In the Midst (Daughters Series 1)

Chapter 8: Save Yourself

My mom and I were completely opposite. She was so good in dressing up herself. Ang ganda-ganda niya lagi manamit. She would also style her hair. She looked very classy even in simple clothes. Iyon ang hindi ko namana sa kanya. Kaya nga she still looked so beautiful at her age. Minsan napagkakamalan kaming magkapatid.

"Ayan. We're done." Mom looked at my reflection in the mirror. "Ang ganda-ganda mo, anak. Your beauty is so natural even without some make up on."

Inayos lang kasi ni mommy ang buhok ko. She curled the tips of my hair then nilagyan lang ako ng powder and tinted lip balm. She knew I was not a fan of make up.

Napangiti ako. "Thank you, mommy. As always, you are the best in doing this."

"You're welcome, my princess. Now, it's time for us to go down. Your dad has been waiting for us downstairs."

Tumango ako at sabay kaming lumabas ni mommy ng kwarto. She was holding my hand the whole time we were going downstairs. The first person I saw when we arrived in the living room was my dad.

"Wow! Ang ganda-ganda naman ng anak ko," sabi ni dad saka lumapit sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo. "You're so beautiful, pero sobra ka naman atang nagpaganda para lang naman sa lalakeng bisita natin."

Natawa ako. "Blame Mom. She did this."

Bumaling ako kay mommy at magsasalita na sana nung may narinig akong boses.

"Your dad is right. You're so beautiful."

Natigilan ako sa narinig ko. Dahan-dahan akong bumaling sa pinanggalingan ng boses. Nakita kong nakaupo si Daryl sa couch. Tumayo siya mula sa pagkakaupo, and he looked at me with full of admiration.

"A-Andito ka na pala," gulat na sabi ko. Hindi ko kasi siya napansin kanina.

"Hijo, you came early," sabi ni mommy. "But that's alright, so we have plenty of time to talk." Lumapit si mommy kay lola na nandito na rin pala. "Have you met my mom, Ariel's grandmother?"

"Yes, maam. We were introduced to each other already," nakangiting sabi ni Daryl kay mommy.

"Yes. In fact, he is a very nice young man. I like him already," sabi ni lola.

"Ang bilis naman po, mommy. Parang hindi naman kayo ganyan kabilis magkagusto sa akin noong unang beses na pinakilala ako sainyo ng anak niyo," sabi ni dad.

Tumaas ang kilay ni lola kay dad. "Iba ka. Iba rin si Daryl. Gwapo rin siya."

Nanlaki ang mga mata ni daddy. "Sinasabi niyo po ba na hindi ako gwapo? Aba eh kung kagwapuhan lang din naman ang pag-uusapan, mas lamang ako ng apat na ligo. Diba, bee?" tanong ni dad kay mommy saka hinapit ito sa bewang.

Kinurot ni mommy ang tagiliran ni daddy na kinaaray naman nito. "Really, Bob? This is not the right time for that. We have a house guest."

Natawa nalang ako dahil ang cute nila panuorin. I heard Daryl laughed, too. Napatingin ako sa kanya habang nakatingin siya kay mommy and daddy at nakatawa. In fairness, he looked really clean and fresh. Bagay sa kanya ang suot niyang white shirt and navy blue suit sa pantaas. He wore a denim pants and black brown loafers. I admit that I found him handsome the first time I saw him, but he became even more handsome tonight.

Agad akong napaiwas ng tingin sa kanya nung na realized ko kung ano ang iniisip ko. Kailan pa ako nag-isip at tumingin sa isang lalake ng ganun? I don't even remember a single time. Ngayon lang. This was wrong. I should not do that again.

"We can continue our conversation at the dinner table. Come everyone, let's have dinner."

Nauna na si mommy at daddy papunta sa dining room. Sumunod din si lola at Archie. Daryl gestured for me to go first na agad ko namang kinatango. He let me walk first while he trailed behind me. Hindi ko talaga mapagkakaila na sobrang gentleman niya, especially when he pulled a chair for me.