"Ano ba naman ito. Wala akong masuot."
Wala sa sariling akong bumuntong-hininga. I was face to face with my closet after a long badly needed hot bath to ease my stress and calm my bones down.
Napaismid kaagad si Maki sa likuran ko. "Lima ang cabinet mo tapos sasabihin mo na wala kang masuot? Bakit ka ganiyan?" hindi makapaniwalang tanong niya sa 'kin.
Napakamot ako sa pisngi ko at tumawa nang marahan. He was leaning casually on the door frame of my walk in closet, drinking a bottle of Yakult. Nakasuot lang siya ng fitted plain black shirt, itim ding cargo pants.
"Bihis ka na. Punta muna ako sa kabila dahil paniguradong 'di pa nagsisimula mga iyon mag-ihaw," paalam niya, referring to Ares and Echo. Darating ang friends niya ngayon for dinner.
I didn't spend time picking an outfit since sa kabila lang naman. Bardagulan ni Ares at Echo ang bumungad sa tenga ko pagkalabas ng patio. Si Maki ay shirtless na pinapayan ang barbecue na iniihaw. The sun has setted and the lamps were already on.
To think of it, Echo was his only friend that I have been introduced to formally. I knew Cali and Raya but they don't know that I'm in a relationship with Maki. I met Sasy out of the bar. May isa pa silang friend, whom I forgot the name.
"Marco, sino nga iyong friend mo na angelic. Iyong maganda na maputi. The one who's always calm when she speaks," I unconsciously asked him.
"Amputa," react agad ni Jericho sa tabi ko at nilakasan ang volume ng speaker, mukhang may iniiwasan.
They exchanged just one glance before they began berating one another, as if they had remembered something amusing. Napataas ang mga kilay ko. Geez, their telepathy communication's so strong!
"Esme. Ex niya," pangbubuking ni Marco at bumalik sa pagpaypay ng barbecue.
"Hayop! Bakit mo naman ako inexpose?! Bro code!"
I halted. My forehead creased. "Wait... So you're telling me, out of the millions of women here on earth the both of you liked, I mean, fell in love with your own barkada? Best friend?" I asked in disbelief.
"Matagal na iyon," seryosong sabi ni Maki.
"Mabait siya, eh!" naiiyak na sabi naman ni Jericho.
I burst out laughing at the disparity in their responses. It was perfectly fine with me to talk about Marco's past feelings for his best friend. He already gave me assurance and I trust him. I have something to hold on to.
"Akala n'yo ba nasa barkada ang true love, ha?" pang-aasar ko sa kanila at inagaw ang baraha kay Echo. Binalasa ko iyon.
They both had their mouths open as if to defend themselves, but I raised my brow at them, telling them they had no excuse because I had caught them red-handed.
I got bored waiting for the food to be cooked. Tumalon ako sa likod ni Maki kaya nagulat siya. "Pucha! Iyong paypay ko, nahulog!" Iyon ang concern niya. Inayos niya ang hawak sa binti ko bago yumuko para pulutin ang paypay.
"Oops, sorry!" I giggled and wrapped my legs better around his waist.
"Okay lang." Tumawa siya. He was carrying me effortlessly, like I weighed nothing. I probably do, compared to the barbell he carries all the time at the gym. Lumingon siya kay Echo. "Papunta na sila Esme, p're. Alis ka na."
"Eh?" Echo looked cute when he frowned, scratching his head. "Pwede bang siya muna mag-adjust? Kahit ngayon lang, ako na ulit bukas. Promise!"
"Malapit na raw sila. Pero pwede ka rin naman mag stay para reunion. I-welcome mo muna, ganoon." Nagawa pa siyang asarin ulit ni Maki.
"Tingin niya naman swerte siya para ma-welcome ko?" Umisimid si Echo at pabirong nilahad ang mga braso sa ere. "Hindi siya nagkakamali! Welcome back agad to my life, ganoon!"
My loud laugh echoed the garden. "Marupok, Echo. A little humility wouldn't hurt you once in a while." I scrunched my nose, acting disappointed.
"Biro lang. Bye na. May lakad pa ako." Echo winked at me and went through the gate before he would cross paths with his ex. I concluded they didn't end on good terms. And was he hiding from her? That's just sad.
Just as the food were arranged on the table, Cali, Koa, Luca, and who I assumed was Esme, entered the gate. May dala silang boxes at bote ng sodas.
"Ica, what are you doing here?" Tumakbo si Cali sa akin para yumakap. I tapped her back a little, laughing. "Oh, wait! Neighbors nga pala kayo! Silly me!" She hit her palm on her forehead when she let me go.
"Good evening. Sorry, it was kind of traffic," Esme said in a soothing tone, smiling.
"Oh my gosh, ang gandang mukha niyan," manghang bulong ko kay Marco. I was tugging on his shirt like a kid who saw something very amazing. Natatawang inakbayan niya ako. "Ew! You're sweaty, babe!" I pushed him a little because his sweat was sticking on my cheek.
"Sus. Ngayon ka pa umarte, ah?" sarkastikong tanong niya at niyakap pa ako nang mahigpit para mang-asar. "Gustong-gusto mo nga kapag pawis ako!"
I tsked and nugged him, trying to kick his shin. He put his hand over my face as he tried to stop me. Para tuloy akong bata na sinusubukan siyang sipain pero wala talagang laban!
Sinubukan kong kagatin ang palad niya kaya agad siyang lumayo. I grinned evily while he chuckled loudly, finding me funny. Hindi talaga kami naiinis sa isa't isa.
"Violent. I like it," he teased.
Cali gasped so dramatically when Marco announced that I was his girlfriend. Esme grinned. Koa nodded. They all look so happy.
"Talaga?!" Luca, on the other hand, faked an exaggeration. Napaismid tuloy si Maki. "Pakunwari lang naman na hindi ko alam para may thrill!" he exposed himself.
"Hi, Ica," bati ni Koa at ngumisi.
"Hello!" Kumaway ako sa kaniya.
"Pwede nang kumain? Nagugutom na ako," matamlay na singit ni Ares at pinaghila ng bangko si Esme sa tabi niya. "Upo ka, Ate."
"Thanks, Ares. By the way, sapin-sapin ito and maja blance." Esme placed the dessert on the table. Binuksan niya iyon para maipakita sa amin. Natakam kaagad ako sa maja blanca dahil ang linis nang pagkakagawa. They were even nuts on top of it!
"Favorite iyan ni Ica," pagbibida ni Marco at kumuha ng isa para ilagay sa plato ko. "Ginawa iyan ni Esme. Paniguradong magugustuhan mo. Masarap iyan. The best iyan gumawa, promise! May café na rin iyan!" He sounded so sure and proud of his friend.
Esme covered her face, shy. "Marco, gosh! You didn't have to announce it."
Natawa ako at nagtanong tungkol sa café niya para makabisita ako sa susunod. We all sat down and started eating before the food will get cold. Marco was really a great cook. Ang sarap ng timpla sa lahat ng ulam, lalo na sa inihaw.
"Sa 'yo na 'to. Hindi ako kumakain nito." Nilipat ko sa plato ni Maki itong taba ng pork inihaw.
"Hindi rin ako kumakain niyan, baliw." He chuckled and pushed it aside on the edge of the plate. "Gusto mo tubig? Kuhanan kita."
During dinner, I didn't feel left out because all of them were including me and also asking if I was okay. Especially the girls. Kapag hindi ko talaga alam ang pinag-uusapan nila, Marco will start whispering the details to me so I can relate.
After dinner, we cleaned up the table. Ares went inside to rest because he was feeling sick. I noticed Cali staring at her cellphone while holding the plastic cups she was about to throw in the garbage plastic.
"That's a pretty picture of you. What art museum iyan?" I asked cheerfully, trying to ease her mood again.
"Pinto Art Museum in Antipolo." She was trying so hard to put on a smile, but I figured it was a fake. It was so obvious in her eyes. As far as I know, she and Manu broke up recently. "I really love it there."
"Mamaya iyang muni-muni niyong dalawa, maging inom-inom na," Marco said jokingly and sat on the arm rest of the chair I was sitting on.
Cali laughed softly. "Let's drink." Nagdesisyon siya.
"Your wish is my command, Madam!" Lucas chuckled and placed the bottle of liquors he already got from the house. It was already their plan to drink after the meal. Everybody cheered except me.
"Patabi ako." Sinubukan ni Maki isingit ang sarili sa upuan ko.
"Hindi tayo kasya," nakasimangot na sagot ko naman. Ang dami-dami namang upuan! He pulled my hand up to make me stand. Then, he sat on the chair and made me sit on his lap.
"Eh, 'di solve?" nakangising sabi niya sa 'kin.
Inirapan ko lang siya bago tumawa. Lucas used a spoon to open the cap of a beer bottle. Tinanggap ko iyon at sumimsim nang kaunti bago nilapag sa hita ko, hawak sa dalawang kamay ko. Hindi ako mahilig sa beer pero ayaw kong maging KJ.
"How about you, Luca? No jowa?" I asked him since we were talking about a love life of our common friend.
He shrugged. "Fling lang, 'di jowa. Hindi ko naman kailangan niyan. Kung may darating, salamat. Kung wala, okay. Hirap makahanap ng seryoso ngayon. Iba-iba rin naman ang priority sa buhay, eh. Hirap."
I was still on my second bottle of beer while they were already on their fifth bottle of hard liquor. They drink so fast. Hindi ko kayang sumabay. Sinandal ko ang likod sa dibdib ni Maki. He held my waist and pulled me closer, kissing my temple.
"Okay ka lang? Hindi ka pa ba inaantok?" he asked gently in my ear.
Tumango ako at pinasadahan ng daliri ang braso niya. "I'm good. Beer lang naman itong akin."
"Cali, lasing ka na agad?!" Esme looked stressed and shocked, tapping Cali's cheek to make her go back to her senses.
"Kailan ba hindi?" She was already blushing.
We all laughed at her. But we fell silent all at once when she suddenly cried and buried her head on Koa's shoulder.
"'Nandito lang ako," Koa said softly, caressing her back.
Napakurap-kurap ako, hindi alam ang gagawin. I panicked inside when she started crying so hard in his chest that it was a difficult sight to watch. I had to avert my gaze for a minute.
"Oh, gosh." Esme didn't know what to do.
I heard Marco sighed. "Nasaktan talaga nang husto," bulong niya sa akin. Dahan-dahan akong umiling.
"Iinom lang pero hindi tayo iiyak dito!" Lucas tried to cheer Cali up.
"Ang sakit-sakit pa rin. What if my decision was wrong? What if I stayed and fight with him? What if I start regretting this more now? What if I can't handle it anymore?" sunod-sunod na tanong ni Cali, umiiyak pa rin.
"There goes the what ifs." Esme laughed bitterly before pouring herself a shot.
"Ayaw ko na mabuhay," bulong ni Cali.
"Hoy." Naging seryoso si Lucas at Maki.
"Huwag mo ngang sabihin iyan," seryosong sabi ni Koa.
Naalarma rin ako at nanigas sa huli, walang magawa at napaisip lang bigla. Humigpit ang hawak ko sa braso ni Maki. I felt him pull me closer. He planted a very soft and long kiss on my cheek, noticing me get stiff.
"What is it? Talk to me." Maki's voice sounded strained.
I drew in a deep breath. "Don't leave me like that. Don't break up with me. I don't think I can manage."
"Never. I wasn't planning to."
As I witnessed Cali cry in front of me, it suddenly made me fear love. They say love will make you want to wake up everyday. But I always see the opposite effect on people. Instead of wanting to live, they wanted to die.
I do not get it. Do you get hurt because it was a wrong love? But is it even love if you consider it wrong? What was the truth of love exactly?
"Don't hurt me, please..." I muttered, still not getting over my thoughts.
Marco squeezed my arm. "We will hurt each other, Ica. That's for sure. Pero paniguradong ding hindi natin sinsadyang saktan ang isa't isa. I will never do that to you."
I tapped my finger on the bottle, distracting myself. When those words escaped his lips, I felt his comfort in every part of me.
But when we think about it... Even the brightest, star-studded skies can suddenly rain. Even a bright day can quickly turn dreary. Nothing in life is ever certain.
Marco lifted my chin and blurted out a question, "Do you trust me?"
I unconsciously swallowed. We were staring at each others eyes, sharing this unspoken energy that fills up the answers inside my mind, the fear growing in my system. Bakit ba ako biglang natatakot?
"Yes..." I replied in a hushed tone. I had to repeat it because I didn't like how hesitant I sounded. "Yes, I trust you, and I know you won't intentionally hurt me."
Ngumiti siya. "I trust you, too."
"You'll get through it, Cal." Esme's reassuring voice echoed in the background. "Letting go is tough, but there are times when it's necessary. There are moments when you have to let your love lay down and walk away from it. If you feel like you made the correct decision, stand by it so you'll feel that it was worthwhile."
I shook my head to myself, not voicing my opinion. But what I didn't know was Esme caught the glimpse of my disapproval.
"Thoughts?" she asked me with a laugh. I blinked, thinking if I should say what's actually on my mind. Marco gave me an encouraging tap on my thigh.
"Uhm... Letting go? Let your love lay down and walk away from it?" Napakamot ako sa braso ko. "I beg to disagree. Because I think you just didn't hold on tightly enough if that happens."
I noticed them fall silent. I immediately regretted speaking my thoughts.
"But do you think kahinaan ang pagbitaw kasi sobra na? Kapag kailangan... kahit na hindi mo gusto?" Esme asked me.
"As long as you feel like you saved yourself, then maybe you did what's right," bawi ko. "I was the one who was always left in the end of the spectrum, waiting for the simple nothings so I cannot speak and judge those who chose to let go. But like what you have said, stand by your decision so you'll feel that it was worthwhile."
Esme gave me a small smile. "Right..." She then drank the shot, looking problematic.
Ah, fuck, Ica. Bakit naman kasi ang insensitive ko? I'll definitely shut my mouth next time.
"Don't overthink. Okay lang iyan. Huwag kang mag-alala," Marco immediately assured me.
"Iyon! Basta talaga may inuman, may englishan din!" Luca joked and tapped Cali's head. It made her laugh. "Kita mo! Naiyak na rin ang nag-advice!" he added and hugged Esme.
"Ang iyakin n'yo naman. Mamaya, pati ilong n'yo umiyak na. Yuck," Koa teased them to ease their mood up, which was effective because Cali immediately hit his shoulder and called him an idiot.
My lips formed a small smile, watching them comfort each other in a different way. Sumali pa si Marco. Ang saya nila panuorin.
The next day, I had no class so I went to the agency to have a meeting for a movie I had recently accepted. Honestly, I wanted to stop this, but maybe I was used to it that I can't let it go. Ah, gulo ko. I hope everything will still work out for me in the end.
"Fine, I will tell them that they have to adjust the shooting schedule to your time. Alam ko naman na hindi mo 'to gustong-gusto para ipagpalit sa pangarap. At ikaw lang ang gusto nila sa role na 'to." Umiling si Gia, nakangiti nang maliit.
"Buti naman you know, Gia!" Tumawa ako. I will never ask my prof's to extend deadlines for me. I don't want special treatment.
When I went out of the office, nakita ko si Dad na papunta sa direskyon ko. My brows furrowed and my pace slowed down because he was smiling from ear-to-ear.
"I heard you accepted the new project. Nice! That's more like it! Gia showed me your audition tape. Your acting has improved. Good job, Lali!"
The ends of my lips rose a little, getting happy. Hindi plastic si Dad kaya ang marinig ang mga salitang iyon na lumabas sa bibig ay nakakapagpalambot sa 'kin.
"Yes, Dad. Besides, you're right... I need to think about the years I've invested on my career." I raised my index finger when he was about to speak. "I'm still going to pursue my dream, to be a lawyer."
"Okay. It's up to you. Just tell me if you need anything," he supported, tapping my shoulder.
I got taken aback. Damn. I wasn't expecting that.
I know I shouldn't seek validation from anybody. Be my own person, they say. I do get it, fully. But Dad was the one who opened the doors for me to learn things, accept criticism, and know that I have more to explore and more room to grow.
At least he was there for me, despite knowing fully that he wasn't the best at it. He may have been indifferent at times, he was worse than worse could ever be. But at least he was trying to do his role as a parent. Trying, for me, is always better than not trying at all.
"I'll drop you off. Where are you heading? School?" Dad asked when we entered his car. We had lunch and shopped at Rockwell. Ang random niya today!
Umiling ako. "Nope. I have no class today and I decided to rest my mind lang instead of studying. Just drop me home," I told him.
Inutusan niya si Kuya Kano, ang driver, na umalis na. Tahimik lang kami sa backseat. Mukha siyang may iniisip. Gusto kong magtanong, pero bigla siyang may tinanong.
"I heard a rumor about you." As those words escaped his lips, I already had a grudge on where this was heading.
"You just really had to ruin the day, Dad." Plastic ko siyang nginitian.
"Well, it isn't actually a rumor because I saw it with my two eyes. I saw you with your boyfriend," he informed me, making me freeze.
"Leave him out of this. Don't hurt him," I immediately warned, making him raise his hands up.
Bahagya siyang natawa at ginulo ang buhok ko. The wrinkles on the side of his eyes reminded me of his age. "I just want to meet him. I'll set up a dinner for the three of us," he invited calmly.
Napaawang ang labi ko sa gulat. "Why? Wait, are you taking meds now to cure your high blood or something? Geez, hindi ka pa naman mamamatay dahil biglang nag-iba ang ihip ng hangin mo, ah!"
"Too exaggerated! I just want to know the man who's making my daughter crazy. On the fan signing? Please, Lali. Too obvious. If you want to hide your relationship, don't show your love in your eyes." He let out a heartily laugh.
"Hindi ko pa naman siya mahal!" mabilis kong tanggi. "At hindi ako baliw for him! Dad, you're way too advance! Gosh, feelings mo?!" Hindi lang si Dad ang natawa kung hindi si Kuya Kano.
"Ay sorry po, Ma'am!" Tumawa na naman siya.
Ngumuso ako at tumingin kay Dad. Nakangiti lang siya sa akin. For the first time, he looked at me with genuineness.
"Dinner?'
"Sure, Dad. I'll text you when we're free," pagpayag ko sa invite niya.
Dahil sa nangyari, ang gaan ng pakiramdam ko. It was still early so I decided to cook food for Marco. Mataas ang oras ng clerkship niya ngayon kaya bibisita na lang ako sa hospital.
From: Marco
Pagod na ako. Pwedeng tumakas dito? HAHAHAHA
To: Marco
Kulungan yarn?
From: Marco
Mental, love AHHAHAHHAAHH
To: Marco
Gago bagay AHHAAHAH Don't you have like a room or something? Tulog ka muna saglit
From: Marco
Hindi ako inaantok, pagod lang. Gusto kitang makita. Ba't naman kasi busy ka? Amp HAHAHAHA Joke only
I giggled and asked details about his rotations before I told him I had to stop texting because I was in a meeting. Hindi ko sinabi na bibisita ako para ma-surprise siya.
I dressed myself casually, to avoid the eyes of the media. Sinukbit ko ang string ng green facemask ko sa tenga at sinuot ang baseball cap bago ako bumaba ng sasakyan at pumasok sa hospital, hawak-hawak ang lunchbox.
I was reading the signs inside the hospital, finding for Maki's assigned department. "Hello! Can I ask where's the Gynecology Department?" I asked a nurse when I cannot find it.
"Kumanan ka po tapos kaliwa. Dire-diretso at kaliwa ulit," the nurse replied politely.
"Thank you so much!" I left after and followed her instructions. I was taking my time in walking in the silent halls.
Humulma ang ngiti sa labi ko nang nakita si Maki na naglalakad. Nakasuot siya ng puting coat at nakasabit ang stethoscope sa leeg. Dala-dala pa niya ang padboard at cup sa kabilang kamay. Tumigil ako nang may lumapit sa kaniya na doctor.
"Saldova, I heard you didn't do well today. You almost lose our patient because you panicked when he went flatline. You never panic. You're one of the best. What happened to you?" the doctor said.
I didn't mean to gasp, gaining attention from the nurses passing by me. Yumuko ako at naupo sa steel bench. Nakikinig pa rin ako sa usapan nila. All Maki did was keep a straight face, accepting the scold to the heart.
"I'm sorry, Doc Inocencio. I will be more careful next time." Marco sounded so regretful.
"Be better next time. We save lives, not help them lose it." Tinapik ng doctor ang balikat niya bago umalis.
"Tangina. Pangatlong sermon na," bulong ni Marco sa sarili sabay sandal sa dingding.
Pangatlong sermon? Surely, whatever happened was really bad to make him receive such earful.
I watched him endure the pain for a while and gave him time to think. I'm pretty sure he hasn't sunk it in yet. Pinokpok niya ang ulo niya bago nagpatuloy sa paglalakad. Sinalubong ko siya. Nakatingin lang siya ng diretso pero mukhang hindi niya ako nakilala.
Napanguso ako sa ilalim ng mask ko. He was really preoccupied. When I thought he'd just passed by me, he slid his arm from the front of my stomach and let his hand rest on the back on my waist, making us stop from walking. Magkaharap lang kami.
"Tara, kape." Ngumiti siya na para bang walang nangyari.
I was almost duped by the smile... If only I hadn't been there to see what happened to him. What if he does this all the time? Pretend he's not in any pain. Those happy texts? Fake. I thought I can read him thoroughly. He turned out to be a master of deception.
"I thought you didn't recognize me!" I told him, laughing.
Sumimangot siya. "Pwede ba iyon?" bulong niya at niyakap ako nang mahigpit.
"Are you okay?" I held his cheek when he let go.
He chuckled, nodding. "Oo, babe. Bakit naman hindi?"
Napatitig lang ako sa kaniya. His eyes contradicted his words. He held my hand holding his cheek, still all smiles. I nodded. He'll open up to me when he feels like it.
"Pero hindi ka naman nagsabing pupunta ka." Binaba niya ang mask ko saglit para patakan ako ng halik bago tinaas ulit iyon. "I missed you today. Saan ka galing?"
"Agency. Can we go somewhere? Naco-conscious ako rito," I admitted, looking around the hall. It was partly empty, just the one woman sitting on the benches with her eyes closed. I still felt fear.
Maki held my hand and pulled me somewhere. Sumakay kami sa elevator at huminto 'to sa parang garden ng hospital. Naupo kami sa pinakadulo.
"I cooked food for you! Tada!" I gave him the lunchbox before pulling my mask down so I can breathe properly. Nagtanggal din ako ng jacket ko dahil ang init.
Masayang tinanggap niya iyon at binuksan kaagad, hindi makapaghintay. "Wow! Squid adobo! Ayos! Nagugutom na ako!" tuwang-tuwang sabi niya.
"Hindi ka pa kumain, 'no?" Pinaningkitan ko siya ng mga mata.
"Kumain naman ako!" mabilis na depensa niya.
"What?"
"Kape."
I instantly laughed and hit his arm. "That's not food! Ikaw pa nga nanenermon sa 'kin, eh!"
He just smiled and batted his lashed, acting cute. Sinermunan ko siya tulad ng palagi niyang ginawa sa 'kin kapag magsi-skip ako ng meals ko. Ang hypocrite naman kasi!
"Oo na. Next time, uunahin kong kumain. Sobrang busy talaga at nagkape naman na ako. Okay na iyon para sa 'kin," pagrarason pa rin niya. "Ganito pala feeling masermunan? Hindi na nga ako manenermon!" Sinubukan niyang tumawa pero ang bilis lang humupa noon.
"You did good today," I told him with a smile, unable prevent myself.
"Narinig mo pala?" Ngumiti siya nang tipid sa 'kin bago binaba ang tingin sa tupperware. "Hindi ko rin naman kasi alam kung bakit ba ako nag-panic kanina. Hindi pa kasi ako naka-encounter nang ganoon. Muntikan nang... mamatay iyong pasyente dahil sa akin..." Minasahe niya ang sentido niya.
"You managed to get through it, right? Don't let the pressure get to you. Alam kong kaya mo iyan." Hinawakan ko ang kamay niya. "I trust that you'll do better next time. Even so, I'm already so proud of you."
"I will... Thank you." Binaba niya ang tupperware at niyakap ako. "God, I needed to hear that."
"Just eat now bago pa matapos break time mo. Huwag mong i-judge iyong lasa, ah." I pushed him a little, concerned because he needed food to function. He still had hours to complete today.
"Saglit lang. Pagod na talaga ako." His hug tightened.
Bumitaw rin siya lumipas ang ilang minuto. He finally looked peaceful again beside me that it put a smile on my face. I focused my eyes on the birds playing in front of me.
Hinipos niya ang tupperware nang natapos at bumaba para makabili ng kape. He returned in a heartbeat and reach one cup to me.
"Coffee, babe."
"Salamat." The phone in my other hand buzzed. I directed my eyes on it and saw my dad's text message, reminding me of his dinner invitation. Bumaling ako kay Maki. I bit my lower lip as I smiled because I didn't know how to tell him!
"Natatakot ako sa ngiti mo. Ano'ng mayroon?" kinakabahan na tanong niya habang nilalagyan ng creamer ang kape niya.
"So my dad..." I trailed off.
Why was I nervous? Hindi naman siya ang unang boyfriend na pinakilala ko kay Dad. But this was different. I was super serious with Marco. Not that I'd care about Dad's opinion on him, but it will just be easier for us if he wasn't in the way of our relationship. Ayaw ko na ng drama.
"Ano'ng ginawa niya sa 'yo?" He sounded too protective.
Mabilis aking umiling. "No, it's not like that! We actually had a nice talk today, went for lunch and he took me shopping, which was so weird, by the way," I said with an odd feeling.
Even though we were already sitting next to each other, I completely erased the distance in between us by moving closer and casually lowering my body to rest my head on his shoulder. I felt him kiss my head.
"Tell me more," he urged softly.
"He is inviting you for dinner. He wants to meet you," I dropped the news to him and took a sip on my coffee.
"Huh?!" When he sat out straight without warning, I choked on my coffee and started coughing.
"What the hell?!" I threw daggers at him in annoyance.
"Hala siya! Sorry!" He frantically wiped his handkerchief across my eyes, mouth, and hands. "Bakit naman biglaan? Whoa! Ang init naman bigla rito!" Tumayo siya at hinubad ng coat niya, the stethoscope still on his neck.
I laughed at his reaction. "That's a yes, right?" taas kilay na tanong ko, hopeful.
"Bakit daw? Baka mamaya bigyan ako niyan ng milyon sabay sabi layuan mo ang anak ko. Syempre, hindi ko tatanggapin at ipaglalaban kita. Magagalit siya kaya ipapa-kidnap niya ako!" paggawa niya ng kwento.
I looked at him with a ridiculous look in my eyes. "Bro, you watch too much drama," pambabara ko.
"Oo, bro," pagsasabay niya.
"So yes nga?"
"Ikaw. Do you want me to meet him?" he asked in return.
"Of course naman!"
"Okay, if you want to, then I also want that." The level of his voice went low in the end, which bothered me.
I slowly guided him closer to me by holding his hand. He did, coming to a complete stop right in front of me. I looked up at him while he looked down on me, his eyes wide with nervousness.
"What's wrong?"
"Magugustuhan ba ako noon para sa 'yo?" Iyon ang tinanong niya. I guess, that's the main concern of everybody once you have the meet the parents, right?
"Of course, he will. Who wouldn't love you? Just be yourself. He's kind naman." As much as my dad pressures me and go harsh sometimes, he was the complete opposite to others.
Humugot siya nang malalim na hininga. "Paano kung hindi?" hindi siya matahimik.
"I like you for myself, Marco. Even when he comes between us, I will not listen. He has no say on this." I kissed his hand. "I will choose you and not let you slip away from me. Do you get that?"
Yumuko siya hanggang sa lebel na an mga mata namin. "Hinay-hinay lang.... dahil hindi ko na alam kung paano ako makakaahon nito... "