Written in the Stars

Chapter 18

Lianne woke up to the sound of knocks on her bedroom door, that would probably be her mom.

Her eyes automatically flew to the digital clock on her bedside table, past seven na pala ng gabi at hindi niya namalayan na nakatulog siya.

She arrived from her flight from Cebu at three in the afternoon. While in her room and unpacking her things, everything that transpired last night went back to her which made her break down. She crawled into her bed and silently wept, at nakatulugan na nga niya iyon.

Hearing the knocks once again, tumayo na siya at binuksan ang pinto.

“I’m sorry if I woke you up sweetie..” bungad nito sa kanya.

“Okay lang mommy. Do you need anything?” she asked while she study her mom. Vicky look younger for her age. They have the same facial features at madami ang nagsasabi na dito siya nagmana.

“Well, dinner’s ready, kumain muna tayo para makapagpahinga ka na pagkatapos”

“Okay” Lianne tangled her arm with her mom and they made their way to the condo’s dining room.

“You went out earlier, you were with dad?” she asked casually. Pagdating kasi niya kanina ay wala ito sa condo.

“Oo” tipid na sagot nito.

A wide, gleeful smile formed on her face. She didn’t expect these turn of events but she was very happy with the developments between her parents. Para kasing bumalik ang mga ito sa pagiging teenagers at muling nagliligawan.

The smell and sight of food welcomed her senses the moment they reached the dining table. She inspect the food in front of her, there’s baked macaroni and cheese, roasted chicken and tossed veggie salad.

Lianne served herself with the baked mac. Nilagyan din niya ang plato ng mommy niya then she shoved a forkful of the cheesy pasta into her mouth.

“Mom, I swear you cook the best mac and cheese” she grinned at her.

“Of course you would say that” her mother said unconvinced, watching her feast on the food.

“No, really. It’s creamy, not dry like the usual. It’s super cheesy, rich, and yeah, in my opinion it’s the best mac and cheese ever”

Hindi na ito kumontra. Vicky just beamed at her in amusement and satisfaction.

Nahagip ng mata niya ang isang maleta na nakatayo sa gilid. “Why is your suitcase—” she stopped abruptly, realizing ngayon ang flight ng mommy at kuya niya pabalik ng San Diego.

She groaned in frustration, “Di man lang tuloy tayo nakapag-bonding ng matagal bago ka umalis. But to make it up to you, sasama akong maghatid sa airport”

“Okay, sure. Your dad also offered na ihatid kami” ipinatong nito ang palad sa kamay niya at pinisil iyon. “Don’t worry, when I get back we’ll have all the time in the world to do everything”

Vicky decided to tender her resignation from her work, settle everything there then go back here to stay for good. She had been working all her life at gusto naman nito na magpahinga at ienjoy ang buhay, spend time with her family and relatives which she rarely got the chance to do.

Lianne stood up and gave her mother a short, affectionate hug, “Sorry, it slipped off my mind” she said apologetically.

“I understand anak. I know you have too much on your plate right now” her mother gave her a knowing look and Lianne understood what she was implying.

“We may not talk like the way we used to but by just looking at you alam ko na may problema ka dito” her index finger pointed at her chest.

She was surprised at how easily her mother can read her. She knows about her first heartbreak dahil isa ito sa iilan na sinabihan niya tungkol doon. But right now she doesn’t know how to start telling her dilemma, kahit siya ay naguguluhan sa sarili niya.