The Royalties

Charmaine and Athena were chatting at the veranda at around 8 pm when they saw their Dad in his casual white polo shirt, jeans and sneakers.

"Are you going out Dad?" Charmaine asked. Before Richard could reply to Charmaine, Dei came out from her room also in her casual flat shoes, white shirt and jeans cover up with a black cardigan. "Are you going out as well, Mom?" this time it was Athena who asked.

Quickly realizing what was happening, both Charmaine and Athena shouted as loud as the household could hear. "Whhaaaaa …. Dad and Mom are going out."

"Are you getting back together?" Charmaine asked. "Does this mean that you and Charmaine are staying already in our house?" Athena seconded.

"Hey girls calm down." Dei said. "You two are so thrilled. I am choking with your questions."

"Dad, Are you going to propose to Mom tonight?" Athena excitedly asked. "Say yes Mommy, don't give Daddy a hard time please." Athena pleaded.

"Don't be too excited sweetie, Mommy might turn me down if I ask her later." Richard said beaming. Dei sharply stared at Richard."I am beginning to have second thought because you are scaring me. I feel like backing out now." She said.

"Again, I am just kidding, your highness." Richard immediately stated. "Alright enough of that, girls. Your Mom and I just decided to have a little time together. It's been a long time since we last dated. I guess there is nothing wrong if I treat my long-lost best friend out to catch-up." Richard explained.

Though disappointed, Richard and Dei were not able to stop the girls from commenting "Alright, just promise us that there will be no bickering. You will just talk and bring back all good memories only, please avoid talking about memories, it will just ruin your night." Charmaine said. Dei lifted her eyebrows and said. "You already sound like my mother, sweetheart?"

"It is just a reminder Mom, because if catching-up end-ups in a fight, might as well stay home and let's all watch a movie. You don't have to do this just for the sake of Athena and me. Do it because you both decided to give it another try." Charmaine further said which made Richard grab Dei's hand and pull her going out of the house.

"We better leave now, your highness. Our princess Charmaine is giving me more tension in what she was saying compares to my preparations for tonight. Goodnight, girls!" Richard said hurriedly pulling Dei out of the house and she just come along laughing really hard.

Until they were in the car, Richard still could not believe at what his sixteen-year-old daughter said. "Are we really talking to our sixteen year old? Where is she getting those lines?" Richard said in disbelief.

"Do not underestimate the girls. I do not know where those reasoning are coming from" Dei replied in between chuckling. "Am I dressed appropriately? You told me to just wear whatever I am comfortable of." She asked.

"Just perfect, your highness. You are beautiful as ever." Richard replied.

"Where are you taking me?" Dei again asked.

"It's a surprise" Richard said beaming then off they go.

***********

Dei does not want much anticipation for tonight, but she can't avoid it. The fact that Richard never mentioned where they are going is enough reason to excite her. Admittedly, Richard is good at surprises. It is always something for the books.

Dei prefers not to spoil the surprise though she is beginning to have a hint on where their destination is, and it really excites her more. It's been almost fourteen years, she said to herself. She was able to confirm that her insinuation is correct when they enter the entrance gate of their college alma mater.

"We are here …. we are actually here." Dei excitedly exclaimed."It's late, what are we doing here?" She asked, though widely beaming.

"Like what I have said, we are going back to basics. Starting with where we used to." Richard said before he went out of the car and opened the door for Dei. "One point" Richard told himself when he sees brightness in Dei's eyes.

"This place has changed a lot. They have too many buildings now, unlike before that there are more benches for the students." Dei commented. "Are you sure it is alright that we are here? Almost 9 pm already, the last classes will end in a few minutes." Dei she added

"Dad helped me to secure permission from the higher authorities. The new president is my Dad's fraternity brother so there is nothing to worry about." Richard explained. "Let's go and eat first, it is only now that I am feeling hungry. The snack that I had this afternoon got easily digested because of Charmaine's lecture about good and bad memories." he said further then he held Dei's hand and lead her to the school canteen.

Upon entering the canteen Dei saw a familiar lady standing near the counter. "Mrs. Azon, how are you?" She runs to the old lady and give her a tight hug.

"I'm good and obviously aging. How are you Nicomaine Dei? You are more stunning now than before" Mrs. Azon said.

"Ehem... Mrs. Azon, is the table already set?" Richard asked.

"Of course Richard, we set it in the executive lounge. I will ask my staff to bring your requested street foods plus the fries and hamburger equally cut into halves, and of course I also prepare Dei's favorite milk tea shake." Mrs. Azon replied.

"Wow you still have those foods here?" Dei was so amazed to hear that she will be having food that Richard and she used to eat. Those were their favorites.

"Of course and mind you it is still selling. The students now prefer the street foods because it is easier to consume." Mrs. Azon to Dei "Except for the hamburger, it does not sell as much as before. Your husband is just very insistent to include that in the menu tonight." Mrs. Azon continued.

"Ah, Mrs. Azon we are no...." Dei said to correct the old lady about them being husband and wife. But Richard quickly butts in "We're good now Mrs. Azon, thank you for doing this for us."

"Oppss, I'm sorry love birds I been saying so many things and forgot that this is your date night. You know Dei. You are very lucky to have a husband like Richard. He is so sweet to drop by my place very early in the morning just to ask me to prepare your food tonight " Mrs. Azon said. "Ok, I am beginning to talk too much again, I really have to leave. Enjoy your date night Mr. and Mrs. Reyes." She added then left.

"She was the one you met this morning? You travel from Laguna to Manila then Manila to Laguna just for this?" Dei asked and Richard nodded.

"Well, I was thinking, since you've been in Cebu for a long time, it is best to see some old acquaintances again." Richard replied. "Are you happy to see her, your highness?" he asked.

"Yes, I am. Thank you for your effort." Dei said smiling. "Two points." Richard told himself bragging

Both of them enjoyed the simple dinner organized by Mrs. Azon. After thanking her, they bid their goodbye to the old lady. Richard holds Dei's hand to lead her going around the campus. Until they reach one of the places, they usually hang out.

"At least there are still some places that they preserved. I thought, I will be seeing more buildings now." Dei said then they sat on one of the benches.

"Do you remember this place? This is where I usually do your homework." Richard said which made Dei laugh really hard.

"Thanks to you, without your help, I doubt if I can pass my major subjects." Dei said, still laughing.

"Have I told you that, this place is where I first saw you?" Richard said beaming while recalling the past.

"Huh? Seriously?" Dei asked surprisingly.

"Yeah, I think that was first day of school. You were alone then and I already find you really cute. Fortunately, we were classmates in English. If not, I would not know how to introduce myself to you" Richard replied smiling which made Dei smile as well

"In fairness, I find that sweet." she said.

Richard continued chuckling "Would you like to go around the campus? Let's go to the Engineering building." Richard asked Dei. Dei stood up, and holding hands, the two went to the Engineering building where more memories were educed.

"Do you remember how I slid the drawing plates in this window so that you'll pass your drawing 101 class" Richard said chuckling "And it reminds me that you haven't paid me for those technical pens that I used for those drawing plates." he added.

"Nobody told you to buy a new one. I told you that I'll just borrow from my classmate but you refused." Dei protested.

"Your classmate? The one who was very smitten with you? I still remember the amount of hair gel he puts into his hair. He was so gross, I was not certain how much amount of hair gel his technical pens have." Richard protested. "You were so brave to enroll in engineering course, while you can't ever do your own drawing plate." Richard recalled.

"Yeah I remember that, if not to you, my mother could have cursed me left and right because I can't pass that subject" Dei seconded laughing her heart out.

The two enjoyed going around the building from 1st floor to 2nd floor to 3rd floor to 4th floor memories keeps on coming until they reach the rooftop, their most favorite place in the campus.