A lot of things happened before the year ended. Nag Christmas break, Christmas at New Year na and Eros is still the same towards me. I dont get myself but it feels nice having him around. I may not know what this is yet but it makes me at ease.
"Who's Eros, Athena?" Tanong bigla ni papa while we're having dinner
Napalunok ako sa sinabi niya.
"Classmate po"vcgtcc I politely answered trying my best to be casual and not nervous.
"Why did he text you 'I love you' eh classmate mo lang pala siya? Ganyan na ba ang magclassmates ngayon?" I froze when he said that. Did Eros text me those words? Wala kasi akong nakita sa phone ko this morning.
"I dont know. Di rin po ako aware na nagtext sya nun. Di ko nabasa" I honestly told him. I never want to lie to my parents, specially kay papa.
"I read it last night when your phone vibrated nung lalapitan na sana kita habang tulog ka to say goodnight. Tell me anak, is he courting you?" Diretsang tanong ni papa. Ohmygosh! Sobrang straightforward talaga ni papa napapanganga nalang ako.
But before I could even try to defend myself or explain, nagpatuloy siya...
"I dont care kung may nagkakagusto sa inyo ng ate mo. I cant stop guys from liking my daughters, whats not to like diba? Pero nak, you're still very young. You know that you should prioritize school first naman diba? At---" I cut him off. Naiiyak ako pag kinakausap ako ni papa about like this. Feel ko talaga na he loves me so much at na ooverwhelm ako.
"Yes pa, I know that at hindi ko po yan nakakalimutan. And the car Im gonna have after College is my inspiration po noh! Tsaka I dont want to break your trust din. I already told him naman po at umiiwas ako pero mapilit siya kaya pinabayaan ko na but of course I made sure na malinaw po sa kanya na I dont have plans on being in a relationship at this age" litanya ko. I know I need to assure papa that Im not breaking our deal.
Well, sabi kasi ni papa before when I was in grade 5 na if wala kaming boyfriend ni ate until we graduate College he will reward us with a car that we like. Of course, tig iisa kami if we keep the deal and so nag agree kami ni ate. Its sisiw, I dont even want to be in a relationship.
"Mabuti na yung malinaw anak. Just tell him if he can wait, mag antay siya until maka graduate ka but for now you'll stay friends. Is that okay?" He asked me. How could I say no to papa?
"Kahit ulit ulitin ko pa po" and we silently finished our dinner.
Its kind of weird having talks to your parents about these things lalo na't we're not very open to them but its nice, its soothing. I cant help it but I smiled as I fell asleep.
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"Remember what I told you last night Athena, or else ako mismo ang kakausapan sa Eros na yan. Did I make myself clear?" Kailan a matatapos si papa sa issue niya with the text? I didn't reply to Eros na nga kagabi para hindi pumasok sa isip ni papa na I was just lying to him. kahit na tinatadtad na ko ng texts, iniignore ko nalang.
"Pa, you dont seem so possessive and protective of me naman sa lagay na yan" I joked para hindi siya magworry masyado. I understand that he loves me and he cares but I can take care of myself, Im a teenager now, goodness!
"You know I dont and never want you hurt. Ako lang pwedeng manakit sayo and only if you do something I dont want you to but nevertheless, its for your sake din naman" he explained for the nth time this morning.
"Pa, as much as I want this chit-chat longer, I need to get going. You dont want me late naman po diba?" He chuckled at what I said. I smiled at his reaction, finally! He's going to let go of this topic at last!
