Under the Umbrella ✓

-05-

Aria's life hadn't always been like this. Once upon a time, her family was whole, happy, and rich despite the marital fights between her parents. They were a picture-perfect family and everyone knew of them for being so generous and social.

It took one luckless year for their lives to wind up wrecked. Her father went bankrupt after a failed construction project to which he was almost imprisoned. They were in between selling all sorts of belongings just to survive on their basic needs. She didn't appreciate a single thing back then but now she was glad for still having their house in possession.

Their parents frequently fought for as long as Aria could remember. TV series taught her that they were common so when her sisters were afraid and alarmed, she was there to reassure them. However, when they hit the ditch, she was beginning to think otherwise. The fights weren't about just anything anymore; they were more callous, exposed, and deeper than their basic understanding.

Aria, conversely, was old enough to understand that their needy state was taking a toll on her mother who was used to the lavish lifestyle. Her mother was always on the edge. She was constantly questioning her husband's fidelity for coming home late, inquiring him about where all the money was spent for the month, or abhorring him for the times he wasn't able to buy the things she wanted.

Aria knew her mother was different. She was incredibly reckless in the way she spent any money that came her way, she always put her needs first before anyone else's and she raged against her children for weeks if they ever failed to succumb to her ways that they couldn't ever expect what would come their way during those days. There were too many differences to count and state but they had still accepted her. Aria just never knew the real cause of her mother's devastation. To Aria, her mother had been the greatest mystery of her life despite her little suspicions on certain likelihoods. She predominantly believed that maybe it had all been her mother's materialism and unappeasable character.

If only Dad never took that project up. If only Mom trusted him enough. If only Mom was a little selfless. If only money wasn't everything... There were too many of those other doors they could have chosen to walk through, too many of those if onlys. Only that commencing it was of no use when there was no ending to it.

It took Aria some time to realize that a stray tear was rolling down her cheek, her left eye being the primary traitor. She hastily swiped a hand over the side of her face, reluctant to break down. There wasn't much to her reputation by now but the least she could do was break down at someplace where there weren't any inquisitive eyes.

She was scared she wouldn't last long so she called Sandra one last time. As the result hadn't changed, she made her mind up to leave the café. Just before she could stand up, she felt her phone buzz and she glanced at the caller's name in hope only to have her shoulders heave down instantaneously as she noted Kierra's name flashing on the screen.

"What's up?" Aria asked as soon as she cleared her throat free of some hoarseness and picked up the phone.

"Hails just came back from school and she says the principal wanted to talk to you about the arrears tomorrow," Kierra replied. Aria let out a breath, looking up at the ceiling of the café in exhaustion. "The principal apparently told her that he might have to stop her from taking those AP classes if we can't even pay a semester's fee."

She didn't know what to do. She had spent the last of her recent savings on her tuition fee. She had yet to get her month's pay from the bookkeeping job for a tool shop she obtained through the influence of Sandra's father. She was already paid for this week from her second job at a clothing store, which she had been planning to spend on groceries. She could only hope that her father would send her some money sooner this time.

She sighed again before responding with, "Let's talk about it at home."

"Fine," Kierra acceded. "Also, there's a long list of groceries to buy. You know, from what happened in the morning."

"I'll see what I can get. See you soon."

Aria resignedly pocketed her phone as she got to her feet, slinging her handbag over her shoulder. She hadn't done much for the day but she felt beat. She almost bought an iced Americano to refresh herself but gave up the thought for later and tossed the view outside the window one last look.