“You lost a lot of weight, dear.” We were seated by the dinner table when Inay squinted her eyes at me. I was almost done with my meal, with just a few spoonfuls left on the big round dinner plate. “Are you even eating well in Manila? Don’t tell me you’re prioritizing a boyfriend over your health.”

“What – no!” I almost shouted and my sister giggled concurrently. I think red covered my cheeks with what our mom was saying. “I’m too busy for those sorts of things. I’m eating enough so you don’t need to worry… There’s also no need to say such weird things, ‘nay.”

“I see, that’s good then” She took a spoonful of rice and butternut squash in coconut milk. “It’s also too bad at the same time; I was looking forward to having grandchildren.”

Suddenly, it was as if I forgot how to eat and almost choked on my food, despite it being close to soft food. I repeatedly struck my chest before coughing hard and gulping down a glass of water. Heat climbed my cheeks and I tried to cover my reddish face with my hands before accidentally hitting my utensils causing for my fork to fall on the floor. “I-Inay!!!”

“Uwaaa~ The fork fell! Ate Iza will have a male visitor. Maybe destiny is telling you to get married!” Cecilia teased, like a ten-year-old would. “You are old enough to be wed, anyway!”

“Oh shut it, stop being fooled by superstitious beliefs.” I said with slight disdain. This was one of the reasons why city folks laugh at those coming from the provinces. We were too stuck on things of the past. “They’re not real.”

“Now now, play nice, Isay.” Our mother spoke with a tone of warning hidden in a sweet smile. She was being the typical scary mom trying to break up a fight between daughters even before it started.

“Fine. Believe what you want.” I sighed as I slowly picked up the metal from the floor.

Not even a minute passed when the doorbell rang. Seeing as I was already up standing, I went to get it.

“Tao po. Anyone home?” A deep voice greeted me. It was deep enough for me to recognise that it belonged to a man. I wasn’t used to hearing a man’s voice calling out to our home, especially since no one aside from Marcie visits me back at the apartment I’m renting in Manila.

Confirming my thoughts, a man did show himself in front of me as I opened the door. His red checkered polo shirt was visible despite the cover of the night. It was tucked into tight jeans and was paired with brown leather shoes. It was totally a vintage look that went well with his elegant stance and the swing of the threads of his black locks that was in tune with the cold night breeze.

The longer I stared at him, the more that my mind is telling me that I’ve seen him before. But that is impossible –

I haven’t come home for years, but why does he look familiar?

“Uhh.” I managed to speak somehow. It’s already too late in the evening, what on earth are you here for? Who are you – was what I wanted to ask, but all I ever came up with was, “How may I help you?”

“Ah, sorry for bothering you so late in the evening, it took me some time to settle with some business in the plantation. I brought the freshly-plucked mangoes for Aling Puring, as she requested.” The man flashed a warm wide grin as he showed off the bundle of mangoes he held in his hand. “I also heard that that Isadora came back–”

I merely blinked my set of browns at him, which was shortly followed by him putting a hand on my shoulder. “Hey, wait – you’re Isadora, aren’t you?”

I brushed his hand away. “So what if I am? I appreciate you doing this for Inay. But who on earth are you?”

“Ouch, that hurts. You don’t remember me anymore? I’m – “

“Ahhh, Andres. You’re here.” Inay’s voice came from behind me. “I was wondering what’s taking Isay so long. Come on in! Oh are those the carabao mangoes that you’ve mentioned? Oh, what a thoughtful young lad you are!”

“Anything for you, tita.” Andres gave off a goofy smile.

“Wait, what? Why are you inviting him in? We don’t have a man in the family and he doesn’t seem trustworthy… Is it safe to do this? Mom, don’t you remember when we were kids? He has been spouting nonsense! He’s not in the right state of mind!” I couldn’t believe the slanderous words coming out of my mouth. Perhaps I couldn’t get over the shock that the skinny little boy whose words I denied actually turned out to be a good-looking guy. The same person that I abandoned, all those years ago,

Is he trying to steal my family away from me, to get back at me for throwing away our friendship?

Before I could process anything further, I felt a hot flush of pain drill its way into my cheek. My eyes began to water while my hand found its way to the throbbing area.

“Isadora!!! I will not tolerate such behavior in my house. I didn’t raise you to be this rude to our guests!” That was the last strike; it was as if fumes were coming out of my mother’s ears. “Now head inside and cool your head!”

God, it’s like I’m the one acting like a ten-year-old. Dammit, what is wrong with me?