YOUR HEART KNOWS IT

Part 2

Lily the flower went out one day she was looking for a job and bump into the sun on her way. The flower turned back to say sorry but was surprised to see that he was smiling. The sun soon followed Lily everywhere he promised to be there every morning when she woke up and watches her when she sleeps at night. But one day her mornings became darker that even the sun cannot brighten her day.
Not enough water and light can change her fate for soon after Lily started to wither away.

The trees and the flowers brighten up the neighborhood. Away from the city, I'm finally back home I got here 2hrs before 6 pm Peter and Mang Paeng were there to welcome me. I thanked them for carrying my bags and headed straight to see my mom and dad.

I placed the bouquet of lilies on the ground it was my mom's favorite and finally before I sat down I place one white rose beside her grave where my father was also laid to rest.

Today is my parents' death anniversary, the 12th for my mom, and the 9th for my dad.
A week after my 18th Birthday dad passed away from cancer.

My mom died with the same diagnosis and my father being the cheeky man himself chose to stop breathing not the same year but the same day mom passed away. He once told me that mom was the love of his life and if given the chance to meet in another lifetime then he wants to be with her still. I never had an answer to my "how's and why's" but maybe such coincidence happens. Love was true enough for them that I believe Lilian was meant to bump with Sonny that day.

For an hour I stayed there watching the sunset, feeling nature letting the ambiance of the day embrace me before going back to the present, to my family.

A few steps away from the house and I can tell what's for dinner tonight. The smell of adobo brings me back lots of memories every time Mang Paeng or Pops as I call him cooks it for me.

"Thanks, Pops" was all I could say as I entered the house and headed to the sink to wash my hands.

"It is always my pleasure, now, now don't go emotional on me again and help Peter set the table" He knows it is my favorite and I'll always love him for that.

I watched the two of them eat and I can't help but reminisce how I ended up meeting them it was the blessing I long hoped for, that one fateful day, if the bus didn't have a flat tire that afternoon or if I ended up in a different place where would I be now? What would have I become?
I let go of that thought because Pops would always tell me that everything is written accordingly to God's plan, he knows what is best for you. If not because of his words of wisdom then I would still be struggling to get a grope of all the things that happened to me.

"You should probably eat before the food gets cold," Peter said while chewing his food.

"and you should not talk while eating"

"Geez, what a way to say hello"

"Alright I'm sorry for staring at you, I just missed you two so much that I can't help but watch you eat" I would also feel awkward if I caught someone watching me while eating.

"Stop it, the both of you," Pops said. We both just laughed and continued eating, God I missed this so much.

Peter is now wiping the plates that I washed earlier as I watch from behind. Back then we would play rock paper scissors before one of us does the dishes. Pops always scold us for that he always told us to help each other with the chores instead of complaining about who'll sweep the floor next or feed the chicken and the pigs.

"How long will you be here" I was not gone for over a year but it seems like my brother is growing up so fast. We used to need a chair before so we can put the plates back on the cabinet counter but now he doesn't even need to tiptoe.

"Why do you want me to leave already? Ouch!" Feigning my hurt look.

"Whatever, I'm just asking because Pop's birthday is coming  and he does not show it but he been meaning to ask you if you'll be able to attend it"

"What a silly question, of course, I'll be there I'll never miss it for anything although I have to go back the day after tomorrow I'll be back the soonest"

"Hmmm. Good so it's settled then you'll do the dishes on his birthday"

"What a wuss I always do" Peter always gives me this reasoning that since I've been gone too long I have to make up for not doing the dishes while I'm in the City which does not bother me because I'll do it even if no one asks me to. That's the good thing about knowing how to do chores you see. My parents taught me everything there is to it starting from making my bed, cleaning, and most especially even when they once hired a helper for us mom insisted on teaching me how to cook. Unlike me, they were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth so they wanted me to learn how to do things for my own sake. She says that the time will come and I will want to be independent and she doesn't want me to be relying too much on other people for such simple things. Little did I know that I'll be self-reliant before they can even pamper me too much.

The night speaks differently to me every time I am home and the coziness of my bed is far different than how it is back there. My Insomnia doesn't bother me much here that within a minute of laying down I fell asleep.