Date: Sat, 18 Aug 2012 14:58:47 -0700 (PDT)
From: John Michaels <mmanlookin@yahoo.com>
Subject: FILIPINO LOVE - Chapter 12

			       FILIPINO LOVE
				    By
				    JM

Disclaimers and other info:  see chapter one
Email:  mmanlookin@yahoo.com


			      CHAPTER TWELVE


     In all my previous travels, I had always gotten around either on foot,
rented bike, taxi or public bus.  This was the first time I had ever ridden
in such a conveyance, and the experience was...interesting.  The noise
generated by the engine indicated that any kind a muffler that came with
the cycle originally was a distant memory, and we were being trailed by a
billowing, black cloud of smoke emitting from the questionable exhaust
system.  There also didn't appear to be any kind of shock absorbers or
suspension, as I could feel every little bump in the road, some quite bone
jarring, sending shocks from my spine to my head.  All this didn't seem to
faze Ronni, though, as he excitedly pointed out different points of
interest as we banged along.  The torture finally ended about 15 minutes
later as we pulled up to the agent's office.  We disembarked, and after
paying the driver 20 pesos (about 50 cents, U.S.), we walked into the
office, where we were greeted by the agent.  She offered us bottled water,
which we gratefully accepted to wash the dust and exhaust of our ride out
of our throats, sat down and got into the reason for the meeting.  I hadn't
mentioned anything to her about why I wanted the meeting, and I'm sure she
thought that maybe I was there to complain about the cottage.  A mix of
relief and surprise flooded her face as I told her the reason I wanted this
meeting.

     "Ms Fudalan (her name)," I started.  "One of the reasons I wanted to
see you is to ask if the cottage where I'm staying might possibly be for
sale."

     Quickly recovering her equilibrium, Ms Fudulan replied, "I'm not
really sure. Let me go get the file so I can check."

     She stood up, went over to a file cabinet in the corner, and began her
search.  In the meantime, Ronni was looking at me with a cocked eyebrow.

     "Why you want to know if house for sale?" he asked.

     I rested my hand on his shoulder, and said, "Just be patient for a
little bit.  You'll see."  I followed this up with a reassuring smile.

     He started to relax a bit, and said simply, "Ok."  But I could tell
that he was still bubbling with curiosity.

     In the meantime, Ms Fudalan had found the file and returned to her
desk and sat down.  She opened the file and started to slowly go through
each page it contained, stopping when she came to the one she had been
looking for.  She spent a moment scanning the contents, then looked at me.

     "Yes," she said.  "It is for sale.  The owners live and work in the
U.S even though they are Filipino.  They thought that they might keep the
house to use for when they return to visit, but they have found another
place in Bulacan that is closer to the wife's family.  They want to sell
this house so they have the money to buy the place in Bulacan, which they
now rent, until they get the money."

     I nodded my head thoughtfully.  "Ok," I said.  "Now for the big
question.  How much are they asking?"

     She glanced again at the sheet in her hand then looked rather
sheepishly at me.  "Um, ah," she stammered.  Then she took a deep breath,
looked me straight in the eye, and said, "They are asking 750,000 pesos."
At this, Ronni's eyes almost popped out of his head, and his mouth dropped
open.

     "How much?" he squeaked.  This was obviously an amount of money
greater than he could even imagine.

     "750,000," Ms Fudalan repeated.

     I did a quick calculation in my head.  Given the current rate of
exchange, 750,000 would translate into roughly $20,000, U.S.  Shit!!!  I
couldn't even build a decent garden shed back home for that amount!  And
here was a well-built house with property, on the beach for that price.
But there was a hurdle I was aware of that needed to be overcome.  As a
foreigner, I could own any kind of business, building, condo or any other
freestanding structure, but by law, I was not allowed to own the land on
which it sat.  Only a true Filipino could do that, and I had already known
that fact before I came to her office.  I had a plan in mind, but I needed
to know if it would work.  Ms. Fudalan seemed surprised at my lack of
reaction to what she obviously considered a great deal of money.  After
all, the average, working middle class Filipino was considered to be doing
well if he made $10,000 a year, so in her mind – and Ronni's, too –
this was a great deal of money.

     "Ms Fudalan," I began.  "Being that I'm from the U.S., I think that
the price is more than reasonable."  (More surprised looks from both of
them.)  "While I suppose the natural thing to do would be to try and
bargain the price down, that would take more time than I'm willing to wait.
I'd like to be able to have everything settled and paid for before I have
to return to the U.S. the end of next week, so I'm willing to accept the
price as is.  The only problem I see is that, while I can buy the house, I
can't buy the land.  Could you tell me, please, if there is any legal age
limit as to who can own land?"

     "I do not know for sure," she said.  "But I can do some research this
afternoon and have an answer for you in the morning."

     "That will be fine," I replied.  "If you find that there is no age
limit, then you and I will have a deal.  I will buy the house."  As I said
this, I couldn't help but look at Ronni to see his reaction.  I had to hold
back a laugh when I saw the look on his face.

     "This will also help me with my other request.  One of the reasons I'm
here is to look for some beach property on which to build a hotel."  At
this, she looked as if she was about to burst from excitement.  I'm sure
that it was motivated by the thoughts of the commissions dancing through
her mind.

     "I am very excited about that," she enthused.  "Although Lapu-Lapu is
a large city, there never seems to be enough rooms for all the visitors,
especially since we are so close to the airport.  We have beautiful beaches
here with very few hotels near them.  The cost for accommodating the
environmental restrictions has kept the number that has been built with
immediate beach access low. Also, being so close to the airport and having
a nice place to stay and vacation will really help the economy.  Anyone
willing to build something like that here will get a lot of support and
help from the government."  Throughout this exchange, Ronni had been
unusually quiet.  He now spoke up.

     "Phil?  What is happening?"

     I put my arm around him in a small, reassuring hug, and said,
"Remember at your parent's house you had something to tell me but wanted to
wait until we got home?"  Damn!  A look of sadness and...fear?...clouded
his beautiful eyes.

     "Oo," he said, with a slight quiver in his voice.

     With an even firmer hug, I lifted him out of his seat and onto my lap
facing me, where his arms immediately went around my neck, and his head on
my shoulder.

     "Well," I said, "when we get home, I'll tell you everything.  If all
goes as I hope, you will be having a very big part in everything."

     When I had pulled Ronni onto my lap, Ms Fudalan got a shocked look on
her face, which gradually morphed into a soft expression as she witnessed
how much Ronni and I cared about each other.

     Breaking (thankfully) the somewhat somber, but loving, mood, she said,
"I will have the information you want by tomorrow morning, and will also
bring along a list of available properties.  If it is best for you, I will
bring it to the house in the morning."

     "That would be great," I replied.  "But could you make it 10:00 or a
little later?  After all, I AM supposed to be on vacation and might sleep
late."

     "That will be good," she said.  "Why don't I give you a call before I
come?"

     "Excellent!  That will give me time to make sure I'm presentable."
Actually, make sure BOTH Ronni and I are presentable in case things get
sexy in the morning.

     She chuckled at my remark, and said, "Good.  Then that's what we'll
do.  Is there anything else I can help you with today?"

     "That's all for now, at least.  I think we'll head home now and get
some lunch.  We're meeting with Ronni's lola later this afternoon.  By the
way," I added.  "I'd like to say that your English is excellent.  I'm very
impressed."

     "Thank you," she said with a smile.  "I actually have a master's
degree from The University of California, Berkley.  I was planning on
becoming an English teacher when I returned here, but the teaching
conditions and salary were so bad, I went into real estate instead.  Better
hours, working conditions and money.  I'm supporting my parents, so that
was important."

     "That's a very good thing you're doing for your parents.  Parents were
always there when we needed them, and it's only right we return the same
care when the time comes.  I wish there were more people like you.  Well, I
guess we'd better go.  I'm pleased with what we may have accomplished
today, and look forward to what you have for us tomorrow.  Thank you," I
said, as I stood with Ronni still in my arms.

"And I thank you too.  I think we'll have everything you need to move
forward with your plans by the time I see you tomorrow.  By the way, can I
offer you a ride?" she asked.  "  I don't have anything planned until after
lunch, and it's a long walk back to the house, and it's quite hot today."

     "That would be much appreciated, if you don't mind.  I'd been thinking
I'd have to take another pedicab ride, and after the experience in one
getting here, I wasn't exactly looking forward to it."  This brought forth
a peal of laughter.  Even Ronni laughed.

     "I know what you mean," she stated.  "I don't like them much myself,
and I've grown up around them."

     With that, Ronni and I waited while she tidied up, and then went out
to her car with her, as she locked the office door behind her.  What a
difference in the ride!!  No bone jarring bumps, no exhaust fumes, no
noise!  And it was air-conditioned...a blessed respite from the heat.  As
we pulled up to the cottage, I invited Ms Fudalan to stay for lunch, but
she politely declined, saying she was having lunch with a friend, so with a
toot and a wave she was off.

     As I turned to put my arm around Ronni's shoulder and head into the
house, I noticed that he had a sad look on his face, and something
else...embarrassment?  Something was obviously troubling him, and I needed
to find out what and why.  I wanted my vibrant and happy Ronni back.

     Caressing the side of his face, I asked, "What's wrong, Sweetheart?
You look so sad."

     He turned his soulful eyes up to meet mine, and said, "I scared, Phil.
I not know what going on!  So much today I not understand.  It makes me
afraid.  So much, too much I not know.  And I feel shame."

     That said, he dropped his head, and it looked as though he was on the
verge of tears.  Oh God!!  What have I done?!?  When I first started
putting my plans together about the house, I thought he would at least be
excited and happy that I would own a house close to where he lived, even
though I hadn't planned to tell him that this was going to become OUR home
until everything had fallen into place.  While I knew that all the planning
I was putting in place would include him, I hadn't said anything to him,
wanting the news to be a happy surprise once everything was in place.  But
he had been with me at the agent's office as I blithely discussed buying
properties that would obviously require a great deal of money, and I now
realized that he didn't know everything about my plans or the fact that I
had the ability and resources to make things happen.  I had to diffuse this
situation immediately.  My heart was aching, seeing him in such a state.  I
made up mind right then to tell him everything I had planned for the
future...OUR future.  And I had to come clean about my money.  No more
waiting!

     "Ronni," I said gently, as I lifted his head up so that I could see
his eyes.  They were very moist, and it was clear that he was on the verge
of a meltdown.

     "Ronni," I said again, once he was looking at me.  " I'm so very, very
sorry that you're feeling like this.  It's all my fault.  I should have
told you everything before now, but I wanted it to be a nice surprise for
you, but to be honest, some of it happened as things were discussed at Ms
Fudulan's office.  I was kind of coming up with ideas based on what was
being said in the office, and it wasn't fair to you.  It confused you and
scared you, because, in spite of how we now feel about each other, you
still don't know all about me and my life before I met you, and you were
confused and didn't know what was going on."  I grabbed him in a tight hug.
"I'm so very sorry, my love.  The very last thing I EVER want to do is to
cause you pain.  I love you with everything I am or will ever be.  Please,
Love!  Forgive me!"  Up until now, I had been the one actually doing the
hugging.  Ronni had loosely put his arms around me, but I think it was more
of an automatic response.  As I finished my little speech, though, he began
to tighten his hold on me until he was hugging me fiercely.

     "Let's go inside," I said.  "I'll tell you everything and answer any
questions you might have.  Ok?"

     With that, he gave me an extra squeeze as we broke our embrace.  I
took his small, delicate and perfect hand in mine, and went into the house.
He still wasn't looking like my normal happy Ronni, but I was about to
remedy that...I hope.  I have to remember to keep my head screwed on
straight.  After all, I'm not exactly dealing with a worldly-wise adult.
He's a 14-year old boy who has none of the life experiences that I take for
granted, and not only that, he lives in a country far removed from the U.S
and with a totally different culture.  While I had already accepted the
fact that I was now in a permanent (God, I hope and pray!) relationship
with a young teen, I had to remember to always keep in mind that he is
exactly JUST that...a young teen, still growing and evolving, and I now had
the great and humbling honor of most likely being the most influential
person in his life.  With God's help...and a hell of a lot of luck!!...I
hope to be able to help guide him into a happy and well-adjusted adulthood.



How am I doing, folks?  If you like it so far, please send me an email to
the address at the top.  I heard from one reader who really enjoyed the
story but thought it was becoming too saccharine due to lack of conflict.
You have to remember that they're in the "honeymoon" phase, so things
should be all lovey-dovey, but I've tried to add just a bit of an upset
here to balance things.  There will be major conflict soon, but it will
come from outside the relationship.  Ok?

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