Chasing an Angel

C2.2

True enough, Meng was nowhere in sight when they entered the house.

"I thought you are starving. Why are you barely touching your food?"

Alden was roused from his pensive mood and turned to Leo. "What were you saying bro?"

"Are you alright? Is there any problem bro?"

"Nothing bro, just thinking of something."

"And what is that something? Care to share it?"

"Bro I am in a quandary. You know that I love my work but it seems that homesickness is catching up on me now. Honestly I don't want to go back to work after three days but my boss will kill me and I may place the company in an awkward situation if deadlines are missed because of my failure to be back as scheduled."

"What are your plans then?"

"Honestly, I still don't know. I still want to stay longer, but it's not possible."

"I know how you value commitments bro and whatever it is that stands on the way, I know you can easily handle it. Cheer up, it is so unlike you to be dejected over something," advised Leo and patted his best friend at the back.

Realizing that Leo had already finished eating, Alded hastily consumed all the food on his plate. He then gathered the almost untouched remaining food from the boxes and stacked them neatly on the refrigerator shelves, while Leo is watching silently.

They then left for Leo's office. Alden with nothing in hand to keep him busy is resolved to be tagging along Leo while he is on duty the rest of the day.

Meng arrive home in the afternoon ahead of everyone. After changing into her house clothes she proceeded to the kitchen where she saw at the top of the dining table empty boxes marked with the logo of a popular fast food eatery. She wondered who brought these for she is aware that all her cousins do not come home for lunch. She gathered the empty boxes and placed them in the garbage bag. Opening the refrigerator, she found stocks of ready to eat food which are more than enough for their dinner. Although she has no idea who bought these, she is grateful that they will be spared from preparing dinner.

Finding ample idle time at hand, she took out a pocket book she bought at a bookstore she passed on the way home. She positioned herself half lying, half setting on the couch and is about to start reading when she remembered something lacking.

She returned to the kitchen to look for food that could be possibly munched while reading. She found the boxes of mangoosten and pomelos but was hesitant to touch it recalling that it was not her kuya Leo who purchased it. Her "eating while reading" habit however took hold of her so she decided to get one pomelo telling herself "E di pag may nagalit di palitan" which she is aware is most unlikely. She peeled the thick outer skin of pomelo and also remove all the thin inner skin leaving bunches of pure pinkish pomelo flesh. She placed these in a plate and brought it to the living room.

With her reading paraphernalia now complete, Meng repositioned herself on the couch and started reading.

Minutes later she heard a car stop in front of the house and thinking that it is Leo she never bothered to check. Then she heard a key being inserted in the main door's keyhole but she still did not budge an inch and continued reading. She then heard someone enter the living room and sensed that the newcomer sat down on the chair next to the arm of the sofa where her head is.

Still engrossed in reading she reached out for her plate of pomelo to get a cluster when it landed over a hand also reaching for the plate.

"Kuya naman ang daya mo, magbalat ka kaya para sa iyo, hirap ata akong gawin yon, marami pa naman don" said Meng said in a childlike complain while rising up at the same time to confront what she thought is Leo. She was surprised however to face a widely smiling Alden.

Yesterday's event suddenly flashed in her mind and started feeling annoyed. Sensing her irritation, Alden immediately raised up his two hands as a sign of surrender and plea for apology. 

The sight of Meng lying innocently at the couch when he entered the house created an instant pleasant feeling that made him forget niceties again hence, his failure to at least identify himself and let her realize his presence upon knowing that she is already home. 

Seeing Alden's facial expression, Meng could not suppress her laughter as he looks like a child guilty of a misdeed fearing punishment.

Alden's face lit up when he saw her reaction and said. "Am I forgiven then?" and he started explaining.

"I was bored waiting for Leo at his office so he gave me his key to come here ahead of him. I thought nobody is home yet as there was no movement even while I am already opening the door. Promise, (simultaneously raising up his right open palm) this will be the last of my burglarizing ways. I am not in the habit of entering anyone's domain unannounced and without seeking permission but I may find it hard to convince you for the circumstances are always against me. And, to make up for my blunders, I will peel a dozen pomelos for you so that you can enjoy eating this fruit sans sacrifices."

And with that he ran to the kitchen leaving Meng with a gaping mouth who was not able to utter a single word.