Fleeting Skies

Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

"Wait, what are we doing in your house?" I recognized the streets while driving. Nilingon ko si Xy na medyo balisa.

"Sorry, Sych. Pero please pretend na tayo pa rin infront of my grandparents." I blinked twice, almost unsure if I could believe what she just said.

"What?"

"Actually, I never told my family we broke up. My grandparents are here and they're still mad about the fact that I failed to get into my dream school–"

"What do you mean you failed?"

"Long story–saka na. For now can we please pretend that we're still together?" Her voice cracked and her eyes were becoming teary. "Please, help me out. You're the only good thing they see kasi una pa lang they really like you. I can't fail them again."

Sakto, tumigil kami sa harap ng bahay nila kung saan naghihintay ang mama niya. Napahugot ako nang malalim na hininga bago bumaling sa kaniya. Mukhang naaburido na ako nito kaya wala na akong nagawa pa kundi ang pumayag.

"Just please make this quick."

"Of course! Thank you!" Inayos niya ang sarili at hinawakan ang kamay ko bago bumaba. May laman ang ngiti ni Mrs. Banez nang salubungin kami.

"Long time no see, Sych!" She kissed me on the cheek and we followed her inside their house.

Xy was just holding my hand while we made our way in to the dining area, where her dad and grandparents were waiting.

I still can't believe what she told me. She failed getting into a university at Wisconsin? Kaya ba bumalik siya sa Pilipinas?

"Now here's the man of the hour!" Sinalubong ako ng yakap ng papa at lolo niya. Hinalikan naman ako ng lola niya sa pisngi. Were they aware of my arrival?

Sinulyapan ko si Xy na walang bakas ng kalungkutan katulad kanina. She was smiling while greeting her family. Umupo ako sa tabi ng mama niya, katapat ang lola niya at sa kanan ko si Xy na katapat ang lolo nito. Ang papa naman nila ay nasa head chair.

"Sorry we're late, nana. Sinamahan pa po ako ni Sych sa screening kanina for Miss UN." Pagdadahilan nito.

No way. I came there for Alyana.

Pasimple ko'ng sinulyapan ang orasan ko sa cellphone. Fifteen minutes pa lang ang nakalilipas. Naghihintay na kaya siya?

"You're very supportive, Sych, ever since day 1. That's why I really like you for my grandaughter." I smiled timidly at her grandmother.

I should make this short.

"Tara, let's eat!" aya ni Mrs. Banez.

The dinner was awkward, at least, for me. I sat there feeling completely alienated not because they excluded me, but because it felt weird hanging out with your ex's family. Isa pa, puro tungkol sa negosyo ang pinag-uusapan nila. Her grandparents were still the same business-minded people from before. I could't imagine how much scolding Xyzereanne received from them after knowing what happened.

30 minutes have roughly passed and we still weren't done with dinner. Kaya naman inubos ko ang pagkain ko at nagkunwaring naka-receive ng tawag na pinapauwi na ako.

"Excuse me po. Kailangan ko na po umuwi, hinahanap na po ako sa bahay." Tumayo ako at magalang na sumingit sa usapan nila.

"Is that so? I'll call your mom then. We'll tell her na-"

"Hindi na po, Mrs. Banez. I really need to go home."

"Then let our driver bring you home."

"Ayos lang po, Sir. I'm going to take a cab." Tumayo ako at ibinaba ang table napkin sa lamesa. "Salamat po sa hapunan. It was nice seeing all of you again."