Rebirth

Routine

I should have known that change was inevitable, that in the end, I would be by myself, that there was no one I could trust, but if I were to choose again, I would follow the same decisions . . . just so that I could meet you.

I had awakened too many times like this: bursting in tears while screaming until I was sure that I was still in my room. Then, I would forget about that particular nightmare, yet somehow, it would trail back to my dreams, leaving me with a sense of familiarity. Wistfulness.

"Honey? Is everything all right?" I could hear my mother's voice echoing from the stairs. She must have been preparing breakfast already. Then, I must have been . . .

"Yes, yes, everything's fine!" I screamed. "I'm just running a bit late!"

"Like always." She had chuckled.

Yes, like always, I had a habit of waking up late. Even with six alarms dispersed around my bedroom, I could never seem to arise from my slumber, coining me the name, Sleeping Beauty. Sleep had to have been my addiction even though I knew I could not be tardy today.

"Honey, don't you have to pick up Thayne from the airport?" My mother shouted with all her might.

"I know, I know, that's why I'm hurrying!" I was now digging through my closet, going through every drawer just to find the best set of clothing. After all, I would not want to look like a careless girlfriend, wouldn't I?

"Well, you better hurry." My mother stood by my half-opened door with her palms to her hips. "At this rate, he'd probably take the taxi home."

"Home . . . Mom, you're a genius! I can go straight to Thayne's place and surprise him!"

I almost tripped over my unbuttoned jeans, but luckily, I hugged my mother just in time and even managed to sneak in a peck on her cheek. One kiss on the cheek was the recipe for a good morning.

Scratching her nose with her index finger, she grinned. "Yes, and that's why I have a sweet daughter like you."

"Thanks Mom, but did you tell Da—"

"Yes, I told Dad already that you'd miss work. He said there was nothing for you to do anyways."

"Oh, that's good . . . like usual."

I marched back to my coordinate my outfit, only to be questioned by my mother. "Say, when are you and Thayne . . . planning on getting married?"

"Mom!" I glared at her while retrieving a grey, cashmere sweater from a drawer.

"I'm just saying. You two have known each other since pre-school and you've been dating ever since your junior year and now, you two are . . . twenty-five?" She continued to justify her case with simple arithmetic. "It's about time the two of you settled down."

"Mom, you've said this so many times," I rolled my eyes and searched for a pair of socks, "but, seriously, don't worry about it! He has been hinting about it . . ."

"Really? How do you know if he's serious?"

"I found a ring box by his nightstand before he left for Shanghai."

I couldn't resist beaming a grand smile. I remembered that exact moment and how widely I had smiled. I was helping him pack for his business trip and as I opened a drawer for his passport, I came across a small, white box. Although I knew I shouldn't have peaked at his belongings, I had succumbed to temptation. Finally, I thought at that time, my clues of becoming a bride had reached him. To confirm my suspicion, I opened the box to discover a beautifully, crafted diamond ring. It was too unfortunate that I had not tried it on my finger. Thayne had fatefully walked into the room asking for his scarf, which he was already wearing on his neck. That silly boy.