“HOME”

"WHAT will be the occasion and you suddenly invited us?" Jason asked Daniel that night as they were busy cleaning the library. 

In just a few minutes, their working hours will be over. And like in previous days, she and Daniel go home together. Ara, she is to it already, use to always be with Daniel. 

It's Saturday the next day and because she asked Daniel to help her get Jenny and Jason closer, that's what the young man thought to do. 

“No occasion actually, it's just that I have no one with me. My sister is in Cebu so I thought of inviting you home so we can bond,” Daniel explained. 

"Okay, did you tell Jenny already, Ara?" Jason to her. 

From being busy wiping the tables Ara nodded at Jason's question. 

“I already told her but she told me she is not sure yet because there will be a lot of work in their bakery tomorrow. So I thought, what if you just ask permission from her mother?” Ara suggested. 

Ara saw Jason think for a moment when she said that. He was even able to stop mopping the floor. 

"All right, I'll take care of it," he replied. 

“Thanks! Jenny needs to unwind and go out from time to time also,” Ara could no longer contain the thrill for Jenny. 

Jason nodded. “Yes, I know that's what you want, to be with her. Don't worry, I will take her with me tomorrow,” he added with a smile. 

*****   

"HAPPY?" it was Daniel when they were both in his car in the parking lot of their university. 

Ara smiled broadly at the young man. "Very happy," she replied then nodded consecutively. 

Daniel laughed softly then started the engine. “It's good then because I want you to always be happy. You are important to me,” he said before running the car. 

Ara gasped softly at what Daniel had said. 

Even if he does not look at her as he says those words it still has a different effect on her and she does not understand what and for why she feels that way. 

For a moment the silence fell on between them. With the force of her chest pounding at that moment Ara felt that even if she spoke Daniel would still not hear it. So with her wanting to appease her feelings and emotions, the young lady decided to turn her gaze out of the car window, which is why she did not notice what Daniel did next. 

A violent sigh escaped her mouth when she felt the warmth of Daniel's hand holding hers. 

“Why do you seem anxious? Are you okay?" the young man asked, glancing at her for a moment before returning his eyes to the road. 

"H-Huh?" Ara asked with a trembling voice. 

In those moments she could feel the seems to be a very strong voltage of electricity that Daniel's touch is delivering to her body. A mixed feeling that she could not name. 

When the young man let go of her hand to hold on to the car gear, Ara felt about two percent relief from Daniel's resignation. But whether she admits it or not, she knows that the remaining large percentage of what she feels is more affected by the feeling that she has lost something that she does not understand. 

That is why she is not surprised when Daniel took her hand again and she felt secret gratitude. Because despite the nervousness that her chest is constantly throbbing while the young man was holding her hand, the fact that she was happy and complete is in her heart. 

"I should tell you," Daniel said after a moment of silence. 

“What?” Ara asked then turned to the young man. 

Daniel smiled as he turned to her for a moment before regaining his sight on the road. 

"I like the feel and warmth of your hand," he said without looking at her but was still able to let her know how true his words were. 

And so am I. I just can't say but when I'm by your side I feel safe. And you can make me feel that way even with simple holding hands like this. 

*****   

"IT'S just a simple bonding, don't worry Jason and Jenny are with us, our two other friends," Ara assured her father that night as she washed their dishes. 

“I have no problem with that sweetheart. I trust you. Did you tell your mother about it already?” he asked then sipped the tea in his cup. 

Then with a smile, Ara dried her hand with a clean cloth. 

“Yes, she agreed. Thank you very much.” 

Anselmo just nodded. "All right, I'm going to rest." 

"Good night." 

*****   

"OH, they are here already!" Ara happily greeted Jason and Jenny who at that moment were just getting off the tricycle. 

"Wow Daniel you have a very nice home," Jenny said as he welcomed them into the living room. 

"Thank you," he said glancing at Ara with a smile. 

"Oh, by the way, I brought you guys egg pie from our bakery. That is our best-seller, I hope you'll like it,” Jenny handed Ara the pie she was carrying. 

In Daniel's mind. Ara's actions meant something different to him. In his eyes, it is as if she is his wife welcoming and taking care of their guests. Especially when the young lady invited the two to the dining room to eat a snack that Salyn prepared for them. 

The whole day was fun. Not only because their group is complete but also because Ara is with him. It was afternoon when Jason and Jenny said goodbye and left. 

"Take Jenny to their house, okay?" that was Ara's strict command to Jason when they took the two out of the gate. 

"There is no need for that Ara, I can take care of myself," Jenny said to Ara while chuckling. 

That's when Jason shook his head. "No, Ara is right, I just to make sure you're safe," he replied. 

At that moment Daniel spontaneously turned to Ara. That is why he could clearly see when a very beautiful smile tore her lips. She is obviously pleased with Jason's answer. And it is also obvious that she loves Jenny very much, the reason why she is so happy for their friend. 

As time goes on he gets to know Ara better. And that is what he thinks is the reason why what he feels for her is going deeper. 

Just like what he said before to Ara. He already dated a lot of girls from his past. So this feeling is no longer new to him. He knew he is now falling for her. And if there is anything new in everything that he is experiencing it is the assurance that he feels that he will never love anyone more than what he has now for Ara. 

Maybe it is because of the feeling that she can calm his mood. 

He feels at home. He seems that there is no need to hide anything because even if Ara for example would see even his worst side, he is confident that she will not judge him. Because she accepts him for what he is. 

*****

THE next day, Sunday according to Daniel is the schedule of his sister Danica returning home from Cebu. So the young man immediately asked her parents for permission, to allow her to eat dinner at their house. Her mother and father agreed and that made Ara secretly grateful.

"Is Daniel courting you, Ara?" her mother asked her that day while she was busy helping her with the lunch they were going to prepare.

Sudden nervousness enveloped her chest because of that question. It is the same reason why she found herself gazing at the beautiful face of her mother.

"I'm asking you, Ara, sweetheart, is Daniel courting you?" Susan once again asked which cut into her deep thought.

"Mama?" was all she gets to say.

"Is it difficult to answer my question?" her mother again as she continued to peel the carrot to be added to its Chicken Afritada.

Ara shook her head consecutively and then opened her mouth to speak. "No," she said.

"My question is not difficult or he is not courting you?" Susan asked her again with a soft laugh.

Ara smiled then lowered her gaze. "Both," she replied.

“Is that so, because your Papa and I thought he is courting you. That is what we see in his actions. But if you say he is not courting you, of course, I will believe in what you said.”

"Thank you," he said.

Do her mother and father see in Daniel's actions that he is courting her?

There was a part of Ara's mind that secretly felt happy because of that. She has not yet experienced the feeling of being courted by someone so she has no idea. And that is why everything Daniel does, she thinks is just a friendly gesture, even though the truth is that the thrill and strong attraction she feels for the young man is really undeniable.

“Just like what I told you and Bella, it's okay with us if you want to get into a relationship already. But it is also important that you do not neglect your studies and that you should know your limitations. I hope you have learned from my experience.”

"What do you mean, Mama?"

That was when her mother put the peeled and cut potatoes and carrots in a bowl. Then she stood up, washed, and soaked them in water to prevent the vegetables from blackening especially the potatoes.

“I do not regret that I gave myself to your biological father because you were the result when that happened. But I do not want you to experience what I have experienced. What if your father did not stand up for me and take you as his own children? Many people from our hometown probably judge me. Life has become easier somehow because Anselmo helped me raise you. He was always by my side and never left me.”

That was the first time her mother had opened up to her about that matter. The story of her life is not hidden from them but now, as she sees it, she seems to understand how their Papa Anselmo loves their mother.

"I thought then, maybe God also wanted that to happen, for you and Bella to come into my life so that I can see who is the real man that is really ready to stand up for me until the end."

Ara did not say anything about what her mother said. She just kept staring at her face then smiled.

“Just in case do not be ashamed to tell me, anything sweetheart. I am your mother so I want to know everything that happens to you. If there is a secret you want to tell me you can trust me, I will not speak, that is a promise,” Susan continued while staring straight into her eyes.

"Really?" she could not understand but why it seemed like with everything her mother was saying at that moment, she seemed to be losing the capacity to speak. She is constrained or her answers are always spared.

"Of course. Even if you don't speak, I know how you really feel for Daniel,” she said.

At what she heard, Ara's face turned red.

Then Jenny, now her mother.

Next time, who will tell her that? Is it Daniel?

"Mama, am I so transparent that you can read all the thoughts in my mind?" at last she could not help but ask.

When Susan sat down again, her mother looked at her. "I can only tell you, sweetheart, you came from me, and most of all I love you so it is not difficult for me to read you."

Happiness caressed Ara's heart because of what she heard. Besides, there is the fact that she somehow was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

“I thought I was too transparent. Of course, I still don't want Daniel to know how I really feel for him, that I have a crush on him,” she said although the tone of her voice was shy she still could not hide the thrill she was feeling.

Her mother just gave her a nod and then smiled sweetly. “Is it really just crush? From what I can see, with the beauty of the twinkle in your eyes, it seems like you have more in your heart for Daniel.”

Ara's face quickly blushed once again at what she heard. "Mama, I avoid going there, I'm afraid of getting hurt," she protested.

Susan laughed at what she said. “Okay, okay. But I want you not to forget all the things that I have told you. I want Daniel for you. Because apart from the fact that he is a very handsome child, kind and firm. He is the type of man who is like your father, the one who can stand up for you no matter what happens. But since you are young, as I said before, you need to know your limitations."

Ara did not speak again after her mother spoke. Not because she had nothing to say, but because her heart is now filled with happiness. Knowing that her mother likes Daniel is enough for her to feel as happy as she feels now.