Chapter 5: Car Accident

The aroma of Isabella's mother freshly cooked rice hung in the table, with the savory scent of of their favorite dish, as Isabella decided to finally tell what's in her mind this past few days.

"Mom, Dad... I just thought, what if I help you with your work?" Isabella said.

"After all, I believe that I am old enough already, so I can do a lot of things instead of just staying at home. And besides, it would also help with Nerissa's education". Her mother's hand, previously moving rhythmically as she chewed her rice, paused mid-air. It was already evening, and now they were facing each other at the dining table.

"You better to that," Nerissa whispered but not too loud to made that audible. Her mother looked up from her plate, surprise. Across the table, her father had also stopped eating, his gaze now locked on Isabella.

"Help us with our work?" Her father said, and Isabella quickly nodded.

"Yes, Dad! I've been thinking about this for the past few days. I hope that you will consider my suggestion, after all, we are family, and we should help each other, right?" Isabella said. She wanted them to see that she was serious.

But as she looked at her parents, she could see the hesitation in their eyes. There was a silent exchange between them, a conversation that Isabella was not part of.

"Isabella darling, you are still young. And we didn't even plan to give that kind of responsibility to you especially that me and your Dad is still breathing fine." Isabella's heart sank at her parents' response. She had been hoping they would see her offer as a way to contribute to the family, but instead, they seemed concerned about burdening her with too much responsibility.

"But Mom, Dad," Isabella pleaded.

"I know I'm young, but I want to help. I want to be able to ease some of the workload on both of you." Her mother sighed, while his father chuckle a little.

"Isabella, don't push that idea, okay? We see that you have a good intentions. But let me and your Dad do our part. Now, I just want you to also wait, soon enough you're going to study too, like your sister, Nerissa." Her mother said. The smile on her face slowly fell away, as her mother gently squeeze her hands.

"Your Mom's right, Isabella. All we want is to try our best to give you and Nerissa a nice life." Nerissa almost didn't control her eyes to roll, because fo her, it's so boring to hear that kind of conversations.

Isabella then stood up from sitting and walked towards the side of her parents and gave them a tight hugged.

"I love you, Mom, Dad, you are the best!" Nerissa also stand up from her seat to do the same, after all, she also feel thankful for them for accepting her in their family.

"Me too, Dad and Mom, even though I mostly act like a brat", Nerissa giggles lightly as she said, earning an amused chuckle from both parents, as she also gave them a hugged.

Despite the fact that Isabella gave up her dream to study again for Nerissa. She didn't feel less, especially because of the fair love her parents'giving to them. Everything is perfect already for her, that's how she appreciates small things in her life not until everything started to crumbled...

The sun is already slowly going down to horizons, Isabella simply wiped a little sweat on her forehead. She's busy preparing for a surprise for her parents' since today's both of their birthday. Despite their busy scheduled on their work, she still want to prepare a special treat for them.

"Nerissa? Are you still not done on your home work? Can you help me here now?" Nerissa's who's just actually chatting for a random guy on her phone heard her voice. She grimaced, feeling irritated.

"You are doing something that might exhaust you then you are gonna asked for my help? Psh!" Nerissa put the mobile device back to her pocket, as sje walked outside her room and entered the kitchen area like she didn't even have any problem helping her sister.

"Sorry, I just done doing my homework."

"That's fine, Nerissa. So, may you help me cutting the ingredients for this?" Isabella gestured with the knife to the vegetables.

"Sure, it's for our parents!" Nerissa said, smiling cheerfully.

It's been an hour since they finished cooking and organizing the food on the table, as well as decorating something on the wall. Isabella is sure that both their parents are already on their way home.

"Finally, we are done!" Nerissa exclaimed. Isabella laughed along with her. After some time, they heard a loud knock on the door of their house. Nerissa and Isabella both looked at each other excitedly as they run towards the door to opened it and greeted their parents.

"Happy Birth—" Before Isabella can finish what she wants to say, she saw the two police women, staring at them with a serious face, like they're hurrying to be here.

"W-Why—"

"Are you Mrs. and Mr. Flores' daughters?"

One officer asked. Both Isabella and Nerissa nodded in unison. Isabella already feels her heart beating fast, the same time one of the glass om the table suddenly fell out of the blue.

"Your parents got in a car accident. Some of the witness tried to bring them to the hospital but they're already didn't make it." The cop continued. Isabella felt herself getting cold, all over the place.

"N-No... How could you say that?" Tears quickly ran down Isabella's cheeks as she cried hard. Nerissa stood there frozen and silent as she watch Isabella crying.

"T-Then where should we see now?" Isabella turned to look at Nerissa.

"Nerissa? Don't believe them, Mom and Dad ar still alive! They are going home and we are going to celebrate their birthday!" Isabella cried louder, but her voice sounds so weak. Nerissa looks up at the officers, who just stared at Isabella with a sad expression. At the end they already both see themselves staring at the dead body of their parents.

Isabella run towards them and cried loudly on her parents' shoulder. Nerissa just watch that scene unfold, her mind is now filled with frustrations, thinking what would happen now to her. She's not even try to grieve with the lost of the people who adopted her and gave her the love she lacks of.

"Mom... D-Dad! Please, wake up!" Isabella cried desperately. This time Nerissa slowly walked towards her.

"Isabella, they're dead already... Instead of crying there, you better ask yourself how can we continue our life now," Nerissa said plainly, who's already feel annoyed hearing Isabella's cries.