How We Met

36

Flashback

"Lisa, look" Clara calls as she points at the skies where a group of bird are flying together. "Pretty isn't it?"

"I don't like birds" the 6 - year - old Lisa murmurs to her mother's ear. They are currently out for a walk at the nearest park in their lavish neighborhood. "They are disgusting"

Lisa adds, making a funny face that makes her mommy laughs.

Clare stares at her daughter for quite a while. "You know; I always know we are alike"

"Really?"

"Yeah" Clara lifts Lisa off the ground. "You're really stubborn like me. And talkative too. That's why I can't wait to see you become a lawyer like me too"

"But I want to be a dancer!"

"Baby, that can be your hobby, you know"

"But..."

"All things that I have achieved right now" she says softly to Lisa as she kisses her only daughter. "Someday, they'll all be yours, baby. And for that, I need you to be me. I know I sound selfish right now, but I love you so much. And I hope you'd understand my point of view someday. When the right person walks into your life, and helps you to see it"

"Mommy?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you" Lisa flashes her toothy smile, causing Clara to laugh again albeit softly.

"I love you too, baby. I love you a lot"

•••

"Lisa?"

Bambam calls as he taps his cousin's shoulder. The girl  takes a deep breath before turning her head to meet his face. "Hey, Bam" she whispers, one hand hanging around Bambam's neck.

"How's my favorite cousin doing?"

"Like f..." Lisa is about to curse the infamous F word when her cousin stops her with a frown.

"Don't curse, pretty face. Your mom hated it when you did that"

"Ugh" Lisa shuts her eyes. "I was to say ... frickin tired"

"Understandable" Bambam laughs sadly. "I hope you're okay?"

"Hmm" Lisa raises her eyebrows. Her hands cradling a silver, fancy looking urn on her laps.

"So, where to?"

"The family's mausoleum?"

"Right" Bambam nods. "Now?"

"Tomorrow?" Lisa exhales. "I don't know, Bam"

"Hey, it's okay"

"I'm confused"

"I understand" Bambam says, pulling Lisa into his hug. "You're afraid and it's normal, Lisa. Don't let the fear scared you. You're much more than that"

"I'm just ... now it's real" Lisa says sadly, trying her best to not put her attention for people to see.

"What real?"

Bambam consoles her.

"That I'm all alone now"

"Hey, dude. You're not alone" the lanky boy says as he stands up before Lisa and fixes his eyes on her sad face.

It breaks his heart to see Lisa in such state. And unsure why, it brings back to Bambam's mind how hard the divorce has affected Lisa.