North Star

Chapter V

The morning air blows the curtain in the window. San Fransisco is such a good place to stay. I got up and stretched my body in front of the beautiful city  view.
I checked my watch. It's 8 in the morning. Oh my gosh!I'm late for my appointment in Stanford University. I have to be there at ten.
I took a bath and heard a knock on the door.
"I'm going."
I got out after getting change. I wore my white long sleeves and a   pencil cut skirt.
"Could you drop me in Stanford University?"
"No,I'm on the other route. You can use the cable cars."
"What? Heartless  human being."
"Fine. Eat your breakfast and we'll go."
He's waiting in the living room while I'm eating my breakfast as quick as I could.
"Hurry. I'm late ." he shouted. I was almost choked with the food I ate. Did he cook this? Why is it so delicious? Omelette but I don't know what are the other ingredients.
I brushed my teeth and right after, got my bag. I headed to the living room. I saw him talking to a woman on the phone. It was video call.

"I'm ready to go."
He turned the phone off and stood up.
"Let's go." He's face is bright. Is she the woman he love while I'm wishing to see him before? I can't remember his face but I know him very well.
We rode in the car and he sped away. We were silent the whole trip. He stopped in Stanford University.
"I'm going." He said. I just nodded my head and got off from his car. I entered in the big entrance gate of the school. I smiled. Now I'm here. I can be a good language teacher from now on.
"What are you waiting?" He said to me. I was surprised when I saw him. He's standing next to me. He's really handsome with his corporate attire.  Now I realized he had perfect set of eyes and has one dimple on the left cheek.
"Let's go. I still have work to do so don't be lulling. Move your ass now."
"Don't use me your western attitude. I'm still Filipino."
"So do I "
We got inside to a room and he spoke to the woman. The woman is in early forty I think. She is just so kind to accommodate us.
"Mrs. Falcon,can you fill out this form? "
He helped me doing that form.
"You should remember the condominium unit number and the street number in our house. They might ask you. You will be considered as criminal if you don't "
"What?" I exclaimed.
"Yeah. I'm serious. You can't eat tonight if you can't remember the exact address of the condominium unit."
"Why are you so terrible to me?"
"You can't remember so you might forget the exact place too."
I passed the form to the woman. She processed it.
"It's US$1000 ,Ma'am."
He gave his card to the cashier.
"I can pay." I said after poking his side with my elbow.
"I'm your husband ,remember? I have money to spend with you."
"Tsk,I can't live with that."
"You pay me after you finished studying that one."
"Okay "
He walked ahead of me. My eyes were roaming around the school. I could see a lot of young Americans bringing books and bags. I hope they are studying very well.
"I can take a cab from here to your mom's house. I know the place."
"Really?"
I nodded my head. He examined my facial expression. I'm sure I'm doing it right. I lied to him.
"Let's go. You don't know where to go."
He opened the car door and hop in.
He drove so fast.
"I'm sorry. If not for me ,you won't be late."
"It's okay. "
It's almost thirty minutes drive to his mother's house. He left after I got inside the house.
"Oh,Finn,you're here. How was your appointment in Stanford? Did it go well?"
"Yeah,he came with me. "
"I told him I can't come with you. My arthritis is killing me this morning. Winter season is coming so cold days sucks for elderly people."
"You should keep your body warm,mom."
"Did he accompany you to the registrar's office?"
"Hmm,yes. He did."
"Mattheo is doing well today."
"Ahh,mom,can I ask something?"
"Yeah,what is it?"
"This might be personal but I'm just curious. Does he have girlfriends back then? Why he didn't marry so that it would not be me?"
"Actually hija,my son never had one since his grandfather died. He focused on his studies and until he got a job. Then, Hana became his female friend. She's older than him. She's happy go lucky woman since she is the daughter of his father's best friend.  To answer your question,he doesn't have one."
"Ahh,okay."
"He's workaholic and timeless freak. He always absent in our family get- together."
"Ahh,thank you mom. I was just wondering."
"When does your class start?"
"Next week."
"Do you want to study driving lesson Finn?"
"I'm not sure. I'm afraid I can't do it well. I might be the headache of the instructor "
"Don't worry,I'll ask Mattheo to teach you how to drive his car."
"No need,mom. I would be very busy if class starts "
"Its up to you."
"Thanks for thinking that for me."
"I considered you already as my daughter Finn so be comfortable here. I'm happy that a woman like you agreed to be his wife."
She hugged me tightly.
Together we prepared the dinner. As usual his late for dinner. I was watching documentary when he arrived.
"Hi"
He put his bag on the sofa next to me.
"I'll prepare your dinner. Get change and head immediately to the kitchen." I walked away.
I heated the food. It was fish stew and chicken adobo. His mom cooked it for me to feel I'm still in  the Philippines.
I set the table and waited for him.
He appeared wearing his casual shirts and pajama pants. His hair is damp and towel is around his shoulder.
"Eat now. I'll be in the living room."
"Are you done eating?" He asked me.
"Yeah"
"What? When you went to my condo,even if I'm done eating I ate with you,now you don't?"
"I'm full already."
"Fine. Stay here."
"Are you crazy? Why should I watch you eating? I want to watch movie "
"Tsk,you're going to waste electrical energy. Stay here."
"You're not my boss. Don't order me around "
"Fine you go ahead. I don't eat. "
He backed out.
"Hey,fine,I'm staying. Tsk,you're getting on my nerves." I dragged the chair and sat there. He sat next to me.
"This is great."
"Mom did it "
"I know it."
He's eating well.
"I want to see Fisherman's Wharf"
He turned his head to me.
"What?"
"When can you have free time? I want to see that place."
He put his fork and spoon.
"You know what,you came here to study your doctorate degree why is your mind changing abruptly? Focus on one thing."
"Okay,I'll go there alone."
"Not ever. Study."
"Fine."