Past
Philippines
New Year's Eve 2020
"Why are Mommy and Daddy not talking?" Troye whispered to his sister.
"Daddy didn't let Mommy go to a mission ata, so ayan," Iza explained.
"Oh, why daw?" Troye looked at his parents, who won't even look at each other.
"Dad says the virus is really scary."
"You guys know we can hear you, right?" Thirdy broke the silence.
"Well, para kayong bata mag-away, and New Year's Eve ah," Iza answered with a smirk.
"Well, kids, what do you think? Will you guys let your mom go to China?" Thirdy wanted Bea to hear that the kids are on his side.
"No," Iza answered.
And Bea continued to eat like she wasn't hearing anything.
"Honestly, okay lang sakin, Mom, as long as you promise to go back here healthy," Troye blurted out, causing Thirdy and Iza to stare at him.
"Why? Mom's a doctor. Of course she wanna help," he defended.
Bea smiled at her son and mouthed, "Thank you."
"Got you, Mom." Troye winked at her.
"Well, majority wins pa din. 2/3 ang no," Iza said.
"Troye, I will let you research about that virus, and tomorrow we'll ask you again if you want your mom to go to China," Thirdy said without looking at anyone but his plate.
Bea is using Iza's room ever since that night. The married couple's cold war is still ongoing. Pinipilit nilang dalawa na hindi magkita. Bea drives herself to and from the hospital, and Thirdy picks up the kids after working at The Grid. Bea goes home at 12 AM when everyone's already sleeping and goes to work at 1 PM when there's nobody left at the house.
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Past
Philippines
2 days before her flight
"Yeah, I know, Mom, but at least tell him when ka aalis." Iza's making sermon to her mom.
"Anak, he's mad nga," Bea explained.
"Ma, I don't know about med stuff, but that China situation is really scary. Why do you guys need to be there? Are you with Ninang Zel?" Iza continued to interrogate her mom while she's packing her clothes.
"No. Zel didn't want to come," Beatriz answered.
"Then why do you want to go?" Iza raised her brow.
"Because I wanna help. I won't get sick. I promise, anak." Bea tried to convince her.
"Fine, I give up."
Iza walked out of her parents' room.
Beatriz sighed.
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Philippines
1 day before her flight
It's already 1 AM when Bea sneakily opened the door, but she was surprised to see Thirdy on the sofa watching TV.
"Why are you watching here? May TV naman sa room," Bea asked coldly.
"Late ka na ah," Thirdy answered with a poker face.
"Had a meeting lang about China's guidelines," Bea explained.
"Tutuloy ka pa din kahit ayaw ng mga bata? Ayaw ko?" Thirdy asked the obvious.
"Thirdy." She stared at him.
