I'll be Home [On Going]

Chapter 42

Aga, Lea and Hope were silently having their breakfast on the table the next day, nobody was talking about the last night incident. Even Aga didn't bring up his hot discourse with Lea. They were as though weighing each other. Aga took this day off though his plate on the table is full and Lea's plan to visit her son was put off some other time.

There is a deafening silence all over the house. Hope stayed in her room all day and would just come out during meal time. Afraid that she might get asked about her last night's unanticipated breakdown. Looking back over that incident makes her uncomfortable. And as much as possible, she wanted no one to bring that up again. That simply is something that is not good to talk about. And she would always considers bygone is bygone. Suddenly she wished Nana is here with her. Only to her, she can find her comfort.

Speaking of which, Nana acted different yesterday, she finds it odd when she asked for an early off. She took her phone and was about to call her but she realized it may not be the right time. So she sent her a message instead to somehow let her know her sympathy and that she can be her confidant like how she considers her as hers. This is unusual of her Nana after all, she rarely shows that side of her, you wouldn't notice when she's having a bad day but yesterday is unusual and with that, she knows something is wrong.

Later that afternoon, Aga received a message from Nana asking for his permission to give her a one week leave. Though wondering why, he still allowed her to, the fact that she asked for an early off and went home late that night is something else. He didn't bother to ask why, if it's personal then he'll let her tell them when she's ready. If ever she will. He's always open to send an assistance.

Hope smiled when she received a 'thank you' message from Nana in response to her message earlier. She silently prayed for their safety and His guidance for whatever they're facing right now. She wished she could visit her for support just like what she does for her.

~~

"Nana will be on leave for a week. I allowed her to, I guess that would be just fine, right?... Lianne?" Aga said. He looked at his daughter from the rear mirror when she didn't answer. Hope kind of expecting that already anyway, she looked at him and simply nodded. She still feel uncomfortable from what had happened. Lea feels the same, she can say.

"School will start in less than two weeks, have you prepared all your stuff? What more do you need?" Aga asked trying to make the atmosphere lighter, trying to lessen the awkward silence that's swirling around inside the car. He initiated to go somewhere in Batangas for a little refreshment.

The past few days have been rough and exhausting for them especially the night before last night, plus the tons of work he has to do in the office made him drained. That's how fast he can decide whenever he has something in mind and wanted to get done as soon as possible. In this case, he just wanted to make up something for his daughter. Maybe for his wife too. Upon getting a message from Nana yesterday, he already made his mind to grab a short vacation. His daughter needs it too. And to forget his confrontation with Lea two nights ago, he thought he needed some distraction. He also realized, his daughter might have heard them shouting that caused her to feel anxious.

Hope thought of the incoming school year, that will be in two weeks but she hasn't bought anything yet. She almost forgot about it.
"H-hindi pa po dad. I actually don't have one yet. Nana and I— we supposed to do it this sunday but emergency happened so... I guess I'll do it when she comes back or when we're back home after this." she said looking straight into her father's eyes through the rear mirror.

Lea was just listening to them, she busied herself on her phone, sometimes looking at the sceneries outside. Trees are refreshing and the road is calming. She thought of the same thing when Aga asked their daughter about her school stuff. She promised her son to buy his next week. How could she forget? She was occupied with many things in mind recently. She was torn between joining or not when Aga announced this morning that they're going on a short trip. She wanted to have this quality time with them as much as she does with her son. It's weird that he suddenly asked for this when they obviously are not that okay. She doesn't know what would happen when they get there.