and regret it."

Niko's upset not playing. "Papa take it easy. I'll never beg you for help."

"Stop you two." Mama stood up and mediated the two. Mama knows both are stubborn.

"Sorry, ma." Niko looked at mom and knew that mom's heart was sad to see her two most loved ones fighting. "I don't want to argue with papa anymore" Niko told papa. "Papa's better go now."

Papa stood up and looked at his son once more in frustration. "Come, let's just go!" he said to his wife.

Mama just sighed while taking a breath. She rubbed her son's face gently, then followed her husband out of the apartment.

Niko saw the backs of the two disappear behind the door. He was saddened by the fight. Anyway, papa is her parents. In the depths of her heart, Niko still loved her. Niko was afraid that if papa still forced her like before, her affection would be eroded slowly and replaced by hatred. Niko didn't want that until it happened. He really hoped that papa could understand his choice one day.

 

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Niko's activities the next day were the same as before. By evening when she reached the lobby in front of the apartment, she was waiting for her. This time without papa. Mom clutches shopping bag. Mama smiled looking at her son, and Niko smiled back.

"What do you want to drink?" niko asked after they were in her apartment.

"Tea alone," said Mama while looking around the room where Niko had been living for several months. Spacious living room, two bedrooms, and one kitchen." Your apartment looks very comfortable.

You feel like you're living here?"

Niko warms the water to make tea. "Yes. Papa didn't accompany mama?"

Mom sits on the white sofa in the living room. "Mama sure you guys will fight again if you meet.”

Niko decided not to comment.

The sound of boiling water distracted him. He turned off the stove and started brewing warm tea for mama.

"Do you like your gemology lessons?" mama asked while sipping slowly the tea her son made.

Niko nodded. "I like it so much."

Mama put down her tea glass and looked at Niko seriously.

"You really want to be a jewelry designer?" "Yes," Niko answered for sure.

Mama saw seriousness in her son's eyes and finally nodded. "All mama supports your wishes."

"Thanks, ma," exclaimed Niko with a big smile.

"There's a part of my heart that still wants you to carry on the trail of mama and papa." Mama looked at Niko gently. "But, I realize you have to find your own way of life."

Niko took a deep breath. "I wish you could think like Mom."

Mama smiled a little. "Your father is just like you. You two are both stubborn. Mama's gonna try to talk to papa."

"Ma, I will still continue my studies, although until the end papa still does not accept my choice," Niko said solemnly. "I can't give up my dreams." "Mama understands." Mama took her shopping bag. He took out a thick black coat that he bought this afternoon.

"For you," he said. "Look, your coat isn't thick enough to withstand the cold in this town. So mom decided to buy this coat for you."

Niko mengamabil coat giving mom. "Thank you ma, I'll wear it this winter."

Mom approached her son and hugged him. "Take care of your health, and call mama often."

"I'll do it" said Niko, hugging her back. Mama let go of her embrace.

"now tell me about your gemology lecture at the GIA."

Niko smiled then told her everything from the beginning until now. Mama saw Niko's eyes shining when she told me about her gemology lesson. Mom was happy to see her son happy.

Two hours later, my mother decided to go home. And Niko escorted him to the front door of the apartment.

"Don't forget. Mom's phone" said mom. "And good luck, Niko."

"I'll call my mom often." Niko stops a yellow taxi in front of the street of her apartment, opens the door for her and sees her getting into the taxi.

Niko saw mom waving from inside the taxi. Niko waved her hand back. His heart felt lighter. At least one of his parents could accept his decision.

Niko went back to her apartment. He sat down on the sofa then looked at the sketchbook lying on the table. Page by page it opens. When free, he always took the time to draw the jewelry design in his mind. Now the sketchbook has been filled with dozens of plans. Niko came back on the first page. Sketch the star ring. His hand stroked the picture slowly. The picture made her meet Laura. At a later jewelry art lecture, he was determined to make the ring his first work. Seven stars with five angles. With two circles connecting one upper corner and two lower corners of the stars. Thirty-five diamonds will adorn the corners of the seven stars. Niko hopes that soon she can buy her first diamond and put it on the ring.

 

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Two months later, when the final exam of the grmology class was over, Niko was stunned to see the announcement in her class. His name is written as a GIA scholarship recipient. Niko could not hide her joy. He did hope to get it, but also knew that he had to compete with other students who were no less talented than him. He really did not expect the scholarship to fall into his hands.

Niko laughed off. His classmates congratulated him on his achievements. Except George Finley. He looked at Niko as if Niko had taken the most precious thing from him.

"You always have to win from me, don't you, Fareli?" lambasted.

Niko looked at George with annoyance. "Why do you always hate me, Finley?"

"You took everything away from me" George Finley said as he looked at Niko with hatred.

Niko thinks George's words don't make sense. Niko didn't take the scholarship from anyone. The GIA faculty board has made its choice and George should respect their decision.

"Your words don't make sense" Niko complained. He knew George had never liked his class lessons, his jewelry designs were not good, still far outclassed by his other friends.

"So you think you're more talented than me?" George challenged.

Niko looked at George sharply. He decided to end his fight with George. "I didn't get this scholarship because I'm more talented than you are, Finley." "What then?" george asked curiously and half annoyed.

"Because you are not at all talented in the jewelry field," Niko replied honestly. "I'm sorry if I said it frankly. Maybe you should admit it to yourself.”

George Finley's face was red. Around him, the other students fell silent to the dispute. "How dare you say that. Didn't you know that my father was a renowned jeweler?"

"I know," said Niko slowly. "Your father was one of the jewellers I respected. But sorry, I can't respect his son's work. Especially his behavior."

George remained silent.

Then Niko left him.

 

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Inside the train that was taking her to work, Niko's HP rang.

"Congratulations," said someone's voice from his phone. I heard you got a scholarship from the GIA."

Niko smiled. "Thanks, Julien." - "Thanks."

"I never doubted you, Niko," Julien said across the phone. "Next week you'll get your gemology diploma, won't you?"

"Yes. I plan to use that scholarship money to go to the next college package."

"I can't wait to see you in Paris."

Niko heard Julien's laughter from her phone. "Yes, me too. But there's still so much to learn here."

"I know," said Julien slowly. "Hopefully succeed with your college."

"Thanks, Julien," said Niko, then hung up.

A week later, Niko got her diploma. It says Niko Fareli, G.G (Graduate Gemologist/germology graduate). He stared at his diplomacy with pride. That night Niko called to tell her about it, and she was happy. Niko did not know if papa's heart had softened, but she decided not to ruin her happy moment with mama by not asking papa's opinion.

The next intensive course starts from June to December. To fill the gap in time, Niko took a comprehensive course designing jewelry using the latest computer technology, which took seven weeks. Enough time before starting the next class.