Daisy

It's like I just left the Philippines. I still remember when I left, because that was the day I was going to leave my family behind and venture temporarily to Australia. For several years I also persevered not to go home, because of my teaching that I could not leave behind. But because of my mommy, I have to go home to know her condition.

And now I'm in a taxi, and making my way home to my parents' house. Almost nothing has changed in the Philippines, traffic is still there and there are cars that suddenly appear somewhere, so the line of cars is getting more and more tangled. It will probably take two hours to get to us, so I'll take a nap first so that when I wake up, I'll be there.

A few hours ago the driver woke me up. Fortunately, I woke up quickly even if it was just a whistle.

"Boss, where is your house?" the driver asked me, so I pointed to the road where he would turn and stop.

When I arrived at the big gate of the house, I was immediately greeted by two of our house helpers. My suitcase was immediately taken and I was greeted.

“Welcome home, Sir!” the two greeted almost at the same time.

"Thank you!" I replied, turning to the Taxi driver to pay my fare.

When I reached the amount of my fare, he thanked me before leaving. So I faced the big gate of our house and observed if anything had changed.

"Still the same, still beautiful and clean." I started to walk in, but as soon as I opened the door, Mommy was already there in her wheelchair smiling at me.

"Angelo, son! My baby has come home," he said making me come closer. He hugged and kissed her on the cheek.

"Mommy, I'm not a child anymore. Really, how are you? Why are you still going out, I'm going in too. Where is Dad?" I asked Mommy,

"His son is still in the office, but he is going home. Your daddy knows that you are going home now. Don't you have someone with you?” Mommy asked as she turned to the gate.

"With? I didn't say anything that I was with someone," I responded with a frown that made her sad.

"Son... look, you're already thirty-one. You don't even introduce me to my girlfriend. Don't you plan to get married? It makes me sad that I don't have a grandchild yet. It's my son," he said, making me laugh as I pushed the wheelchair inside the house.

"Mommy, I didn't come home here to introduce you to a girlfriend. I am here to find out how you are doing. How are you, Mommy? Do I have to take you to Australia to get treatment there?” I promised here but the kid turned away with a snort.

"Son, you're changing the conversation. I will be stronger if you and your daddy are here with us. Don't go back there, you're our only child, you and your daddy are still leaving us."

"Mommy, are we going to argue about this again? My work is there, if you and Dad want it. You have also settled in Australia, it's total and our other relatives are also there," I suggested to Mommy but she was just sad again.

"It's impossible for your daddy to agree, he can't leave anything in his business. Who will manage your daddy's business, and you don't want to manage it."

"I don't like to cook, mommy. My passion is different, to teach. You are the only one who fell in love with Dad's cooking. That's why you can't avoid the forbidden foods."

Dad has his own business, a restaurant whose customers are always rich. It is spacious because at the bottom of it there are three large rooms where wedding receptions, debuts, or any other big occasion are held. Behind it there is a swimming pool that is wide, it can also be used as a venue but the rent is more expensive than inside.

Dad is a senior, but he is still strong because he takes care of his body in the GYM. And even though he is surrounded by delicious food, he is not tempted to eat a lot that could destroy his healthy body. Didn't I know about Mommy, the opposite of Dad, who is full of food and loves desserts. So here, it became even more painful, because of the uncontrollable food that is forbidden for his health. I think I need to hire a nurse for Mommy. It reminds him of what he should eat.

"Son, I'm going to invite someone over tonight. So that we can have a party," he said that I could see the strange smile on his lips again. It was as if he was planning to introduce me to something that he often did before.

"Hey, Mommy. You have nothing to bring, I don't like the women you choose. Too artistic and delicate in body. We don't fit because I don't like that kind of woman."

"Son, this is different... he just came back from Singapore. She is kind and beautiful, the truth is that she is the daughter of my classmate in college," he added,

"Mommy, that's what I don't want. You are very picky about the girl's family background. You shouldn't overlook their origins, because if I only marry her because of her good background in life, we won't be happy either." I explained to Mommy, but she was only saddened by what I said.

"Son, that's not what I want. Oh well, I won't tease you anymore. Can you just introduce someone to me," he continued to tease, which is why I just sighed.

"Okay. Fine. I'll introduce him to you soon, as long as you don't tease me because I'm here to see how you're doing, Mommy."

"Oh... my baby is really sweet, I'm fine son. As long as you are here, my pain seems to disappear." I stared at Mommy, she didn't seem to feel any pain. Maybe Mommy is just using herself, because she knows that my weakness is her and Dad's."Alright, Mom. I will go to the room first and rest. I'm a little tired from the trip so I'll sleep for a little while," I let her know,

"Son, won't you eat first? I prepared food for Manang...” he continued but I walked up the stairs. I just spoke while walking up.

"Later, Mom. I'm still a little full."

When I went up the stairs, I met Manang Denia, the oldest servant in our house.

"Sir, I have cleaned and fixed your room." The old man turned when I was right in front of him. So I came closer to him and held him by the shoulder.

"Thank you, Manang Denia. I hope you don't do too much here. You can't lift a little anymore so you can rely on other helpers," I said to the old man who just smiled at me,

"Don't worry about me, Sir. It's my job to serve you. I can't do everything anymore because it's not like before... you're still young and I can still bathe you." I suddenly laughed at what Manang said, even though he is old, he still manages to make me laugh. Since he didn't have a family, we became his family.

"You really are, Manang. By the way, I have something to welcome you. Just take it from the bottom, there is a name written on it for whom it is for. I'm just going to rest," I said here,

"Thank you sir, you really welcomed me. Go ahead, rest and eat later. I'll just reheat the dish."

After saying that, I nodded before turning back. I really feel sorry for Manang Denia because he is too old to work anymore. It should be resting here. I will talk to Mommy and Daddy later to reduce Manang's work. So that it can have more time to rest.

I entered the room, smelling good and obviously cleaned thoroughly because they knew I was coming home. I'm not very picky about my body, but because of Mommy. He babysat me too much.

Looks like I really need to find a girlfriend to introduce. Mommy won't stop me until I introduce something to her. I have one more month here in Pililinas. Maybe he would bring me a girl to the house every day, if I didn't do it that way. But who is the woman I will introduce to him? I don't have many friends who—

I stopped thinking as I remembered the girl I once dated. But he bashed me because of his situation. How is it now?

I lay on the bed and comfortably stared at the ceiling. I smile again when I remember his gentle face that used to always disturb my dreams.

Daisy... the girl who is very difficult to court and achieve.