Chasing Julienne

Chapter 2

Autumn Leaves

Julienne Mari's POV

It's a bright Saturday morning today. I started my morning making pancakes for the three of us and a blue latté for me, using my own dried butterfly pea flowers. Mom and Dad is still asleep, so I have all the quietness of our tiny home while chilling in our garden's table set.

Iniisip ko parin ang suggestion ni Dad to make friends. I guess the idea is not bad at all, maybe it is really time to open up to other people, especially I will be entering college in less than 5 months.

In the middle of my thoughts, Dad entered the garden with a cup of black coffee on his hand.

"Good morning, my Jeu. How's your sleep?" He said after kissing my head, then sitting in front of me after doing so.

"It's fine, Dad. I slept quite late though."

"Why? Something's bothering you?" He stared at me concerningly.

"Well, iniisip ko kasi Dad if saan at paano magsisimulang makipag-friends? You know, I am not the approaching type."

Dad chuckled at what I said, "Alam mo anak, parehong-pareho kayo ng Mommy mo. Noong college ako, ganyan din siya. I remember, I first saw her at the college library when I transferred in her school. She's all alone, I started noticing her because she occupies the same seat everyday, all in the same time. Seems like library is the only place she hangs out."

He stared out on the plants smiling as he recalls the memories of their teenage love. "When I finally had the courage to approach her, I sat down across the table where she reads an almanac. Ang una kong sinabi sa kanya, 'Hi, my name is Julian. Can we be friends?' Alam mo kung anong sinagot niya sa akin? Isang malutong na irap."

We both laugh at his story. This is the first time he tells me about his and Mom's start. It kinda feels weird, but still a lovely memory. I can't believe that stuffs like this really do exist in real life, not just in books.

"And then? Anong ginawa mo, Dad?" I ask as we both come down from laughter.

"Eh di ayun, parang asong sunod ng sunod sa akin." Mom answered while she came in the garden holding a plate of pancakes I made earlier. "Kung gaano kakulit ang Dad mo ngayon, triple pa ang kulit niyan noon." She added.

"You got me whipped with those tigress eyes of yours, Mahal ko." Dad said as he winked at Mom, earning an eye roll from her.

"Sus, nilapitan mo lang naman ako dahil ni-reject ka nung cheerleader mong crush—" before Mom could even finish her sentence, Dad leaned in to her seat to kiss her quickly.

"But you're the number one cheerer of my life, Mahal. From then on to beyond lifetime." He said pressing both of Mom's cheeks. I don't know if it got red because of pinching, or because she's blushing with Dad's words as she looks at him stunned.

"You're so cheesy, Dad." I smile from ear to ear, while looking at them. "Okay, lovers. I gotta get ready, I will go to the city library at nine AM."

"May lakad ka, anak?"

"Nagpaalam na ako last week pa, Dad. May Bonsai Exhibit ngayon sa town centre, pero mamaya pang 10 AM. Kaya sa library muna ako ng 9 AM." I say as I got up from my seat.

"Oh, now I remember." Dad nods his head. "Okay, off you go. Baka sakaling may umupo rin sa harap mo—"

"Hulyan!" Mom cut him. "Stop nagging about your daughter's relationship with other people!"

"Okay, sorry na Mahal ko." Dad hugs her from behind, but still earned a slap in the arm.

"Ingat ka anak, may allowance ka pa ba?" Mom asked me.