“Eat more, honey,” my mom said while putting food on my dad’s plate. She has been choosing food for my father for the whole duration of our lunch which my dad ate happily.
I just smiled at the both of them and silently eat my food.
“By the way, Dawn, how’s school?” My dad asked while eating.
I was surprised. I almost forgot I am still studying in high school right now.
I hurriedly tried to remember my memories at this time to answer his question.
“Currently, we do not have any classes. It’s more of self-study sessions and preparing for the college entrance exam. Though it’s only for a week. Since we’re still starting with this, just to get us adjusted to the workload,” I replied to him.
My dad nodded his head and said, “That’s good. Don’t hesitate to tell me and your mom anything you need, okay?”
I smiled and replied, “Yes, dad.”
“If you need any help with your studies, just ask me. I can still help you with it,” my mom added.
“Or you ask your dad to teach you,” she added and winked at me.
I laughed because, according to mom, my dad was quite a bad student during his high school years. He flunked more than half of his whole exam in high school and mock exams for the college entrance exam. It’s quite a miracle that he passed it and got accepted to a university.
“You’re bullying me,” my dad looked at my mom aggrievedly, which made both of us laugh at him.
“I still love you though,” my mom replied with a smile.
“I love you too,” he replied back.
“Anyways, you could ask me anything about math, just don’t ask me anything else,” he told me, which I agreed.
We talked and laughed while eating our fill.
I volunteered to wash the dishes while my parents decided to watch the TV. They talked a lot while watching. I could hear what they were watching, since the kitchen is not far away from the living room. It is only separated by a sliding door from the dining area. From there, the living room could be seen.
I was finishing up with the dishes when I heard the news of an accident at the road we were supposed to take.
I hurriedly finished what I was doing and walked to the living room. I could see my parents focused on watching the news.
Based on the news, the protest resulted in a violent argument with people passing by who did not agree with them. This escalated to violence between both parties, which affected the cars passing by.
Some people were thrown into the middle of the road, which made the cars and trucks stop suddenly and caused an accident involving 20 vehicles. Few were injured, but many died.
I felt scared for a moment.
I closed my eyes and thought that it did not happen this time. My parents are still alive with me. I continuously thought to myself.
I opened my tear-filled eyes and saw my parents still watching the news.
I sighed in relief.