Morning Bonding

It's 8 in the morning and the rain is pouring really hard this morning. It feels too cold.

I got up and went to get changed. I wore a white sweatshirt and jogging pants. I tied my hair in a ponytail then took my notebook and pen from my table and went straight to the kitchen.

A few minutes later, I already started making pesto pasta and some bacon and eggs. I was also working on my ultimate favorite strawberry shortcake for dessert.

After I finished preparing everything, I received a text from David.

We'll be there in 20 minutes. Take your time. Can't wait to see you. - My Love

I can't wait to see him too. Since David is surely going to have a busy day today, I should prepare him some lunch at least.

Okay, see you, My Love. Can't wait to see you too.

So I took out the ingredients I will need to prepare David's lunch. I'll prepare Chinese fried rice, stir fried pork with vegetables and some fruits as well.

Less than 15 minutes later, I finished preparing all the food. I thought of making our favorite vanilla milkshake too.

When I finished making it, the doorbell rang.

"It must be them. I should put these aside".

After setting them aside, I ran to the door and there they were looking so happy.

"Hello! Come in".

"Thank you. Your place is so beautiful". Claire said

"Thank you. Take a seat".

"Of course. Do you mind if I look around"? Claire said

"Sure, feel free".

"Good morning, Love". He said

"Good Morning"!

"It smells good. Are you done preparing? Do you need help"? He asked

"It's okay, I finished cooking already. You can help me set up the table, if you don't mind".

"Alright". He said

So we headed to the kitchen and took out the food and the utensils and brought them to the dining table.

"This table is so big and you've been eating here all by yourself"? He asked

"Sadly, yes. But, if my parents are here, my Mom and I usually eat together often. My Dad only gets to eat with us if he gets home early or during special occasions".

"Interesting. Should I call my sister"? He asked

"Sure".

I continued fixing the table while he went to call his sister.

Less than a minute later, they came to the dining table.

"Wow! It looks really good. I can't even cook as good as this. You should teach me how to cook like that". Claire said

"We can do that some day. I'm not so good at it yet".

As we began eating, I was watching how much they were enjoying the food. I am craving for my coffee already.

"Love, I know you're looking for your coffee. It's here, don't worry". He said

He knows me too well. He even knows when I am not myself. He knows the things I crave for.

"Thank you. I feel much happier now".

"I want to make you feel happy always, My Love. I can and will do anything and everything to make you happy". He said

He always does find ways to make me happy since we were friends. I mean there are many people who make me happy but David is one of the most special how knows and can makes me happy.

"Thank you, My Love. I will try my best to do the same too".

"You are already making me happy everyday. I appreciate that already". He said

"I will continue to do that. Claire, I was curious about what things you do you enjoy doing? I was wondering if we had something in common asides from our love for vanilla ice cream and coffee".

"Well, I guess our interest in fashion, writing, watching movies, and music. That's all I believe we have in common. Don't we? I do think that we have more things in common compared to you and David, I believe". Claire said

I honestly see myself in Claire because I want to become someone like her who is shining on her own limelight. David and I are both living and hoping that we could do the same in our respective fields without leaning towards how people expecting us to be like our parents.

"We do have a lot in common actually. I am still trying to achieve everything I want without having to live in the shadow of my parents. I have been trying hard to practice balancing responsibilities and things I want to achieve. Taking over my parents' company is a responsibility that I need to do in the future, but hopefully, not anytime soon. But they always told me that I should pursue and be successful in the field I want to be in before getting involved in the family business. Like they say, its better to have experience before diving into something".

"That's true. When David and I were younger, we were exposed to reading, writing, and production as we wanted to learn more about their field. I ended up pursuing the writing aspect since that was the aspect I found myself more in. There are actually so many perks when I became a fashion and travel writer. From traveling freely around the world, attending fashion events, to writing articles worthy to be in the best magazine in the country. All those experiences taught me a lot of things not only about my profession but also about life". Claire said

"That's true. I supported her because it was something she has always enjoyed reading such articles and traveling a lot. It's something I knew she was interested in such she was around my age. She knows it would never be something someone like me would be interested in. Just like I did with her, she supported me when I told her that I wanted to pursue journalism. She was the first one to know and see how interested I am in video editing, reading, and writing". He said

I love how supportive they are to each other. They are really lucky to have each other's back. I wish I had a sibling like David. My parents are very supportive of everything I want to do.

"You two are very lucky to have each other. I wish I had someone who supports me and supports me everything I want to do. But, I have my super supportive parents who lets me do everything I want and sometimes even enjoy it with me".

"That's the advantage of being an only child. You learn and discover so many things since they have only you to focus on. They could see how much you are enjoying something and support you with it. That's the best thing you can ever ask for". Claire said

"That's true. I am so thankful to have such supportive parents who are there in every step of the way. They know me better than I know myself since they are the ones raising me. Despite how busy they were, they always made sure that they are present in all the important days of my life. That is the best part of growing up, actually".

"Growing up together, we learned everything we could from, about, and with each other. Our parents always lets us enjoy every opportunity we have to learn new things and grow up as individuals. There were so many opportunities that we learned a lot from. But honestly, David actually remembers everything we've learned rather than I did. I learned much more new things at work since I was exposed to many new places and experiences. That's why I am enjoying every moment and opportunity because I get to learn something new. We shouldn't let any opportunity pass because there is something we could get from it". Claire said

"Just like you, I have been learning so many things from everything that I have been doing. I have received many achievements where I learned a lot from. I can never forget what my mom always tells me: "take every opportunity to learn something new". Since then, I treat every day as an opportunity to learn something new".

"That is very true. We should take every opportunity there is while we can. Growing up, we took every opportunity there is and we became the people we are now. That's why they encouraged me to ask you to be my girlfriend because its a one time opportunity that could fade away. I am learning a lot from this new experience already and I've been taking every opportunity there is to be with you and learn more from you". David said

He's right. We all believe in one thing and its something I believe that every parent would tell their children. I am happy that we grew up believing the same thing.

We were really enjoying our conversation that we lost track of time.

"I should do the dishes now. I don't wanna leave anything behind when we go out later".

"I should do it. You did so much for us already. You should rest and enjoy your coffee". Claire said

"No, it's okay. I should be the one doing it".

"I insist. You should go get prepared then you can enjoy coffee too". Claire said

I am very thankful for having a sister like Claire because she really shows how much she cares for me like her own sister.

"Okay then. Thank you so much".

"Of course. That's the only way I could thank you for preparing all this". Claire said

I taught her where the dishwashing stuff were then let her do her thing since she's really enjoying it. I guess that's one of the things that people who live alone.

So I went up to my room, went straight to the shower and got changed.

I wore a black collared shirt, white leather jacket, black jeans, and white ankle high sneakers. My most favorite comfortable clothes.

I took out my most favorite black backpack then put my things in it. I fixed my hair and put it in a ponytail, clean and simple.

After getting prepared, I came out of my room and went straight to the living room where David and Claire were waiting.

"You look good like always". David said

"Thank you. Claire, I didn't know you wash dishes that fast. I can barely even wash dishes as fast as you do".

"It's something I got used to since I started living alone. It's already a part of my everyday routine except when I'm abroad". Claire said

"I should learn how to do that especially when my parents are away. That's one reason why I don't like cooking at home especially when I'm alone. I'd prefer to order since disposal is much easier".

"Honestly, I don't do the dishes often too since my parents won't let me. Since everything is mostly prepared for me already from the time I get home, I don't get to do much anymore since after dinner is part 2 of studying". David said

"That's exactly the same with me. My Mom doesn't want to bother me with housework since she knows that I have so many things to do. It feels quite sad that I don't get to help them a lot with housework since they are already busy with work then they come home to housework".

"I feel exactly the same. It does feel sad that I don't get to help with housework even the smallest chores. We should actually be more active with housework now that we're in college and living with parents who are away often. You should teach me to cook sometime, Claire". David said

"Me too. I've been cooking the same things over and over again. I want to learn more recipes that I could try. Just like you, I've been way into ordering food since I don't really like the food I'm preparing anymore". Claire said

I agree with them. We should learn more new recipes to prepare and learning together would be more fun.

"Of course. Let's see once we have free time again".

Another conversation well spent, we lost track of time.

"Before I forget, I have a meeting with the members of the campus newspaper in a few hours. I should get going and I have to go home and get some papers before heading there". He said

Right! I did prepare lunch for him. I should go get it.

"Wait, before you go, I have something for you".

I ran straight to the kitchen and prepared the lunch I finished earlier. I packed it immediately and brought it to him.

"I thought of this already, I prepared you lunch since your meeting would take some time. Here, this is for you".

"Wow! Thank you so much. You didn't have to but thank you so much. I appreciate this very much". He said

I'm happy that he likes it. I should do this more often since I'm sure he barely gets to eat home-cooked food since we're in school almost the whole day.

"We should get going. The mall might be full of people by now. David should get going too". Claire said

So we went out the front door, they actually came in separate cars, I thought they came together.

"See you later and take care, Love. I'll message you or call you if we have plans tonight".

"See you, Love. Enjoy your day with Claire. I'll call you later". He said

We waited for him to go first before we got in Claire's car.

I really like her car. I've seen this car often and I have always wanted to have one. I didn't know she had one of these.

"I really like your car. I've been wanting to have this car but I couldn't find it anymore, sadly. It looks really nice inside and out".

"This is actually my first and only car. It was a college graduation gift from my parents. I've been taking care of this car since then and it really still feels new. You're actually the first person outside my family who has rode in this car". Claire said

"Really?! I'm very lucky that I was one of the first. I just want to experience riding this even if I couldn't have one".

"Sure. Honestly, I actually wanted your car since it looks modern although its a classic. It looks really strong and brand new even through time. I should try riding in it soon if I get to". Claire said

"Of course. We can do that one day. This is one of my Dad's treasured cars. I don't want to take this actually but he insisted since he wanted me to drive on my own".

"That's nice. Where should we go? I didn't plan what's gonna happen today". Claire said

Although I always plan everything I need to do everyday, I wanted to try being spontaneous for at least once. Just want to enjoy the day since it's a once in a while kind of bonding.

"Neither did I. Its my first time going out spontaneously so I don't know how it feels to do one".

"I have an idea. There's a place that I go to often when I want to destress. It's an all in one kind of experience since everything is there. Its like my peaceful getaway for me after a stressful week". Claire said

I'm excited to visit this place. Maybe it could become a special place for me and the people I love to visit sometime soon. I've been wanting to have a getaway after a long stressful month in school.

"Interesting. I want to go there and see whether I could find another safe haven for a nice and calming getaway".

"It will be". Claire said

While we were on the road, Claire suddenly breaks the silence.

"How is sophomore year going for you so far"? Claire asked

"Well, it's busy like freshman year. Lots of all nighters but I can still survive anything. Asides from that, I've been trying to become more involved with extra-curricular activities. I haven't had much time to spend with myself and with friends because of the many priorities I set for myself each day. It's hard but I will get there one day. Now that I am in a relationship, I should try much harder to become a much better person and set new priorities for myself".

"I know that feeling. It is hard to balance professional and personal life with the priorities that we have to set for ourselves. But it is important to realign them when there are new ones. You're still young and I know you'll get there knowing that there are people around you who support you. But knowing you, you will surely get there in no time. David is just like you, really. He barely gets time to focus on himself with all the things he's involved in. Both of you are in the same situation and I've wanting to remind both of you about taking time off and focusing on yourselves. But, it is a decision for you to make. I'm just here to remind you". Claire said

That struck me quite deep. I haven't been focusing on myself a lot because of my responsibilities and roles. I guess its time for me to starting allotting time for myself and I want to let David understand that too.

I look out the window and rain began pouring. Why is the rain always there when I encounter moments like this? Is this still a coincidence? Does this happen to me only? Does this happen to others too?

Hearing and seeing the rain makes me emotional always. I don't know why but it always looked this way. It makes me reflect on things and on life. The one thing that makes me think deeply on everything.

"Is everything all right"? Claire asked

"Well, it seems like a coincidence that rain always comes when I look out the window and reflect on life. It just makes me feel the most emotional. What you said made me rethink and look back on how I have been living my life. I have been focusing too much on school work that I barely had time for myself".

"It's normal. Just like you, the rain makes me become emotional and rethink about life. That's the best thing to do. Reflection does really help us become better people. Hopefully this short trip we are having can be helpful at some point. I just want you to enjoy your youth while you can. Just feel free and enjoy the day. I'm sorry if it became to serious". Claire said

"It's okay. I will surely enjoy this trip regardless if we had a conversation like this because it lets me rethink things and enjoy the things I am experiencing firsthand. I will do my best after this trip that David and I will try our best to change ourselves".

Honestly, I could use more talks like this to realize