Rewind

Chapter Nine: Two Heads are Better than One

Over lunch with Allie at the school cafeteria, I fished out a small notebook and a pen from my skirt's pocket and began scribbling down some ideas for the next steps of my plan.

"Well, you seem quiet today," mumbled Allie as she stuffed a forkful of mac and cheese in her mouth.

I didn't bother to look up and kept on writing. "Something the problem about it?"

"No, no. I'm just not used to you being silent over lunch. And it's only been fifteen minutes since the lunch bell rang and you've nearly consumed your whole bowl of mac and cheese. Normally by this time you haven't eaten at least a fourth of your food because you keep on telling me stories. It's weird."

Although the both of us are always ready to engage in a battle of wills, I could say that Allie's more outspoken than I am. She says whatever is in her mind without any reservations. No one and nothing can stop her from voicing out her opinion.

Moving closer to me, she asked, "What's that you're writing?"

I put down my pen for a moment and handed her the notebook, which was flipped open to the page I was writing on. She scanned it, then began reading the words out loud, something I didn't expect her to do.

"Operation SMM--"

"Shhh! Nobody has to know except for you and me--"

"--Sana Maulit... Muli?"

"Allie!"

"So, you're basically trying to get your parents to get back together?"

I could sense a hint of skepticism in her voice. In the five years that she and I have been best friends, not once did she ever seem excited about the prospect of my mom and dad getting back together and going back to where they were before.

"Are you out of your mind?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "I wouldn't lose anything if I try, right?"

"Anything except for your sanity!"

I let out a deep sigh and faced her. "I know it sounds crazy and the possibilities of it being successful are slim, but don't you want me to be happy? I've waited so long for my mom to come back and I can't risk losing either of my parents again."

"Of course I want you to be happy, but what I'm trying to point out is that chances are your plan isn't going to go smoothly as you'd expect it. And who knows, at some point you'll probably give up because you'll lose control over it. Let your parents fix their problem themselves. If they won't be able to settle their differences, then so be it."

"Why are you being so cynical, anyway?"

"I'm just being realistic. And consider that as friendly advice. Don't take it against yourself."

I took a sip from my strawberry smoothie and tried to think over what Allie had just said. Somehow I realized she did have a point. The road to success will never be an easy one, my parents would say, but all the efforts you put into making your dreams and goals work will all be worth it in the end.

"I guess you're right, Allie. Life isn't a fairytale story where everyone gets their happy ending, regardless of stature. And your desperation for it won't do anything either and might put your life into a shambles. If you were meant to have your 'happily-ever-after', then you'll get it-but you'll have to sacrifice a lot for it."

She took another bite from her mac and cheese before mumbling, "Wow, ang lalim ng hugot mo, 'teh!"

"You just ruined the mood, thanks a lot," I replied, rolling my eyes. She transitions from serious to lighthearted in a flash like a butterfly fleetingly moving about from one flower to the next.