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My parents seldom fight, but when they do, things get heated very quickly. Every summer, my dad comes home from work for a few months because he’s a seaman. My family, especially my baby brother, gets excited because he’s finally home after being away for such a long time. I used to feel the same way too. I would look forward to the “gasa” my father brought from abroad and the chance to spend time with him after months apart. But over the past few years, that excitement slowly turned into dread. Before I continue, I want to say that my father is not a bad man. He genuinely cares for his children and sacrificed so much just so we could continue our studies and live a comfortable life in the province. However, he also has flaws. When he believes he is right, he defends his opinion with complete conviction. He rarely changes his views unless someone gives undeniable proof that he is wrong. On paper, that sounds admirable, but in reality, it becomes exhausting, especially when the other person actually has a valid point. The problem is that my mother is exactly the same when she gets angry. Both of them are stubborn. Both of them become emotional during arguments. So what happens when two people with the same fiery personality clash? Pure chaos. They scream at each other, raise their voices louder and louder, and sometimes I hear loud bangs from things being dropped or slammed during the fight. Even though these arguments do not happen constantly, they leave such a strong impact that a single fight can ruin the atmosphere of the entire summer. What frustrates me the most is that neither of them seems willing to calm down and truly listen to the other. Instead of hearing each other out peacefully, they let their pride take over and continue escalating the situation. Sometimes it feels less like watching grown adults and more like watching two stubborn children refusing to back down. I do not even choose sides anymore because, honestly, I blame both of them equally for escalating arguments that are not worth turning into wars. I just sit there wondering why neither of them realizes how stressful it is for everyone else in the house, especially my younger brothers. They may be too young to fully understand the arguments now, but children remember these things more than adults think they do. Sometimes I want to interfere and throw my medals at them just to make a point. I want to tell them, “Here, you’re both winners already, so please stop fighting.” I want them to realize that their arguments do not only affect each other; they affect the entire family. I do not want my brothers to grow up thinking that screaming, pride, and emotional explosions are what relationships are supposed to look like.