Three

The most awaited day so far for Drino and Ashmille has come. Everyone is looking forward to this event.

“Ma, Pa, make sure you brought your visa, passport, cash, cards, cellphone, medicines, and snacks in your hand carry. Please double-check.” Ashmille kept reminding her two senior parents about their belongings before going to the airport.

“Here, there… all are in here,” her mother confirmed.

“How about you, Pa?”

“I had your mother pack mine,” her father answered while fixing his top.

She sighed. “As expected,” she murmured.

She already expects that her father would rely on her mother in this type of situation.

“Pa, secure your and Ma’s luggage, okay?”

She continued organizing her medium-sized beige sling bag. “I got us the other required items. Just secure the stuff I mentioned.”

*phone rings*

She picked up her phone that was lying on a coffee table in the living room.

“Hello?”

“Rise and shine. I’ll come and pick you guys up at 4:15 AM.”

“Okay, we’ll wait for you here. Take care.”

“See ya”

The short phone call ended.

“He’ll be here in 25 minutes,” she told her parents.

They continued securing their belongings until Drino arrived at the time he stated. A gray SUV was parked in front of Feder’s residence. He honked once to alert them that he had arrived.

The three went out of the house’s gate and saw Drino.

Drino went out of the car and approached Ashmille’s parents. “Good morning, Tito,” he held Ashmille’s father’s right hand and did a blessing gesture with his forehead. It is a sign of paying respect to the elderly. “Hello, Tita.” He did the same to her mother.

He waved and smiled at Ashmille.

“What a cool car you got there, Drino!” the father remarked while scrutinizing the car.

“Don’t mention it, Tito,” he giggled.

“Thank you for picking us up. Are your parents inside the car?” the mother asked.

“No, Tita. I had them picked up by our driver in a separate car. They are on their way to the airport.”

“Ay, didn’t we bother you too much with this?”

“No worries. You can now go into the car. I’ll put your luggage in the compartment.”

The parents climbed into the car, settling into their seats. Drino started loading their belongings into the SUV’s compartment, while Ashmille assisted him, making sure nothing was left behind. Once everything was neatly stowed, she slid into the second-row seat beside her mother. With a final glance to check that all was in order, Drino took the wheel and began driving.

The road is clear of traffic because it is still early in the morning. They made sure they would arrive at the airport at least 2.5 hours before the flight. They all settled in the airport. While Drino started unloading their luggage, the two families met.

“Hi. Nice meeting you.” A stylish woman in her early fifties, standing about 5'5" with striking red lipstick, greeted them with warm hugs and gentle kisses on their cheeks

With a light brown bob cut and an outfit consisting of a white faux fur blazer, a short white pencil skirt, and shiny black one-inch heels, Drino’s mother introduced herself. “I’m Drino’s mom, and this is his dad.”

Ashmille’s mother caught the scent of her elegant perfume.

“Drino’s dad here. Call me Handro,” his father said as he extended his hand for a handshake.

He appeared to be in his late fifties, standing about 5’10”, with a slight dad bod. He has black and a bit of gray hair on his moustache and stubble. He wore a simple gray polo tucked into white dotted pants, paired with dark blue sneakers, and a silver watch on his left wrist.

“How was your ride with Drino a while ago?” Handro asked.

“Hi, I’m Georgina. Sorry for the inconvenience we’ve caused. Thank you for the ride and for this trip. Your son has been generous to us and to our daughter.” Ashmille’s mother answered.

“The ride was smooth. The car’s interior is cozy. Good choice of car you got there.” Ashmille’s father added.

Handro nodded. “I see, thanks. Your outfit is cool.”

He complimented Ashmille's father’s light yellow with an abstract pattern, a white-collar sweater, plain light gray pants, and dark purple sneakers.

“Aleya and I arrived here a few minutes earlier. We’ll be waiting here for almost three hours before our flight, so there’s still plenty of time.” Handro added.

“In the meantime, let’s wait for the two before grabbing breakfast.” Drino’s mother, Aleya, initiated. “Oh, there they are.”

The two lovers headed to the airport after securing their things and turning the car over to their family driver. They walked towards their parents. They finally meet each other’s parents face-to-face.

“Hi, my dear, Ashmille.” Aleya hugged and kissed her.

“Hello, Tita,” she hugged and kissed her back. “Hello, Tito,” she also embraced Drino’s father.

“Here comes the lovely girlfriend.” Handro greeted her.

“With everyone present and things sorted out, how about we grab something to eat?” Drino said excitedly. “I’m hungry and still sleepy. Gotta get some coffee,” he chuckled.

“Where do you recommend?” Handro asked his son.

“Tito, Tita,” Drino called Ashmille’s parents. “What food do you want for breakfast? They have sandwiches and burgers. Over there, they offer rice meals and soup. There’s also a café for coffee, tea, and pastries. A local fast food place is available too.”

“I’m good with any. Right, Dante?” Georgina asked her husband.

“We can eat anywhere. The fast food is okay, too,” he responded.

“Okay. How about you guys?” he asked his parents.

“I’d like to have a cup of hot coffee and a rice meal. I can’t afford to go hungry for a long flight.” Handro answered.

“I want a sandwich and a salad paired with a latte,” Aleya replied.

“And you?” he looked at Ashmille.

“Ah, anywhere’s fine with me.”

“Son, forget what I said. I might go with your father’s choice instead. I could order a sandwich and salad on the plane. Yeah, a heavy breakfast seems better.” Aleya added.

“Alright then. Let’s go there for a rice breakfast meal.”

Ashmille observed how much more outgoing and expressive Drino’s parents were compared to hers. Her own parents seemed shy, partly because this was Drino’s treat, but mostly because they were naturally introverted and reserved.

All of them entered a Filipino restaurant serving local dishes like rice meals. The interior boasts a contemporary design with natural materials like wood, stone, and bamboo. It is paired with local artistry such as capiz lighting, local waves, and intricate hand-carved pieces.

They gathered around a six-seater rectangular table. Dante and Handro took seats across from one another. Aleya and Georgina sat next to each other, while Drino and Ashmille occupied adjacent seats as well, facing their mothers.

After choosing their preferred dishes, the heartfelt interaction of the two families continued.

“You’re an only child, too? What a coincidence.” Aleya asked Ashmille.

“No, Ma’am. Actually, I have an older sister, but she’s currently living abroad.”

“Oh, please, you can call me Tita, and Handro, your Tito. We’re now a little family after all.”

“Okay, Tita,” she said shyly.

She’s not used to calling Drino’s mother auntie.

“The two of you have been dating for your last year. How was Drino as a boyfriend before, compared to now?” Handro smirked, asking a spicy question.

“C’mon, dad…” Drino mumbled.

“I wanna hear it!” Aleya exclaimed.

Ashmille’s parents chuckled.

“That’s an interesting question, Tito. Well…” she paused for a bit, remembering those days. “He hasn’t changed that much.”

“Thought so, hahaha!” Handro laughed.

“He’s still our doting son,” Aleya commented.

“You're right, Tita. He’s still the same kind, fun person I first met back in college, but now he’s grown even more. He’s become more responsible and mature, and I can really see how much he’s improved over time.”

She glanced at Drino, and they smiled.

“Aww,” Aleya cooed, touched by her answer. “That being said, welcome to the family, Ashmille!”

Handro claps his hands. “Bienvenido!”

“T-Thank you,” Ashmille is elated.

Now, Ashmille knows where Drino inherited his extroverted nature. He has a lively and welcoming family.

“We’ve given our blessings to Drino to officially date our daughter,” Dante stated.

The new couples are pleased to hear it. Drino caught Ashmille, who was teary-eyed. She slightly bowed her head and wiped the end of her right eye.

“We truly appreciate this family trip. And for Drino,” Georgina looked at Drino. “Please take care of Ashmille,” she spoke softly.

“Thank you for the blessing, Tito and Tita. I’ll take good care of my Ahsmille.”

Their orders arrived at their table, and they started their early morning breakfast.

“One, two, three, smile!” Drino took their first picture with the Montezales and Feder using his camera.

The four parents were talking. While eating, Ashmille whispered to Drino.

“I’ve been thinking about this. Your name was derived from your parents’ names, right?”

He nodded. “U-huh. Why?”

She chortled. “Nothing, it’s cute. Aleya + Handro = Alejandrino. I can see how your parents love you so much that they named you after them.”

He chewed his food and swallowed before asking. “And yours is… How did your parents come up with your name? Dantonio + Georgina = Ashmille?”

“There’s no connection at all. They randomly thought of it.”

“Okay, how about Ashmille + Alejandrino?”

“Hmmm….”

“Ashrin, Milleno, Ashandrino, Drinille, Ashleja, Millandrino, Aleash…”

“Sounds unique to me. Bright names you got there.”

“I’ve named a few. We have a lot of options.”

“Options for what?” she frowned, confused.

“Could be our couple names… or baby names.”