The Story of Us

When Mika was eight, she always looked forward to Saturdays as her parents will always bring her to the park where both her and their dog, Chuchu can play. While her mother sets up the food, her father will play with them and then carry her on his shoulder as they tour around. After a while, her mother will call them out then Mika and Chuchu will run as fast as they can as if they were on a race. Chuchu always win but she always get the first bite of the food she thinks arrogantly. Then as they eat, her parents will tell her stories of how they met and how they got Chuchu. Though some stories are repetitive, she always enjoy listening to it. Because she love seeing her parents look at each other in the eyes then laugh at their silly jokes. She was young but she knows what possibly love could be like because of what she watches in Disney movies and what she is seeing on her parents. “When I grow older, can I be married to Chuchu?” She asked innocently. Her parents looked at her “Because I think Chuchu and I can be like you guys.” Her parents laughed at her as if what she said was a joke. “Oh honey, please don’t grow up yet. If you think like that already you won’t be able to play with your baby brother, Mike” Her mother, Sara, said as she rub her 1 month bump. “Love is too early for you kiddo.” Her father nod before giving her mother a peck to her mother’s cheek? They were perfect! Mika thought and she knows she want that when she gets older. It was only three months after when everything changes. Her parents started fighting, they no longer went to the park nor eat dinner together. One time, she was awoken by a glass breaking and hear her parents shouting at each other. It was past her bedtime and she wasn’t allowed to go down by herself but she mustered all her courage and decided to sneak downstairs. “What the hell were you thinking Jay?” Sara pointed to her father accusingly “You have us! You have a daughter who looks at you as a role model, a baby coming and you have me as a wife. So what kind of bullshit were you thinking?” Mika was so shocked to see her mother cry but what’s more shocking was her mother spitting cursed word on her father. She was not allowed to say it and she doesn’t even know what it means. The last time she copied her aunt saying the “F” word her parents got so mad at her so they punished her by not allowing to watch her favourite tv show. “I don’t know.” Jay’s short reply “That’s all you can say?” Sara paced around and reached for the pillow before throwing it to Jay who effortlessly avoided it but bumped to a vase thus causing a loud crush. “You’ll wake Mika up…” but before he can finish his sentence her mother slapped his father. “What is her name?” Sara asked. Mika never understood what their fight was about but she never seen her mother cry so hard. Her mother, as she describes, is beautiful. Her long brown hair flowing that matches her dark brown eyes. She was thin and she is wise which makes her more beautiful. No one is more beautiful in her eyes than Sara and crying does not suit her. “Nicole.” Jay answered after a minute of silenced. Her aunt Nicole. Are they fighting about her aunt again? “I knew it. You low life f*****g…. I….I… how can you…. both of you….I….” Sara blurted but words just can’t seem to process properly. Mika felt her body trembles as she see her mother cry. She was about to make her presence known and hug her mother so she can stop crying but her father’s next words stopped her. “I love her.” And she knew by then that she should have listened to her parents, ‘do not go downstairs past bedtime.’ That was the first instance that she saw how big her parents fight was. Every day she prays something will change but as days passed silence grew louder. 2 months before her mother’s due date, her brother Mike died. “Sara is okay but the baby, unfortunately, I’m sorry Mr. Lim” said the doctor as he pat his shoulder. After some minute, the doctor left and Jay and Mika sat on the nearby couch. Mika observed her father as she see his hands shake. “Are you happy that mom is in this condition?” Jay shockingly looked at her “Mika. How could you say that?” “There are no tears. Does it mean you are happy that mom is in this condition and my brother is dead?” Jay looked at her as if she is a stranger. “Mika what are you saying? You are sad. I am sad and worried and…” but he was cut off when they heard Nicole shouting his name and run towards him and hugged him. Oblivious Mika was there. “She just came on me Jay… I didn’t know this will happen… It was an accident please believe me.” She hugged him tight as she continue “I was so scared of her. Oh what could have happened to me. Jay please don’t leave me.” “You are a very bad person! You and dad! I hope you die! Mom was hurt because you hurt her.” Mika shouted and burst to tears she punched her dad and her aunt Nicole who both gasped at her outburst. “Mika! You shut your mouth!” Jay said angrily as he pushed Nicole lightly as he knelt down to see Mika eye to eye. “We never thought you to be rude.” “You never love Mom. You left her always crying every night. You left us alone everyday just for her.” She pointed to her aunt who was gawking angrily as this little kid in front of her accuses her. “You!” Nicole shouted “The reason your mom was in the situation was because she can’t accept the fact that your father chose me. I won the game she thought she can easily win because she is… what? His wife but that’s it isn’t it? She’s just a wife who can’t satisfy the needs of her husband! She doesn’t even know how to raise a kid! You stupid and rude b***h” the words she said was the last thing she heard of her aunt Nicole. She angrily looked at her as her father stand up and put himself in between them “Nicole! Your words! She’s just a child. My kid!” Her father said also angered by Nicole’s outburst. But Mika doesn’t need this anymore. Her mother hasn’t woken up, her baby brother died, and her father left them for her aunt who is nothing compared to her mother. She don’t want this! What she wants was a simple, complete and happy life. Is that so hard she thinks? She can still hear both the adults fighting so she decided to leave but then she saw the doctor and nurses came on rushing to Sara’s room. They run towards them and all she can hear were inaudible noise before they were asked to leave. ***** When Mika was thirteen years old, her father visited their home. It was the first time she sees her father after so many years. After her mother’s recovery after the incident, she never talked to her father. When they got home, Sara silently packed all his belongings and only said the word “Go.” before opening the door and giving out papers- who as her grandmother said “divorce papers”. She doesn’t even know what that means. “Hi Mika.” Jay greeted happily “you are all grown up” he opened his arms as if inviting her for a hug “Hi.” She said coldly as she walked towards her room “Why are you here?” She stops to question his purpose of being back in the house. “I was talking to your mom hoping we can work things out? I miss… I just miss you guys.” His voice were shaking as he said it as if he was about to cry “What did mom said?” But even if she asked it she knows what her mom’s answer so she continued “good. Mom is happy with Gary. He is an awesome guy and he knows what family means. I also like him.” She said as she remembered what they went through after their separation with Jay. “We don’t need what is already broken.” She left as she went towards her room. That was the last time she saw her father. **** “Mika!” She heard a knock on her door “Wake up now honey or you’ll be really late.” “I’m awake now mom. Thanks” she said gently unsure whether her mom can hear her but she heard footsteps leaving her door. She checked her phone to see a lot of messages coming from her friends on their group chat named “Gals” “So hope you guys will not be late.” Hanna her so called genius best friend chatted “We won’t be. Ahem except Mika” Jane, the beauty of the group, said “So I am excited that you guys will meet my boyfriend. He is really popular in the school” Andy saying as if she only said it once but she actually mentioned it thousands of times as soon as she got her first boyfriend. “He really has a lot of handsome friends so hopefully we can be like classmates with one of them” she added She can still see a lot of messages from her friends but decided to read it later unless she wants to be late. She fixed her bed and started her morning routine. When she was done, she looks at the mirror as she tries to fix her hair in a ponytail but decided to just let it go since she feels like it won’t match her outfit. She is now 16 years old and this is their first day in school. Since they were best friend, they decided to be enrolled in the same school, thank God her mom allowed it. Luckily, the friend of Andy’s boyfriend was the only son of the owner of the school so they were able to be in the same class. “Oh no!” She muttered as she saw the dark circles in her eyes “I really need to stop watching late” she said to no one. Mika, as what everybody said except her, looks like her mother. She has long bouncy brown hair that matches her brown eyes. She has an athletic build as she loves swimming. She knows nothing about music instruments but she loves listening to music. When she left their house, her mother emphasises her rule “No boys. No flirting at the school” But she will always answer “It’s not like they have the time to check on me. I’m not as good looking as you think I am” and it is true. But her mother will frown and give her the look as if saying ‘are you saying I am ugly?’ But Mika will just ignore it. The school is a bit far from her house so she needs to take a bus. This didn’t bother her though. She likes riding the bus. She likes seeing strangers not caring with one another. But today, she will be riding it with Andy and her boyfriend. “Hey Mika! Good you are here” Andy greeted as she run on her side excitedly pulling her towards her companion. “So this is Carl, my boyfriend. He is one year above us and the captain of the basketball team” she said proudly “Hi!” He reached out his hands for a shake which Mika happily shook. So this is the guy, she thought. He is handsome and tall. Just as what Andy keeps on pointing out. She thought her friend was exaggerating it. “Nice to finally meet you Mika. I heard you want to join the swimming team?” “Yes! I will actually visit it later to check…” she was cut off when Andy pulled her then pushed her slightly to the guy standing beside Carl. “Mika this is Ren. Ren this is Mika. He is Carl’s friend who helped us with the school. He will be on the same class as us and some other of their friends.” she giggled. Mika now taking the chance to look at the guy. ‘Is this what perfection is?’ She thought ‘because it is so unfair. How can a guy have a long eyelashes and that perfect nose. And that skin! Does he even has pores?” “Oh my gosh.” She blurted accidentally. They were taken a back with her response that even her makes her want to run away from the group. “Sorry?” He said. Even his voice was beautiful. “Oh wait no I’m sorry I just thought how you had such a perfect nose and really good skin. Like it is so smooth, what’s your secret?” She heard Andy gasped as if she was ashamed by her friend “No don’t answer that. Hi I’m Mika. Thanks for your help, with the uhm… school.” There was a bit silenced but she was relieved when this ‘Ren’ laughed. “I was not expecting that. Thanks anyway.” He reached out his hand “Ren.” He introduced again as he smirked at her as if amused with what just happened. Mika reached out on his hand, ashamed as she made a fool of herself, gawking at some guy she just met. But when their hands touched, she felt as if there’s electricity wanting her to pull out her hand. But as he shook on it tighter, she suddenly felt relaxed and more comfortable. Because with that simple gesture, he made her feel okay with what just happened. “I thought you fell in love with me. Seeing how you were gawking at me earlier. Sorry you are not my type” he blurted confidently as he let go of her hand “Huh?” Mikan said to no one but she heard Andy saying ‘I thought for a second they were a cute couple. You win Here’s your 50’ as she saw her friend reaching a bill to her boyfriend then winked at her. Mika scowl at Andy. But the bus arrived and was not able to say anything. She looks at Ren guy walking confidently as he passed by girls who were gawking at him. “Well excuse me!” She shouted then Ren looked back “You’re not my type either!” “Mika. Shhh” Andy said. Embarrassed with the scene as she pulls Mika inside the bus. This is how their story begins.