[ONGOING] NOT JUST PENELOPE

42: Feel at Home

ZACH

Thankfully, the rain stopped when we arrived to Auntie's place. It was too silent because we didn't talk to each other, but it's not as uncomfortable as it was earlier. We passed by her car and she asked me to stop so that she can gather her things.

"Three lugagges, seriously?" I can't help but ask. "Are you sure you're not going outside the country?"

She rolled her eyes. Here goes that rolling eyeballs again. Sometimes, I have this urge of poking it, but that would be crazy.

"If I'm going outside the country, I should have brought more than 10 lugagges with me." I

s she serious?

"Could you just stop asking and load these in your car? It's getting really cold here." 

Wow, she's starting to be a brat again.

"I think that is not how you earn my yes."

"UGGH! FINE!" She raised her voice. "Zach, can you please load my lugagges in you car, please?" 

Does she really have to emphasize her please everytime she says it? 

Whatever, I'm totally enjoying this.

Now that we're home, how am I going to tell my Aunt about this? I never brought anyone home before, and now I'm suddenly bringing home a girl?

I looked over the passenger seat and realized that Penelope is sleeping.

I couldn't believe my eyes. How could someone with a personality like hers, looks this peaceful while sleeping?

She should probably just sleep forever. She looks better like this.

"What are you looking at?" I jumped in surprise.

I didn't realize she's awake now! That was embarrassing.

"I-I was just about to wake you up. We're here." I decided to go out and begin unloading her stuff before it gets more awkward.

"So, you live here?" Penelope asked while eyeing the house.

"Yes, I do. And don't expect to find an elevator or a grand staircase. We also don't have maids here. This house isn't as big as the house you live in but this is home to me." 

I waited for her to say something but she didn't.

"Let's go inside." I walked first and realize she isn't following me. 

I glanced back at her. She's still staring at the house. 

What's wrong with her?

"Are you okay?"

"Zach, are you happy living here?" She asked, still not looking on my direction but her eyes fixed on the house. 

That was such a random question.

"Of course. I love it here!" Is she thinking about going back home? "You don't like to stay here, do you?"

She looked over me. "You know what? I think I'll like it here." Then she smiled.

And that smile, ladies and gentlemen ,is by far the first "real" smile I saw from her. 

I can't help but smile back.

Something inside me wishes to see more of that though.

"Come in. I need to introduce you to everybody."

"Okay."

As soon as we entered, I can already smell my favorite dish cooking.

Auntie must be in the kitchen. "Follow me. I have to introduce you to my Aunt first."

"What's your Aunt's name?"

"Rosette Feldman."

She nodded and we proceeded to the kitchen. 

Auntie is facing her back on us. She's busy cooking while she's dancing and humming an unfamiliar tune.

I cleared my throat. "Excuse me, Auntie. I'm back."

"Great, Zach! Please call your cousins for dinner." She responded still busy cooking and still not facing us. 

How should I do this?

"Good Evening, Mrs. Feldman." Penelope greeted and as expected, my Auntie jumped in surprise. She's clutching her heart right now.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." Penelope extended her hand at my Aunt, "Hi, I'm Penelope." My Auntie held her hand for a handshake but she looks like she's still assessing what's happening.

All of a sudden, she smiled. "Wow, a girl? " She asked me and turned back to Penelope, "Nice to meet you, Penelope. But please, just Rose. I stopped being Mrs. Feldman when my husband decided to leave me for another woman."

"Oh, I'm sorry."

"Oh, please don't be. You should never apologize for knowing your worth. We all deserve better."

"I totally agree to that!" Then they laughed like they've known each other for years.

Girls. I really don't get them

Then Auntie faced me, "Why didn't you tell me your girlfriend is coming, Zach?" 

Wait, what?

"Auntie-" I started to explain but Penelope cut me off.

"Well, Ms. Rose,"

"Just call me Auntie, please?" My Auntie is smiling so wide right now. She's totally enjoying this.

 "Okay, Auntie. Truth is, I'm not Zach's girlfriend. The only reason I'm here is because Zach and I are, uhm-" She looked over me.

"We're working on a project, Auntie" I decided to help her out. "And if you'll agree, she will be staying here till we finish it."

"Oh," Auntie looked at me, then Penelope, then me again, and then Penelope again. 

I don't know why but I'm really nervous right now. I can tell by the look of Penelope's face that she's getting nervous as well. 

"Why not? I will be very happy to have you here, Penelope!"

We let out a sigh of relief.

"Thank you Ms.- I mean Auntie."

"You know, Penelope? You look familiar." My Aunt told Penelope.

"By any chance, have we met before?" Penelope asked, curiously.

"I don't think so, but you look like someone I know." She smiled and pulled Penelope for a hug.

Penelope looked really shocked at first but now, she's smiling. 

Who would have thought that smiling actually looks good on her? 

I wonder why she likes showing people her brat self when she actually looks better like this.

"Why are you smiling there, Zachary?" I immediately looked away. 

Shit, was I smiling?

"I wasn't." I defended myself.

"Excuses." whispered Penelope, not looking at me.

"Anyway, go and change your clothes, okay? And Zach call your cousins. We'll talk more about this later. For now, let's eat dinner." I nodded and Auntie held Penelope's hands again, "Penelope, feel at home, okay?"

"O-okay." She was taken back. 

It seems like everything that is happening now is something new for Penelope.

I know she's doing this to earn my "yes" but I feel like good things are about to happen in the next few days that she's here.

This is not exactly how I imagine my break, but I think this would be pretty exciting.