1

WELCOME HOME.          

           Those were the words Autumn uttered in her mind the moment she set foot on the land of her birth. She closed her eyes, feeling the sun casting its rays over her. It was as if she glowed in the middle of the crowd, didn’t even realize that people were already staring at her. Well, who wouldn't take a look at her? Her waist-length straight hair was a perfect match for her heart -shaped face, not to mention her blunt bangs that added to her beauty. She’s also white as snow, has red plump lips and, since she was wearing shorts, her long legs were very obvious.                      

           She opened her eyes and took off her jacket, not minding the attention that she had gathered. The heat is really extreme in Cebu, as usual! But despite that, she missed the polluted air and the tourist spots. No one knew of her arrival, not even her family.      

           She came from Manila because someone offered her to be a painter at a wedding. She paints on the spot. She paints at wedding events or any events and she does that for three hours only. Some people say that her talent is very unique. It feels nice to hear people complimenting your work, especially if the praise comes from the customers themselves. All the hard work is worth it. 

           She started painting two years ago. She started on Toktik until someone noticed her and offered her a job. Toktik became her stepping stone to success. She really enjoys her work. Making a living out of your passion feels so fulfilling and satisfying.                  

           Autumn picked up her cellphone and adjusted its brightness. Disappointment crept up her spine upon seeing that she didn’t receive any messages from Aidan, her two-year-old boyfriend. Her boyfriend also doesn’t have any idea of her arrival. His last message to her was last night. Even though they have been together for two years, her boyfriend still acts as if they are still on the courtship stage. She can feel the love and care that Aidan has for her. She feels very lucky because she has met a man like Aidan , a gentleman, sweet, kind, family-oriented, and above all, handsome. Giggling, she put her cellphone back inside her bag.        

           Aidan may still be asleep. It's still early. Aidan usually wakes up at 10 and now, it’s still eight. Nevertheless, she's excited about seeing her family and her boyfriend! She really misses them. An idea suddenly popped inside her brain. She plans to surprise her boyfriend. Thinking about that plan made her feel giddy and excited all of a sudden. What would be Aidan’s reaction? He will surely be surprised!                 

           She immediately took a taxi and let out a huge sigh of relief. Thank God, the taxi is air-conditioned. She really can’t stand the heat outside. She looked outside the window, admiring the things she saw. She really missed her hometown so badly!                     

           Upon seeing the big gates of Pasa Grana, Autumn immediately told the driver where to go,

           "Just go straight, sir." The driver did what she said. She let out a huge smile the moment she saw her home.                  

           "Okay, we’re here.” The taxi stopped. She paid the driver and helped him get her luggage in the trunk.                           

           "Thank you very much, ma'am.” The driver let out a smile which she returned.       

           “Thank you too, sir. Drive safely.” He smiled and nodded before getting into the car and left. Her gaze hovered over her home. Ah, home sweet home.                

           She immediately saw their female Japanese spitz dog, Pitchy, who wagged its tail excitedly the moment she saw her. She smiled widely and approached its cage, gently patting its head. Pitchy barked and she giggled. How cute! The noise that Pitchy created made her mommy open the door. 

           “Pitchy, why are you so noisy— Goodness, Autumn! You’re already here! ” Her mommy came out and wrapped her arms around her. She sighed in contentment and hugged her back. Closing her eyes, she inhaled her mommy’s shampoo. It brought back a lot of memories, making her hug her mommy tighter. She missed her so much!        

           “Oracion, Autumn has arrived!” her mommy shouted and her Nanay Oracion emerged from the entrance door, still wrapped in a towel and with traces of shampoo in her hair. She laughed at what she saw, especially when her nanay came out and hugged her, scattering shampoo all over her face, making her giggle even more.                   

           Her mommy slipped out of the hug and released Pitchy, who immediately ran to her. She carried Pitchy and hugged her. She also missed her cheerful dog!                  

           "I missed you!" She hugged her mommy and nanay again, the women who raised her.      

           “Why didn't you tell us that you would arrive today? We could have cooked your favorites,” her Mommy Flor said as she wiped the traces of shampoo on her face. They helped her carry her luggage while she was carrying Pitchy.                          

           “It's okay, mommy. You act like I went on a vacation for one whole year! Chill, I’ve been gone for just a week!” She jokingly said to them, which made her mommy and nanay laugh.                     

           “Flor, cook for Autumn. I will finish taking a bath first.” Her Nanay Oracion went to the bathroom and her Mommy Flor turned to her.         

           "Wait for me here. Just relax and take a rest, okay? I'll just make you something to eat." Her mommy went to the kitchen and she sat on their sofa. She glanced around the house. Pictures of her bereaved parents hang on the wall. They had an accident when she was only eight years old, so in the end, her mother’s two sisters, who had no children, looked after her until she grew up. Her nanay and mommy are always with her in all her achievements, even in the lowest points of her life. She was so thankful to them and they raised her so well.             

           A sigh escaped from her as she took the picture of her parents on the table next to her. She caressed the smiling faces of her parents. At the bottom of the picture were the names 'Flora and Phillip' written in cursive form. She missed her parents. Surely, they are watching over her.                

           She put the frame back in place and looked at her cellphone. She still hasn’t received a message from Aidan. Supposed to be, at this time, Aidan is now awake. She wanted to send him a message from earlier but she restrained herself, afraid she would accidentally say her plan to surprise him.           

           She leaned back in her seat and closed her eyes. She was very tired from her flight and she felt like she was still on the plane. Jetlag.       

           She opened her eyes upon smelling the aroma of what her mommy had cooked. Her stomach suddenly churned, making her remember that she hadn’t eaten yet. She went to the kitchen and looked at what her mommy had cooked.                    

           “'My, the smell makes my stomach churn! I'm hungry!" she said, making her mommy laugh.              

           “'Don't worry, this will be finished soon. Just wait.” She obeyed what her mommy said and when she served the dish and rice, she quickly dug into it. Delicious! She missed her mommy’s resto-like cooking!                       

           “Mommy, nothing has changed! You’re really the best! I love you!” She kissed her mommy on the cheek, making her mommy giggle as she spanks her on her leg. Ah, her mommy. She has always been doing this to her since she was a child.                

           "You really like to compliment my cooking.” Her mommy giggled. She was about to say something regarding her mommy’s cooking but she remembered her plan for Aidan.         

           “By the way, ‘my, I'm going to see Aidan later at his condo. I'll just surprise him. There are chocolates inside my luggage. Those are for you and nanay. Do you think I brought none?” Autumn laughed hysterically. She saw her mommy's eyes light up and pointed to her luggage as if asking permission to open it.                     

           When she nodded, her mommy immediately stood up and opened her luggage. She smiled upon seeing the chocolates. Seeing her mommy smile makes her smile, too. Such a heart-warming sight.                

           “Oracion! Autumn brought a lot of chocolates! I’m going to eat all of these, including yours!”          

           "Just try to do that, Flor, and I'll throw away your dentures!" her nanay shouted loudly from inside the bathroom. Laughing, her mommy immediately ran upstairs after hearing what Nanay Oracion said. Autumn laughed upon hearing them argue. Oh, how she missed their arguments.    

           She let out a sigh of contentment as she ate what her mommy cooked for her.                      

           Finally, she’s home.  

SHE LOOKED at the tall building of the Crown Regency where her boyfriend lived. Nothing changed. The small fountain is still situated at the entrance and the plants that have added beauty to the place are still there. Autumn entered and went to the reception area.       

           “Aidan Gomez, ma’am,” she said to the receptionist. She handed her the logbook and she wrote down her name and the time she arrived. After writing down what was needed, she thanked the receptionist and walked towards the elevator. She could feel the excitement flowing in her veins. Her right hand, which was holding the spare keys of Aidan's condo, trembled. Her heart feels like it’s going to burst any minute.                       

           When he arrived in front of the unit, she hurriedly entered but she was surprised when a dark place greeted her. Maybe Aidan bought food, the reason why he isn’t here. At that thought, she went inside his bedroom and sat on his bed.      

           The moment she sat down, the door of Aidan’s unit opened, which meant that her boyfriend had arrived. She smiled and prepared herself. He will be surprised, for sure.         

           Preparing her smile, she began to think of the things she would tell Aidan. But her smile quickly faded upon hearing the voice of a woman laughing along with her boyfriend. What is the meaning of this? Why did Aidan bring a woman into his unit?                    

           Her heart clenched in pain and tears threatened to fall. Shit. When she heard their footsteps outside the bedroom door, Autumn hurriedly crawled under his bed. Bitterness crept up to her heart and tears fell from her eyes.        

           Looks like she was the one who was surprised by Aidan.     

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