Meeting The Family

* Barbie *

Mama Irma and I took the backseat of the vehicle while Rafael and Tommy are in the front. Along the way, I could see the tall trees and green plants beside the road. Some houses are almost close to the public highway which made me frown as it's too risky having to live like that. When I asked Mama Irma about it she just laugh. The houses looked small and the materials used is mostly wood and timber with a thin canopy.

"Don't worry about them Barb, the local government is trying to evacuate the people living beside the road for expansion, however, the project takes time and so is the movement."

I nodded my head and listen to the conversation between the two men in the front. Mama Irma has been telling a story about how the worst families get by in the poor areas of the Philippines. But my mind is occupied by the person holding the steering wheel. It's not the first time that I feel something for someone and I guess it's pretty normal to get a crush on him. He looked different from the rest of the boys I have known back in Texas.

Tommy is a very attractive and mysterious type maybe there are a lot of girls crushing on him. Rafael is also good looking but his features are common in the US. Tom on the other hand exudes an air of masculinity that any girl would be aware of, or I am just drawn to him because he is gorgeous? I did not know that I have this kind of feeling until I saw him just now. I am having a difficult time trying to focus on Mama Irma.

"You are going to love living with us Barb, our house is just too big for me, Erich, and your Papa. Never mind Tommy, he has an apartment in Butuan and Rafael as well. They only visit on the weekends that is if they have time."

I smiled at her and shakes my head.

"Oh, I uhm. Rafael said that it would be only for a few months Mama Irma. He said that we will live in Butuan or the town center but I am truly grateful for the offer Mama, I just thought it would not be proper to take advantage of your generosity."

Her eyes widened in surprise and the smile on her lips slowly vanished I regretted telling her about my brother's plans.

"Rafael!?"

"Yes, Mama Irma."

He looks back at us and Tom is also looking at the rearview mirror with a slight frown on his forehead.

"What are you planning for Barbie's living situation? Isn't it best if she could live with us? The city is not safe for her, she's speaking only English for now so communication would be very difficult for her. If she is with us then I can let the driver pick her up to school and from the house, with less worries."

Rafael glance at me and then nodded.

"Mama, please let us talk about it later when we are at home. Let Barbie take a look at the surroundings to get familiarized with our local culture and living conditions. This is a far cry from Texas."

Mama Irma smiled.

"Oh! Yes, you are right son."

Her smile became brilliant again as she looks at me with amusement. "First things first Barb, I am calling a private tutor to let you learn the basic local language it is still a few months before class starts so you have time to learn."

I nodded my head and smiled back at her.

"Thanks Mama Irma, let me know how much I need to pay the tutor and let me handle the expenses. It is too much that you are making me stay in the house, I have to at least pay this one."

Her eyes widened as she shakes her head.

"Of course not, this tutor is also helping Erich in some of her studies so just an hour or two with you every time he is home is fine."

"Oh, alright."

Rafael did not say a word to object to her and even Tom who was concentrating behind the wheels now, yet every time he glances at my seat I feel my heart thumping. They talk every now and then but nothing that concerns me so I just entertained myself by looking outside the window. Mama Irma leans her back in the seat and close her eyes, she must be feeling sleepy. They sure wake up early to be at the airport if the ride to get there is for two hours.

"Are you alright back there Barb? Here, get some water and let me know if you want to stop by somewhere for breakfast or coffee, we still have two hours to go."

I took the cold bottle of water Rafael give me. "I'm alright I don't feel hungry or sleepy at all, it's fine Raf."

He adjusted towards Tom whose eyes are on me too. I opened the bottle of water and took a sip enjoying the view and pretending that his eyes does not affect me. But very far from it, I am so aware of the way he moves his head and the way he drives the vehicle.

We have been driving for hours on the mountains and there is nothing beside the road but tall tress and grasses. Until we passed by the checkpoint of soldiers who did not bother to stop us. I guess we are almost there, Rafael is taking a nap in the front seat and there is only me and Tom who is wide awake, him driving and me looking at the window.

"We are here Barb there is only about twenty minutes and we will arrive at the mansion. I hope you won't regret being here as the town is very different from the place that you used to live in."

His voice deep and husky that I look at his eyes and think for a few moments trying to understand what he just said. "Oh, I think I like it here already."

I smiled genuinely taking care of not letting him read through my voice the nervous reaction of my body from him. Tom is giving me his attention aside from driving and it made me feel special for no reason. Mama Irma suddenly opens her eyes when it begin to get noisy because of the vehicles on the road. There are establishments visible and we go to a gas station where Tom lowered his window and speak to the gasoline guy.

"Oh, forgive me for dozing off Barb I just love to take naps being on the road when we passed by the green forests. I hope it's alright, you did not get bored on the way?"

"No, I am alright Mama. Thank you, Rafael is having his nap too."

Mama Irma looks at him and smiled. "He must be tired and of course you are too, but we need to eat first when we arrive I have told the maids to prefer all the favourite local dishes of Rafael. You must taste them Barb and let me know what you like."

Thinking about food made me aware that I haven't eaten much during the journey. "That sounds great Mama, I will surely love to have a taste."

When we finished filling up, Tom drive towards the public highway together with all sorts of vehicles. The place is a bit crowded, I also notice that there are many fruit and vegetable vendors selling beside the road. Rafael woke up and then look back at me. "We are finally here! Welcome to San Francisco Barb, this town is almost a City. I hope you will enjoy living here, in the meantime."

There was a hint in his voice which made Tom look back at me and then To Rafael. He frowned and continue driving while Mama Irma excitedly mention every owner of the business establishment that we passed by. I just nodded, barely remembering the names and the store. We took a smaller road where the houses are in uniformed structure, she said it is a well known subdivision. Finally, we reach a road towards a hill and then I notice a big two-story house that is barricaded by a tall gate made of steel painted in maroon.

"Welcome to Villa de la Vega Barb!"

Mama Irma proudly spell the words and I couldn't help but be filled with awe when the gates opened and we slowly move forward. The house is so huge, I have no idea how many rooms are inside and then two uniformed maids came out together with a sophisticated old man and a young teen whose age would be a few years younger than me. They came towards us wearing a smile on their faces.