Chapter 18: Dinnertime is Terror Time - Original Version. Wattpad Version. Unrevised. Unedited.
"Oh my! Napakaganda naman ng girlfriend mo Lance!" Ang agarang puri sa akin ni Brianna Santiago, ang mom ni Lance. She immediately grabbed hold of my hands, easing them in between her own. Hindi ko mapigilang ngumiti. Sinong mag-aakalang ganito pala ka-cheerful at active ang mom ng boyfriend ko? "Kailan naging kayo? Gaano na katagal yung relationship ninyo? Nag-kiss na ba kayo?"
I sat back on my seat and tried to look as composed as I could manage. Hindi ko alam kung alin sa mga tanong niya yung una kong sasagutin.
"Mom, ano ba! You're making Nadine uncomfortable with all that hovering!" Reklamo ni Lance.
His mom frowned at him. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Stay out of this conversation boy! Hindi mo ba nakikitang nagkakaroon kami ng seryosong usapan ng future daughter-in-law ko?"
Pareho kaming nag-blush ni Lance. That was totally and completely unexpected.
"Geez! Mom, you're embarrassing the both of us!" Lance whined.
Mukhang na-confuse si Mrs. Santiago. "Why? Did I say something wrong?"
Mukhang magrereklamo na naman si Lance nang biglang tumawa si Marvin Santiago, ang dad niya. "Naku Bree, tama na yan. Tinatakot mo ang bisita natin. You can ask questions later."
Nag-pout naman ang asawa niya. "Fine then." She then looked at me expectantly. "We'll talk later, okay?"
I smiled. "Sure po, Mrs. Santiago."
Biglang nanlaki ang mga mata niya. "No, no, no! Wag mo akong tawaging Mrs. Santiago. Masyadong formal pakinggan at nagmumukha akong matanda! Call me Tita Bree. Or better yet, call me Mom!"
"Mom, quit it!" Reklamo ulit ni Lance.
Kahit reluctant siya nung una, binitawan na rin ni Tita Bree yung mga kamay ko. Bumalik siya sa sofa at tumabi sa asawa niya. "Honey, Lance is so mean! I was just welcoming Nadine to the family yet he keeps complaining!"
Her husband chuckled. "Ang hyper mo kasi masyado, Dear." Napatingin siya sa akin at ngumiti. "Pagpasensyahan mo na 'tong Tita Bree mo a. Masyado kasi siyang excited na makilala ka. Ikaw kasi yung pinakaunang girlfriend ni Lance na pinakilala niya sa amin."
"Nagtaka pa kayo kung bakit ayoko silang ipakilala sa inyo." I heard Lance mutter.
Napatingin ako sa kanya. Tiningnan niya rin ako at hinawakan niya yung kamay ko. We smiled at each other.
"Oo nga pala! Why don't you have dinner with us Nadine?" Yaya ni Tita Bree.
"Umm...sige po. If you don't mind."
"Of course not! We'll be happy to have you. Diba Dear?" Tingin niya ulit sa dad ni Lance.
He nodded and looked at me. "Join us dear."
Napangiti ako. "Sige po, Mr. Santiago."
"Call me Tito Marvin."
Tumango ako.
Agad na tumayo si Tita Bree at naglakad papunta sa kitchen. "Well then, I'll get dinner prepared."
Napatayo na rin ako. "I'll help you po."
She beamed at me. "Fantastic! I would definitely appreciate a helping hand, Dear."
Susunod na sana ako sa kanya nang bigla akong hilahin ni Lance pabalik. "Sigurado ka bang gusto mong makasama si Mom nang mag-isa lang? Baka kung anu-ano pa yung itanong nun sa'yo."
I gave him a reassuring smile. "Don't worry. She's exactly like my mom. I'm sure that we'll get along just fine."
He sighed and let my hand go. Pumunta ako sa kusina at tinulungan si Tita Bree sa pagluluto. Mukhang masarap yung menu niya for dinner. Roast beef, green salad at parmesan fish fillet. Yum!
"I almost forgot," tugon niya sa kalagitnaan ng pagluluto. "Thank you for being with Lance. For staying beside him. For making him happy."
"Wala po yun," sambit ko. "Actually, si Lance nga po yung laging nasa tabi ko. He's the one who never leaves me alone. Siya yung laging nandiyan lalo na kapag kailangang-kailangan ko ng tulong. He's also my comfort. The one who's always been willing to lend a listening ear and a shoulder to cry on. The one I can completely open up to. At siya rin ang nagpapatawa sa akin kahit halos paiyak na ako. He's my strength and my happiness. Hindi ko nga alam kung deserving talaga ako sa kanya. He's done so much for me yet I've done so little for him."
Tita placed a hand on my shoulder. "I don't think you've done little. Recently, ang dami ko nang mga napansing pagbabago kay Lance. Especially with the way he smiles. Aakalain mo talagang he's the happiest man in the whole world. He's completely contented with his life now. And I think that it's because of you. Kaya wag mong isiping wala kang ginagawa para sa kanya. Kasi the mere fact that you're with him is already enough to make him feel joyous."
"I feel the same."
"Aw, really?" Tili niya, kinikilig. "So the feelings are mutual. That is so sweet! I miss being a teen!"
Napatawa na lang ako. She definitely reminds me of my mom. Parehong-pareho talaga sila ng ugali. I miss my mom tuloy. Hindi na kasi kami masyadong nag-bo-bonding together. She and Dad have both been too busy lately. Kaya nga wala sila masyado sa bahay. They're currently in Philadelphia right now, settling an account with their foreign investors. Buti nga at makakauwi sila in time for our Annual Christmas Party.
After a few minutes, tinawag na namin sina Lance at Tito Marvin para kumain. Dinner went by with a blur. Lance's parents kept asking me question by question the whole time. At bago pa namin mamalayan, it was already 9:00 PM.
"Mom, Dad, ihahatid ko na si Nadine pauwi. Baka mag-alala pa yung pamilya niya." Paalam ni Lance.
Tita Bree gave a disappointed frown. "You have to leave so soon?"
I tried to cheer her up with a smile. "Wag po kayong mag-alala. My house is just across the street kaya I can visit you anytime you want."
Mukhang naging effective yung sinabi ko since agad siyang nabuhayan. "Really? That's fantastic! Come every day, okay?"
"Mom!" Lance whined once again.
Tita retreated back a few steps and raised both hands in surrender. "Okay, okay. I get it. At least once a week. Okay lang naman sa'yo diba, Dear?"
I nodded. "Sana po makapunta po kayo sa bahay this Saturday. Meron po kasi kaming gaganapin na Christmas party doon."
Tumango silang mag-asawa.
"We'll definitely come." Sabi ni Tito Marvin.
"We'll be expecting you po," ngiti ko. "Sige po. Uwi na ako. Nice meeting you Tita Bree and Tito Marvin. And thank you for having me stay for dinner."
Sumama sila sa paghatid sa akin hanggang sa gate. Nang makalabas na kami ni Lance, they waved us goodbye. Hawak-hawak ni Lance yung kamay ko the whole way. Parang naging habit na talaga naming mag-holding-hands kapag magkasama kami.
"I really like your parents." Sabi ko habang naglalakad.
Napatawa siya. "Mukhang nagustuhan ka rin nila. Aprubadong-aprobado nga si Mom sa'yo e."
Napatawa na rin ako. I really enjoyed my time with Lance's family. Too bad it had to end so soon. Mamaya-maya, tumigil kami sa tapat ng gate ng bahay namin. Nilabas ko yung spare key ko at binuksan yung lock. Bago ako pumasok ay lumingon ako sa gawi ni Lance at ngumiti. "Maraming salamat sa paghatid."
"Wala yun. Siyempre naman hindi ko hahayaang umuwi nang mag-isa ang one and only girl ko." Sabi niya sabay kindat.
I smiled back and instinctively kissed him on the cheek. "Good night. At ingat sa pag-uwi."
Mukhang gulat siya sa ginawa ko. "G-Good night rin."
Hinintay niya akong makapasok bago umalis. Dumiretso ako sa kwarto't pagkarating ko roo'y agad na napunta yung kamay ko sa dibdib. Alam kong namumula nang sobra-sobra yung mukha ko nung mga sandaling iyon. I can't believe that I did that! What a bold move!
But still, I gave a satisfied smile and sighed afterwards.
Hindi na talaga yun mapipigilan.
Kasi the longer I'm with Lance, the harder I fall for him.
A/N: Photo used is not mine. Credits to the owner/s.