Two

The two new lovebirds continued talking while eating their sumptuous food. The eatery had only a few people because it was too late for lunch but too early for dinner.

“Do you have to do something in that province?” Ashmille questioned while eating skewers.

“I didn’t know there were provinces in Mexico. But we can see some beaches and mountains there.” Drino answered.

“Huh? What are you talking about?” she’s puzzled. “Wait, is your family province in Tarlac?”

“Yup, why?”

“Do you have work in Pampanga? That’s why you want to visit that province?”

“No, and I’ve no plans of visiting it for now.”

“Then why did you mention Mexico? You just invited me to go with you.”

“Ah…what?” he paused for a bit and burst out laughing. “Hahahaha!”

She squinted at him because she didn’t understand why he is laughing. “What’s so funny?”

“I’m not referring to Mexico, Pampanga. Hahaha!” he couldn’t contain his laugh when he found out she was referring to the local Mexico. A municipality in the province of Pampanga in the Philippines.

“Okay, then what?”

“Wait,” he controls his laughter. “I’m trying not to laugh anymore.”

“Oh, you do?”

“My bad, alright.” He tries to stop teasing her.

“Too funny for you, huh?”

“Okay, I’m talking about the real deal.” He smiled. “We’re going to North America.”

“Eh?!” she was shocked. But moments later, she couldn’t contain her laughter, either. “Hahaha! That’s why you mocked me so hard. How silly of me to think that.”

And they both laughed.

“Hold up. Are you serious?” she asked.

“Yes, and why not?”

“I bought us tickets. And don’t worry about anything. The tickets, the hotels, and the itineraries. Feel free to tell me the places you want to visit there.”

“Isn’t this too much?” She put down the chopsticks on the bowl.

“Too much of what?”

“I-I don’t know if I should accept it.”

“I’ll help you with your visa. The trip is weeks away from now, so we will have plenty of time to prepare. This is my surprise for you.”

“I can see it. That really surprised me.” She seems excited and flustered at the same time. “So, when’s the flight? How many days? I need to ask my boss for vacation leave about this. And my parents, I must ask their permission.”

“Don’t worry much about your family. I have let them know that’s why I was confident to buy us the tickets.”

“You asked them already? And they allowed you?”

“Not 100% because they still need you to tell them. But, yeah, they were pretty okay with it.”

“Really…”

“I will be sending you the details of our first trip together. I’ll be waiting for your response.”

“How about um…”

“Hm?” he asked, waiting for her to continue what she was going to say.

Caught up in her excitement, she entirely forgot to ask a crucial question. If Drino said yes, she couldn’t allow herself to go on the trip with him. At the same time, she couldn’t stop wondering how her parents could remain so calm about the idea of her and Drino traveling overseas together.

“I-Is it just the two of us?” she stuttered.

“As much as I want to… nope. I invited my parents and yours, too.”

“What? That’s why they were okay with it?”

“Yup. I would like to introduce you to my family. Would you introduce me to yours as well?” he asked with genuine.

“You already introduced yourself to my family when you asked them for their permission to go on a family trip! I never knew you did that until now.”

“Hahaha! Kind of. I was nervous when I visited your house. They told me they’ve heard of me years ago. So, you tell your parents about me, huh? That confirms you liked me before then.”

“N-No way! What did they say?”

“You shared your romantic stories with them when you were in college about the guy you dated named Alejandrino, that’s me.” He smirked, “You got scolded by them when they thought we were dating for real. But you defended that we did it for a research study.”

“Well, those are true. Nothing to hide from them. They were pretty strict about having no boyfriend while studying.”

“That’s why I don’t want to hide anything from them, too. I want formalities to be fully legal on both sides. My parents are excited to finally meet you and your family.”

“Oh, Alejandrino. You are indeed full of surprises! It’s your birthday, but you’re the one who surprised me.”

“As long as you’re happy, then I’m happier.”

“That trip must be your late birthday celebration.”

“And a late celebration for being officially together.”

They stared into each other's eyes for five seconds. No words came out just their hearts were beating in the same rhythm.

Ashmille cleared her throat, and Drino averted his gaze.

“Before anything else…” She put the candle into the cake and lit it with a lighter. “Wish before blowing the candle.”

Drino heaved a sigh. He closed his eyes for 30 seconds. He blew out the candle.

She clapped her hands. “Happy 26th birthday, Alejandrino,” she greeted him once more.

“Thank you, my Ashmille.”

He sliced the cake, and they began eating slices of it for dessert.

“This cake is good. Not too sweet, moist, and goes well with the walnut. Nice choice,” he remarked.

“Why Mexico, of all the countries?”

“The remaining continents I haven’t been to are Antarctica, North and South America. I wish to visit a Latin country soon. I also have a Mexican Filipino fan there who offered me a free tour when I visit there. And that country would be great for both our families because of its warm climate, delicious cuisine, nature, rich culture, and friendly people, like here. Are you fine with it?”

“Anywhere’s fine with me. How generous of your fan.” She took a sip of water.

“Yeah. I couldn’t turn down the offer when I heard that.”

“What are your parents like?”

Ashmille looks forward to their Mexico trip, but simultaneously, she is worried about finally meeting Drino’s family face-to-face.

“They will love you. They know you well, even though you haven’t met them yet,” he assured her.

“That’s not fair,” she pouted. “You already met my parents, but I haven’t with yours.”

“They were quite busy with work. They do business and leisure travels. They deal with a lot of people lately because of the new business. I have been busy with my career too, and I live away from them, so I haven’t spent a lot of time with them. To make up for it, this trip will be our ultimate family bonding!” he said excitedly.

He brought out his phone and showed her their family picture. “This is them. I don’t know if I told you before, but I’m an only child.”

Drino cannot wait for the trip to come. Ashmille, on the other hand, is pondering if she can handle the situation she got herself into.

This is the first time Ashmille heard that he is an only child, which means this will bother her more. They must be overprotective and want the best for Drino, being their only son. However, their unico hijo is dating an ordinary woman who was his thesis mate in college. She doesn’t know much about his parents. From his description of his parents, they seem intimidating.

Is she supposed to impress his parents to have their blessing for their romantic relationship?