[Shout out to Israel C!]
Penelope and I returned to Pangasinan three years ago. Many things happened, but in our case, it was a good thing.
Penelope reconciled with her family and their relationship strengthened. Alberto (father-in-law) and Corazon (mother-in-law) even fell in love with Roman.
However, there was one incident that stuck in my mind. When we returned three years ago, there was a middle-aged woman who argued with Penelope.
It was Señorita, Penelope's older sister. The woman kept saying hurtful things. But Penelope took it all in stride because she loved her family.
In fact, I almost hit the woman. If not because of Penelope, I might have caused a scene. I may have gotten a black eye, but I can fight.
It was different from Alberto's punch, which I accepted. I was wrong and I took responsibility for what I'd done. I got my wife pregnant and we ran away from our parents.
I understood Alberto's feelings, so I accepted all of his blows. That's what it means to be a man.
But Señorita was different. She was the most horrible person I ever met, she made Penelope cry and kneel.
Penelope had many siblings, and out of all of them, I remember only Simeon and Señorita. The latter was for negative reasons.
If there was anyone I didn't want to see again, it was probably Señorita.
"Grandma, who are they?"
The young, skinny boy named Billy was confused when he realized that there were unknown people in the kitchen. He was young when he met us two years ago and maybe he didn't remember us.
"Billy, it's your aunt and uncle. Say hello to them."
He mumbled weakly. But his eyes were on Roman, who was playing Snake on my Nokia.
"Do you want to eat? The stew is ready."
Alberto handed him a plate of rice and duck stew.
He said and ran away after accepting the dish. Maybe he went back to his room to eat alone.
"Tch, that kid. He already ate and forgot me. He didn't even ask me if I wanted to eat."
"Señorita, that's your son."
We can hear their conversation, especially with Señorita's loud, irritating voice.
"He's just a child. You should be more tolerant. Besides, he said he didn't have breakfast. He is hungry."
"Tch, if I can't eat, then he shouldn't eat either. I work hard while he sleeps, how can I have the energy to feed him? So I gave him money instead.
"What did he do with the money?"
"I don't know, maybe he bought sweets or something. Anyway, I want to eat Mom."
"Okay, but you have to behave. Your sister is here."
Corazon sighed and let them her into the kitchen. She hoped her two daughters would make up. As a mother, it hurt her to see them fighting.
"Hello, Sister Señorita."
Penelope had a pale complexion.
"Oh, look who's here! Our lost sister has returned!"
Unfortunately, Corazon's expectations were shattered when she heard their first conversation.
"I can't believe you have the courage to come back after what you did. You really have a thick skin. And what's this? You have a daughter? Wow."
She said sarcastically and Penelope felt uncomfortable. I stood next to Penelope and held her hand. I looked at Señorita coldly.
Of course I hate that bitch who always talks nonsense. Penelope was innocent, I'm the one who caused her trouble...
"Roman and Sophia, go play with your grandmother."
I knew something would happen, so I want to send the kids to their grandma. I didn't want any of them to hear our conversation. Roman was confused, but he followed Sophia and Corazon.
"Señorita, don't you have any manners? Penelope just arrived and you're already showing your bad behavior."
Simeon stood between them. He knew what had happened the last time.
"Why do I have to do this? This woman is ungrateful. We gave her money to continue her studies, but she eloped with a bastard and never returned! When she came back, she already had a baby! Can't you see how ungrateful she is?"
"As far as I remember, you never helped Penelope, not even giving her a cent for her studies. Our parents are the ones who gave her the money, not you."
Simeon and Senorita began to take hits.
"So what? It didn't change the fact that Penelope wasted all of our parents' money! All of it wasted!"
"Penelope is a scholar, we never paid tuition. We didn't spend a lot of money, it's a small amount." Alberto added.
I feel my wife's shoulders shaking.
"She's still an ungrateful child!"
Alberto lost his patience and raised his voice. His children were fighting, and as the pillar of the house, he had to keep order.
"If you want to fight, leave this place now."
It was loud and clear. They both shut up.
"Señorita, you must understand that Penelope never asked us to send her money. It's our own decision. She wanted to finish college and we want to help her, it's simple."
In fact, Penelope was a hardworking person. She was a working student, studying during the day and working at night.
I first met her in the cafeteria. She was a waiter. It was a love at first sight. Since then, I decided to pursue her.
Señorita glared at Penelope.
I didn't understand why she hated her sister so much. They were alike, appearance wise. But Señorita was a terrible person.
She bit her lip. She took a plate and ladled rice and stew. Then she left the kitchen.
"Are you okay, honey?"
I comforted my wife and hugged her. It was obvious that she was heartbroken.
"This woman is really hard to understand. She always makes a fuss, even over little things."
Simeon rubbed his face in frustration while my father-in-law took out a cigarette and lit it. The atmosphere became depressed and low.
"I think we'll stay in our room for now. We have traveled for hours and we are tired."
"Okay, you can tell me if you want anything." Alberto nodded and waved his hand.
I led my wife to our room to rest.
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