"I'm glad no one is late today," Grandma Diane said sternly as she walked into the dining hall. A glint of surprise was hinted at in her eyes as she met Jake's gaze. "Oh, Jake."
"Good evening, Madam. I apologize for the unexpected visit... I just had some free time today and decided to pay Elena a visit," he expressed formally to Grandma Diane.
"It's alright, have a seat," Grandma Diane ordered. "Let's have dinner first."
Only the sound of utensils can be heard as we ate in silence. No one dared to speak and the tension around us remained. Truthfully, the silence is unbearably deafeaning.
"How's your brother?" Grandma Diane inquired abruptly."... and that girl?"
That girl? What does she mean? Are they talking about the real Miss ELena in my body? Have they already figured it out? Will they finally believe me?
"They seem to be getting along well," Jake responded nonchalantly.
"Well, that is to be expected. I met that girl once and she reminded me of her." Grandma Diane gave a quick peek at me. "I won't be surprised if Luke started falling in love with that girl."
Hearing those words come out of their mouths... it feels like someone is stabbing my chest, it's getting hard for me to breathe. I have a slight idea of who they are referring to... judging by the way Jake flinched and Grandma Diane's glances. I could feel my chest tighten... this jealousy building up inside my chest is suffocating.
I quickly shrugged off the thought. No, I have no right to be envious. Though I cannot control the way I feel because I am just a human too, it still doesn't change the fact that I have no right to show these feelings since Luke was never mine, to begin with.
It's not like he betrayed me since he only had eyes for Elena. He never betrayed Elena. Since after everything, he still loves her. I can't be selfish any longer, so I decided to acknowledge the truth and stay true to my decision.
"I don't want her to get hurt and you know how I feel about her, Madam," Jake sighed.
"Enough with these discussions," Grandma Diane said flatly.
"You know, if two people are meant to be together, they will always end up at each other's side," Winter suddenly interjected.
"When did you become a love guru? Stop acting like a grown-up kiddo," Misty chastised.
"I am not a kid! Stupid!"
"And I am not stupid."
"You are!"
"Am not!"
There they are again. I simply sit quietly and pay no attention to their bickering. I can't really comment because I, too, agree with Grandma Diane's sentiment. I saw the two's eyes widen, and even I was surprised when a flying kitchen knife flew in between them.
"We are right in front of the food girls, where are your manners?" Grandma Diane asked in a calm manner but her voice was filled with authority which sent cold chills to my spine. She fixed her gaze on the two. "I'm not going to miss the next time."
The two quickly sat down properly and continued eating. Another memory popped up in my mind...
"Papa, I've cooked your favorite chicken adobo. Let's eat," I said as I approached Papa, who had just entered the house.
Papa took a long look at me, then at the chicken adobo, I had prepared. I assume he's back in the cockpit and based on his menancing glare, he appears to be defeated once more.
"Where did you get those ingredients? Don't add up to my problem... your existence enough is already a problem, and you'll just be another burden," Papa stated quite clearly. "I won't eat anything from you or stolen food."
"No! That's not true, Papa! I will never steal from anyone! I cleaned Señora Maria's garden shed in exchange for clothes and a little money for our expenses," I attempted to defend myself.
Papa examined me from top to foot. He stared at my hand for a long period of time, so I quickly tried to cover it up as it was covered in wounds from the household tasks I did. He came over to the table and stood there looking at what I had prepared.
I was overjoyed that Papa would be joining me for dinner after so many years. This is the first time he will join me at the table and eat what I have prepared. I have dreamed of this for a long time!
"I-I'll get the plates!" I happily announced.
I dashed to the kitchen but came to a halt when I heard something break; when I turned around, the food I had cooked was on the floor, and I froze where I was. My tears are on the verge of falling.
"Don't feed me garbage!" Papa yelled angrily, storming into the room.
I hurried to get a new plate before returning to the broken dish. As I picked up the chickens on the floor, I couldn't stop crying. I saved up for three weeks and worked nonstop even though I had homework to finish just to buy Papa some chicken. Grandpa told me it was his favorite, so, I was eager to learn from him how to cook this. I didn't foresee this happening... I didn't think...
"P-Papa," I sobbed. "I just want to be with you for a little while," I cried quietly to myself.
"Elena, are you listening?"
Hearing Grandma Diane's voice brought me back to my senses. Where have you been, Papa? Are you all right? I'm really missing you even after all these years. I hope you will accept me the next time we meet. I stood up from my seat after a long sigh.
"I-I don't want to eat anymore," I said as I stood up. "I'll go first," I said before leaving.
When I turned around, the tears that had been threatening to fall finally streamed down my cheeks. Even though my memories of Papa are bitter and nasty, I can't criticize him. How many years has it been since I've seen him? I'd like to see you again, Papa.