Stranded

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"Sari, where are you going?" asked Larcade, my step brother. He currently staying in our house for two months now. He said he just want to ensure that I'm okay because my mother, his step mom just died three months ago, so he kind of worried about my mental health.

"I just...want to breath a fresh air, Cade" I winked and started to arrange my suit for my big bike.

"I'll come with you then --" I immediately cut him "No, you won't. Please...Cade, I'll be alright and come home soonest" I smiled, assuring him and tiptoe, reaching his cheek for a kiss. "What a brat" he whispered.

It's been fifteen minutes since I'm driving but still, I didn't know where to go. I just really want to escape that lonely house. There are a lot of memories there that keeps on pulling me to sadness...it doesn't feel home anymore...or it never really did. Five years ago, my father decided to leave this country with me, to convinced my mother, whose diagnosed with colon cancer to be treated in other country with us. She's living in Los Angeles, California with her second family. I literally don't know her, I just saw her in pictures that my father showed me. Daddy tried his best to convinced me to talked to her but I just can't, after knowing that she left us for her first love after his wife just died. So I cannot accept that lame reason and I'm just three that time, how can she endure to leave us, her real family for him? And how can Dad still fucking love her after all of that? She choose to abandoned me to take care of her lover's son and just one call, we're going to leave?

Three years of living in Los Angeles seems more complicated than living in the Philippines, my father still trying to convince my mother to go with us but she was still declining, I want to go home...but I just can't stand watching my father getting drunk almost everyday after her countless rejections. She is evil. I loathed her. One night, hospital calls me saying that my father met an accident on his way home, they even confirmed that he was drunk. I don't know what to do or where I shall seek for help and that moment, Larcade came. He became my friend, he never left me, even if I always pushes him away. He's very persistent and annoying so I let him in my life. After three weeks of backing and forth to the hospital, my father left me...permanently. It breaks me real hard, I even feel numb after that news. I just want to cry but I can't. He left me with a broken heart but what's breaking me more is that, knowing my father died...unchosen.

I suddenly hit the break because there was an old man crossing that fucking high way! My gosh! That was close! I feel relieved that nothing happened to him. I sighed, parking my big bike and removed my helmet.

"Hey! Are you trying to get killed?" I shouted. Well, typical me, as Cade whispered, a brat.

He is wearing a faded gray shirt with denim shorts and slippers. He is taller than me with tan skin. "s-sorry Ma'am, my sight are blurry so I didn't notice you" he said. While hearing his voice I realized that he was familiar. I stared at him intently, trying to remember him. He, however stared at me too. And slowly, like a thunder, memories of him hit me! My hand unconsciously cover my mouth, shocked.

"Mr. Suave?!" I said, still shocked. Damn! he was one of my favorite person on our university before! And with my still shocking face, I hug him.

"Ah, Ma'am, w-why?" he said.

I narrowed my eyes on him "You don't remember me?" I asked while raising my one brow. He just continue scanning my face.

"Sari?" he exclaimed.

"ha, finally! I thought it will take a hundred years before you finally figure it out!" he suddenly hug me again. "where have you been, daughter?" he whispered.

After that catching up he invited me to their home which is just near the high way. He said that he was supposed to go to the groceries to buy some ingredients for Adobo. Their house is simple with one story and concrete walls, after entering the door is their living room with one rectangular sofa and small table. Mr. Suave guided me on their kitchen with a four sitter dining table. Mrs. Suave saw me and immediately give a hug and kiss. She said that I have to sit and wait for her because she is preparing the food.

"How are you, Sari?" Mr. Suave asked while we're all eating.

"I am fine" I smiled and eat. Damn, I really miss Adobo this mere food always giving me the feels of being home. "how about you? Are you still working in university?" I asked, "not anymore, I resigned two years after you left. I choose to stay with my wife since our only daughter choose to live in the province with her husband and in fact, I am not getting any younger so I am here getting old with the love of my life" he said and kiss the temple of Mrs. Suave who is now smiling shyly. Even before, I really admired their love story, how I wish I had that too...but now? It seems impossible.

" After years of being together, you are not changing, until now you're still--" Mr. Suave cut her "fucking handsome?" he even winked at her. "nah, you're still like a fucking idiot giggling" Mrs. Suave with her wide eyes. I can't help but laugh and even more when I saw Mr. Suave like a squeezed garlic eating in behave.

After that, we decided to continue our catching up in their living room. Mr. Suarez started to reminisce our moments together when I was still studying in the university. He said that I was his favorite student because of my clothing style and of course the 500 peso bill I gave him every time I went and stays in one particular storage room to kill my time until the classes end.

"Oh wait! How are you and that vocalist? I almost forgot! Are you still together? or are you already married?" he excitedly asked. And just like that, my mood change, real quick. I think Mrs. Suarez noticed that I become uneasy with her husband's question. I also saw that she secretly pinch the side of Mr. Suarez waist to warned him and that's his cue to look at me.

"Ah, we're already talked" I said. Trying not to broke my voice. Not now, Sari you're not in your house. Damn you.

"See honey? I told you their okay! I am always rooting for the two of you e. The moment that boy said that you're finally in a relationship, since then I know that you two will last, just like us" he said while giggling.

I smiled and shook my head. "He's getting married--" he cut me "When? honey prepared my tux and suit, I will attend their wedding! Invited or not I want to witness the changing of their vows in front of our beloved God" he said. Again, while giggling.

"But not to me" I said like it's the most natural word in the world. Right, Sari just pretend that it is okay with you. "He's getting married, Mr. Suave to...someone else" the last word turns out to be a whisper. I feel like crying...again. But before my tear fell, Mrs. Suarez immediately enveloped me with her arms, giving me a motherly hug and because of that, my tears fell like a freaking falls. Until when Sari? Until when...