To Catch A Dream (Architect Series #1)

❛ seventeen ❜

"Gusto ko nga mag-vlog kasama ka! Ang dami kayang vloggers na kasama boyfriend nila sa video!"

"Okay, let's shoot a video next time, kapag maluwag ang oras," he kissed my hand.

"What's her name? Shout-out ko na lang siya sa next video ko."

"Katherine? Hindi niya ako tinigilan nang malaman niya 'yon. She keeps on telling me her name. Mas nagustuhan niya ikaw kaysa sa akin," he baby talked and pouted his lower lip.

"Maganda girlfriend mo, e." I flipped my hair and raised my eyebrow.

"Maganda ka naman talaga," he said proudly. "At mabait kaya love na love kita, e. Love... na... love."

My world had stopped for a moment. Pinakiramdaman ko ang aking dibdib dahil sa bilis ng tibok nito. I shook my head and smiled widely. I licked my lower lip, then bit it.

But our conversation didn't lasts when my phone rang. Nanliit ang aking mga mata nang makita ko ang caller. Bihira lang silang tumawag sa akin dahil mas may importante raw silang ginagawa.

"Excuse me, Fabian. My mom's calling," I told him and he just nodded in agreement.

"Yes, Mom. . ." I answered when I slid the green button.

"Hello, anak! I missed you!" My Mom greeted me cheerfully.

Hearing her voice warms my heart. My parents are both busy. My Dad's business is all about vehicles at may sariling clothing line naman si Mommy. That explains my obsession about clothes.

"I missed you, too, po!" I answered happily.

"Your Dad and I already talked about this. Bukas ang punta namin sa Manila," I can sense her excitement.

"Really, Mommy?! I'm excited na!"

"Yes, anak. Just wait us there. Baka gabi na kami makarating."

Oh, I think alam ko na kung saan papunta 'tong usapan na 'to.

"Sure, Mom. Papahatid na lang po ako sa Forbes kung gano'n," I answered, alam ko namang sa Mansion ang bagsak ko ngayon.

"Uh... naisip namin ng Dad mo na rito na lang manirahan sa Manila dahil gusto ka naming tutukan, Venus. Hindi ka na namin nakakasama ng Dad mo, at malapit na ang birthday mo, right?"

I heaved a sigh. Sandali akong napaisip. Maiiwan ko si Fabian dito... and I don't want to leave him here. I am used to his presence, sanay na ako na kapag nagigising ako ay siya agad ang nakikita ko.

But this is my Mommy, na nakikiusap na makasama nila ako para mabawi ang mga panahong wala sila. Family first... over lovelife.

"Opo, Mommy. Gusto ko na po kayong makita... miss na miss ko na kayo ni Dad!"

"You have to live with us for a moment. Sige na, Vena. Marami pa akong tatapusin. Bye, love you." And then, she ended the call.

I slumped down on the couch, thinking of the things that I have to prioritize. Halos mapudpod na ang aking pang-ibabang labi dahil sa naiisip ko. Umiling na lamang ako at huminga nang malalim.

God, Vena! You are overreacting! Mabibisita mo pa naman si Fabian!

"How was it?" Fabian rested his hands on my shoulder.

"Uh... Fabian... I'm sorry but I have to pack up my things," I lowered my gaze and played with my fingers.

"W-what? Why?" He stammered.

"Uh... I have to move in my parent's house."

"Oh," his lips parted. "Ilang araw ba?"

"It's not ilang araw lang." Malungkot kong tugon. "Saka, bukas din ang dating nina Mommy."

"Ah," he nodded repeatedly. "Bibisitahin na lang kita. . ." He kissed me on my cheeks.

"But I want to be with you. . ." I whispered.

"You can still be with me. Just tell your Mom about our relationship at ako ang bibisita palagi sa 'yo roon," he smiled, trying to lift me up. "But I can always show up there, ako na lang ang magsasabi sa Mom mo."

Hindi ko pa nasasabi sa magulang ko ang tungkol sa amin. Perhaps because I think hindi na nila dapat malaman pero alam nila kung sino 'yong mga naging ex ko noon. But naisip ko na this time, seryoso na ako kaya dapat alam nila na may boyfriend ako na kagaya ni Fabian ngayon.

"This is a serious matter, Fabian! Huwag ka ngang mag-joke!"

"I am serious, Vena, okay? At saka, ano'ng problema ro'n? You are my girlfriend and I am your boyfriend already. Hindi naman magiging hadlang 'yong pagtira mo with your parents."

"You don't understand. I want to be with you everyday. Gusto ko ikaw lagi nakikita ko." Sadness is really evident in my voice.

"Vena," he cupped my face. "Your parents over me, okay? Ako, puwede pa kitang iwan but I will never do it, but your parents? Hindi ka nila tatalikuran kahit ano'ng mangyari." He looked straightly into my eyes.

I heaved a sigh. He's right. Ilang taon ko na ring hindi nakikita sina Mommy, sa facetime lang. Oo nga naman, hindi magiging hadlang 'to sa relasyon namin. Ang babaw naman ng pagmamahalan namin kung gano'n.

"Okay, just help me pack-up my things."

"Yes, baby." Hinalikan niya ang tungki ng aking ilong. "And let's date today."