PROMISE ME TOMORROW
-Never Had A Dream Come True-
CHAPTER ONE
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"Oomph."
Not again. Why did she have to walk into people all day today? First the lady at the shopping mall and now this person here. This person was a male, solid chest and smelled nice. She shook her head and it moved against the fabric on the man she'd walked into, who was holding her back from him at the arms. Like the guy himself, his linen shirt left a pleasant scent in her nose.
Where in the world did that come from? She'd never paid any attention to how a male looked or smelled like. To her, males were males, nothing more and nothing less. She gathered scattered wits and looked up. She almost cranked her head before her gaze met a pair of eyes that were deep but showed no emotions. Her heart skipped a beat then two as butterflies fluttered in the region of her heart and tummy. Shaken by that brief contact, she stepped back and looked away from those emotionless yet piercing eyes.
Eyes on the floor, she sincerely apologized. "I'm so sorry, sir. I know there is no excuse to walk into other people. The aisle is big enough for five people to walk through."
She knew she was babbling on, but her strange reaction to him and his continued silence made her nervous. And she tended to babble when she got nervous. Her parents had helped to get over her public speaking shortcomings. It seemed their efforts had gone down the drain.
"I'm not harmed, so you don't need to worry. And Miss, I accept your apology."
He finally spoke but his cold demeanor didn't put her at ease. It was just nerve cracking. She thought she heard something had cracked. She just started to say she was sorry again when he turned for the register.
"Have a good day, Miss," said the guy.
He was young, probably in his early twenties. She stood there staring after him. "I wonder what his name is."
"Hisana?"
"Yes, Mom. I'm over at aisle 5." She called out to her mom, who was shopping with her for school supplies at Staples.
"What were you staring at, my child?"
She loved it how her mom still called her my child. It always gave her comfort and warmth for it reminded her of mama. All of a sudden, she felt sad remembering her baby sister Rosemary. Rosemary should be nine and in fourth grade by now if she had been still alive. The loss of Rosemary had left a void in her heart and it hurt. If only she'd gone back home instead of running away, then Rosemary could have been saved from that fire. And Grandma would have been alive and well with her. Another trip down the memory lane. She had to stop before Mom caught on and got worried on her behalf again.
"I ran into him, Mom," she said thumbing at exit. "I apologized and he accepted."
"He actually said he accepted your apology?" Mom looked baffled. "Is he an old man?"
Hisana laughed and her laughter drifted away, catching up to the departing straight back. He slowed down but didn't look back. Back tense, she stopped her laugh. She had no idea as what to do if he turned around and looked at her.
"I see." Mom sounded intrigued. "So, my only daughter isn't going to be like her Auntie, who had held on her single status like a shield."
She groaned out loud. "Mom!"
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Who was she? How come she looked so much like his little sister? And yet they each had their own differences.
He shoved the random and idle thoughts away. He needed to focus on his entrance exam for law school at Harvard then another four years of school. Until then, he couldn't afford to get lax. Even as he'd told himself so, he couldn't resist and slowed his pace when someone laughed. He almost turned around to know what had brought out that pleasing to the ears laughter. For some strange reason that he didn't want to look into, his feet felt lighter hearing that pleasant sound.
And he, Byakuya Kuchiki didn't do things couldn't be explained. He wanted to get back to his well-planned career path and organized life. Planning and organizing were what he was used to with. He would like to stay that way. With firm resolution, he picked up his pace and left the whirlpool behind.
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"Hey Hisana. Earth to Hisana."
She turned to the voice and found her classmate, waving a hand front of her. She must have been daydreaming again. Focus, Hisana, focus! Mom and Dad pay for you tuition with their hard earned money, she scolded herself.
"Hey Samantha. What did I miss?"
"You didn't miss anything but the eye those guys over there giving you." Samantha giggled as she pointed the guys out to her, none too discreet. "They get the hot for you but here you're toiling the precious minutes away. Class is going to start in minutes."
"That's why I'm here. Don't want to be late for class, Professor Armstrong may be humorous but he's really strict about tardiness."
"I know, but that's not what I meant when I said precious minutes." Holding her up by the hands, Samantha told her. "I meant to tell you to give the green light for them to come over. Let's exchange numbers then we can hang out after class. They live on campus too."
She knew Samantha meant well since Samantha was always keeping her company. Regardless, she'd promised her family that she'd study hard and not let trivial things to get her off track. She wouldn't have made friends with Samantha either if Samantha's last name wasn't Montano. Although her own childhood had been terrifying, she still had happy memories with Mama, Grandma, and baby Rose. She hadn't forgotten those bittersweet memories but carried in her heart and cherished them. So she'd wanted to run to her new classmate and ask if she had any family down South when Professor Foley had called Samantha Montano, taking attention during their first class meeting. For a brief moment, she'd hoped Samantha Montano had been her distant cousin and maybe Samantha had knowledge of the house fire that had killed the Montano family down South.
Nevertheless, she couldn't do as Samantha had suggested. Going out was what she'd promised her family she would never do without their blessing. Mom had been in her thirties and done that way while she was only twenty one. She was Mom's daughter and so she would follow Mom's footstep. Moreover, there was no space left in her heart for anyone else but the person. It'd been three years. What had he been doing these past years? Had he changed and learned to smile? Maybe someone, a girl had come along and put the smiles on his face. She felt a twist in her heart at the thought. Do I ever cross your mind?
"Hisana, Professor is here."
That was the most effective wakeup call ever. She murmured a thank-you to Samantha and sat back down on her assigned seat. The lecture began as soon as Professor walked to his podium, starting with adolescent behavior. In the meantime, she heard Samantha mumbled she was going to get the truth out of Hisana. She smiled to herself as she nodded at Samantha, promising to tell that truth. Then she focused all her attention to Professor's lecture.
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"Big Sis?"
"I'm over by the window."
She called out to her little brother, who was walking straight like a soldier. He would make a fine soldier one day like Dad.
He looked down at her. "What are you doing down there, Sis?"
"I'm doing yoga. Mom insists I do it at least one hour every day." She'd just finished her last yoga technique and now was stretching. "It's so good to be home."
He lied down next to her, copying her stretch. But soon he gave up and sat cross legged as he watched.
"Gosh, the dorm is suffocating, little brother."
"Oh." A finger at his temple, he appeared to be trying to remember something. Then he looked at her, excited. "There is a school near my school. It's LMU. Why don't you move back home and go there?"
"I can't. It's not easy to get admitted into the program, I came across several students who are still on the wait list. Moreover, I'm in my last year."
"Why couldn't you study here close to home?"
"Mom wants me to go to LB. She said it has the best teacher credential program in the area."
"I see." He sounded deflated. "I don't get to see you that much anymore. It's boring at home."
"You have Karin to play with."
"She's no fun."
"Karin is heaps of fun if you just spend some time to get to know her."
"She's boring, Sis. She only knows how to play soccer and doesn't talk much."
"You don't talk much either. And you like soccer too. So what is the problem?"
"Well…"
"Yes, well?"
"She bosses me around. She tells me to do this and do that. Just like Mommy tells Daddy what to do."
She pretended to do a stretch on the side so she could hide her amusement. It was just hilarious to imagine Toshiro and his playmate Karin years later when they were at their parents' age. Poor Toshiro. Her baby brother had been married off from the cradle. Uncle Shunsui always asked him how his little bride was doing whenever he saw him. No wonder he didn't want to spend too much time with Karin.
"Dad loves Mom, that's why Dad always does what Mom asks of him."
"I don't love Karin. So why does she tell me what to do? She can just go find some other boy to act her maid and stop ordering me around."
"You two used to share the cradle when Auntie came visit. You two go the same school and our parents are best friends. So of course she wants to hang out with you."
"Still, I don't like it." His smooth cheeks flushed. "I don't like it when other kids make fun of us. They call us childhood sweethearts. We're not sweethearts."
She was going to comment on that but stomach growled. She'd been doing yoga for an hour now and her body let its complaint known. Her growl got her little brother's full attention. At least her discomfort had taken his mind of what he thought was bothersome.
"Girls aren't supposed to be like that. Grandpa says girls are supposed to gracious and not catch others' attention, either by words or deed."
"Does Grandpa also say a younger brother can furrow his eyebrows at his older sister?"
"Sorry, Sis." His facial muscles relaxed and he gave her a boyish grin. "I forgot you're old now."
"Hey, I'm not old. I'm only twelve years older than you."
"You're older than I, that means you're old."
She got up and gathered him for a bear hug. She missed home, her parents, Grandpa, but of all she missed her little brother. When she was with Toshiro, the void Rose had left felt less hollow. She pecked him on the forehead. "I missed you while I was away, my little brother."
"I missed you too." He hugged her back then moved away and in a voice almost like their grandpa, he chided. "Sis, boys and girls aren't supposed to be hugging, unless they're married."
"Oh, Toshiro." She didn't have the heart to correct him that boys and girls weren't supposed to be married either. Only men and women were old and mature enough should marry. She said while trying to hold back her laugh. "Not only married couples hug, siblings also hug. Friends hug one another too. And we're brother and sister. So you see, little brother, Grandpa's hugging rule doesn't apply to this scenario."
"I see. Do you hug your friends at school?"
"Of course. But I only hug girl friends. Another hugging rule from Grandpa, Grandpa said young girls shouldn't be too close to boys even if they are good friends."
"Thanks for telling me, Sis. I can tell Karin not to ask me help her up the trees again."
She couldn't hold it any longer and laughed. She laughed so hard that tears came and had to wipe them off with a sleeve. But the offended look on her brother put off another laughter that she felt was coming. "I'm so sorry, Toshiro. I'm just happy to be home with our family. I wasn't laughing at you."
She chuckled as she ruffled his neatly combed hair, giving him an explanation she was sure he was going to ask. "I didn't have a close friend like you have in Karin while growing up. I didn't mind for I had all the love and care from Grandpa and our parents. However, I'm happy for you to have such close friendship with Karin."
"I know she's a good friend, but our uncles keep teasing me." Her brother pleaded, palms together. "Would you please, please tell uncles not to tease me anymore? Pretty pleaseee."
She hugged him to hide her tears. She wondered if somehow miracle had happened and Rose were alive somewhere. Was there anyone for her to come to when she was in trouble? Would there be a big sister who she could come to ask for a favor like Toshiro had just asked her? Swallowed the lump down her throat, she gave him a kiss on the top of his head.
"Yes, I'll talk to Auntie. Uncle only listens to Auntie."
"Like Daddy listens to Mommy."
"Yes, like Daddy with Mommy. Now." She pinched her nostrils sniffling. "Let go downstairs and see what secret recipe our mom had concocted while I was at school."
"Okie dokie, Sis. Race you down the stairs."
He picked up his feet and ran on the last word. Her baby brother wasn't a baby anymore but a quick wit, lovable boy. "Toshiro, it's Grandpa's rule not to run in the house."
The sound of running feet stopped right away. She smiled at his absolute obedience to their grandpa's rules. She was proud to have little brother like him. Like she'd been proud to have her baby sister Rose.
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"Mommy?"
"Yes, child?"
"I think Sis is crying."
"Did you make her sad, Toshiro?"
Chin high, he puffed out his chest and proudly announced. "Daddy says I'm a man. And men are to protect the ladies in their family and make them happy. I didn't make big Sis cry, Mommy."
"I'm very proud of you, my child." She hugged him apologizing. "And I'm sorry. I was just teasing you. Do you know why your big sis is crying?"
She was concerned. Her daughter hadn't cried since high school. What had triggered her memory again?
"I'm not sure. We were talking just fine but as I was leaving her room, she looked at me then her eyes started to fill up. She's my big sister and I love her. I'll never make her cry on purpose."
"Yes, my son, you're a great little brother." She pecked his forehead, reminding him. "You two may not be blood related but she loves you like a real big sister. Hisana is your true sister in every way but biologically. So love and protect her as much as we love and want her to be protected. And we all love you."
With a impish grin, her son clung onto her as she bent down to give him a kiss. "Alright, young man, go tell your daddy that Grandpa wants us to meet up with him at the community center in two hours."
"Yes, Madame Mommy!"
He saluted then gave her cheek a kiss of his own before skipping off. She swatted him on the bottom but missed her target. Her little boy was growing fast and becoming more cunning. So like his daddy. His daddy and her husband. Thinking of him always made her tingling. She wanted to go look him and demand him to carry out his promise to her years before. He'd promised to make her happy and spending some alone time with him now would make a very happy. Nonetheless, she couldn't. She needed to check on Hisana and there was a news that she thought her daughter would like very much.
Happy to know both of her children got along so well with each other. She used to worry Hisana would feel left out after Toshiro had come and Toshiro wouldn't respect and love Hisana like a real sister that she was and deserved. All her own worries had been laid to rest the day her husband had taken their little girl to the maternity ward to introduce her to her baby brother. The scene from that day still brought a smile to her face just thinking about it. Hisana had looked so happy and proud to be a big sister again. The new big sister had been making good of her words and babysat him whenever their parents needed alone time or go on vacations for their anniversary. And if she was right, seeing Toshiro had brought back memories of another baby sibling to Hisana's mind.
She walked the stairs then turned right for the west wing of the house. At Uncle's insistence, both of her children had been assigned rooms next to his and away from the passionate parents. She chuckled at herself just as Hisana walked out of her own room, heading for the stairs. Her daughter didn't see her and appeared to be in deep thought.
"Romanticizing about some boy, my child?"
Her daughter startled and almost tripped on the hallway carpet. "Oh hello, Mom."
"Not Mommy anymore? How I miss you calling me Mommy." She said, hugging the absentminded daughter. "Is everything all right, my little girl?"
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Hisana let out a suppressed sniffle, burrowing her face in the crook of her mom's neck. "I miss calling you Mommy too, but I got teased by other students at school. They poked fun at me and asked why a college student still called her mom Mommy."
"I didn't know you cared what others thought if you weren't doing anything bad or wrong." Mom patted her on the back, comforting her with subtle reminder. "I'm fine with Mom, but becoming a grandma at my age isn't so cool. I myself am not the best person to talk about not practicing premarital intimacy. However, I had myself married to your dad in my heart years before I came to him. And when your dad told me he didn't want me anymore so soon after your brother Shihoin left, I lost all direction in life. I asked Grandpa to arrange a marriage for me, wanting to get back at him. Even so, I never stopped loving him or meant to marry anyone. How could I when I couldn't bear the thought of having someone else touch me? I know it's double standard yet we've been married years in our hearts before we became intimate."
"I understand, Mommy." Arms around Mom, she had to admire Moms ageless body. Mom's waist was still slim and face looked youthful, almost the same as the first day Dad had introduced them to each other. The only aging on Mom was the laughing lines at the corner of her eyes. But those lines only added beauty to Mom's beautiful face. Those laughing lines let others see how happy Mom had been with her family and life. Hisana wanted to be like that, grow old yet happy. "I promise I'll keep Grandpa's values in mind and be like you. I won't get involved with any guy before marriage."
"That's my little girl."
"I love you, Mommy."
Mom kissed her hair. "Child, don't let others pressure you into anything. Stay true to yourself. I know peer pressure can be frightening, but I also know you're an old soul. You have a good head on your shoulders too. So, I'm not worried about you making me a grandma before my forty fifth birthday."
Head away from Mom, Hisana whined but behind there was a laughter. "That's emotional blackmail!"
"I know. Didn't you notice already that is how I keep your dad?"
Mom's laughter was pure and heart lifting. She wished she would be like Mom and happy with the man she would marry one day. Would she able to find her own true love like Mom and Aunties had found theirs? About then another growl came from her hungry stomach.
"I see, someone is hungry." Mom said then chuckled. "You're your dad's daughter, alright. His stomach always growls when he's hungry. Let's go have something to eat before we leave to meet up with Grandpa."
"Where are we meeting up with Grandpa, Mom?" She asked Mom as they walked down the stairs.
"We're going to meet at the community center."
She was excited for it'd been a while since she'd last gone there. After starting college, she didn't have much time to go there often as she used to with Grandpa. She missed spending time with him and hearing stories from him. Grandpa was like a mobile library and had good real life stories too. He used to tell her stories about her mom and how mom had been like as a child. He often said to her that he couldn't have asked for a better niece, who he loved like a child he never had.
But from all the stories that she'd heard over the years, she loved the most were the ones about Mom and Dad. That was why she was getting excited to go to the community center. Next to that community center was the playground her parents had met. Then later her little brother had attended the same preschool. She'd walked him and Karin to that preschool and found she also liked the playground, particularly the big tree on it. Dad had shown her his little secret once and she thought it was special and touching. And that was how she'd become attached to her parents' tree as Dad called it. Like Dad, she herself also had a secret with that tree.
"Wool gathering again, young lady? Should I tell your dad to put up Keep Away signs on you?"
"Mom!"
And so like Mom, she laughed pretending to be clueless. "What? I didn't say anything to put that pink on you. Unless you're dating behind our back."
"You more than anyone know me very well that I'll never do something behind your back, Mom."
"I know." Mom chuckled then teased again. "I was just pulling your legs so you can grow a few centimeters taller. Your grandpa and dad are worried about you. They say you're too small to be in college and living alone. There are boys with their hormones raging, roaming the campus."
She tightened the arm around Mom. "Uncle Shunsui has been teaching me moves along with Tatsuki. And you had me take self-defense courses too. Moreover, I don't take late classes and always wait for campus escort when I need to do research late at the school library. Please tell Grandpa and Dad not to worry."
"I know but the men in our family don't. Even our little man is starting to act up." Her mom winked at her, saying. "Just last week, Toshiro asked why you need to study away from home. He said it's not safe for a girl to live alone."
"Already protective. I can't wait to see Karin's reaction when his protective mode is on and aimed at her."
She laughed as she finished, recalling her brother's look when he'd said their classmates' teasing him with Karin. Mom also joined in and they couldn't subdue their laughing until they got down stairs.
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"Already. Let's dig for something, shall we? I'm famished."
Yoruichi told her daughter while searching the fridge for leftover food from the day before. She found some lasagna and prepackaged salads and took them out, putting down on the island. She meant to ask her daughter if she'd rather like some soup for dinner wasn't too far away. She looked over at her and found her daughter looking at her funny.
She raised an eyebrow. "What's that look for, my child?"
"Are Toshiro and I going to be big sister and brother, Mom?"
Confused, she asked, "Huh?"
Then she understood as her daughter said, "I saw you having a sandwich just before Toshiro came to my room. You ate a lot when you were pregnant with Toshiro."
"Would you like to be a big sister again, Hisana? I'm wondering the same thing too. I don't why I'm eating more as well as getting hungry often these days."
She knew the reasons and had to stop herself from saying lest she would embarrass her daughter. Her constant hunger and appetite for more food had to do with her other appetite that Kisuke had roused in her. Since Hisana had started college and Toshiro spending time with Karin after school, she and Kisuke had more time for each other. Consequently, she needed more food for energy to in order to keep up with him.
"Really, Mom?" Her daughter clapped then hugged her. "Dad is going to be so happy."
Hate to deflate her daughter's balloon but she couldn't let her think what she was thinking. She was sure her daughter wouldn't wait long enough before dialing all their family and friends to announce the good news.
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"Hisana, Mom was just joking." Patting her own stomach, Mom said, "I wish that were true. But I can't have more babies. There were complications during your brother's birth and I almost died. I don't want to risk another pregnancy and so I had a hysterectomy after Toshiro. That's why you two haven't had any younger siblings."
"I'm so sorry, Mom." She hugged her mom, apologizing. "I shouldn't have brought it up. I know how much you love Dad and want to have more babies with him."
"I was really sad when I had it, but I'm fine now. We have you and Toshiro. You two are the best kids and we're so very proud of you." Her mom sniffled before switching her normal mode back on, which was on teasing. "I'll make do with my grandkids from you and your little brother. You'll be a wonderful mommy and more motherly than I ever was. Just don't wait until you get to my age when I had Toshiro. I want to see you as a grandma yourself."
"No, Mom. I've never felt neglected or unloved. Even when I first came here and you believed I was Dad's biological daughter, you still loved and cared for me like you were my mama. You were a wonderful mommy and are the greatest mom." She just wished that Rose had been with her when Dad found her then the both of them would be so happy and loved by her Mom and Dad. There was Grandpa too. He might be strict, but he was an understanding man and loving uncle and grandpa. When she'd come to the house now was her home, she'd found Grandpa intimidating. But after a few months being around him, she'd found Grandpa was a lot like Grandma had been. He'd been caring and sensitive to her younger self's insecurity and nightmares. Rose would have been so happy here. "Mom, I wish Rose had been with me when Dad found me at the border that night."
She wondered why Mom's body tensed when she'd said her wish. She almost asked if Mom was all right, but Mom gently removed her arms from around her own waist then took her hands. Before she could voice her concern, Mom spoke, "Your uncle Shuuhei told your dad and me just last night that little Rose might have survived that fire."
It couldn't be. Dad had told her that all bodies had been accounted for, except her own. He'd even shown her all the death certificates of the Montanos. Her beautiful little sister couldn't have survived. But what if she had? Uncle Shuuhei didn't tell jokes although he'd become less serious after meeting her Aunt Fon. Uncle even told jokes now and Mom said it was all Karin's doing. Mom said Uncle didn't want his princess to look serious like himself or his wife and so, he was doing all he could to make little Karin smile. His efforts hadn't worked out so well for Karin didn't smile that often. It must be in the genes. Both Aunt Fon and Uncle Shuuhei were serious people. They looked serious too.
"Your Uncle said he'll look into it as he's been working on some case in San Diego. He'll have access to all the old files of San Diego and surrounding counties. We're hopeful that he'll come across your family's detailed case."
Even though she'd heard what Mom was telling her, her logical mind was fighting against her hopeful heart that there was no way the authority could have miscounted a dead body. The local authority had even filed Rose's death with the county registrar. Then her heart argued back that Uncle Shuuhei must have some solid evidence before making the claim that Rose had survived. And like Mom had taught her to live with her heart, she'd listen to her own heart and be optimistic. She would take Uncle's words and believe in the brighter side of the situation. She wouldn't give up but keep her hope alive. Mom often said dreams would come true if one wished hard and believed strong enough.
"Thank you, Mom. Thank you for everything you'd ever done for me. And hopefully for the things you'll do for Rose."
She hugged Mom tightly and almost squeezed the breath out of her. Mom didn't mind since she chuckled, squeezing her back. "Your smiles and happiness are thanks enough for all of us. We just wish your Uncle had worked on the case he's working now sooner. You wouldn't have been so sad then."
"I'm sorry. I know I promised not to look on the past and be sad. I really did try and yet I feel sad then guilty whenever I see kids at Rose's age laughing. I keep visualizing what Rose would be like if she'd been alive." Inhaled then exhaled deeply, she recommence her promise. "But Mom, I promise this time that I won't give up hope on finding Rose. No matter how many years I need to wait just to look into her beautiful violet eyes like Grandma Urahara's pansies."
"I always wondered." Her mom smiled, explaining to her. "Now I understand why you started to plant pansies in our back yard after we sold your grandparents' house to your Aunt Fon."
She smiled then with embarrassment, she excused herself. "Mom, do you think we can have something to eat now? I think my knees are buckling."
"Of course. What's with you? Sometimes you're exactly like your dad then turn to become like your Aunt Fon." Mom took their reheated meal from the microwave and placed one plate in front of her then sat down with her own plate in hand. Her mom started to tell her another story of Aunt Fon and Uncle Shuuhei. "She was really hungry but didn't tell us until her knees gave under her. Don't ever be like that, my child. It doesn't matter if your heart breaks into millions of pieces, you can't just neglect your duties to other organs in your body as well."
"And eat like you did when Dad came back the second time?"
"Yes, be like me and eat like that."
Hisana hadn't meant to tease her mom but she had to return the favor once in a while or Mom would find life boring with only her doing the teasing. And she knew she'd teased Mom good, Mom hadn't realized the implication of her devouring food after Dad left the second time. She kept eating her lasagna while waiting for Mom to come realization what she meant by her none too innocent question. And she almost laughed when Mom looked at her. It seemed the realization had dawned on Mom.
Looking between laughter and tears, Mom reaffirmed as well as reminded her. "Yes, eat like I ate when I was pregnant with your brother Shihoin. However, I don't want to see you eat that way for the same reason if you're heartbroken. Unless you're married by then. On second thought, don't get your heart broken when you're married. I'm afraid you'd become widow if that happened. Your misbehaving husband would die just from your aunts, uncles, little brother's words and glares."
"I know and am sorry for poking fun at you." Finally she laughed as she made the excuse. "But you're the only who teases everybody else. Someone needs to tease you back or you'll get bored."
"That's your excuse, missy?" Mom asked acting like it was a reprimand then chuckled, "I guess I raised too well and you've learned my trade. Nonetheless, don't tease your guy friends or any boys. Teasing the opposite is like inviting a double edged sword."
She honestly didn't understand Mom's implication although she knew that last statement carried deep meaning. "How come?"
"Let's just say teasing is like batteries. When teased, the guys become the negative charge and the girls positive. And naturally they come together." Mom just finished her meal and was standing up to pick up their plates. Mom continued with the explanation while scraping the plates before putting them in the dish washer. "You'll know what I mean when you marry, my child."
She began to understand Mom's implication somewhat but Mom had stopped explaining. She intended to ask Mom for an elaboration but put her intention off as she heard Mom saying to herself under her breath. She heard Mom said something like Dad had teased Mom then Mom had teased Dad back and that was how Toshiro had come about.
Ah, that's what Mom meant by teasing and battery charges, she thought to herself. She wanted to tease Mom one more time for today had been her lucky day. She'd learned the possibility of her sister's survival then been able to get Mom off balance for a second. Not even Dad had been able to do that when there were others around. But once they were alone, Mom was usually the one who kept quiet and listened to Dad talk. She herself hadn't known that until she'd walked in on them one day when she hadn't been expected to come home. The sight of her parents together was touching. She'd come back to get her old text for a research at school and found them sitting on bar stool with Mom on Dad's lap and arms. They had been talking about everyday trivial things and hadn't heard her come in. Mom had kept quiet and only nodded her head now and then to let Dad know she had been listening. Mom had listened like they had been of great importance.
Hisana wanted a marriage like her parents' and for a split second, those calm yet disturbing eyes appeared before her. She must have looked at them for quite sometime for Mom had to shake her shoulders to get out of the trance.
"My child, are you all right? Hisana?"
"Yes, yes." She responded, removing her hands from her out of rhythm heart. "I'm sorry to have worried you. I was just taken back by something had happened in the past."
"A boy?"
She shook her head then Mom kept on guessing until a honk came from out front. It must be Dad and Toshiro.
"Already, young lady, we'll have a talk once we get back from the center. We can continue the talk on our way there. But with both your dad and brother in the car, I think it's wiser to wait until later." Mom hooked an arm with hers. "Let's go, child. We need to get going before your dad come escort us out. If that happens, we won't make it to our destination in time."
"Mom!"
"I said nothing." Mom laughed while pressing her toward the door. "Don't tell your grandpa. Or your dad will get a scolding again. My poor Kisuke, he's making up for all the punishment I had as a child because of him and taking all the blame. Your grandpa doesn't know I'm responsible for most of the mischief your dad and I are creating."
"I thought that topic was off limit with me."
"It was and still is. But not for too long now. I know what you were daydreaming about just now, my child."
"Mom, what if neither of us tells Grandpa about our most recent topic?"
"Good call, Hisana. I'm sure your future husband will love you for your negotiation skills."
"Not again, Mom."
"Alright! Alright." Mom raised hand surrendering. "You win, my little girl."
Dad was already out of his Honda SUV and had the doors open for Mom and her.
"Hello Dad. How was your day?"
"Hello little one. My day was was great. How was yours?"
Dad asked her but his eyes were all for Mom and Mom also forgot about her and her brother. They greeted each other with a kiss at the corner of their mouths before getting in their seat in the front. And so she got in as her brother greeted her. Toshiro was already in the back and on his booster. Poor little brother. He was just like her and had to use a booster even though he'd passed that age requirement for a booster. It was their meager height. Darn it!
When all four were buckled up, Dad drove off with one hand while the other held Mom's. She saw their hands tightened gently before Dad raised Mom's hand to his lips for kiss on its back. She always felt good and happy for Mom when Dad was around. After all the trials Mom had gone through, Mom seemed to have a smile drawn at the corners of mouth. And when Dad was with Mom, she could see Mom's eyes dance in happiness.
That's what I'm looking for and nothing less. She told herself before turning to her little brother then they talked catching up on things while she'd been away.
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21 FEBRUARY 2015
I have free time today and thought it would be nice if the chapters of PROMISE ME TOMORROW weren't too long. And so, I split first four chapters into two smaller chapters each.