Rewind

Chapter Three: Reunited?

"Mommy! You're home!"

She quickly stood up and ran to me and gave me a very big hug. Tears started to stream down my face. The answer to my prayers is finally here, standing right in front of me. 

"Sweetie! Were you surprised? Aling Berna let me in the house and carried my things up to the bedroom. I missed you so much! I'm so glad to see you again. It's been five long years!" she said. I could feel that she was about to cry.

She pulled away from me and put both her hands on my cheeks. "Oh, look at how you've grown! You became prettier--and taller, too!" I smiled the biggest smile I ever had when I heard that remark.

"And you, Mommy, you've become more beautiful! How'd you do that?"

"You're really like your dad sometimes, aren't you?" she chuckled.

Boy, it sure does feel good to be with my mother again.

Excusing myself for a short while, I ran to the kitchen to get her something to eat. I remembered baking a batch of red velvet cupcakes the other day, so I opened the fridge to check if the box of cupcakes was still there. Thankfully, it was--and the yummy treats weren't spoiled.

I brought the box back into the living room and carefully placed it on top of the coffee table.

"I thought you might be hungry so I got you these, Mommy. I'm expecting that they wouldn't taste really delicious at all because I haven't much experience in baking yet. I still hope you'll like them!" I said with a smile. She smiled back and took a bite from one of the cupcakes.

"This is really good, Brie!" she mumbled. "You should consider being a pastry chef someday."

"Thanks, Mommy, but my eyes are set on performing and writing. It would make a good hobby, I guess," I said.

"You know we'll support you with whatever your decision is, Brie. Just remember to focus on your studies first, alright?"

I nodded back and took a cupcake from the box.

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Many missing puzzle pieces were found and were put back to where they belong. We spent the remainder of that afternoon reminiscing about my childhood and catching up on what we've missed. Both Mommy and I were in good spirits. We never actually lost our strong bond even if we were separated from each other for a long period of time. I think it's because I never gave up on Mommy easily. She even used to tell me as a child, "You were not born to give up." That was her life motto. That is why whenever my mind would think negatively, I try my best not to entertain those negative thoughts. 

Our conversation was interrupted when the door opened. Daddy was standing in the doorway with a briefcase in one hand and a paper bag in another.

"Hello, Brie," he greeted me as he went inside the house. At the sight of Mommy, I sensed that he was very uncomfortable with her around. He glared at her and said in a condescending manner, "And who do we have here? Ah, it's the Broadway Diva herself, Miss Lea Salonga. Long time no see!"

"Hello, Mr. Muhlach," she replied calmly and extended a hand in front of him.

"Don't even bother shaking hands with me, Lea. Why are you even here? You didn't even inform me that you were coming home."

"I'm just here to take my daughter with me to New York. And we're staying there for good. I'll be very firm about that."

"Excuse me? Your daughter? Do you even hear yourself, Lea?"

The next thing you know, all guns were blazing between the both of them. I decided to keep quiet and not interrupt.

The last thing on earth I'd ever want my parents to do is to fight with each other. I can't believe that they're fighting over me. I'm their daughter. And Mommy didn't even make mention about my migrating with her to New York. I don't want to migrate, I just want to have a happy and functional family again. How come they never realized that? 

Still, I need to find out the reason why they split up and why Mommy left. Maybe then I might understand.

Mommy and Daddy's argument was cut short when our household keeper Aling Berna called our attention to announce that dinner was served. What a relief.

I noticed that Daddy sat down on the opposite side of the table instead of beside Mommy. Before, they usually sat side by side. Things have already gotten pretty cold between them.

I sat beside Mommy and together we prayed before proceeding to eat our dinner of grilled pork chops and mushroom soup.

Hoping that I would break the ice, I asked, "So, Daddy, how was your meeting today?"

"It went very well, actually. There's already a story for my upcoming movie and the script is being finalized as of now. We'll start filming around the first week of December."

"Um, how about you, Mommy? What were you up to?"

"I did a nationwide concert tour in the US and attended the 25th Anniversary Gala of Miss Saigon in England. There were occasional TV appearances and radio broadcasts here and there, too. That's pretty much it."

He drank the water in his glass all in one gulp then replied, "It was also notable that you were out with a number of men during the five years that you were gone. Seems that you were living a very easy life there, huh?"

"My God, Aga, I'm a stick-to-one-man type of lady. Those are just my male friends. I'm no harlot," she replied, rolling her eyes. "Baka ikaw ang may ibang babae."

Daddy slammed his utensils on his plate. "I was planning on getting a new girlfriend but the thing is our marriage isn't annulled just yet--"

"--and that's what I'm also here for, too. Thanks for mentioning that," Mommy interrupted.

My eyes widened. I felt my heart shatter into a million pieces. Annulment. It means they're really planning on separating. I really can't believe it. It wasn't fair. Mommy has already returned and now they're both asking for an annulment?

I couldn't bear listening to them talk about that horrible thing.

"Mommy, Daddy, may I be excused? I still need to finish some school work," I politely asked, trying not to exhibit any sign of disappointment.

"Alright, sweetie," Daddy replied.

Once I was in the room, I burst into tears.