Written in the Stars

Chapter 2

After checking in on her lola, nagpunta siya sa kusina to get a glass of milk. Naabutan niya ang dad at tita Evette niya na nagkakatuwaan at very sweet. 

Tila napansin ng babae ang presence niya kaya tinapik nito ang ama at naghiwalay ang mga ito. "Ah Lianne, nagugutom ka ba? Do you want something?" mabait na tanong nito sa kanya. 

"No, I was just supposed to get a glass of milk" she said in a civil way. Nakita niya ang ama na sumenyas dito. 

"Okay. Aakyat na ko, may inaabangan kasi akong series sa tv, goodnight" paalam ni Evette sa kanilang dalawa. Tumango ang ama niya dito while she just watch her leave. 

Tumalikod na rin siya to get her milk. "How is your mom?" her dad asked. 

Kumuha siya ng baso, "she's fine, very busy but she enjoys her job" sagot niya as she started to open the cabinet na lagayan ng mga grocery stocks nila. 

"It's in the upper left cabinet" sabi nito na ang tinutukoy ay ang boxes of fresh milk. Nakita naman niya iyon at kumuha siya ng isa. She doesn't like drinking cold liquids. 

Her mom is based in San Diego, California for more than fifteen years now. She was only nine nung umalis ito to work there, naroon din ang ibang kapatid nito but she never fails to visit them yearly. Eight years after, she was granted with a US citizenship. Immediately inayos nito ang petition papers nila ng dad at older brother niya. And months after that nakasunod na ang brother niya while she and her dad stayed dahil sa work nito at sa studies niya. 

Her dad works with his brother in their own law firm. They are both lawyers, as well as their late father, it runs in their family. Kaya hindi naging madali dito ang umalis. 

When they left for the states, nakahanap naman ito ng trabaho. He worked as a notary public which he was not happy about, passion talaga nito ang pag-aabogado. Doon nagkaroon ng conflict ang parents niya, which led to constant fights. After three years of not being able to work it out, they decided to part ways, they filed an annullment which was easily granted. Umuwi ang dad niya sa pinas, he reunite with his brother sa law firm. Two years after, he met Evette, biyuda ito with two teens. And now they are living in for almost a year. 

Pagdating naman niya sa California she continued her studies, Communication Arts, the same course na kinuha niya dito sa pinas. Hindi naging madali sa kanya ang magfit in, but she survived. Dahil likas na matalino hindi siya nahirapang makipagsabayan sa university na pinasukan. She graduated with a distinction. Natanggap siya sa isang magazine publication as a staffer, she worked there for a year. Then napunta naman siya sa isang local tv station and worked as a researcher. She took short couses while working at the same time, like Psychology, Fashion, Coaching and Leadership, Management and Marketing. After a year, nalipat siya sa isang kilalang tv network, worked as a creative writer for a variety program. She lasted three years, then she tendered her resignation to move back to the philippines. 

"Have you really decided to move in to a new condo?" tanong ng ama niya. 

Natigil ang pagbalik tanaw niya sa question ng dad niya. 

"Yeah, Cheska recommended a couple of condos, we'll check them out tomorrow" sagot niya dito. Naupo siya sa upuan ng dining table at ininom niya ang gatas. He studied his dad. He turned 52 but he doesn't look his age. Although may ilang puting buhok na ito. 

"Is that really necessary? Malaki naman ang bahay natin. Is it because of Evette and her kids?" seryosong tanong nito. 

"I want my own space and privacy. Ayoko rin naman na makigulo dito" honest na paliwanag niya. Uminom ulit siya and finished the whole glass. "Hindi ka makikigulo. You should get to know them.." sagot nito na may himig ng pagtatampo.