The ushers brought Malee, along with two other students into a room with drinks and told to wait for their turn for the prizes, Malee had the time observe the other two students. The first being a boy she had never seen before on the campus, but his face looked somewhat familiar to Malee. He looked around the room and gave a loud sigh before sitting down on the chair in the corner. Malee wasn’t sure if he was happy at being at the top of the cohort for the year or it was just an another award for him.

A classmate from the bridging school Malee had attended won the third prize, a young daughter of a wealthy businessman, from the same street. She was more receptive and immediately asked about George once she realized that Malee was working for the twins. Apparently, they were schoolmates during the pre-school years and she had a crush on George. Not surprisingly, she hated Georgia. She admitted not being surprised at getting third but wondered why she wasn’t the first at all, even after her father donating a sizeable amount to the university.

Malee wondered if they were there because they studied for the examinations or because their parents had donated to the university. She hoped she wasn’t getting to the stage because of her connection with the twins. She reminded herself to ask the professor later. Finally, it was their turn, and an usher boy brought them to behind the stage. They could hear the dean of the university giving a speech introducing the top students and the third prize was handed over by the dean himself.

Malee could feel the palms sweating and her heart beating faster as she witnessed the prize ceremony and the hundreds of flash light from the cameras below. Her turn was next and as she was walking up the stairs, the dean announced the person handing over the prize. It was George, the patron of the university. Malee was astounded to hear his name. She knew he would be coming back soon but wasn’t aware that he was already part of the ceremony. She glanced around for the familiar face but couldn’t locate him till the end when the young man beside the master got up. He didn’t look like the boy on a bicycle, wearing spectacles, that she remembered.

Malee foze for a few seconds before continuing her way towards the center of the stage for the prize. George took the prize from the dean.

“Congrats. Well done.” smiled George as he took the hand of the stunned Malee in front of him.

“George, I didn’t know..” whispered Malee as she tried to look into the camera lights.

“I had just arrived this morning and smile wider.” said George as he continued shaking Malee’s hand. “You can let it go now.” whispered George.

Malee nodded and nearly bowed to him from the habit before turning back towards the backstage. The first prize was handed over by the master himself, and soon Malee found herself in the prize ceremony with the other students. She looked around furiously between congratulations from her classmates but wasn’t able to find George till she bumped into Georgia.

“Well done!” smiled Georgia. Malee knew that was probably the highest praise anyone could get from her, including her own brother. “Looking for George?”

“No. I mean yes. I ..” stuttered Malee.

“He is on the other side. Taking photos with the VIPs.” said Georgia.

“I don’t think I see you from the stage.” Malee changed the subject.

“I am not involved in the board of trustees” explained Georgia bitterly and emptied the glass. Just as Malee was going to ask Georgia to explain on that, the art professor hugged them from behind.

“My best student with my most hardworking student!” shouted the professor to the looks from the other students around them. “Congrats Malee. You deserved it.”

“Professor, I was going to ask you. My grades were not..” whispered Malee.

“No. I looked at them myself to be sure. Georgia doesn’t like cheaters, does she?”

“No comments.” said Georgia before leaving them to disappear in the crowd. “Never mind her. Again, congrats.” smiled the professor before he too disappeared in the crowd.