Sash's smirk^

(Sash POV)

"Mama Sita! Mama Sita!" I called out from the porch of her wooden cabin. I looked at Ravine at my side, only to see him feeling uneasy and fidgety.

"Hey Relax! She doesn't bite." I said to him.

After waiting for a couple of seconds, Mama Sita finally came out of the door and as soon as she saw that it is me, a huge grin appeared on her face as if she turned into the Grinch.

"Mikey, ikaw na ba yan? (Mikey, is that you already?)" She exclaimed.

"Ako nga. Kamusta na! (It is me. How have you been?)" I said to her before giving her a hug.

"Sobrang pogi mo naman. Siyempre, iba talaga yung French beauty diba? (You're so handsome. Of course, French beauty truly is one of a kind.)" Mama Sita said.

"Nambola ka na naman. (You really are a kidder.)" I laughed.

"Napakasuwerte naman ng magiging girlfriend mo! (Your future girlfriend is a lucky girl.)" She said and I gulped nervously.

"Mama Sita, si Ravine! Boyfriend ko siya! (Mama Sita, this is Ravine. He's my boyfriend.)" I said.

She then looked stunned with her mouth open before greeting Ravine in the most gracious way.

"Ah...boyfriend? Ikaw pala ang nakapagpatibok ng puso ng alaga ko. (Oh...a boyfriend? So you are the guy that my little Sash fell in love with?)" She said to Ravine in the most accepting tone.

"Hello po, kamusta na po kayo? (Hi Ma'am! How do you do?)" Ravine lent his hand for a shake but Mama Sita gave him a hug instead.

"Mabuti naman. Mikey, pasok kayo anak! Nagluto ako ng Adobong Palaka. (I'm good. Mikey, you guys can come inside the house. I cooked a Frog Adobo.)" Mama Sita said and excitement rushed through me because it's been a long time since I have had a Frog Adobo but I also got a little worried that Ravine might not like it.

We entered the house and it gave off that nice homey and cozy vibe that I have always wanted for my personal home. It's not too fancy, but it's also not too simple. It's just right. The upholstery with a mini coffee table at the center as well as tapestries that feature holy figures like the Lady of Guadalupe and St. Michael and lastly, a huge stitched portrait of the Igazu falls that are hanging on the wall made the living room have that intriguing vibe to it.

Ravine looked at Mama Sita's little figurines on the cupboard and Mama Sita took notice to it.

"Puwede mo silang hawakan kung gusto mo. Ingat ka lang, anak kasi babasagin yung mga yan. (You can hold them if you want to. Just be careful with it, son because they are too fragile.)" Mama Sita said to Ravine.

"Ayos lang po. Nagagandahan lang kasi ako eh. (It's okay, I just find them so cute.)" Ravine replied respectfully.

"Wow! Marunong ka pala mag-Tagalog. (Wow! So you know how to speak Tagalog?)" Mama Sita said to him.

"Medyo lang po. Tinuruan din kasi ako ng kaibigan ko bago ako nag-aral dito. (Just a little, my friend taught me too before I came to study here actually.)" Ravine said.

"Ganun ba? Naku! Huwag kang mag-alala. Habang mas tumatagal ka dito sa Pilipinas, mas magiging hiyang ka. (Is that so? Don't you worry now. The longer you stay here in the Philippines, the more you'll get used to it.)" Mama Sita said before scooping a spoonful of Frogs' legs from the pan and putting it on a large oval plate.

"Kainan na! (Let's eat!)" She called. "Ay, teka! Nakalimutan ko yung inihaw na mais. (Oh! Wait! I forgot the grilled corn on the cob.)" She said before going outside to retrieve the corns. After a moment, she returned with a plate of grilled corns on her hand that have the most heavenly aroma.

Ravine and I made ourselves comfortable at the table before being served graciously by Mama Sita. I wanted to help her, of course but knowing Mama Sita, she doesn't like it when "people are in her way" so rather than being scolded, I'd prefer to sit down and let her do her thing.

"Kain na, mga anak! (Enjoy your meal, sons!)" Mama Sita said before sitting at the head of the table.

Since there are no rules in Mama Sita's house, I used my bare hands to enjoy these Frogs' legs as much as I can and my God, it's even tastier than I remembered. The soy sauce marinade is so pronounced but not too overpowering. It's delicious. I glanced at Ravine to see the hesitation in his eyes.

"Ravine, go have a taste." I smiled.

"Hindi pa ba siya nakakakain ng Adobong palaka? (Hasn't he eaten Frog Adobo yet?)" Mama Sita asked me.

"Hindi pa eh. Medyo naninibago pa kasi siya sa mga pagkain sa Pilipinas. Hindi siya masyadong sanay sa mga Filipino delicacies. (Not yet. He still finds some Filipino food a little strange at times. He's not really used to some Filipino delicacies.)" I said to Mama Sita.

"Ayos lang, Sash! Kakainin ko naman eh. (No, it's okay, Sash. I will eat it.)" Ravine said who's clearly afraid to disappoint Mama Sita. He took a bite and chewed it thoroughly and by the look on his face, I can tell he's quite impressed.

"It tastes like Chicken Adobo." He said.

"Exactly! You couldn't even tell the difference, right?" I said.

"Uh-huh!"

It didn't take long before Ravine became fond of the taste and little did I know, he's already had eight Frogs' legs and his hands are so messy.

"Sorry!" He said to Mama Sita.

"It's okay. I am happy to see you both enjoying my food." Mama Sita spoke in English. "Did I say it right? Is my English okay?"

"Hahaha, no worries, it is!" Ravine said.

The rest of the day in Mama Sita's house is nothing but fun and cheerful not only because of the delicious food but also because of the stories and childhood memories we keep telling one another. I also told her about how Ravine and I met and how the mock wedding project brought us closer to each other and surprisingly, she was very open minded about it and she didn't judge us one bit despite her Catholicism. She's the embodiment of a good Christian lady. I am definitely going to miss her once we leave her house.

A couple of hours later...

"I am so glad we did this. I hope I can visit you more often." I said to Mama Sita.

"Huwag kang mag-alala! Kapag wala akong masyadong ginagawa, ako naman ang bibisita sa inyo. (Don't worry. If I get enough spare time, I am going to visit you both myself.)" Mama Sita said before hugging me farewell.

"Bye, Mama Sita!" Ravine said before kissing her cheek goodbye.

"Bye! Ingat kayo pauwi ha! (Bye! Be careful out there, okay?)"

"We will." I said to her before waving goodbye one last time. Ravine and I got in the car and fastened our seatbelts. I started the engine before driving away and back to the hotel for our one last night.

"That was nice!" Ravine said.

"Yes, it is!"