Pursuit of Love

CHAPTER 1: Home Again

- I know God has bigger and better plans for me than I have for myself. -

CHAPTER 1

 It’s already 8 pm when I arrived in the Philippines and its feel so good to be home again. I saw Mama going out from the car as I waited for her outside in the airport since I arrived around an hour earlier.

 “Aliyah!!?” shocked and surprised was shown in the face of Mama. She’s still the same when I left and live in New York. She approach and welcome me with a big hug. God, I really miss Mama so much.

 “Mama, I’m so sorry and I really miss you.” I cried in between our hugs.

 “Its okay honey and I miss you too. I know it is for you own good.” while she’s wiping off my tears. “You arrived early honey, sorry to keep you waiting. Come on, let’s go home. I cook for dinner will just continue our dramas at home.” she said and let go of me.

 “By the way Ma, where is Ashton?” I followed her to the car while the driver takes care of my luggage.

 “He’s at home resting since he just also got home from Greece for a week dealing with business matter.”

 Yeah, I have a brother who is 3 years older than me and now he’s the one managing our shipping and airline companies. I swear I'm going to kill him when I get home for not even bothering to pitch me.

***

 When we arrived at home I went directly to Ashton’s room, slamming his door and see a man with a perfect body lying in a king size bed underneath the blanket with design of his favorite character Patrick, the star. Ughh! This childish moron he didn't even welcomed me!

I was about to kick him out of bed when he suddenly get up and he was just wearing only a black boxer as always. He still love that color and honestly he get more handsome now with a defined feature.

 “Welcome home my dear sister and you’ve change a lot but still you are ugly! I know what you’re thinking about and I’m sorry okay so don’t you dare lay your feet on me!” he said in a warning tone and I immediately hug him.

 “I miss you too my dear ugly bro!” and he hugs me back and then hear Mama calling us to eat dinner. “Let’s go down Ash. I’m hungry and I miss Mama’s food.” and I was about to punch him when he caught it.

 “I still remember your habit sis! Hahaha!” he said while laughing and he finally get off to bed and pat my head. “Yeah, let’s eat. I’m the one who cook the main dish today.”  he said and wink. So childish of him!

 “I change my mind, I am full.” thinking that he was the one who cooked makes me vomit. I remember the awful taste when he tried to cook Adobo for the first time.

 “Hey! I was just 12 that time so forget it and now I’m 27 I’ve already mastered all the kind of dishes!” in his very proud and manly voice. I just roll my eyes at him.

***

 After dinner, we spent almost 3 hours of bonding and talking about what I missed for 10 years. I never thought Ashton will be able to cook like a professional chef and I pity myself since I’m the girl and supposedly I should be the one to be knowledgeable in cooking yet I only knew how to eat. I’ve never learn to cook since I’m living with my Auntie in New York, she’s the one who always cooked and also for being busy with my career.

 Now that I’m finally at home, lying in my bed contemplating about my dark past, and I realized that 10 years had been so long for escaping and hiding from it. I know from myself that I already accept it - for what they all have done and especially for my Papa. Since I’ve arrived, I notice Mama and Ashton have prevented talking about anything related to my past like Papa and, of course about him.

 But past is past, I should not think about it anymore and just move forward. I notice the old books in my side table together with the lamp shade and our family picture. I’ve missed Papa so much and his stories I’ve loved to hear and grown up with, fairytale. It’s already around 1 am when I felt sleepiness. Tomorrow, I’ll visit the grave of Papa, I miss him so much.

***