HURRICANE

Birthday (part 2)

MAINE's POV

We arrived at Rj's home around 8pm. We were welcomed by his dad, Tito Richard.

"Nak! Maine! Andito na pala kayo. Tara sa loob, andun na sila lahat."

I quickly reached out for Tito's hand para mag-mano. We met a while ago in EB but we didn't have the chance to talk.

"Kumusta byahe, Maine?"

"Okay naman po, Tito. Mejo na-late lang po kami kasi nag-mini reunion po si Rj kasama yung childhood friends niya. Sinundo niya nalang po ako sa condo."

"Ah. Ganun ba. Hindi ka naman pagod?"

"Hindi naman po masyado, tito. Okay naman po ako."

I said, smiling at him. Rj left me and tito alone because he had to get something in his car. We made our way in to their house.

"Naku, Maine. Pagpasensyahan mo na yung mini celebration namin sa birthday ni Rj."

"Wala po yun Tito. Actually, kinakabahan nga po ko eh."

I said, and he saw that I was shaking.

"Wag kang kabahan Maine. Nakwento sakin ni Rj na pag dumadalaw siya sa inyo, your family treats him like family. Kaya kami, ganun din sayo. Parang pamilya mo na rin kami. Relax ka lang."

"Yes po, Tito. Thank you po."

"Oh sige, halika mauna na tayo sa loob. Ipakilala na kita sa pamilya namin,"

We made our way into their house, and I saw Rj's family sat in the loving room. They all smiled at me whilst Tito and I entered.

"Alam kong kilala niyo na si Maine, pero kayo hindi pa niya kilala. Maine, ito si Rizza, younger sister ni Rj."

"Hello, Ate Maine. It's nice to finally meet you." Rizza said, whilst nag-beso sa akin

"This naman si April, Rj's cousin. Nagkakilala na kayo di ba?"

"Hi Bibi. How are you?" April said, she fondly calls me Bibi.

"This is RD, Rj's older brother." Kuya RD shook my hand

"Ito naman si Lola at Lolo niya."

I reached for Lolo and Lola's hands para magmano.

"Hi Maine. Ang ganda mo pala talaga sa personal. Totoo sinabi ni Rj." Lola said, smiling at me

I was blushing. Si Lola talaga.

"Hindi naman po. Hahaha" I awkwardly replied.

"Ito naman yung mga pamangkin ni Rj. Tignan mo, suot talaga nila yung apron na gaya ng sa iyo. Idol ka ng mga yan."

"Hi Ate Maine!" They all said, whilst running towards me to hug me.

Tito then took me to a part of their living room where displayed their family pictures.

"And Maine, ito naman ang Mama ni Rj. Si Rosario. Sayang, di mo siya nakilala. Pero sigurado ako, magugustuhan ka niya." Tito pointed at their wedding picture.

Sayang talaga. Hindi ko na-meet ang Mommy ni Rj. She's so beautiful. I can see where Rizza got her good looks.

We again made our way to the living room, when Rj came to join us. He told everyone to sit down as he took my hand.

"Dad, Kuya, Lola, Lolo, Rizza, Ate April, everyone, we have an announcement to make."

We glanced at each other,