The Mistress

Kabanata 21

What if pinagtagpo lang kami pero hindi naman itinadhana?

"Lana, we're in a world where everything is uncertain. Everything is risky and you need to gamble for almost everything. You love him naman 'di ba? And I think, gusto na niya talagang mag settle down. Hindi pa naman kayo magpapakasal. Pwede kayong magpakasal after 3 years? I don't know." She shrugged.

She has a point, though. Pero she's talking like engagement was easy! First, sila Daddy. Baka magulat sila at isa pa, I need to know him very well before taking our relationship to the next level.

"Have you been engage to someone, huh? Para namang gano'n lang 'yon kadali. And I haven't met his parents, V. I wanted us to explore this relationship. I wanna know if we would fit in each of our differences."

Tumango naman siya at parang nag-iisip.

"You matured, Lana. Ilang buwan na ba kayong magkakilala? I love how you analyze things before deciding. Ako nga, I do things impulsively, e. Mike is good for you, Lana. I can see that." She smiled at me.

I somehow realize that I really did change. I don't know if it's because of Mike? O baka naninibago lang ako sa pagkakaroon ng mature na relationship? Not to mention that this is my first time.

I'm just being careful. I wanted to have a love that conquers all. Like the love I see from my parents. I wonder, how far Mike's love can take me. Hindi pa namin alam kung ano'ng darating sa aming dalawa.

Umuwi si V matapos niyang kainin ang popcorn at magkikita na lang daw kami sa school bukas. Since alam naman niya na ihahatid ako ni Mike. I was excited because Mike will finally meet my parents later. At the same time, sad. Dahil uuwi na siya bukas.

I wore my uniform and put some minimal make-up. Pababa na ako nang hagdanan at papunta na rin si Mike. Since hindi naman gano'n kalapit sa bahay namin ang hotel ay may oras pa ako para kumain.

"Hija, everything is ready for the dinner later. Makakapunta ba siya?" Mom asked me softly. Like I'm gonna break with her question. Dad was just reading a newspaper. Parang walang narinig.

"Yes Mom. He'll be here." I told her and I glanced at Dad.

"Dad?" I urge him to talk to tell something. He glanced at me at ibinababa na niya ang hawak niyang newspaper.

"Don't worry. I won't strangle your boyfriend's neck, Lana," aniya at sinamaan siya ng tingin ni Mommy.

Dapat ba akong matuwa sa sinabi niya? Bakit parang tunog nagbabanta naman iyon!

Matapos ang breakfast ay umalis na sila Dad and Mom but this time, they knew that Mike will pick me up. Kaya hindi na sila nagtaka kung bakit hindi pa ako umaalis. Ni hindi lang man nila napansin na ilang araw nang wala sa garahe ang sasakyan ko.

I was waiting for him outside in our house. Hindi nagtagal ay dumating na siya. Wearing a dark green shirt and faded jeans with a black cap. Kung hindi lang talaga siya marunong manamit, ewan ko na lang. But gosh! Look at him, mukhang bagong shave pa.

He immediately gave me a kiss on my cheeks. Nasa isang pocket niya ang isang kamay at nakatayo sa harap ko. Tinitingnan ang mukha ko. Tumaas ang kilay niya.

"Did you sleep?" He asked and I pouted then nodded.

"I'm nervous," I told him honestly. Lahat naman siguro nang first time ganito ang mararamdaman. And Dad was a bit cold earlier. Kinakabahan ako sa mangyayari mamaya.

What if he wouldn't like Mike? What if he would judge him because of his age? Ugh! This is frustrating me.

He chuckled. "Atleast, hindi lang ako ang puyat," pagbibiro niya. Hindi ko alam kung nagsisinungaling ba siya o ano. Hindi naman siya mukhang puyat, e! Ang fresh nga niyang tingnan.