Fourth of October (Juntarsiego Series #1)

Chapter 20

Napapaisip ako kung paano kaya kapag bumagsak ako? Will they still support me? Will they let Jaeden leave me because I don't deserve their help?

Though I know for myself that I don't like chasing people if it's not worth it, not for me and would give me nothing. If I would define love, I would say that it's a kind of thing that gives people a chance to be with someone they can call home and safe haven. Pero kapag alam ko naman sa sariling walang magandang maidudulot, hindi ako maghahabol.

In case that will happen, I will accept my fate and go back to the province instead because I know that help doesn't lasts and so is love.

"Kumusta ang defense mo, Diana?" his mother asked me. Siguro ay nakikita sa mukha ko ang kaunting pagod kanina.

Their children are now eating except for Jaeden who's also waiting for me to finally start eating. Nagbigay ako ng maikling ngiti sa kanila, sinisiguradong maayos lang naman ang naging takbo.

"Okay naman po. Medyo natagalan lang kaya late kami ni Jaeden nakarating dito," paumanhin ko. Tito Gael shook his head after drinking a glass of water.

Sila na nagsabi sa akin na ganoon na ang itawag ko sa kanila. I am not new to them anymore.

"That's normal and it's okay for us, hija. Sanay sa hintayan itong si Jaeden kaya alam kong ayos lang din naman sa kanya."

Alam na alam nila ang minsang paghintay sa akin ni Jaeden sa labas ng university. Jaeden values the time and he's always earlier than the said time. Kaya kahit na minsang biglaan akong nagte-text sa kanya na late ang uwian namin kahit na naroon na siya sa labas, hindi siya umaalis dahil gusto niyang hintayin ako.

"As long as I am waiting for her, that won't be a big problem," he replied. Tumawa ang isa sa kapatid niya.

"Wow, iba nadudulot ng in love kuya, ah? Hintay daw. Weh?" Isaiah said as he ate his food. Isang masakit na tingin ang iginawad sa kanya ni Jaeden.

"Shut up. Finish your food first before engaging to our topic."

His other siblings are talking to each other. Sa tuwing nasa hapag ay hindi rin nila mapigilang magbangayan sa isa't isa. Jaeden's the oldest and he only paves the way to not stress himself to them.

"The always strict Jaeden. Paano kapag nag-asawa na 'yang kapatid mo? Don't tell me, you'll still give him some kind of dangerous warning?" his mother said as she ate her food subtly, like what Jaeden's doing now.

Tumunog ang kubyertos nito, nagsimula nang kumain.

"We are all still young to marry someone. And yes, I will still warn him because I am your first born. They are all my responsibility also, Ma."

"Hay naku, don't be stressful as their kuya. We are also curious with your decisions now, Jaeden, if you don't know," saad ni tito Gael na binigyan siya ng seryosong tingin.

Jaeden halted from eating and cleared his throat. Binigyan siya ni tita ng mapanuring tingin din. Iyong mga kapatid niya ay patuloy lang sa pag-iingay habang ako ay tahimik na ngumunguya lang ng pagkain.

They are always into this topic. Even me has this curiosity about Jaeden but I don't think I have rights to question him.

"Pa, I know what I am doing. Don't be so stressful about me too because I know what's right from wrong."

"Alam namin. But we're still hoping that whatever decision you choose, please let us know. Magandang desisyon lang yatang nagawa mo ay ang naging girlfriend si Diana," he followed it with a chuckle and I went with the flow. Tita Olivia elbowed him like what she's always doing whenever her husband is saying something that she doesn't like.