I'm no Juliet.

Chapter 2

"Arielle Janine Mendiola- Madrigal! Tatayo ka na ba dyan or kikilitiin kita to death?" And again, that is my mom, waking me up again, for another tiring day at school. 2nd day palang naman today eh, nothing much will happen because orientation palang din naman, with parents. We've been doing this since grade school, come on Southsville High! Kung hindi lang talaga para sa attendance namin 'yang pag attend ng parents namin, I will be absent today. I swear. Siguro memorize na namin ni mama mga sasabihin, about grades, proper uniform, curicular activities, outdoor activities. Tiring!

"I'll be there, give me 20 minutes!" I shouted back.

"20 minutes for what?! You'll be sleeping again?"

"Well, hello ma? I need to take a bath for at least 20 minutes?" I said, feeling irritated.

"Don't get mad at me! I'm just way soooo excited to be with you, on your school." I can feel her smiling when she said that.

"Aryt. I'll get down later. Loveyou, mom!"

"Love you more, honey pie!" and now, it's me who smiled.

Since we lost dad, nothing's ever the same. Mr. Sun doesn't seem to shine any day. It's been so gloomy. 2 months felt like forever. I miss you, pops.

Anyway, when I finish bathing, I got down na sa kitchen. I smell pancakes, CHOCOLATE PANCAKES. Even the thought of it makes me drool, does it makes you drool too? Oh my gosh. Iba iba kasi mga recipe ni mom, parang ini-experiment nya. That's why, marami kaming viands, merienda, or whatsoever na hindi namin alam pangalan.

"Good morning, Ma. Sorry I forgot to greet you." Then she looked back at me while she is cooking our breakfast, and smiled. It makes me melt. She's so strong, so tough, and I want to be like her. She can handle me even if I'm a pain in the ass. Like, ang stubborn ko talaga, sobra, but she still puts up with me. How could she stand alone without Pops? She's a superwoman.

"Good morning, Anak. I missed you."

"Ma? I've never been anywhere else. Why miss me?" I asked, confused.

"We've never been this way since we lost your Papa, right? We don't talk, I don't make you breakfast because you insist na magpapa-deliver ka nalang, ni-ayaw mo ko pansinin nga, eh. I missed you, anak. I really did." I think a tear just fell from her eyes.

"Ma, I've always been here even if you cannot feel me. I'm sorry if I've been so cold, it just doesn't sink in that Pops is gone. I missed you too, Mama, please don't cry." then I think, namumuo na din yung luha sa mata ko, stop this Ayen, do not cry.

"I love you, Anak, we'll make it by just you and me. Your papa will always be with us."

"Ma! Don't scare me! Kahit si papa pa yan, nakakatakot padin. How will I know if it's Pops, or just an anonymous ghost?!" I said, scaredddddd.