CHAPTER 3 "PICTURE INSIDE HIS WALLET"

BEEF with Broccoli was the free meal for her that dinner. 

According to Malou, Mama Loida personally cooked dinner for that night because her son was supposed to go home.

As always, Jenny's answers to Malou remained straightforward. Although the woman is kind, she is just like that, shy and quiet. She did remember, when she was in college, she was often teased by a particular person that recently became her best friend at a private university where she attended her first year of college, Ara.

With that in mind, Jenny immediately felt a deep longing in her chest.

 Ara was her classmate for only a year because she transferred to a state university in her second year. It was because she lost her scholarship and their budget could no longer afford to pay for her studies for that university. 

"It's been a long time, almost ten years, but why can't I still completely forget about you?"

 As she stood by the window of her room those were the words that slipped from her lips. At the same time, a familiar pain drew in her chest which caused her to decide to just let it go eventually.

She has a lot of good things to focus on that can improve her mood, just like Mama Loida and Malou.

 It was nice to know that even though she just met them it is not difficult for her to like and feel comfortable with them. Especially Mama Loida who even asks Malou to deliver a Leche Flan for her as a dessert.

It is still early so she thought of returning the tray to Mama Loida's house. But when she remembered what Malou had told her earlier that Mama Loida's son is coming that is why she cooked dinner; Jenny decided not to pursue her plan.

She did not want to disturb the bonding of Mama Loida and her son so it would be better if she would return it the next day because after all, it can wait.

*****

IT will only be a short time before Jason arrives at his destination.

He is sure that his mother has prepared a lot for him not only food but most especially, stories. With that thought, the young man smiled.

 Soon after, his mother Loida greeted him happily when he got out of the car.

"Why do you seem to be losing weight? You are not eating well again don't you?" his mother asked him after giving him a tight hug.

 Jason smiled broadly at Loida's words.

 "It doesn't seem like it," he said as he put his arm around his mother’s shoulder and smiled at Malou who is now standing at the door of their house.

 That was when his mother patted him on the arm and guided him to the dining room. "That's right, I cooked a delicious dish for you and I also made your favorite dessert. So, eat well," she said as he quickly sat down at the table.

 The warm feeling caressed Jason's heart not only because of what his mother had said but also because of the delicious dinner Loida had prepared for him.

 "Oh, by the way, Malou, did you give Leche Flan to our beautiful guest who came earlier?"

While her mother was taking care of him, she asked their housemaid Malou.

 "Yes ma'am," the maid replied.

 That was when Jason turned to his mother. "Why does that guest seem so special to you Mama?" the young man could not help but ask.

 "Oh, what are you talking about? What's wrong if I give Leche Flan to our guest?" his mother answered him.

 “Well, I just thought that what if our other guests think that you are not fair in your treatment of them?" he explained.

 "I don’t think so, I give them all a free meal. And one more thing, I don't understand why I feel so close to that young lady. Aside from being so beautiful, she is also very kind."

 Loida's voice was full of admiration as she said that so Jason couldn't help but feel an intense amusement for what she was saying about a certain guest. And even though his mother did not admit it he knew she is special to her. Maybe because his mother has always been eager to have a daughter?

 "Why don’t you get married already so I can have a daughter?" he finally proved that his suspicion was correct.

 "Mama, getting married is a very serious thing. Of course, if I do that, I want it to be with the woman that I love so much," he explained then started eating.

 He heard his mother groan. Disbelieving in what he said so Jason could not stop when a weak laugh ran down his throat.

 "How can that be? You haven't even introduced me to anyone who became your girlfriend," Loida complained who just like him also started eating dinner.

 Jason was momentarily taken aback by his mother's words.

 "There was," he said with amusement against his mother's misconception.

 With knit eyebrows, Loida lowered the cutlery she was holding and then thought. "Really?" she said trying to force to remember what he just said.

 There was a moment of silence at the dining table. Until Jason's restraint reached its limit and he finally laughed.

 "Why are you laughing at me?" his mother's constant question to him.

 Jason shook his head one after another then reached for the glass of cold orange juice and drank.

 "You're right, I didn't introduce you to anyone. But I showed you a picture before, I told you that she was my girlfriend at that time. Do you remember?"

 For some inexplicable reason, Jason's hand moved spontaneously and then took the wallet from the back of his pants.

 Inside his wallet, he pulled out an old photograph that for a long time he just let stay there. He indeed had girlfriends but he did not have to show them something private that he owned just like his wallet.

 He even pinned the photo to the small prayer book given to him by his mother who was also in his wallet.

 "Do you remember this?" he said as he handed his mother the small photo which is smaller compared to a normal wallet size because it was just cut from a group photo.

 Jason remained to stare at his mother's face so he could see how the intense surprise that reflected on her beautiful face then smiled and stared at him before speaking.

"She looks familiar," his mother said.

 Jason's forehead furrowed quickly and then felt a rapid throbbing of his chest.

 "What do you mean?" his short question.

 "Malou! Malou!" instead of answering him, his mother called their maid who quickly came from the kitchen.

 "Ma’am Loida?" 

 "Isn't this her?" his mother who took the small picture from him then showed it to Malou.

 Malou stared at the girl in the picture for a moment.

As for Jason, he could not understand why in those moments he could not wait for his mother’s answer because of the mixed excitement and nervousness he was feeling.

 "Yes, she was our guest who came earlier," Malou agreed and then look at him with questions in her eyes.

 "Jason," this time his mother confronted him.

 "What do you mean, Mama?"

 "The young lady in this photo that you say was your girlfriend when you were in college, she is the beautiful and kind female guest that I am talking about. Jenny."

 Because of what his mother said, it was as if Jason was struck by a bolt of lightning as he stared at his mother's face. While inside his mind, he could not believe it.