RDD 26

Chapter 26

A trail of ducks passed the road and the tricycle started moving. 

"Mommy, I want a duckie. Like Donald Duck."

The innocent girl said. She was affected by the adorable ducklings that followed their mother. 

"Sweetheart, let's talk about it later."

"Okay."

Penelope knew that Sophia's attention easily changed and this adoration for ducklings will be forgotten. If not, then Penelope would think about it. 

After all, ducks taste good too...

The rural area was quite far from the highway and the endless plain of rice fields gradually bored the kids. Seeing it for the first time might give them novelty but once they were used to seeing the fields, they quickly got tired. Sometimes we would see a bunch of trees that blocked the sun. 

An hour later, we already started seeing houses. The kids got excited again. They saw houses and kids playing in the river. 

"..."

Even Roman turned to Penelope, his eyes were shining. 

Penelope just chuckled. She had memories of swimming in the river too. Fortunately, the river in their village was not contaminated. The water was clean and fishes live freely. 

"We are here."

Simeon stopped the tricycle in front of an old house made of wood and bricks. It looked like a house back in spaniard colonization. However, the house was big, almost thrice the size of our apartment. It even has a second floor. 

"..."

Penelope had a melancholic expression. Still, the happiness in her eyes could be seen. She missed her home so much. 

"I'm back."

She wiped the tears in her eyes. The place where she grew up, where happy memories were made. 

I tapped her shoulder and kissed her hair. She looked at me and smiled. 

"Mommy don't cwy... Sophia will cwy too."

The daughter in her arms was getting sad. 

"Silly, I'm fine."

She chuckled and kissed Sophia's forehead. 

"Let's go."

We approached the house together, quite excited. 

"Brother-in-law, do you need help with the bags? They look heavy."

Simeon glanced at the bags that I was carrying. He parked his tricycle next to the house and he felt that I was carrying heavy bags. 

"I'm alright. It's not heavy at all."

I shook my head. Because of the Energy Pill, even if the bags were heavy, my arms did not feel languid or weak. At least I'm confident that I can carry more. 

Suddenly, the door opened and a pair of an old man and a woman came out. When they saw Penelope holding a child, the old pair was delighted. 

"Penelope!"

"Mother! I miss you!"

Mother-in-law Corazon walked faster and almost burst into tears. She looked at Penelope and Sophia back and forth. She was stunned when she realized that mother and child resemble each other. 

"I- Is this my granddaughter!? She looks just like you! Oh my God!"

"Yes, Mother."

Penelope sniffed, holding her tears. 

"Awww, what a cute child."

Mother-in-law Corazon extended her arms and Penelope let her carry Sophia. 

Sophia looked at her grandmother with curiosity. She already heard her voice back when they were talking on the phone. But this was the first time she met her. 

My Mother-in-law has white hair because of old age, but I heard that she had pink hair when she was younger. Penelope and Sophia probably inherited their traits from her. 

She has wrinkles around her eyes but she didn't look ugly, she looked calm and mature. Despite working under the sun as a farmer, Mother-in-law has fair skin, not dark at all. 

"Do you remember me? I'm your Grandma, we talked last time on the phone."

"Hm, Hello Gwandma. You look more bweautiful than I expected. Just like Fairy Godmother in Cinderella."

"This... As expected, my granddaughter is the best!"

Mother-in-law was giggling. Sophia touched her inner heart and she immediately fell in love with the child. 

"..."

I don't know what to say, it seemed that Sophia has a way with someone's heart. 

Kids don't tell lies, they say. 

While Sophia, Penelope, and my Mother-in-law were talking, my Father-in-law approached me and looked at the bags in my hands. 

"Let's put these inside. How's your trip?"

Unlike his wife, Father-in-law whose name is Alberto has dark brown skin and white hair. He is tall, almost 6 feet. Despite being over 60 years old, he looks strong and healthy. Perhaps this is the perk of being a farmer, they have a strong body and strong immunity. 

"The travel was smooth. Fortunately, we got here before evening."

It was a good thing that we left the house early in the morning and we didn't get caught in the traffic jam. I know Manila enough to understand that traffic is relatively a common thing. 

I sighed, even in another universe, traffic problems are still alive and kicking in the capital city of our country. 

"That's good to hear."

Father-in-law helped me lead the way to our room. Seemed like we are going to live in a single room, that's a good thing. We can watch over our kids. 

As for bonding with my wife, let's persevere for a week or two. 

"Thank you, Father-in-law."

"It's fine.

He patted my shoulder and I subconsciously flinched. Perhaps my body still remembered what happened last time. 

I was punched in the face back then. When we returned to Manila, I have a black eye...

Well, if I were in his shoes, I'll probably be mad too. 

Anyway, we're all good now. Father apologized we even drank coconut palm liquor(Lambanog). Unfortunately, I promised my wife that I would never touch alcohol again. So if Father-in-law invited me to drink, I have to decline. 

After putting the bags on the bed, I went out of the room and found my family warming up with Mother-in-law. 

Sophia was giggling as Mother-in-law carried her. I was worried at first because Mother-in-law was already old, but seeing Mother-in-law Corazon carrying Sophia with no problem, I know that she would be fine. 

"Roman, you grow taller. You're getting more handsome!"

"Thank you, Grandma."

Roman held it in as Mother-in-law pinched his cheeks. 

"Mother, let me help you carry Sophia. You said that your back is aching lately."

"Who said that? No, I'm strong as a cow!"

She said while rocking Sophia.