“Lilis, it’s already eight in the morning! How long do you plan on sleeping?! I’ve told you so many times not to stay up late, but you never listen, do you?!” Salsa’s voice rang out from the kitchen, echoing through the entire house.
Her long black hair was tied back in a simple style, and she wore a pink apron decorated with cute bunny prints.
With a spatula in her right hand and the stove fire under her left, Salsa looked like the perfect image of a busy housewife.
Well... if only she weren’t so clumsy.
She let out a sigh while frying an omelet. “Why does my daughter always come home so late at night? Is it really work… or something else?” she muttered, almost like she was talking to herself.
Then—without realizing—her hot spatula brushed against her chin.
Ssshh!
“Ah! Hot, hot, hot!” she yelped, jumping back while rubbing the reddening spot on her chin.
That was Salsa for you, her clumsiness was legendary. In fact, Lilis, her only daughter, often compared her mother to a ditzy but lovable teenage girl.
Salsa had married young, right after graduating high school, because her family sold her off to pay her father’s debts. Her husband rarely came home, and in the end, he divorced her not long after Lilis was born.
Since then, Salsa had been mother, father, and best friend all at once to her daughter.
“Haah?!” Salsa suddenly gasped, her reaction way too over-the-top. “No way… Don’t tell me Lilis has a boyfriend! And she’s been using ‘overtime’ as an excuse to meet him?!”
Her imagination started to spin out of control, weaving ridiculous scenarios about her daughter’s secret love life.
Still rubbing her sore chin, Salsa flipped the almost-burnt omelet with renewed vigor, acting as though nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, upstairs, the curtains kept the room in darkness. Underneath her blanket, Lilis stirred, listening to the chaos coming from the kitchen.
“Oh, Mom… she’s probably acting out another one of her drama scenarios again,” Lilis mumbled while rubbing her eyes, knowing her mother’s antics all too well.
She sluggishly got up, put on her glasses and house slippers, then headed downstairs.
“Good morning, Mom,” Lilis greeted with a huge yawn.
“Lilis! Finally, you’re awake!” Salsa spun around with relief, turning off the stove. But as she walked toward her daughter, she tripped over her own feet and nearly fell.89Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9zZXELY9gY
“Ugh, stupid slippery floor!” she grumbled, pretending to be angry at the tiles instead of her own clumsiness.
Lilis chuckled behind her hand, seeing her mom still gripping the spatula like a battle weapon.
“Mom… what on earth were you doing? It sounded like a war in here.”
Salsa puffed her cheeks, trying to look serious but only ending up looking even cuter.
“I was just making breakfast for you. And, Lilis… Don’t think I don’t know!”
“Eh?”
“I know those late nights aren’t because of work. Tell me, do you already have a boyfriend?”
Lilis froze for a second, then burst into uncontrollable laughter, leaving Salsa baffled.
“Oh my god, Mom. I really was working overtime. The head office is super demanding, and I had to finish reports for the branch.”
Salsa narrowed her eyes suspiciously. “Don’t lie to me, Lilis. I was young once too, you know! A mother can smell love in the air from miles away!”
Still laughing, Lilis shook her head. “I’m serious, Mom. Why would you think I’d hide something like that from you? If I ever get a boyfriend, you’ll be the first to know.”
Salsa pouted but then set her spatula aside, her eyes softening with affection. “Fine, I’ll believe you. But promise me this, if anything ever comes up, don’t keep it to yourself.”
Lilis nodded, stepping forward to hug her. “Thanks, Mom. Now, let’s eat that breakfast you fought so hard to make.”
Salsa laughed, feeling her daughter’s warmth. “Yes, let’s. And this time, I promise no more spatula accidents.”
Both of them laughed together, filling the bright morning with warmth despite the messy start. In their home, love and laughter were always the main ingredients no matter how clumsy Salsa could be.
“Wait!” Salsa suddenly stopped Lilis just as she was about to sit down at the table, her face serious yet comical. “Not before you take a shower, young lady! No breakfast for you until you’re clean!”
“Eh?! Mom, seriously?” Lilis groaned like a little kid.
“Very seriously! I won’t raise a messy daughter!”
“Ugh, fine…” Lilis dragged her feet toward the bathroom, sulking.
While waiting, Salsa hummed happily as she set the table.
A few minutes later, Lilis returned, her hair damp and her face fresh. “I’m done, Mom.”
Salsa beamed. “Good! Now come here, let me fix your hair.”
“Eh? Is that really necessary?”
Ignoring her protests, Salsa began brushing and arranging her daughter’s hair with motherly care.
“I still can’t believe it… You were once just a tiny baby, barely the size of a soy sauce bottle and now look at you, such a beautiful young woman.”
“Ugh, Mom! Stop it, I’m not a kid anymore! Quit treating me like one!” Lilis grumbled, puffing her cheeks.
“Hahaha! You’re too cute, Lilis!”
“You’re the cute one, Mom…” Lilis muttered under her breath.
“Alright, let’s eat,” Salsa said cheerfully, guiding her daughter to the table.
The two of them enjoyed their meal with the usual blend of laughter and warmth.
“So,” Salsa asked curiously, “anything interesting happening at that minimarket of yours?”
“Not really. Just the usual stocking shelves and helping customers.”
“Hmm. Are you sure you don’t want to try university? You might find a better job.”
Lilis shook her head. “I don’t want to burden you more than I already have.”
Bang!
Salsa slammed the table, making Lilis jump. “Don’t ever say that again! You’re not a burden, Lilis. You’re my treasure, my very soul. Never forget that.”
Lilis smiled gently, knowing her mother’s painful past. She was the only family her mother had left, after all.
After breakfast, they washed up together.
“Working overtime again tonight?” Salsa asked.
“Not sure. Those things usually come up suddenly.”
“Want me to pack you a lunchbox?”
“Mom! I’m not a little kid anymore.”
“Hehe~” Salsa just laughed.
Soon, Lilis changed into her minimarket uniform, ready for work. At 10:30, she kissed the back of her mother’s hand. “I’m off, Mom. Please get some rest today, okay?”
Salsa’s eyes glistened with pride. “Be careful out there, Lilis!” she called, waving as her daughter walked out the door.
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and then Add to home screen.