Capítulo 17: Charissa's Childhood Past
145 pounds. That was the goal.
My routine from that point on was I worked out five times a week at the gym. The prescribed workouts ranged from treadmills and stationary bicycles to dancing, boxing and strength training.
When not exercising at the gym, I jogged from the condominium to the mall on occasion. That way I can keep my body in shape.
But exercise is not the only way to lose weight. Having a healthy food intake helps too.
Cooking healthy meals myself would go a long way to achieving my desired figure. I consulted a few cookbooks, both from my mother's cabinet and online, to see which meals are more appropriate to me.
It had been a month since starting my commitment to this new routine. And so far, the results were encouraging.
I weighed in at 170 pounds, which to me represents an impressive achievement. However, there is long way to go for me before achieving my target.
Friday night, I began to prepare some salmon, vegetables and slices of mango for dinner. The electric grill and blender were ready to go as well.
Then I heard the doorbell ring. Upon opening the door, it was Michelle and Carson who dropped by.
"I smell something delicious Christine," Michelle opined as she and Carson sat down for a break.
On the table for dinner was grilled salmon and mango shake. Michelle and Carson were anxious to dig in, but there was still one more guest to go.
Moments later the door opened and it was my mother Charissa who showed up. It was time for dinner.
Having not been properly introduced the last time, I took the opportunity to formally acquaint Michelle and Carson to my mother.
"Mom, you already know Michelle, right?" I asked Charissa about my best friend.
"Yes, I remember Christine but I need to understand her more," Charissa answered as she and Michelle gazed at each other.
"But first, who is this very handsome guy?" Charissa turned her eyes to Carson.
"Ma, this is Carson. He is the one who saved me from near death after some bullies assaulted me during first grade camping," I inquired my mother about our newest friend.
"Carson, it's so nice to meet you. I'm Charissa, Christine's mother. Well, you look so strong. But you were also kind," Charissa remarked thoughtfully towards Carson.
Carson retold to Charissa the story about my ordeal at Camp Laging Handa during first grade. He even mentioned my bout with amnesia following the abuse I suffered from those bullies.
Impressed by Carson's life-changing story, Charissa expressed her gratitude to him.
"Thank you so much for saving my daughter. If it wasn't for you, I would've been without a child right now."
"It's no big deal Charissa," Carson responded. "You should be pleased that there are many people who are willing to risk their lives just to save another. And I'm just one of the few who miraculously saved another's life."
After concluding her exchange with Carson, Charissa turned her attention to Michelle and got to know her more. When Michelle revealed that Karina was her mother, she was stunned.
"Karina, your mother?" Charissa restated to Michelle. "I haven't heard her name in a long time."
"Why Miss Charissa?" Michelle wondered.
"I was a classmate of your mother from first to sixth grade," Charissa disclosed about her connection with Karina. "Unfortunately, my old classmate moved on to a different institution back in first year high school and we never got to talk again."
Charissa started to cry as she reflected on Karina, her tears washing away completely the makeup she put on prior to work.
"Michelle, in all my years growing up all I genuinely wanted was to meet your mother again. We used to be the best of friends much like you and my beloved daughter. Karina and I hang out a lot, played a lot and even studied a lot. It was a shame that all the fun stopped when we were separated after sixth grade."
Charissa added, "Since then I have all but forgotten your mother. Until now. Suddenly visions of the past flooded my mind. Those fun and good times I once had with Karina were revisited one by one. I sincerely wish we can be together again. If only we get reacquainted and rekindle our past flame."
Michelle hugged a tearful Charissa at the dinner table, clutched her hand and announced a proposal.
"Miss Charissa, what if I schedule a surprise gathering between you and Karina? Is that okay with you?"
After Charissa thought about the gracious offer for several minutes, she promptly nodded in approval.
"I'm fine with that. But you must inform me when we'll meet," Charissa uttered back.
"Don't worry. I'll talk to my mother about this. Just wait," Michelle reassured Charissa.
As dinner came to a close, I stood up to show a few improvements to my figure in front of Charissa, Carson and Michelle. They were surprised to see my clothes were slightly looser than before with all the weight lost.
"You've changed quite a bit," Charissa commented on my better physique. "But you're still no match to Michelle and Carson. So just keep it up, and you'll get there eventually."
"Thanks for the tip mother," I responded favorably.
Having convinced that my body still has a long way to go, I vowed to work out harder and eat healthier to achieve the ideal physique.
We graciously allowed Michelle and Carson to sleep over for the night. The following morning, Michelle secretly called her beloved mother Karina outside for a joyful surprise.
Nobody knew what to expect from that private conversation. After calling her mother Karina, Michelle fetched me, Charissa and Carson to her charming house for an important gathering.
PENSAMENTOS DOS CRIADORES 
ralphierce
ralphierce As Karina's name was revealed, Charissa's childhood past suddenly flashed before her very eyes. So what to expect on Chapter 18? Find out.
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