24 Hours Challenge: EX EDITION

IX. Together

Gal

"Ike, talaga bang hindi formal yung dinner?" Hindi ko mapigilang itanong. I know my expression shows how bothered I am.

Tiningnan niya lang ako ng mabilis bago ibinalik ang tingin sa daan. We're on our way to his parents' house at talagang abot-langit ang kaba ko. I know this is just a challenge but I never thought we are supposed to do the "meet the parents" thing. I mean... damn. This is becoming too farfetched!

"Ike. Hoy," Pagtawag ko sa kanya dahil hindi man lang niya sinagot ang tanong ko. I saw him take a breath.

"Gal, you've been asking me the same thing since we started driving. And again, sasabihin kong hindi," He scoffed. "Heck, I'd be damned if you ever ask me again kung okay lang ba ang-"

"E, okay lang ba talaga 'tong suot ko? Baka kasi kailangang naka formal dress ako," I filled in and he gestured his right hand in the air. Ang isang kamay ay nakahawak pa rin sa manebela.

"There. Tinanong mo nanaman. Pang-isang daan mo na yang inulit, by the way," Sarkastiko niyang sagot.

I frowned.

"Okay, first of all, you're totally exaggerating. And second, eeeeeeeeee~" I made a whining sound. "Baka kasi kailangan ko talagang mag formal dress! Mas presentable kasi yun!"

I clucked my tongue and sulked on my seat. "Sabi ko naman kasi sa'yo bumili muna tayo. E, hindi ka pumayag! Kesyo, malayo yung sa inyo, ganito, ganyan," It's my turn to gesture my hand. Ginaya ko yung ginawa niya kanina. "Hay, naku!"

Aaminin ko nagiging childish na 'ko. Lumalabas ang pagka-childish ko sa sitwasyong 'to. Hindi ko mapigilang mag rant!

Bumuntong hininga siya ulit. "Hindi mo naman kailangang mag prepare ng sobra para dito. Sila mama lang naman ang pupuntahan natin," his voice is filled with nonchalance, like this isn't really a big deal.

But, come on. The "meet the parents" thing has always been a big deal! Lalo na sa lahat nang mga babae. At kahit pretend lang 'tong ginagawa namin ni Ike, hindi pa rin maitatanggi na ime-meet ko ang parents niya at ipapakilala niya ako bilang girlfriend.

Nakakainis. Ba't kasi isasama niya pa 'ko? Bakit hanggang do'n, gusto niyang ipagpatuloy namin ang pagpapanggap? At, bakit ngayong araw pa? Bakit ngayon pa na ginagawa namin 'tong lintek na challenge na 'to!

Naisip ko ulit si Tresh. I can imagine him looking at me with his devilish grin. Ugh. Bakit nga ba ako um-oo sa kanya? Dapat talaga layuan ko na siya next time. Lalo na kapag nag-iinuman kami. Masyado siyang pahamak!

Pero pwede naman siguro naming i-cancel 'to for now tapos uuwi na lang si Ike sa kanila. Kaya lang, ewan ko ba rito kay Ike. He's making any sense but it's not like I can do anything about it! Hinding-hindi ako nananalo pagdating sa kanya.

In the end, pinili ko na lang manahimik. I accepted the fact that there's really nothing I can do but to deal with this.

Not long after, we entered a subdivision with houses looking pretty western- White picket fences, mowed lawns, decent porches. Halos walang pinagbago. I have been here for a few times some years ago, but until now, I still get the feeling of being in a whole new different place.

"We're here."

Bahagya akong napatingin kay Ike. I got so lost in my thoughts that I didn't feel the engine stop. Hindi ko nagawang sumagot. Instead, I looked outside the window and took in the familiarity of the place.

Silent neighborhood. Not-so-busy streets. It's dusk now. The sky is in its perfect indigo. 6pm na kasi. I whipped my head to my right, and there it is. Their humble abode.