TOTS: The One That Stays

Kabanata 7: Ordinary Chaos

Maya Montel POV

I woke up to the smell of coffee and Mom humming in the kitchen. For a second, my brain was clear. No Adrian, no Marco, no texts, no memories from yesterday. Just… quiet. And honestly, it felt nice.

“Morning, sleepyhead!” Mom called from the kitchen. “I made extra for Trina. She’s halfway done na with breakfast.”

I swung my legs off the bed and smiled. “Thanks, Mom.”

Si Trina, syempre, humming while balancing pancakes and orange juice. “Kumain ka na! Baka ma-late ka sa work mo!” she teased, smirking like she knew she was making me rush.

I laughed and grabbed a plate. For once, life felt normal. No complicated texts, no feelings tugging me in ten directions. Just us—Mom, Trina, and me—and the small, comforting chaos of home.

Habang kumakain, tinulungan ko si Trina pack her schoolbag at lunch. Non-stop ang kwento niya: about her classes, the debate na halos hindi siya panalo, at latest campus gossip. I only half-listened, enjoying the rhythm of our morning. For a while, my mind stayed right here, not anywhere else.

I even laughed at her story about her professor wearing mismatched shoes. Nakakatuwa lang talaga. For a second, I felt normal.

Pagkatapos ng breakfast, umupo ako sa desk ko para mag-work sa client’s multimedia campaign. Tumakbo ang oras habang nag-e-edit ako ng images, nagsusulat ng captions, at inaayos yung layouts. For a solid hour, I didn’t even look at my phone. No Adrian, no Marco. Just work, deadlines, and that satisfying feeling of accomplishing something.

Biglang pumasok si Mom sa room. “Kumusta yung project mo?” she asked.

“Okay naman. Almost done,” I said, smiling a little. “It’s actually kinda fun today.”

Ngumiti siya, medyo amused. “Fun? Si Maya Montel nag-e-enjoy sa work? I should take a picture for proof.”

I laughed. “Don’t tempt me, Mom.”

Then pumasok si Trina, dramatic na humiga sa sofa. “Ang boring mo, Maya! Walang gossip, wala kahit konting kwento about boys?”

Huminga ako at inipit ang mukha sa kamay ko. “Trina, minsan okay lang na hindi tungkol sa boys yung buhay.”

“Sure, sure,” she said, rolling her eyes. “Pero alam ko na may iniisip ka. Admit it!”

I ignored her and went back to work, pumasok na rin ng school si trina kaya mefyo tumahimik ang bahay. And for a solid hour, I actually succeeded. Just work, just home, just normal chaos.

--

Bandang hapon, tumawag si Mom mula sa kitchen. Maingay na ulit ang bahay dahil nakauwi na si trina with new gossipsnanaman. “Maya, tulungan mo ako sa balcony garden natin.”

I rolled my sleeves up and followed her outside. Trina, of course, came along. The balcony was small, but Mom’s herbs and flowers made it cozy. Mainit ang araw, mabango ang soil, and the small chatter made everything feel lighter.

“Careful sa basil,” Mom said as I planted a new pot. “Delicate siya.”

Trina nudged me playfully. “Alam mo, madalas pumunta si Adrian dito before. Practically family na siya! Mom likes him, I like him… he even knows Mom’s weird gardening rules.”

I froze mid-dig, trowel in hand. “Excuse me?”

“He’s really good with us! He helps Mom in the garden sometimes, plays with me when I’m stressed, and even remembers our birthdays!” Trina said proudly.

Mom chuckled from the doorway. “Tama siya, Maya. He’s always been close to the family. Trina and I feel comfortable with him. He’s a good boy.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. Not jealousy—just awareness. Adrian wasn’t just part of my past; he was part of our family in a way Marco couldn’t match. Medyo masakit, pero I shook it off and focused on the basil. Hands busy, mind grounded.

---

After a few hours, we went back inside. Dinner was almost ready. Mom humming, Trina sprawled on the sofa scrolling her phone. I sank into my chair, letting the ordinary chaos of home surround me.

I opened my laptop, planning to finish some work. Phone face down beside me. For once, I didn’t even glance at it. Notifications could wait. Adrian? Marco? Later.

Trina groaned dramatically. “Ang boring mo ulit, Maya. What’s happening? Ang normal mo ngayon!”

I laughed. “Sometimes, being normal is nice.”

Mom smiled from the kitchen. “Tama. Sometimes ordinary chaos is the best feeling.”

At least for now, I believed her.

---

After dinner, I helped Mom clear the table while Trina finished homework. The apartment was calm, full of quiet, simple family sounds. For once, life wasn’t a rollercoaster of emotions or confusing messages. Just… normal.

I realized that even if Adrian and Marco were important parts of my life, this bubble of normalcy was just as important. Mom’s warmth, Trina’s teasing, the smell of dinner, her laugh—it reminded me that I had a life outside complicated feelings.

I went back to my laptop to finish some edits for another client. Work felt productive, almost therapeutic. I planned my schedule, answered emails, double-checked files. My heart paused for a moment, letting me breathe. For now, normal was enough.

---

Later that night, after Trina went to bed and Mom tidied the kitchen, I finally sat at my desk. Laptop open but blank for a moment, holding the tea Mom made me. Phone beside me, messages still there.

For a few minutes, I let myself just exist. No Adrian. No Marco. Just work, tea, and the quiet apartment.

But deep down, I knew this calm wouldn’t last. Adrian would text again. Marco would follow up. My heart wouldn’t stay quiet forever.

I exhaled slowly, letting the weight settle in my chest. For now, the ordinary chaos of home—Mom’s warmth, Trina’s teasing, the quiet rhythm of chores and work—was enough.

And maybe that was okay.

Even with uncertainty, even with two guys tugging at different parts of my heart, life went on. Work had deadlines, Mom had meals to cook, Trina had assignments. And tonight, I let myself just be… normal.

Tomorrow, complications would return. Choices, feelings, tension. But tonight, I rested. And that was a small victory.