Love Next Door

21 - King Archer's Lair

"Shoti!!!", the ladies shouted and everyone turned to him.

As soon as they saw him, the Teng family all stood to welcome their youngest.

Niyakap siya isa-isa ng mga ito.

"Welcome back, son.", his father said sincerely.

"Thanks, dad. I... I didn't imagine it would be like this. You shouldn't have bothered."

There were letter balloons hanging on the wall which read "Welcome Home, Ron!!!"

"Ano ka ba naman, anak. We didn't see you for a long time. Of course, we would bother! Kaya nga noong sinabi ng daddy mo na tumawag ka kaninang umaga, I called all your siblings para we can have this reunion. Sayang lang your brother-in-laws couldn't make it because they have business to take care of. But thank God, you're back.", Susan kissed her son's cheek.

"Thanks, Mom. Na-miss ko kayo. Na-miss ko kayong lahat. Thank you... This is an awesome surprise. I appreciate it."

Jeron smiled at them before he spoke again.

"Actually, I have a surprise guest with me, too. You all know her by face. Pero siya, hindi niya alam yun. So please just act like you don't know anything."

The others just agreed despite their curiosity.

Lumabas si Jeron para sunduin ang kasama.

Gulat na gulat ang lahat pagpasok ng dalawa sa loob.

"Good afternoon po.", Mika greeted and bowed her head.

The moment she stood straight, she didn't notice the shocked faces of everyone as her eyes recognized the rich man's face who once dined at FEast.

*****

MIKA

Hell. No.

That kind rich Sir is Jeron's father?!

Totoo ba 'to?

"Everyone, this is Mika. My friend.", I heard Jeron say.

The Tengs all came near me and greeted me with a tight hug.

"Kumusta ka, hija? Buti nakasama ka dito kay Jeron. I prepared a lot of food for you. Tita Susan na lang ang itawag mo sa akin ha.", her mom said softly.

"Uhm thank you po, Tita. Ye na lang din po itawag niyo sa akin. That's how my family and friends call me."

"Really? Thank you for seeing us as your family, Ye. You're family to us, too.", Tita Susan said with a smile.

"Mom... Hindi ba pwedeng friends?", pambabara ni Jeron sa nanay niya.

"Anak, ang weird naman ng age gap namin sa kanya kung maging friends kami, diba?", his mom responded before turning to me.

"Don't mind him, ok? Treat us as your family. Feel at home, dear."

"Thank you po, Tita.", I managed to say despite feeling nervous.

"Hello, Ye. I'm Tito Alvin, Jeron's father.", the kind rich sir introduced himself.

"Hello po... Tito.", I greeted awkwardly.