And For Ever More

The Only Exception (Paramore)

I reach out to take the bouquet and thank him when he gives me a funny look.

"Hindi para sayo yan," he says, raising an eyebrow. "Para sa mama mo. Ikaw ha, nagiging spoiled ka na." Then he laughs gleefully at me as I let out a squawk of annoyance and punch him in the arm.

My parents are sitting in the living room, my dad reading the paper and my mom going through some papers from work, her reading glasses perched on her nose. They both turn their heads as we enter the room, and that's when I see that RJ's calmness is just an act—the tips of his ears have turned bright red, and he is sweating so profusely it looks like he's just come from basketball practice. I don't know whether to laugh or to feel sorry for him, so I do both, and it comes out as a kind of strangled, choking noise. My parents' eyes shift towards me and I think, my God, could this be any more awkward?

"Nay, Tay, si RJ po," I blurt out as he rushes forward. In his haste to take their hands and make mano, the plastic bag slips from his wrist and a bunch of apples and oranges spill out, rolling across the living room floor in bright red and orange streaks. Now I think, parang pang New Year's Eve yung pasalubong ni RJ, baka may kasama pang lusis, and it's all I can do to keep from bursting out into hysterical laughter. Get a hold of yourself Menggay, kalma lang teh.

Just when I think things couldn't get any worse, my mom miraculously cracks up, and suddenly all three of them are bending down, scrambling to gather the rogue fruit, laughing together like old friends. I blink, and a minute later, my mom is fussing at RJ to sit down and make himself comfortable while he eagerly pushes his offerings towards her, starting with the bouquet. My dad throws me an amused glance, and I realize I've been standing frozen like a statue for the past few minutes, my jaw slack and barely breathing.

I gingerly take a seat next to my mom as RJ finishes introducing himself.

"Teka, Faulkerson? Tatay mo si Dick Faulkerson? Of Zobeyala Holdings?" My dad asks curiously, and RJ nods. A peculiar expression briefly crosses my father's face. It's fleeting, but I know I didn't imagine it. It puts me back on edge, but a moment later he's chatting casually about basketball, so I brush it off and focus on getting my breathing back to normal. So far, so good.

At this point, all four of my siblings amble in, chattering animatedly. They stop short when they notice our guest, and I swear I see a wicked smile slowly appear on my Kuya Nico's face. Dean immediately zeroes in on the pasalubong, pausing only to say a curt, "Hi," to RJ before attacking the Conti's salmon pies.

"Dean!!" My mom exclaims, aghast, but he just grins at her and RJ.

"Sarap neto, dude," he says in between chews, giving RJ the thumbs up. "Boto na ko sayo." This makes RJ grin widely, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Ate Niki and Coleen exchange furtive glances. I think they approve. Kuya Nico leans on his elbows on the back of the couch and gives RJ a once-over.

"So bakit mo nililigawan tong Menggay namin?" He asks bluntly, without batting an eyelash. "Nakipagpustahan ka ba?"

"Jusko, Nico!!" My mom protests, but RJ just smiles steadily back at Kuya Nico and calmly responds, "Your sister is very special."

At this, they all nod in agreement and exchange knowing looks. "Ay, oo nga, korek ka dyan. 'Special' nga si Menggay," Coleen pipes up, air-quoting her fingers.

"Grabe kayo!!" My mother squeals, mortified. "Bakit ang sasalbahe niyo?? Tigilan niyo na nga si Menggay. Tama na yan, nakakahiya sa bisita natin. Lipat na tayo sa dining room para makapag merienda na etong si RJ."

We're all seated around the dining table when Yaya Lucy comes in, bearing a tray of glasses and a pitcher of ice-cold orange juice. As she goes around the table setting glasses in front of everyone, I automatically thank her in our "special" language without even thinking about it, then I sense RJ looking curiously at me. I quickly glance at him to see how he will react, but his expression remains unchanged.