“WHY is that you seem so problematic? What is wrong if Erik decides to marry that lady?”
While they were eating breakfast, that was Fidel's response to all the sentiments Aurora expressed.
"My goodness, Fidel. Don't you get what I mean? Did you listen to everything I told you or do I have to repeat everything for you to understand me?” there was an intense irritation in her tone that she felt for her husband.
That's when her husband picked up his cup of coffee and then took a sip before he put it down to speak. “I heard everything you said. The only thing I don't understand is why we have to go back to the Philippines just to stop our son's plan of marrying Mia?"
Aurora suddenly felt tired, so she just shook her head when she heard what her spouse had said.
"Do you think Papa would be happy if Erik marry someone like Mia?" she asked Fidel in a tone with her longing to be understood.
Quickly, she saw Fidel's eyebrows meet because of what she said. And despite her insistence, she didn't want him to be angry with her either.
“What are you talking about? Isn’t it when those two are in their teenage years you want Mia for our son? And let me remind you that you even gave her your most-kept gown. And now because of all those gossips that your so-called friend told and reported to you, everything has changed?”
After everything her husband said, Aurora felt slightly ashamed of herself. Fidel has a point. Back then she loved Mia for Erik. Because apart from being beautiful and smart, she is also very kind.
"Didn't you say that's why Mia got into such a situation because she had to provide for her mother’s medication? Miss Sanchez? You should feel sorry for her and admire her, instead of putting her down. Because she is ready to do everything for the person she loves," Fidel continued when she remained silent.
"Don't you think that if Papa finds out about this, he might resent your son?" in the end, Aurora decided to admit to her husband what she was really worried about.
At that point, Fidel looked her straight in the eyes. And somehow Aurora felt a little relieved. Because she could say that her husband finally got and understood what she wanted to convey to him.
“This difficult for me too, Fidel. Because I know Erik will hate me. And I'm sure of that. But I can't let him end up with the wrong girl like Mia. Although you were right. Back then, I wanted her for our son. But now the situation is different. And I don't want to admit it, but I don't want Papa to reject and disinherit our son. I want Enrique and his future children to have a brighter future," she continued in a tone that she knew she would be able to convince Fidel eventually.
There was a moment of silence between the two of them, afterwards. But in the end, it was Fidel who broke that silence. Something that Aurora was secretly grateful for.
"Well, you're right there. I know Papa. He will definitely not agree with what our son wants to do. But it won't be easy. And Erik will for sure hate us,” Fidel finally agreed with her. "All right, I agree," he said, following what he said with a heavy sigh.
Aurora did the same after hearing the answer she got from her husband. As Fidel said, she knows her father-in-law. He certainly won't agree with what Erik will do when he hears about it.
"I just thought, what if we just sell the house in the Philippines? After all, we're not going back there, are we? So that your child will lose a reason to stay there for a long time," she suggested.
"Aurora, if you're thinking that by selling our house you will be able to force our son to come back here. That won't happen. The woman he wants to be with is there. You will have a hard time convincing your son. That's what you have to accept. Because if Erik has reached the point where he plans to marry Mia, that only means that they love each other. For sure he knows everything about her already. Do you think our son would accept Mia if he didn't love her so much?”
Fidel's long explanation gave clarity to all the confusion in Aurora's mind at that moment.
"If that's the case, let's talk to Mia," she said.
Fidel nodded at what she suggested. "Even if you sell that house, Erik won't have any trouble making a way. Have you forgotten already? Our son is an architect. And not just an architect but a great architect. He will be able to give Mia a good life even if Papa deprives him of his inheritance just in case."
Aurora didn't move after her husband said that. And as agreed, they immediately bought a ticket back to the Philippines. Although surprised by their announcement, her father-in-law did not bother asking questions. Fidel just told the old man that they miss Erik and that they also plan to talk to their son about their plan of selling the house.
*****
“MAMA, Papa?” that was what Erik uttered after opening the gate and finding his parents standing there.
“Oh Erik, your father and I missed you so much.”
It was his mother Aurora who gave him a tight hug.
Still in shock, Erik widen the opening of the gate and let his parents come in.
“Oh, by the way, just to let you know. I have someone with me here, Mia,” he informed them and then took the traveling bag that his father was carrying.
Erik saw when his parents’ exchanged looks. Well, he wouldn’t be surprised to see that reaction from them. Because the truth is, he hasn’t informed them yet about him and Mia living together.
“Mia? Your high school classmate? The adoptive daughter of Miss Sanchez?”
His mother asked him.
Erik stopped taking another step and faced his parents. “I’m sorry if I didn’t tell you about it,” he repeated.
He then shifted his gaze from Fidel to Aurora.
Even if he denies it, he felt an unexplainable throbbing inside his chest. And he cannot tell where it came from. Eventually, it disappeared when he saw his parents smile.
“Come on in. Mia is cooking Sinigang na Bangus for dinner. Mama, I should tell you, she is a great cook. Just like you,” Erik said, very much proud of the woman he is going to marry.
Once again, a kind and simple smile was what Aurora responded to what he said. He didn’t say anything anymore and just led the way to the front door.