Lena began her new life as a medical student at a prestigious university. Her days were filled with lectures, practicums, and piling assignments. Despite being busy, she still tried to run her food business online as her parents had advised.
However, problems were never far from Lena's life. One day, her online business suddenly declined. Orders that were usually busy became quiet. She was confused, especially after reading several negative reviews that did not match reality.
"Is my cooking spoiled?" Lena murmured as she read one of the reviews on social media. "That's impossible. I always make sure my food is fresh."
She immediately called her mother to make sure there was no problem at home.
"Mom, are there any customers who complained directly?" Lena asked anxiously.
"There are none, dear. All the buyers here say the food is delicious," her mother replied calmly.
Lena felt relieved, but she was still curious. She began to investigate further. After a few days of observing, Lena heard rumors that a jealous neighbor had been spreading bad news about her business.
"What is this?" Lena muttered while clenching her fists. However, she decided to stay calm. She did not want to be trapped in emotions.
Sebastian, who heard Lena's story, immediately called her.
"Lena, I heard about your business. Do you need help?" Sebastian asked.
"Sebastian, I can handle it. I just need time to restore my reputation," Lena replied confidently.
"In that case, let me know if you need anything. I'm always here for you," Sebastian said with concern.
With Sebastian's help, Lena created a new online campaign. She shared videos of her food preparation process, emphasizing cleanliness and quality. In addition, she asked her loyal customers to give positive reviews. It didn't take long for Lena's name to be known again and for her business to recover.
A few weeks later, Lena unexpectedly met two of her old best friends. At that time, she was standing in line at the campus cafeteria.
"Lena? Is that you?" a girl's voice called out.
Lena turned and saw Lina and Ani, her friends since junior high school, standing behind her.
"Lina? Ani? Oh my God, I can't believe this!" Lena exclaimed as she hugged them. "You study here too?"
"Yes, I'm majoring in economics," Lina replied.
"And I'm in the education department," Ani added. "What about you?"
"I'm in medical school, just like my dream back in high school," Lena answered with a smile. "I never thought we'd meet again here."
That meeting marked the revival of their friendship. Since then, they often met between their busy schedules. They shared stories, laughed, and supported each other like before.
However, fate brought another surprise for Lena. One day, in the campus library, she accidentally bumped into a young man who was reading a book.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to," Lena said as she picked up the fallen book.
The young man did not respond.
Lena looked at his face and was shocked. "Aldo?"
The young man raised his eyebrows. "Who are you?"
"I'm Lena," she replied with an awkward smile. "I didn't expect we would meet again."
Aldo felt like he had never met the person in front of him, but somehow that person knew his name.
Aldo only gave a short nod. He still had the same cold attitude Lena remembered.
"What major are you taking?" Lena asked.
"Move," Aldo replied briefly.
Lena was shocked by that. The conversation ended without much small talk. However, Lena felt something different about Aldo. He looked more handsome and more muscular compared to when they were still at their old school. Surely Aldo would become the target of many girls on campus. But Lena remembered, where was Aldo's friend back then?
Lena's life on campus went quite smoothly. She lived in a small boarding house near the university, so she didn't have to worry about being late to class. Every night, she always did video calls with her parents. Missing them often made Lena cry.
"Mom, Dad, I miss home," Lena said one night while wiping her tears.
"We miss you too, dear," her mother replied gently. "But you have to stay strong. Focus on your studies. Let Mom handle the business here."
"Yes, dear," her father added. "The important thing is you study diligently. We will always support you."
Conversations with her parents always gave Lena new spirit. She was determined to succeed for them.
Lena's days on campus became even busier. Besides studying, she was also active in student organizations. Lina and Ani often helped Lena manage her tight schedule.
"I don't know how I would handle all of this without you," Lena said one night while they were studying together at her boarding house.
"That's what friends are for," Ani replied with a smile.
At the end of the first semester, Lena felt that her life was going well. Her business was stable, her studies were smooth, and she was surrounded by people who cared about her. However, she knew that the journey was still long.
"Lena, remember that your hard work will not be in vain," her mother said during one of their video calls.
"Yes, Mom. I will keep trying," Lena replied with teary eyes.
In her heart, Lena felt grateful for everything she had. She knew that with the support of her family, friends, and loved ones, she could face anything that came in the future.
After completing her challenging first semester, Lena finally got a long holiday. She decided to return to her parents' house, a place where she always felt comfortable and at peace. The journey home filled Lena with nostalgia; she remembered the struggles and endless support from her family.
When Lena arrived, her mother welcomed her with a warm hug. "Lena, I missed you so much," her mother said while looking at her daughter, who now seemed more mature.
"I missed you too, Mom. How is Dad?" Lena asked as she put down her suitcase.
"He's fine, dear. He's at the garden, later tonight he'll be happy to see you," her mother replied.
That night, they gathered together while enjoying a simple yet warm dinner. Lena's father looked at his daughter with pride.
"Lena, we're happy you came home. Your mother often tells stories about your business getting more successful," he said with a smile.
The next day, a surprise awaited Lena. Sebastian suddenly came to her house carrying a box of cake and a big smile.
"Sebastian?" Lena was surprised to see him. "What are you doing here?"
"I heard you came home, so I thought this was a good chance to take you out. I'm sure you need some time to relax," Sebastian said.
Lena smiled hesitantly. "But I just arrived, Sebastian. I haven't even rested yet."
"Then let's go out in the afternoon. Just around the city, maybe eat at your favorite place," Sebastian invited enthusiastically.
After thinking for a moment and seeing her mother's support, Lena finally agreed. That afternoon, they went to the city park, a place full of Lena's childhood memories.
"Lena, you've worked hard all this time. Don't forget to enjoy life too," Sebastian said while looking at her.
"Thank you, Sebastian. I'm lucky to have a friend like you," Lena replied sincerely.
That day, Lena felt lighter. With Sebastian, she learned that rest is also important in the journey of chasing dreams.
To be continued…