Where It All Started

Belinda closed her eyes when she feels the cold wind touched her face. She smiled at the sight of her house a few miles away. She missed being at home, she missed her parents, she missed everything. It’s been years since she saw this beautiful house. It’s been years... After graduating from high school, she pursued her dreams of being a painter in an Arts University, where she’s currently working being an Arts Instructor, away from her hometown, which she thought is good for her dreams, and for herself during that time. Her parents didn’t agree at first, but changed their minds later on, which was very weird, because for all she know, once her father had made his mind, pleading will not work. But it did, anyway. Guess, she is an exemption. Everything has changed in their town. It was just a village back then, with only almost ten houses. But now, it changed. Just like her, she thought. The atmosphere brings back memories from her childhood. She smiled. She had an amazing childhood and youth. She missed everything---except for someone. She cleared her thoughts. She should be happy right now. Thinking about him will just ruin her day. When the car reached their gate, she couldn’t contain her happiness. A tear escaped from her eyes. Seeing her parents, at last, she’s back. She missed her parents too much that she couldn’t contain her happiness while walking towards them. It was her mother and father who welcomed her return. Her brother Finn? As usual, he’s not the type of guy who would welcome his sister with a big smile and a hug. He never really cared for her. Or he’s just too shy to show his love? “Welcome back, sweetie. We missed you.” Her mother said, teary-eyed. She hugged her mother and her father. Her parents hugged her back. She gave them a warm smile. “I missed you too, Mom and Dad.” She said. “You’ve aged” she continued after realizing that their black hairs are slowly turning into white. “We are old, sweetie. That’s why you should stay here for the meantime, you know, we have a lot to catch up.” Her father is right. She should stay longer, this time. Ever since she graduated from college, she didn’t have time to go home and visit them because of her work. It was always her parents who visits her. She doesn’t even remember when is her last time here. After the hugging session, her father took her belongings while her mother led her to the kitchen. Good thing, she brought enough clothes with her. She couldn’t believe her eyes when she saw alot of foods that was served in the kitchen, and all of them is her favorites. “Wow! This is too much, Mom. I missed your food!” She said while taking a seat. Her stomach grumbled at the sight of the foods. Her mother smiled. Her mother must have missed her too much to cook too much. “I didn’t cook that, sweetie.” She looked at her mother, confused. “You mean, it was Dad? When did he learn to cook?” she laughingly said while taking a spoonful of Caldereta, a famous Filipino food, and her most favorite. It became her favorite when they once had a vacation there, in Boracay. It’s been years but she still remembers that place, one of the amazing vacation she had. “I heard that!” they both laugh when her father shouted who’s already walking down the stairs. “This is good.” She said while chewing. “Your father invited a chef.” “WHAT?! That’s ridiculous.” She laughed. Her father still treats her like a princess even though she’s already twenty-two years old. She’s so lucky to have him as her father. She shook her head with disbelief. She still couldn’t believe that her father did that. Then she suddenly remember her brother. “Where’s Finn?” even though she knew the answer. She can’t still believe that her brother didn’t welcomed her. “He must be busy with works. You know, he’s currently working on some plates.” Ah, she forgot, her brother is an architect. She tried to change the topic by teasing her father. “Really dad, you don’t have to invite a chef to cook for this.” Her parents look at each other. And she saw a smile on her father’s lips. What’s going on here? “Well, the chef was Ethan, he actually came here and cooked that. Your father told him that you’re going home, he knew you were coming so, he came. That boy! He should have stayed a bit longer. He really treats you like a little sister more than you brother.” She stopped eating. She suddenly dropped the spoon. Her smile fades, and all she feels right now is hatred and emptiness. After hearing those words from her mother, she lost her appetite and she couldn’t finish her food. So she excused herself that she needs to rest. And they agreed. “Tell us when you need anything.” She kissed her parents cheeks before leaving the kitchen, When she arrive at her room, she feels nothing, just pure hatred. How dare him to come here as if nothing happened? He could’ve reject her father. And little sister, huh. She remembered that was the exact words he said that day. And she wonder, Why did he came here? What does he want? Why didn’t he just told her father that his busy with his work and that he doesn’t have time to cook for his daughter. She was so sure that he was the one who pushed her away that day. Then, why? Her parents didn’t know a thing about what had happened. They didn’t even know that he broke her heart. And that they had an intimate relationship. And that their relationship was not how it used to be. But she didn’t dare tell them about it. It will just make things difficult. Being the only girl, her father was really protective to her back then. He even shoved away all of her suitors. Besides, Ethan’s parents and her parents are close friends. She doesn’t want to ruin that friendship by telling them about what happened. Ethan was her brother’s friend. She had a crush on him when she was was sixteen years old, she’s so innocent and pure at that time, and Ethan at that time was four years older than her, who showed her nothing but kindness. She remembers how she was deeply infatuated at him that time. He was kind to her, and that made her fall in love with him. Fall in love? Tsk. She was just a kid back then. What does she know about love? She was drowning in the sea of her own thoughts that she didn’t realized that it was already three in the morning. It was already three in the morning and she still couldn’t sleep. What the hell? She really wants to sleep but her thoughts are overflowing. The thoughts that she might see him tomorrow makes her awake. The thoughts of him always make her heart beats faster. But now, not with infatuation or love. Just pure hatred. She heaved a sigh. If she didn’t sleep now, she’ll be late in her meeting with Amanda, her friend. She closed her eyes and forced herself to sleep. She has a lot to do tomorrow.