Chapter 14: The Proposal

FERNANDO

"TATAY JOSE, JUST CALL ME ANDY," I said, smiling at the old man. "Good morning, too," I responded.

Yes, the caretaker, Mang Jose, or Tatay Jose, is with me now. I used to call him Tatay even then. And since I already had a phone, I contacted him right away and told him we would meet today because I wanted to go to the beach house. I also have to put my other stuff in there. The ones I brought from Manila.

"Silly, guy. Come. Let’s put your things in the back of the car," he said, and reached for my things.

"Thank you, Tatay," I said. I watched as he put my things in the back of the car. It seems that nothing much has really changed for him. He is just a little older, but Tatay Jose still looks a bit like the actor Dennis Padilla.

"There... Are you settled? Let's go?"

I just nodded to the old man.

We started to travel to the beach house. It is also quite far from the town and resort. During the ride, Tatay Jose, and I were still talking.

He is just asking about my life in Manil