Chasing Sunsets (BINI Series #4)

Chapter 17: The Apuli's

Sheena's POV

I fidget with the hem of my denim jacket as a nervous knot tightens in my stomach. We're here at the Apuli's because tito invited me and my best friends to his birthday party. Sabi niya uuwi raw ang mga pamangkin at kapatid niya from US. I thought I'd be dealing with Gwen's brother lang pero mukhang mapapalaban ako ngayon.

"Okay, breathe, Sheena. It's just a birthday party. But not just any birthday party. It's Gwen's dad's, and let's just say Gwen's family can be...intense." I told myself and roamed around the place.

Hindi naman masyadong feeling close 'yong mga kaibigan ko kaya mas nauna pa silang dumating kesa sa akin na daughter-in-law ni tito.

A shadow falls over me. I look up to see Gwen's older brother, Valfer, looming. He's built like a linebacker and has a perpetually skeptical expression etched on his face.

"Oh, you're here, Gwen's ... uh .... friend?" His tone is flat, devoid of warmth. Kung si Lord nagpapatawad at nakakalimot sa mga kasalanan, itong kuya naman ni Gwen mukhang hindi.

I forced a smile. "Hi, Valfer. I'm finally Gwen's girlfriend. Alam na nila tito, ikaw nalang ang hindi pa nakakaalam." I informed him.

"Don't call me Valfer. Close ba tayo?" Masungit niyang sabi sa akin.

I gulped. "O-okay, bayaw."

"Mag-uusap pa tayo, Sheena. For now, I'll let my sister do whatever she wanted to do. Pero kapag sinaktan mo siya, alam mo na. I'm just looking out for my sis, you know?" He leans in closer, his voice dropping to a low growl.

He laughed when he noticed that I felt stiffed. "Loosen up. Nasa backyard sila with your friends and my cousins. Don't disappoint me."

I shallowed hard, the lump in my throat growing larger. Great. Just what I needed, Gwen's overprotective brother breathing down my neck.

A group of girls, Gwen and her cousins, approaches, their laughter tinkling like wind chimes. They're all stunning - tall, with flawless complexions and impossibly chic outfits pero mas maganda pa rin bebe ko. Mapapalaban talaga ako sa English nito!

Gwen immediately went to me. "Hi, love." she greeted with a sweet smile.

A girl arched an eyebrow. "You must be Sheena. Gwen talks about you...a lot. I'm Isabel."

"Hope you can handle our Gwen. She can be a bit of a handful." the other girl flipped her long black hair.

"O-Oh, believe me, I can handle Gwen. It's the rest of her family that scares me." I told them honestly. Bigla akong naconscious sa grammar ko.

But suddenly, a booming voice cuts through the tension. It's Gwen's dad, his smile as wide as the lechon on the table. "Sheena, you made it! Halika, maraming pagkain plus I rented a karaoke."

"Happy birthday, dad! Ah .. I mean, tito. Happy birthday, tito!" I smiled sheepishly as he throws an arm around both Gwen and I, ushering us towards the table. Tita approached us and gave me a hug, welcoming me to their salo-salo.