Someday Soon, With You

Chapter 16

Mira went to take a shower as soon as they got home. Archi didn’t join her, which she silently thanked since she doesn’t even want to touch water these days. After she came out from the shower, she saw Archi arranging their food in the table next to their bed. He also arranged her laptop, movie night, she thought.

“I’ll take a quick shower first” he said and she nodded.

While he was in the bathroom, she scrolled the movies in her laptop. She selected a Japanese animated movie, Howl’s Moving Castle. She waited for almost eight minutes before Archie joined her. He moved the table next to her side and sat on her other side. “Cartoons?” he asked as she played the movie.

“Anime” she corrected.

“Oh, okay” he replied.

They were in the middle of the movie when she noticed something about the male protagonist. “Howl seems similar with Aro, don’t you think?” she said while Archi just made a long ‘hmm’ sound. “You are more like Sophie” she added with a slight giggle. Archi’s hand reached her waist and slightly pinched it.

“Like a girl?” he asked.

“No, you always clean. And you tend to act like a grandpa” she explained giggling.

“And who are you like?” he asked.

“I’d say, I’m like Markl, young and innocent but honestly, I think I’m Calcifer, always complaining and there has to be something in return for my services” she said laughing. “Or maybe, I am Mr. Turnip” she said silently.

“Mr. Turnip?” he asked.

“He’s in love with Sophie” she added.

“What? Wow! Watching with you is so fun, everything is a surprise because nothing was spoiled” he said.

“Sorry” she said giggling.

It’s past half the movie when Archi spoke, “but Sophie is in love with Howl” he said.

“But Sophie is in love with Howl” she replied with as-a-matter-of-fact tone.

“And yet, Mr. Turnip still follows her?” he asked.

“And yet, Mr. Turnip still follows her” she softly said. Somehow, she felt sad about the flow of their conversation. There was a long silence between them, she could even hear their breathings in spite of the movie’s audio. She didn’t know if it was just her, or there is a sudden awkwardness between them.

After the movie she stood up and went to the bathroom. Archi didn’t say anything as he cleaned their bed. She locked the door, put toothpaste in her brush and started brushing. She could taste her tears while brushing her teeth. She looked at her face in the mirror, her eyes are a bit swollen, and she washed her face, dried it with her towel and then went back to their bed. She saw Archi sitting on the side of their bed looking at her. She sat on the opposite side of the bed. “Let’s talk” he started.

“Okay” she replied. She could feel her eyes tear up again.

“What’s wrong? You barely eat, barely speak. Is it Aro?” he directly asked.

“Yes, he is” she answered.

“He’s not bothering you, is he?”

“He isn’t. But it still bothers me, because I promised you. I promised you that I’ll let you go back to him if ever he came back. I told you”, she clearly said even between sobs.

“Do you think I’m some kind of a lost object that you just picked up somewhere and now that the real owner is back you can just give me back to him and everything will be back to normal? I am here because I chose to be here, because I am happy here, aren’t you?” he asked. His words are all on point that she couldn’t answer for a while.

“You don’t understand. I feel like an obligation, a decision you made and now you just got to live with” she said looking straight at him.

“You’re not. I chose you because I love you, I don’t know how else should I explain it. I love you, just that”, he replied.

“And him?” she asked.

“He’s important to me. He’s always been a part of my life. But now, we have our own lives. I don’t know what’s complicated because you see I don’t feel hurt about anything. I am very happy that he came back, and I love you all the same. Nothing’s changed much, except I can see how it affects you” he asked with voice a little louder than normal. She didn’t reply. “I don’t like you not eating” he added. She nodded as she slowly lay in bed. Archi adjusted their comforter and tucked her in. He combed her hair with his fingers and kissed her cheek. “Are we okay now?” she nodded. “Okay, I’ll just brush my teeth”

“Yeah, I can still smell the fries” she softly said.

He smiled as he walked in the bathroom.

It’s Saturday and they all agree to go to Aro’s house. Dolores prepared lunch as a celebration for Aro’s return. Mira and Archi’s doing their household chores in a rush to attend the lunch. Now Mira appreciated the washing machine and dryer they bought. That one’s used in a laundry shop. As soon as she finished laundry, she went to the room to sort the clothes that needs ironing and the ones to be folded. She can hear Archi speaking to someone through the phone.

“Love” it was Archi peeking through the door?

“Yes?” she responded.

“Aro’s coming over. She’s with Kathara, and the girl needs to use the toilet” he said sounding like asking for permission.

“Sure” she replied. She doesn’t really mind to be honest. After her talk with Archi, she doesn’t really feel that bothered anymore. She shrugged, maybe it’s just her hormones.

After a few minutes, she heard footsteps from the living room. She continued her folding when someone knocked at their bedroom door. She opened it and saw Kathara.

“Tita Mira” she called.

She smiled. “Yes?” she asked.

“We’re having lunch later” she said looking straight at her. “Daddy told me not to shout” she whispered.

Mira giggled at how cute Kathara looked whispering. She watched her giggle and ran back to the living room. Oh, she’ll sulk again, she thought. She followed Kathara to the living room and saw Aro looking at the picture frames. “Hi, Aro” she greeted and quickly got Aro’s attention.

“Hi, Mira. We’re—” he was interrupted by Kathara who who had him carry her. She saw the little girl whispering something to Aro. Aro smiled at her so sweetly, “Tita Mira is laughing at you again?” he asked knowing that she can hear him. Kathara nodded while resting her head in his shoulder.

“I’m sorry baby, it’s just, you’re so cute and precious, Tita Mira can’t help it” she said rubbing her back again. The little girl looked at Aro, and her, then back at Aro. She’s keeping herself from giggling again. “You’re just so cute” she repeated.

“Okay” she finally replied smiling. Mira rubbed her cheek. She then rested her head on her dad's shoulders again.

“Mira, I’ll expect you later lunch at home?” he asked.

Archi then came back inside after taking their garbage outside to be collected. He went straight to the kitchen, then she heard water flowing from there. He must be washing his hands. “Of course, we’re going. We’ll also stay at Archi’s parents for the weekend” she answered.

“Great! Then we need to get going, I have to help Mom with cooking” he said. “Thanks for letting Ara use your toilet, we were out buying some stuff she needs”

“And she doesn’t want to use the toilet in the mall?” she asked. Archi came out from the kitchen.

“No, I don’t want to use the toilet in the mall. It’s too crowded, and it’s too awkward for me to line up to the ladies’ room. I don’t want her to use the men’s room either. Good thing the apartment’s close” he said. “We’ll be going” he said.

She and Archi nodded. After last night, she doesn’t feel like Archi’s mad at him and she certainly isn’t mad at Archi. But still, she felt like somethings starting to build up between them.

“We don’t have to go, if you’re not comfortable going” Archi suddenly said when he saw her staring at the door. “Or we can go for a bit and then stay at my parents’. There will be a lot of visitors, I’m sure. They won’t even notice it” he continued.

“No! It’s okay. If anything, I think we should go earlier. I’m sure Tita Dolly will cook a lot. She’ll need help. I can slice some vegetables or help her wash the dishes” she volunteered. Archi smiled at her. She thought about it, “Love, I’m sorry” she said.

“For what?” he asked.

“I’ve been overthinking about it and now it’s worrying you so much you want to not spend your time with Aro and Tita Dolly. They’ve been part of your life a long time, and I don’t want to be the reason it will be ruined” she told.

Archi smiled so softly at her and reached her hands. “I love you” he started. “I know things are confusing for you, you’re overthinking, and it’s all pretty normal. They’re all reasonable. You can do that. Just, when you’re tired overthinking or tired being confused, you can always tell me about it. It’s okay if we don’t talk about it now” he paused. “So, we don’t get angry at each other and say something that will just make us angrier. It will make things worse” he smiled.

Mira’s eyes teared up. He remembered what she said when they were at Tita Dolly’s house. “Oh, Archi” she whispered hugging him.

After their chores, they drove at Dolores’ house. As soon as they arrive, they went straight to the kitchen. “Help is here!” Archi shouted.

They saw Archi’s mother slicing onions, carrots and other vegetables. Arthur is outside at the backyard chopping chunks of meat. “We don’t need you” its his mother telling him.

“Why not?” he continued walking straight to the kitchen, picked an apple, washed it and started eating. “You want one?” he asked Mira.

“No” she answered. “Tita, what do you need me to do?” she asked Aya.

“I need you both to get out of the kitchen, wait for the rowdy team mates and handle them” Aya replied pushing them out.

“You really don’t trust me?” Archi asked his mother making puppy eyes.

His mother looked at him straight in the eyes and replied, “I don’t.”

She laughed. They went back to the living room and saw Aro walking down the stairs. “Hi Aro” she greeted.

“Hi” he greeted back. “You’re early” he commented.

“Yeah, we thought we should come earlier to help prepare the foods” she answered.

“No, not with Archi, you don’t” he replied. Mira laughed at him and nodded. “If you want to enter the premises of the kitchen, you will have to do it without him” he continued.

She laughed again. “Yeah, it’s just him Tita Aya don’t trust. I could have smuggled myself in without anyone noticing, only if I had been alone” she joked back.

“Come on! I’m right here!” Archi complained making both of them laugh.

“Where’s your baby?” she asked.

“She’s asleep. She’ll be up later. Anyway, after this, we’ll soon be having another party. Ara’s birthday’s coming up. She’ll be five” he continued.

“That’s great! Sure, we’ll be there” she agreed.

They heard a knock and Archi went to open it. Harold and Mathew came in. Mathew is holding a basket of fruits while Harold is holding a bouquet of flowers. “You came early” Aro said while Archi guided them to the kitchen. “Don’t make any noise! My daughter’s sleeping” he commanded. The three of them just laugh it off, but they remained quiet all the same. “So,” Aro started guiding her to sit while he sat beside her. “How do you find the team so far?” he asked her.

“They were all nice to be honest” she answered. “I am learning to be a setter from Andrei” she continued.

“Oh, yes. Andrei is a setter. But I’m not so bad, if I say so myself. Do you want me to teach you?” he offered.

“Uhm, I think I’ll stick with Andrei” she replied. “We might be playing on the opposite side of the net. I want my techniques to be completely different from yours” she confidently said.

“Ooooh! Challenge accepted” he replied with a big smile.

“I’m not much of a challenge yet!” she quickly clarified.

“I know” he smiled amused.

She stared at him. Now she can see his resemblance with Dolores, not just with their features but their confidence as well. She doesn’t look anything special, she looks simple. She doesn’t hold a candle against me. She could almost still hear Dolores’ voice saying it. She stared at Aro, totally gorgeous, intelligent and confident. While she doesn’t look special, she looks simple. I don’t hold a candle against you, she thought.

“Mira?” Aro called her. “Are you okay?”

“Oh, yeah. Why? What did you say again?” she asked rambling. No! Stop it! She tried stopping her thoughts.

“You just suddenly became quiet” he looked worried.

“Oh, uhm, I just remembered I still have ways to go on my receiving” she said as an excuse.

“Hey, you don’t have to feel pressured” he told her. “We are all good because we were playing it for a long time” he explained. “Plus, Archi told me you’ve improved a lot since you joined them” he added.

“He did?” she asked.

“Yeah. Harold and Mathew said the same thing” he continued.

“Oh. That’s so nice of them” she felt touched. That’s when the three of them went out of the kitchen laughing.

“Man, you really ought to get out when you’re Mom tells you once” it was Harold telling Archi.

Another knock and Aro stood up and open the door. It’s Andrei, TJ and Yuan. They were all holding each a basket of fruits.

“Thank you, now we can just build a stall in front and we can start our fruit stand business” he smiled telling the three of them.

“I told you we should talk about the gifts” Yuan reprimanded them. Andrei just looked at him while TJ rolled his eyes. Aro took the baskets and the three of them sat with Mira.

Mira stared at TJ while he mouthed ‘what’ at her. “TJ, I’m sorry I snapped at you yesterday” she apologized.

“What? How come?” Yuan asked.

“You should’ve seen it, she even rolled her eyes at me” TJ replied at him.

“What? No, I didn’t!” she denied.

“Yes, you did” Andrei answered her making TJ smirk.

“You’re ganging up on me” she said. Andrei silently laughed. “How is that possible? I expected this from Harold and Mathew, but you Andrei?” she continued making Andrei laugh a little louder.

“What do you mean?” Harold asked.

“Yeah” Mathew agreed.

“Wow” TJ sarcastically commented. “You really were feeling what B2’s feeling, B1” TJ continued.

“Oh!” Mira exclaimed at TJ’s snide comment and burst into laughter.

She started laughing so hard, TJ’s eyes widened, “You got my reference?” he asked. “I sincerely accept your apology” he continued and pat Mira’s head.

“What reference?” Yuan asked.

“Bananas in Pajamas” she replied. “Didn’t you watched it when you were a kid?” she asked. Yuan shook his head.

“We might be the same species after all” TJ commented again and while nodding.