Hope: Simple Love

Chapter 7

As soon as we reached home, my mother was waiting in the yard and run towards us with a big smile on her face. I saw some wrinkles that hasn't been there last month I saw her. Her hair became a bit white. Her slender body when she was young was now a bit round and chubbier.

She hugged me warmly and said happy things that I replied with a smile and hugs. When we enter the house, I smell the mixed smells of the food she cooked and prepared for this night. I saw my father watching a basketball competition. He turned off the tv when he saw me and welcomed me with a hug and a kiss on my forehead.

I watched the differences of his face to the one latest one I had on my memory. I remember his white hair only grow near his forehead but now, I can clearly some white hair from the sides of his ears. His cheek fas a bit loose forming some lines and when he smiles, it stretches. His strong body before looks weak now.

I heard some footsteps so I looked on the stairs and saw my younger sister looking intently at me. She was wearing a big dress with a big cartoon design infront. Her hair was tied up in a messy way. I saw the dark circles around her small eyes. I smiled at her and open my arms. She slowly walked down at the stairs and accepted my hug. The welcoming gestures ended when my mother called us to go in the kitchen.

We all ate dinner with my mother talks about her funny stories about her small business, customers, and some friends. We, her children, just laughed at her stories while father smiles and give responses at her stories.

That night, I watched the two of them who grew wrinkles around their face and white hairs on their scalp, to laugh together and told stories from their time. If I will look at them right now, I would tell the world that they are one of.the happiest couple in the world. But, that's not the case, never in my 10-year old self I think that way anymore.

When I went inside my room, I feel a warm slowly wrapped around my heart. The bed was so familiar and the walls was screaming of nostalgia. I sit on my bed. Instead of dust, I smell the fabric conditioner my mother always used. The room hasn't changed at all.

There's still a small bookshelf with my novel books, and elementary books. The posters I posted years ago was still there but with a faded colors. The picture frames hanged on the wall became alot than I remember. I was staring at my pictures when my father suddenly knock.

"May I come in?"

I looked at him and smile, "Yes, of course dad."

He gently and slowly enter my small room. He keeps on smiling at me. And when he stopped near me, he hold my head and leans down his face to kiss my forehead. I smile at his gestures. He sat down beside me while he caress my hair.

"After a month, you finally visited us.."

"Dad.."

"I know.. I'm just worried at you just like your mother."

I looked up at him and saw him staring at the pictures. I moved my body closer to him and rest my head on his shoulder. I can feel his bone on my temple. He gotten thinner and weak as years passed by.

If.. my mind hasn't corrupted about the memories I have when I was a child, I will gladly visit them everyday. But just like everyone, when something is broken, it is really hard to fixed it. That was when I learned that a broken glass can not be totally fixed.

Luckily, the smiling shadow didn't bother me that night. Maybe because my father tucked me on bed or because my mother visited me in the middle of the night to kiss my forehead? I don't know the reason but my sleep was peaceful for the first time in weeks.

The sun rises for the Saturday's morning. If this was my condo, I'll just sleep until 11 on my bed. Unfortunately, when I was in this house, where misfortunes for years happened, my body alwasy woke up at five. Since I don't have anything to do, I wash up and wore my sports bra and jogging leggings. I went down and saw my mother in the kitchen. I immediately smell the aroma of the coffee she's making.

"Good morning, mom."

She turned her fragile body on me. I saw her wearing a shawl around her shoulders. She smiles at me and open her arms, I went to her gently and hug her.

"Good morning, Ada. You're early. You should have rest more since you won't do any work today."

I kissed her cheeks before letting her go and went to fridge to get a cold water to drink.

"I'll just jog around the park. Why are you awake this early, mom? At your age, sleeping is one of the most important thing."

"I can't. You know I always woke up around this hour," she turned her body against me and stir her coffee.

I looked at her back for awhile. She used to be taller than me but now, she looks like a child needs to be taken care of. I smiles and shakes my head.

"I'll be going now," I turned my body towards the door of the kitchen. I took.one step and stop immediately at her call.

"Ada," her voice was so soft and gentle.

I turned my body to look at her. I smiles but my lips twitch so I stop smiling and just tilt my head.

"Please, get married."

My mother, who experienced unlucky things on her marriage are trying to encourage me to marry someone for years. I told her when I was in Junior High, that I won't get married at all. She just laughed at me and caressed my hair. She said that I'm too young to decide on things like that. But when I repeated that same statement when I graduated twelveth grade and in college, she started to enumerate the pros of a married life. She told me that woman needs a man to be perfected. She said that woman needs a man to fulfill the duty of a woman for her whole life. It takes a man to complete a woman. She said that it's nice to have your own family.

That's what she thinks. That's not mine. I became successful without a boyfriend. I became happy without a man in my life. I am very contented on my life without a love from a man. That was what I always believed, at least when I was still young and just contented on being me.

But as I grow older and became a working woman witnessing people I know get married and have their own family, I think my mind is slowly imagining things I didn't think I would have imagined.

I feel something pricked my heart whenever I saw people who is close to me saying their vows for their eternity, and planning for their future. It is really something that makes my heart cringe and feel envy.

Basically, the Saturday and Sunday are just a full of day of pursuing me to get a man. Maybe, that's one of the reason why I hate going home and talking to my mother. One moment, its a normal conversation, the second moment, it will go to marriage. I don't know what I should tell my mother this time since my mind is having doubt on my confident answer years ago.

My mother is just like Lyn Angel.

"Are you listening, Miss Loyola?"

I blinked when Luke's finger clicked infront of my face. I tilt my head and swirl abit my swivel chair. I click my pen and look at the presentation infront.

I looked around this small meeting hall where simple meetings and presentations took place. It has black and white striped patterns on wall. Some long leaves plants are standing on a big pot in two corners of the hall. The front, where the entrance door are located, has a medium size of pull up-down white screen where the powerpoint flashed. The big oblong glass table has a dark shade on it. Total of twelve swivel chair surrounds the table. There are total of ten people here, including the two presentator from Luke's Department. Right now, all the heads of the departments are present and arguing on the things that The Silverline project has that we are working for days now.

I just nodded my head to Luke and signal my hand to keep continue. The meeting ended after an hour. I went down to the cafeteria alone to eat my lunch when my phone suddenly ring. I picked up the bluetooth earphone on the pocket of my coat and put it on my ear as I answer the call.

"Dude! Omg! I have a very very good news!"

I frown as I hear Lynangel loud voice.

"Will you please don't shout when I answer the call? I feel like I will get a problem on my hearing if you keep doing that."

I start eating as some of the employees greet me. I nodded at them as sign of acknowledgement as I listen to my bestfriend's voice.

"You really won't believe what is happening! Omg! I really can't believe this is happening!"

Just how can I believe her if she didn't believe herself? Sometimes, I really wonder how I kept her being bestfriend.

"Will you just please say it? I'm planning to eat my lunch peaceful-"

"I got invited to Yacht Club!"

"Yacht Club? I know that you're a secretary but I didn't know that you're into a club, dude."

"Silly! Haven't you heard of Yacht Club?"

I stop chewing the cabbage inside my mouth and think. If it's one of the club or bar that we went to, then no. I have no interest on memorizing some bar-club's name. Besides, I only go to those places because of her. She got invited to some exclusive bar because of her connections and she always bring me with her.

Though, I'm not interested, it doesn't mean I don't like being in a party. Actually, I got enjoyed those parties because first, it wasn't as crowded as some ordinary club, second, most people who goes there are born with silver spoon or some successful businessmen, third, I only pay half price of my drinks because its Lynangel's treat. Thanks to her, I experienced mostly all of the highclass stuffs because of her.

"It sounds familiar but I'm too lazy to think about it so why not just tell me?"

I heard her groan and the start of some engine. I'm guessing that she's inside of her car and was about to drive.

"b***h! You're just ruining my excitement, but because I am super excited, I'll tell you about it!"

According to her, Yacht Club is another term for Billionare's Club. Only super famous and richest of all richest are an exclusive member of it. Their criteria to be a member are quite unreachable for ordinary and above average people like me.

Of course, you need to own millions or better, billions of money on your bank account. You also need to own a helicopter, a yacht or any limited edition car. Plus, if I am not mistaken, you also need to be beautiful or handsome.

"So, why did you get invited? You're just beautiful, below beautiful, I mean," I smirked playfully as if she can see me.

I heard her cursed me but still answer me.

"My boss, Archius, just invited me because he will have a meeting on someone there. As a secretary, he needs me and I accepted his offer!"

I smiled as I stand up from my seat. I walked slowly with my phone on my coat's pocket, and the plates I used on my hand. I put the plates on the counter and started to walked outside of the cafeteria. Some of my teammates greeted me and asked to walk together. I just pointed my earphone and they get it immediately. They waved their hands as a goodbye and I just smiled them.

"Congratulation, I guess."

"Come on! Be happy! You should be because my boss just asked me to bring a friend!"