The next day, nobody dared to start a conversation.

All that was heard were the silverware and utensils as we ate our breakfast in silence.

Once done, dad wiped the corners of his mouth and stood up leaving us girls alone.

After a minute or two, it was mom's turn to walk out on us.

I sighed and exchanged looks with Sheena.

We stood up and automatically gathered the plates and utensils.

We initiated cleaning them although before, mom would enthusiastically clean them up.

But, I guess, time changes.

And it can never be undone.

"Sis" "Shee" We both said while we were standing in front of the sink.

We drew a deep breath again and Sheena placed her head on my shoulder.

We were both facing the wall and none of us tried turning around to face the dining area where awkwardness and loneliness currently reside.

I felt my shoulder shaking and realized my younger sister was crying.

Sound of water being used to clean the dishes was heard.

I took the responsibility to clean up and Sheena took her time to cry.

I understand her. She barely, we barely hear our parents fight, let alone, witness it.

She probably couldn't take it all in.

Sheena has this soft spot and still vulnerable.

Being the older and her only sibling, I felt protective of her.

I wanted to shield her from the bitterness of the world but she would not grow.

She must start to learn it step by step.

This is the reality.

When I'm done, so is Sheena.

She wiped her tears and smiled at me.

"Let's go and watch kdrama, big sis?" Sheena asked expectantly.

"Sure!" I answered and nodded.

"I get to choose the series, ayt!" Sheena exclaimed and ran upstairs to our room.

I wiped my hands using the hand towel and followed my sister to our room.

I found her sitting on her bed and the remote of our tv on her hand.

She was torn between watching Itaewon Class and Pasta.

I shook my head thinking of her love for food.

My sister can be weird at times.

Last month, we watched detective series.

Two months ago, we had finished romantic comedy series.

No wonder, my recent stories in Inknotes are inspired by them.

Being sad made her crave for food and now she's watching again.

"Let's have some pasta, big sis." I nodded and sat on my bed.

I placed my pillow on my back and relaxed myself.

Sheena stood when we were almost at the middle of the first episode.

"Where are you going?" I asked suddenly.

"I'll just get us some snacks." Sheena said and winked at me before going down to the fridge.

I continued watching and Sheena arrived with two bottles of C2 Apple, Cracklings and Piattos for us to dig in.

She threw me my Cracklings while she opened her piattos.

We were at the end of the episode when my phone died.

I searched for my charger in our bedroom but failed to find it.

My cellphone is compatible with mom's so I have to knock at their room and dad opened their door.

"Your mom is in the library." He said and looked at me.

I nodded. "I'll just borrow her phone's charger."

My dad nodded and let me in.

I walked inside and went to her drawer where she usually places her charger and other accessories.

When I saw it, I pulled it out from the drawer but something came along with it.

A couple of pictures fell and I bent down to pick it up to return it to the drawer when I hesitated.

I saw mom hugging a guy about her age.

On another photo, mom was sharing an intimate dinner with him.

Another shows mom giggling when the guy whispered something to her ear.

That was all it took for me to burst into tears.

Our mom is cheating!

She betrayed dad's trust!

It was her who ruined our family!

I heard footsteps coming in but I was stuck staring at the pictures.

"Oh, Sh-Shai?" Came mom's voice.

I turned to look at her with tear-stricken face.

"I-it was you who cheated on dad, ma??" I asked in disbelief.

I stood up and glared at her with disappointment.

"B-baby, Le-let me explain, pls." Mom pleaded, looking into my eyes.

I was too blinded by hurt to hear her excuses.

"So, what's this?" I asked and showed her the pictures I saw.

She shook her head and her face was filled with tears too.

"H-he was a friend. We started dating. And, yo-your dad .. We-we fell out of love. I don't love him anymore. Your dad knows about us. " Mom explained in a shaky voice.

I shook my head.
"This is unacceptable. Pls. Don't talk to me for now." I said and stormed out of her room.

I headed straight to me and my sister's room.

"Your phone charger is here, big sis. What happened?" Sheena asked and looked at me.

I stared at the charger she's holding and I grabbed it.

I went to my dresser and pulled out my luggage.

I pulled out several clothes and underwear that is good for at least three days and placed it inside the luggage.

I also searched for my backpack and placed my laptop, charger and some essentials.

I did not realized what I was doing when Sheena stopped me.

"Where are you going? " Sheena met my eyes and she started crying. "I thought no one is leaving each other? Yo-you're my sister! Why will you leave me here? Let me just go with you, please.."

I wiped my tears and continued shoving things in my bag.

Once done, I faced her.

"I'll just leave for the meantime. To think. I will be back after threee days." I assured her and hugged her.

Sheena gave me a disappointed look and did not say anything.

She returned to her bed and started switching channels.

I sighed and sat on her bed.

"Please give me some time, Shee. I need to absorb things. It still hasn't sank to me what's going inside our household." I said. "Please understand me."

Sheena remained stoic and ate her snack.

"I will text you as soon as I have found a place to stay for three days. I won't leave you, Shee." I assured her.

I hugged her one last time and dragged my backpack and luggage with me.