7:30 AM
Ring! Ring! Ring!
It's the weekend, and I wake up super excited. Dad told me he'd be back on Friday… but it's Saturday, and I fell asleep last night without waiting for him. So, I run straight to the living room.
In the living room
— Gooood morning!!!
— Ehhh Hiyas, don't run, you could fall! And why are you up already? It's only 7 AM.
Ugh… my mom is way too overprotective. She's even worse than Dad.
— Don't worry, Mom, I'm fine. And Dad?
— He couldn't come yesterday, sorry, sweetie.
— No, not this time! He promised… — I say, disappointed.
— Don't worry, he'll be here.
The doorbell rings. The maid steps forward to open it, but I stop her.
— No, no! I'll do it.
I've missed Dad so much… He was in the United Arab Emirates. He promised to be back in three days, and it's already been a week and a half. I run to open the door, bursting with excitement.
— I told you not to run, Hiyas!
I don't listen. The excitement of seeing Dad is too strong. I open the door and…
— Ah… it's you.
— Aren't we going to hug your favorite grandma first?
Grandma Rosa! I adore her. She's Mom Sorayah's mom, and we're like best friends. We share everything.
— Sorry, Grandma.
She comes in, and I hug her tight.
— She's been waiting for Jul, Mom says.
— He promised to come back yesterday… and he's not here.
— Ah, I see. Come on, Hiyas, I have something for you.
— Really? What?
— Here.
I take the bag… and wow! Diamond jewelry from Tiffany & Co.
— Wow!! So, so pretty!!!
— Ah Hiyas, you're really spoiled, huh? — Mom says.
— Thank you, Grandma!!!
I hug her again, and we sit in the living room.
— Wait… Grandma, there's a ring that looks like a couple's ring!
— Yes, it's for my future son-in-law.
— Mom!!! Don't put these ideas in her head, Hiyas is still young.
— Yes, but you never know… — Grandma says with a smile.
We all burst out laughing. A moment later, the doorbell rings again.
— Hiyas, are you going to open it this time?
I look around… Héloïse, the maid, steps forward.
— I'm here, Miss.
She opens the door, and I pout a little…
— So, did I miss someone? — says a familiar voice.
— Ah… — I sulk.
— Hi, sweetheart. — Mom says.
— Hi, honey. And hello, mother-in-law.
He crouches in front of me, holding a small package.
— So, are we mad at each other?
I look away. I know I'm seventeen, not a little kid, but it's not my faaaault!
— You promised… — I say, pouting.
— I know, I know… I'm sorry. Will you forgive me, my "Hiyas"?
— You owe me a fine, Jul Corazon.
Mom and Grandma burst out laughing.
— Okay, ma'am. Here.
He hands me the package. I check it, and it's a Pandora necklace. Wow! I love it… but I'm still pouting.
— Okay. What else do you want?
And then, I jump behind him and hop hop hop!
— Heeeeyyyyy!
Everyone bursts out laughing. It's so awesome.
— So, shall we have breakfast? — Mom says.
— You haven't eaten yet?
— She was waiting for you, honey.
— Okay, let's go!
We sit at the table. We eat, laugh… Afterwards, we sit in the living room. I climb onto Dad's lap.
— So my Hiyas, how are you? Are you taking your meds properly, I hope?
— Dad, stop! Mom, tell him I am taking them.
— She's taking them, don't worry, sweetheart.
— Okay then…
Then a silence falls. And I don't like it; I hate awkward silences.
— Why is no one saying anything? Dad, what's going on? Mom!