Rod

Long silence. None of them wanted to speak first. Zaviah closed her eyes and thought that she could catch even a little nap. Asleep but again as if not.

Her mind has become confused these past few days. And sadly she could not fathom the reason. It is the rapid rolling of the car's wheels on the road that she could hear. She decided to opened her eyes and peeked out the window. There were loud horns that she could hear. It was enough that made her realized that she was on the usual road. She had always memorized the noise of EDSA. She knew that was the road they were driving. She remembers those times when she had to struggle to catch the bus every rush hours she was on her way to go home.

She has learned such a life since the death of his beloved daddy Fabio. They reached Manila quickly. It was only two hours into the trip but at EDSA they also took longer.

"Where are we going here in Manila?" she suddenly asked this in the middle of the silence.

"We're going to the airport. We're going to pick up someone, because I'm the only one who knows he's coming."

"I'm bored. Heavy traffic is very tedious," she complained.

"You grew up here in Manila, didn't you? You should be used to it." Miguel is smiling as if there was a tone of teasing joke.

"Not just used to it but tired on the crowded road."

As she just looked out the window. She thought of going to their house first but it might be disturbing. She can go home alone in another day. A few minutes later she noticed that the planes were flying up into the air. They are already at the airport.

"Few minutes more to go."

"We're close to the airport at last."

Zaviah sighed deeply. However she's glad they were there and about to enter the gate of the terminal. She's glad not just because they had already arrived but because she had already endured so much with his bladder being full. She was holding back her urine too much.

"Why? Is there anything you want. Are you hungry?" Okay whatever it is. I will be hurry to find a parking space right away."

Miguel noticed that Zaviah was no longer comfortable so he immediately turned right as he saw a car coming out of the parking. Zaviah quickly got out of the car to find comfort room.

Relief she feels after she urinates. She washed her hands and look to the mirror. Slowly pulled the hairbrush out of her shoulder bag. To at least comb her hair before returning to the car. She stared freely at the image in the front mirror, sees herself physically. Only her physical appearance can be seen, but not a strange feeling prevailed in her heart. She smiled touching her lips.

'Oh, Zaviah, stop thinking like that. I think you're going crazy 'she scolded herself.

She decided to go out and return to the parking where Miguel parked the car. But she was lost. She could not determine anymore where it was.

"Where did he parked?"

She turned he face from left to right. Until she saw the two men hugging. Obviously in their gestures they have long not seen with each other. She just stared at them not far away on the other side. She got hesitated to approach. After a while, Miguel waved at her. She come closer because she knew they were waiting for her.

"Welcome back Rod," Miguel said.

"And last I'll be home," Rod said.

"Rod, this is Zaviah my fiancee. And Zav this is Rod."

"Nice meeting you, Rod," she greeted.

She was even able to greet even though she almost choked on her own saliva. She can't imagine the word fiancee.

"Wow! I'm surprised you didn't even inform me."

"Yes I did."

Good thing someone called over the phone. Rod got busy and moved away from them slightly while talking to someone on his phone.

"Oh! really. Is that it? Did I agree?Marriage is not just a hot rice for us to swallow in and spit out if we got burned."

Zaviah could have said more but she also stopped as when she saw that Rod is coming back to them.

"You're really good at choosing auncle," Rod said smiling.

She couldn't quite imagine that Rod continuing his beliefs about them. Miguel stared at her so hard, she wanted to correct it. And the stares at her meant something. It wanted her to keep quiet. She smiled at the two even though she was disgusted. She grabbed her phone from her pocket so that she would not be awkward in front of the two men talking.

"So let's go," Miguel said.

They were just over an hour into the drive when they entered a guardhouse. Villa Celestina is its name. Just outside she saw that it it is an ancestral house. Old style when viewed outside.

"Nice to be back here again, auncle. It was five years ago. I was brought home to this Villa. It didn't take long I stayed here. I was taken to another country again. I have grown up. I'm already eighteen years old. All decision now can be up to me. Nobody can lead me even if it is grandma, Rod seriously said."

"It should be my nephew."

Miguel even looked at her before coming down. To see if she understands what Rod is saying. But she was dead-malicious in what she heard. On her phone screen she still focused. Rod also followed getting out of the car. His palm caressed his crumpled polo shirt.

"Zav get down. Celestina isn't there if that's what you're worried about. And in case she does come, she can't say anything. You'll be my fiancee, she need not to care about that even if you're a Mondragon."

Even though what has Miguel said, she still go out of the car. She should be ready for everything to happen.

"I can carry my bag. Let me do it for myself. Just help Rod for his luggage," Zaviah suggested.

But Miguel insisted to carry her bag. And the three of them entered the house at the same time.

"You will stay in the guest room. The housemaids have arranged everything there."

"Okay," she replied.

Miguel first accompanied her to the guest room. And called housemaids to haul Rod's wheeled suitcase into his room.

"Rod didn't know he was a real Villaverde. All he knows he was an adopted child. That was a secret which was very careful to keep," Miguel started the revealation to Zaviah.

"I immediately felt the blood rush. When I saw him I felt something strange. I can see on his face the Mondragon familiar resemblance. He got his nose and eyes from auntie Stella because he also looks like Daddy Fabio. "

"Celestina didn't know I knew anything about Rod. That would still be a secret for us to keep. His will was close to me even before. I used to call him my nephew even when he was young and I told him to call me auncle too."

"So how can we claim him as Mondragon if we both still keep the secret."

"That is something I will ask you to wait a little. Not now Zav. Not now. Let us wait for the right time."

"So when would that be. When will be the right time. My grandma is getting old. She suffered so much when auntie Stella died. I would also be happy to see her joy because I brought auntie Stella's son home to the mansion."

"Zav be patient. Everything you want will happen too."

She said nothing more. She had to consent to Miguel's request. In a short time, she will be able to bring Rod home to the mansion.

"Okay."

And how about us getting married?"

Zaviah has her forehead furrowed again. Wondering why Miguel always insisted on about getting married.

"The answer is N-O."

Miguel smiled at her and left her alone in the room. On the bed Zaviah turned first. She wanted to lay down and sleep. Her body is aching.