Once Upon A Chance

Chapter Two

Sunday mornings are my favorite (well, apart from Friday nights.) It's because I get to prepare breakfast for my parents and just be lazy the whole day. Moments like this are special because I don't have much time to unwind and to be home with my family. With family I meant my mom and dad. I'm an only child, which is just okay to me. It's not that sad as everyone thinks.

It's seven thirty in the morning and my parents are still in their room. They don't get up earlier than nine because we go to church late afternoon. I set my alarm at eight, but instead woke up thirty minutes earlier because of the heat. The air condition unit in my room is not working well and I have to tell dad once he's up.

Since time is in my hands, I might as well surprise my parents with a well-prepared breakfast. I opened the cupboard to look for something that I can cook. I'm not good at cooking though. All I know is how to boil and fry stuff. I found a can of cream of mushroom soup and a tray of eggs. This would be okay, I guess.

My phone beeps while I'm busy cutting the tomatoes that I will mix with the eggs. I wonder who it is since I don't expect anyone to text me this early.

"Good morning Aya! I miss you."

Ugh. It's Jacob, the last guy I dated and who I met because of a blind date Chinkay had set up. I called it quits even before things heat up between us because we just don't click. Maybe that's why I'm single. It's hard for me to find a guy who gets me. Aside from that, my father has never approved of any boyfriend I introduced to them. I put my phone down and ignore his message.

My mom, wearing her floral pajamas, suddenly appears in the kitchen. She's surprised to see me making breakfast.

"Hi Ma! Good morning." I smile at her while I'm adding salt to the egg. "Breakfast will be done in a few."

"Good morning dear," She greets me. I notice that her eyes are red, maybe from lack of sleep or she cried?

"Are you okay, Ma?" I ask, worried. It's unlike her to be this gloomy in the morning.

"Yes, I'm okay. Still a little sleepy," She says  as she rubs her eyes. I nod, trying to hide my concern. Did my parents fight again? Ever since dad came back from abroad, they've been fighting almost every single day. I remind myself that it's normal for married couples to fight, and it's not my business to meddle.

Mom is helping me with the scrambled eggs. I let her do it while I put plates and utensils on the table. The smell of cream of mushroom soup and the aroma of the coffee fill the air. It's making me hungry.

I hear footsteps which means dad has woken up. Mom tenses up and that gives the sign that they had an argument. Another sign is my dad walks straight to the living room and not to the kitchen. Therefore, they're avoiding each other.

"Dad," I call out, not letting the awkwardness in the air beat me.. "Want coffee? Breakfast is ready!"

We all sit in silence during breakfast. I want to tell my parents to make up, but I also don't want to appear rude.

"How's work Aya?" Dad suddenly asks. He's drinking his coffee. Mom, on the other side of the table, stays quiet.

"As always, stressful and..."  Then I have no idea what to say next. Boring? Repetitive? Dragging?

"Richard told me you're doing well. We're having reunion next week." Dad shares. He's talking about Atty. Alcantara, his best friend, my boss.

"Yeah," I responded while pouring more soup on my bowl. "He told me about it the other night."

Mom stands up to wash her hands in the sink. She is silent throughout my conversation with dad. I wonder what her problem is.

"Aya, we have to tell you something," Dad mutters. There's something in his voice that catches my attention.