Chasing an Angel

HOME SWEET HOME - C9

A taxi stopped in front of a modest house early Monday morning. Mae alighted from it and after the driver deposited her suitcase, two carry over bags and drove away, she faced their house which she had missed so much.

The surrounding is so quiet and perhaps this time her father and brother had already left for work and school. Two months back, her mother informed her that her Tito, her mother's brother had opened a small business in their place and as his Tito is always on the go, he hired his father to manage it. He likewise arranged a service to and from work that will make his father's being a pwd not a hindrance to his duties. Meng was glad of the news for she knows this would make her father happy not because of the compensation but for the feeling of worthiness that will surely boast up her father's self-esteem.

She had not advised them of her coming home hence, this will be a surprise to her family. She could not hear any movement inside the house and probably as it is only her mother who's there, and she's maybe at the back of the house attending to something. So, she knocked loudly on the front door and when there was no movement still she shouted.

"Mama, papa I am home."

The door opened revealing the perplexed look of her mother upon seeing her.

"Meng? Why did you not tell us you are coming home? We could have meet you at the airport."

"No need mama, nothing is going to happen to me in a three kilometers ride from the airport passing through busy roads on broad daylight," said Meng smiling while pulling along her suitcase inside their home.

"How is your work? It is good that they have granted you leave when you have been working for them in less than a year only."

"I already resigned and am coming home for good."

"Why has anything happened?"

"It's because I missed you all," she answered while hugging her mother at the same time. "And being a good daughter, I am following your and papa's advice," she continued still hugging her mother.

"I don't get you, but we missed you so much princess and we are very happy to have you back with us. Dean and your papa will be surprised but will be surely glad to see you."

"What time are they coming home mama?"

"Dean will be here shortly after four in the afternoon and your papa before six.

"Take your breakfast first as I'm sure you have not eaten a proper one since you have an early morning flight," and pulled Meng towards the dining room.

Huddling together in the living room after Meng had eaten, her mother looked at her tenderly and commented.

"My mother instinct is telling me that you just can't simply leave a job you are enjoying and suddenly be home for good. Get some rest first and then I insist that you share it with mama later."

She kissed Meng on the check and gently pushed her to her bedroom where she had already deposited and arranged Meng's luggage while she was eating. Meng obeyed but when she was about to lie down on her bed she saw that her mother followed her into the room and with that worried look plastered on her mother's face, her self-control broke loose and she started crying. Her mother immediately run to hug her and gently rubbed her back with her hands uttering nothing.

"We are through Mama. Alden and I". Her mother still said nothing. "He completely broke my trust on him and it hurt so much. You and papa told me that I could go home should something like this happens. I did come home not only to follow your advice but also to entirely wipe out his memories from my life."