Chasing an Angel

C6-4

Her uncles and aunties welcomed them gladly.  She witnessed what she heard from Leo before that RJ is a part of the family. Everyone was agog and vocal on how they missed him and he showed similar reaction too. The two families had their lunch together and RJ lost no time to talk to her uncles and auntie's about their relationship. Everyone seemed happy learning about it and there was no negative reaction from anyone.

It was his uncle Manny however who advised her to tell her parents about this.   Meng was alarmed fearing how her parents would react. It is only two months since she left home with the purpose of searching for a job and now she will tell them that she already has a boyfriend.

"Uncle I can't right now, you know how strict father is, and he may want me to go home right away if I'll tell him."

"I think that is a problem you need to handle for I would not advice that you keep this relationship a secret from your parents."

"Tito don't worry, I'll find a way to resolve this and keeping this from their knowledge will not be our option", promised RJ.

"I trust you RJ, and I trust you with my niece. Please protect her from awkward situations."

"I promise Tito, I will do everything to protect her, not only because I owe it to you or to anyone but also because I love her and want her to be happy."

Midway home, Meng noticed that they are travelling on an unfamiliar road again, so she asked RJ. Instead of answering he, reached out for her left hand brought it to his lips, kissed it and smiled enigmatically. They are now entering what looks like an affluent subdivision as evidenced by the impressive gate. The guards on duty greeted RJ when they stopped at the guard house for routine checking. "Good afternoon Sir Alden, ang ganda po ng kasama niyo. Kadadaan lang din po ng sasakyan ng daddy niyo at magkasunod lang kayo." "Good afternoon Kuya Dan, girlfriend ko po," and RJ pointed to Meng. "Sige po tuloy na kami."

RJ's car entered a two story imposing house surrounded by wrought-iron fence and gate. Meng was awed by the opulence of the house that she was hesitant to come out of the car.

"Whose house is this?" Meng voiced out at last.

"My parents and I want you to meet them."

"RJ I can't."

"RJ? Is calling me Love that hard for you to do," asked RJ in a dejected face.

"Sorry, please bear with me I'm still getting used to it. But I am really uncomfortable and not ready to meet your parents now, realizing that you are this rich."

"Love, what you are seeing are my parent's properties and not mine. And what has wealth to do with your meeting them?"

"What your parents have is tantamount to being your own, particularly in your case as an only child. I came from an ordinary family, and it is very evident to me now how mismatched we are financially and, honestly I feel so inadequate to face your parents."

"Love not everything on earth is measured by money or worldly materials. There are a lot of things that money cannot buy. You are not aware, but you possess qualities that could not be compensated by any material wealth and many people would be willing to trade their wealth just to have what you possess. You may be amazed by the things you see now, but these luxuries do not reflect the real personalities of my parents. They are just simple persons who were lucky enough to have been blessed so much. They are just ordinary people with simple needs and are easy to please. Don't be afraid I am with you and they are already waiting for us." RJ then came out of the car, opened the passenger side and helped the still hesitant Meng out of the car.

When they reached the porch with RJ holding Meng's left hand a middle aged lady is already waiting for them. "Good afternoon RJ your parents are already waiting for you at the Lanai area." RJ hugged the woman and answered, "Good afternoon Nana Mila and thank you for telling us." Nana Mila pointed to Meng and said. "She is so pretty." "Nana Mila this is Meng my girlfriend. Meng this is Nana Mila my surrogate mother. She fills in for mommy in her absence." "She looks kind and innocent, an angelic beauty I should say, you are lucky RJ," then turned to Meng, "RJ is a good person," you are lucky to have him too." "Thank you Nana Mila. Your personal assessment of people's characters have never been amiss. You are right, Meng is an angel the Lord sent to me that I have completely fallen to. We will now go to Dad and Mom." "Thank you too Nana Mila, I am honored," echoed Meng shyly.

Lanai was on the second floor of the house overlooking below a garden on the right and a round swimming pool with very clear waters on the other side.  Alden's father looks authoritative while his mom despite her simple attire exudes elegance. Both smiled when they saw them approaching. Alden's with his hands locked with Meng's, looked at his parents and said.

"Mom, Dad, this is Meng my girlfriend, Love, meet my parents."

"I am glad to meet you ma'am, sir" said Meng nervously.

"We are very glad to meet you too Meng. RJ told us a lot about you last night when he came home and that he wants us to meet you. He said that you are Leo's cousin. Fact is, we are very excited to see the only woman that our son has wanted to introduce to us so, it means that you are somebody really special," said Mrs. Richards.

"And we could see that our son has excellent taste," added by Alden's father.

Meng and RJ's meeting with his parents was a very pleasant one. They had made Meng instantly feel completely at ease.  Both are very vocal on their assessment of Meng which were generally heartwarming that wiped out all her apprehensions.  RJ's mom complimented Meng on her looks while his father was congratulating RJ for his choice. 

She could not understand though when RJ's parents specifically his father were so grateful to her for bringing back RJ to them.