The Write Thing

Chapter 33

The moment I stepped and saw our diner again, I couldn't help but think about how I decided to leave this place with such hope that I'll pursue my dreams that I never did.

I really haven't thought what they would say once they saw me. But I know they would be more surprised. We really haven't talked, I decided not to talk to them since that day I figured Alma knows about the truth. So they have no idea what happened to me this past few weeks.

I swallow the forming lump in my throat before I finally stepped inside our diner. There weren't so many people around which made me had a clear sight of my father at the counter.

"Loraine?" I heard Lucy calls out for me before I could even compose myself. And the next thing I knew, Dad and Riza is now looking my way. "Loraine, oh my gosh. Why didn't you tell me you'll be back? We're so worried about you."

"I'm sorry." I said, almost a whisper. But then I saw how she suppressed her lips, and I smiled as she pulled me in for a tight hug.

I never realized how much I missed her until I get to be this close again to her.

"Wow. Didn't know you'll come back as soon as expected." The voice came from behind causes me to pause. I looked over at Riza as he leaned back against the counter with a smug smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"Mom..." Lucy calls out but she raised her an eyebrow.

"What? I was just saying." She then looked back at me and I tried my best to keep our eye contact. "So, how was it? How was your life in the city? Have you become a song writer now? Oh! Why don't you tell us about how it feels serving people in the city. Can you name the difference from how you serve people here—"

"Mom, that's enough." Lucy cuts her off before she could even say anything else. And I was so shocked that it took me a while to comprehend what she just said.

I wasn't surprised that Risa's confident about proving herself right, and that they knew about my life back in the city. It's just hard to take in that this is what I would get.  

Risa let out a huge sigh as she stroll to clean a table. "Go change into your clothes now and help your sister with the work."

Lucy held me on my shoulder and offer a smile. "It's okay. I'll do the work. Go get some rest, okay?" She told me and I tried my best to return the gesture.

But before I could even take a step, my eyes landed over to my dad who's been silent the whole time. We haven't talked since I left and I don't even think I would get to talk with him again.

I even tried to catch a glimpse of how is he feeling about this but he just looked away like nothing has happened. And I don't know how should I feel about it.

Standing in front of the people whom I once told I would become successful was the hardest thing ever. No words can explain how painful it was to show up and take down my pride because I've been down.

At this point, I thought I was scared about the fact that they would know about the truth, talk big about proving themselves right. But honestly, I just realized I was more scared about the future and the life that's up ahead.

.

The following days had seemed become normal. And when I said normal, I meant the life that I had back then. I get back working at our diner and serving people like I always do. And as much as I had to admit the fact that I could do better than this, I can't.

Being home after all that has happened to me in the city, felt so much harder than living all alone in a place I barely know. Not only that I had to go through some adjustments again, I also have to remind myself that whatever I do would basically reflect on me and the life that's up ahead.