"Hello," I anxiously said on the phone as soon as I answered the call. I walked towards my bed and sat.
Ilang texts na ang napadala ko sa kanya para itanong kung kasama siya sa pupunta ng dinner namin at kung may alam siya tungkol doon.
"I was facilitating a meeting and it extended a bit. My mother only sent a text about the dinner two hours ago."
I pursed my lips. Kaya pala hindi siya nag-text sa akin nung sinabi kong pauwi na ako.
"Are you going to come with them?"
He heavily sighed. "I'm on my way to your house now."
That means my parents will officially meet him? Why am I nervous all of a sudden? It's not like he'll be coming because I'll be introducing him as my... someone?
It's just a family dinner that's overdue. Graduation pa lang namin nung highschool, they already promised a family dinner.
"O-Okay. I'll see you later," I shyly murmured.
Ali didn't say anything but he didn't say goodbye either. I thought of something to say but nothing's coming to me at the moment.
"Uhm... Ingat sa pag-drive," I lamely said as soon as it occured to me. My lips puckered in disappointment when he still didn't utter a single word. "Uh... I'm gonna hang up now."
"Hyon," Ali called before I can move to end the call.
"Yeah?"
"I'm waiting for you," he softly crooned from the other line.
Why does it feel like he means something else whenever he uses those words to me?
Maybe it's just me. But even if it doesn't mean anything else, it's still enough to free the butterflies in my stomach from its cages.
"I know." My lips stretched into a bright and saccharine smile. "I'm waiting for you, too."
He deeply chuckled. "See you."
"Bye," I replied with a tiny voice before ending the call.
The smile on my face never left as I walked towards my white built-in closet to check myself through the full body mirror that served as one of its doors.
I smoothed my palm over my yellow mustard casual buttoned up dress with fluffy short sleeves. Not too flashy, but decent enough for a dinner.
Aside from some blush and tint, I didn't wear more make up. I just ironed my hair a bit for a beach curl effect.
Bumaba na rin ako matapos mag-ayos. Nakasalubong ko si Kuya Zeno paakyat ng hagdan. A bag was lazily placed on his shoulder. It looks like he just came home from school.
"Mom told me to call you. The guests are in the living room," sabi ni Kuya, medyo kunot ang noo. Mukhang may gustong sabihin pero hindi itinutuloy.
"Okay, Kuya. Hindi ka ba sasabay sa dinner?"
"I will. Magpapalit lang ako."
Tumango ako at ngumiti. "Okay."
I got a little nervous when I reached the last step. I had to walk a bit to see our living room. They were all on their feet and staring at the frames on the wall as if they were on a museum. There were sofas but this isn't really our sitting area.
Hindi nila nakita ang pagdating ko dahil lahat sila ay abala sa pagtitig sa mga nakasabit sa pader. On the wall were photos of us taken by Mommy herself. Isang malaking frame lang ang buo kami at kuha ng ibang tao. She usually takes it during our family outings or events.
My mother loves photography and I also fell in love with it because of her. Pati si Ate Laurene ay hilig din 'yon. I'm not into digital photos though. I like instant films.
Unang napatingin si Ali sa direksyon ko. Seryoso ang kanyang mukha. Ngumiti ako sa kanya. I was about to raise my hand to wave at him but Atticus saw me next. His eyebrows raised in happiness and grinned.
"Hyon," Atticus greeted.
That caused everyone else to look away from the pictures and transfer their eyes to me. I shifted a bit, a little embarrassed by everyone's attention. I stole a glance at Ali. He was still staring at me, but this time he has a small amused smile on his lips. My foread creased at that. What's so amusing?
I mentally took a deep breath and walked towards them. I gave them a smile. "Good evening po, Tito and Tita."
"Oh my, Hyon," Tita Agatha squealed and stepped closer to give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek. "Gumaganda ka lalo."
I shyly laughed. "Thank you po."
Humiwalay ako kay Tita Agatha at sunod na lumapit kay Tito Theodore para bumati.
"It's nice to see you again, Hyon," sabi ni Tito Theodore habang yakap ako.
Sunod na lumapit sa akin si Atticus. He was wearing a boyish smile. Yumakap siya sa akin at tinanggap ko naman 'yon. My eyes unconsciously looked for Ali. His eyes were still on mine but the upwards curve was nowhere to be found.
"I heard you already met Ali, Hyon?" Kasabay ng tanong ni Tita Agatha ang pagkalas ng yakap namin ni Atticus.
"Opo," magalang na sagot ko at muling tumingin kay Ali. I sheepishly smiled at him. "Hi, Ali."
It was only a matter of a few minutes when my father arrived. My sister wasn't around but my brothers joined us for dinner. Kuya Hadeon looked surprised when he saw Ali and then looked at me with confusion. Kuya Zeno wasn't surprised anymore but he was just as weirded out as Kuya Hadeon.
The heads were at the center of the table. Instead of Tita Agatha, si Atticus ang kaharap ko. Ali was the farthest from me.
"Word is going around that there will be a tender for your hotel resort renovation in Batangas?" Tito Theodore asked.
"Nothing's sorted out yet but there will be a renovation," Dad answered. "Once it's finalized, I will make sure to inform the head of this project to send you an invite."
"Our company will be more than willing to give you our excellent services. Always." Tumingin si Tito Theodore sa akin. "Especially since your daughter and my son are very close friends."
"I heard from Hyon that Atticus is taking Civil Engineering. That's good. It means he plans to help the company eventually."
"Yes." Tita proudly grinned at his son. "But for the mean time, Ali is helping us. He also took up Civil Engineering and graduated as summa."
"Really? That's very impressive," sabi ni Daddy. He was looking at Ali with so much regard now. "Did you take the board?"
"Yes, Mr. Serrano," he respectfully answered.
Hindi man lang dinagdag na topnotcher siya. I don't know why but I feel proud. Pakiramdam ko ay ako ang nagmamalaki sa mga achievements niya sa pamilya ko.
"My son is very humble. He's one of the topnotchers." Tito heartily laughed. "And he'll be taking his masters next year."
"Wow. Handsome, smart, down to earth, and an overachiever. Ang swerte naman ng girlfriend mo," my mother teased.
Kuya Hadeon suddenly started coughing. Napatingin ang lahat kay Kuya na ngayon ay inaabot na ang baso ng tubig. Nakatingin siya sa akin at makahulugan ang tingin niya.
Ali smiled a bit. Deretso lang ang tingin kay Mommy. "Wala pa po akong girlfriend."
"Pa," my mother caught on. She laughed. "So there's someone. Sayang naman! Irereto ko sana sa'yo 'yong anak kong si Laurene."
"My!" Hadeon scolded and glanced at me.
My eyes went down to my plate. The grip on my utensils tightened. I know that my mother is naturally playful but I still didn't like her suggestion at all.
"I'm already waiting for someone else, Mrs. Serrano," Ali intently exclaimed.
Kuya Hadeon started coughing again. Napaangat naman ang tingin ko kay Ali. He never cast me a look. Medyo namula naman ako.
"Are you okay, Hadeon? Kanina ka pa umuubo," nag-aalalang tanong ni Mommy.
"Oo nga, My. Lalagnatin yata ako," Kuya Hadeon feigned and then glanced at me again. A bit embarrassed, I returned my attention to my food and resumed eating.
"Si Hyon po ba, pwede niyo pong ireto sa akin?" Atticus suddenly said out of nowhere.
The reactions were mixed. Mommy gasped. Daddy choked on his food. Si Kuya Hadeon ay umubo ulit. Everyone was surprised, including me with my widened eyes, except Ali whose face was blank and Kuya Zeno who looked entertained.
"Wow," he simply commented and calmly drank his water.
"Oh, well..." My Mommy stuttered. For the firs time, she's speechless and out of jokes.
"I-I like Hyon. I'm willing to wait for her until she likes me back," Atticus buckled at first but ended firmly. "I promise I'll study hard and graduate with colors. I'll ace the board and be successful, too."
"That's great, Atticus. You know I already like you but in the end, it's still up to Hyon," sabi ni Mommy at matapos ay tumingin sa akin.
I honestly don't know what I'm feeling at this moment. Alam ko naman na may gusto sa akin si Atticus at nag-usap na kami tungkol dito pero hindi ko inaasahan na magagawa niyang gawin 'to.
And now I can't find it in me to look at Ali's direction.
"A-Alam ko po. Nag-usap na po kami ni Hyon tungkol dito. Gusto ko lang pong ipaalam sa inyo," Atticus politely said. Mukhang tinablan na siya ng hiya at medyo kabado na ang boses.
My mother brightly smiled at Atticus and then looked at me. Her smile shifted into something encouraging.
"Hyon will have a debut party next year," Mother started. "Maybe Atticus can be Hyon's escort?"
Bahagyang umuwang ang labi ko. Lumiwanag naman ang mukha ni Atticus sa narinig.
It feels like I'm losing control and I'm just hopelessly trying to catch the sands that were passing through the gaps between my fingers.
"That will be fantastic!" masayang sambit ni Tita Agatha.
"What do you think, Zion?" Mom looked at him and held his hand over the table to give it a squeeze.
Daddy looked at Atticus. There's something different in the way he looked at him now. It was with respect and familiarity. "Sure."
"Shouldn't we let Hyon decide? It's her party after all," si Tito Theodore.
Napatingin sa akin ang lahat maliban kay Ali. Even with Atticus' father respectful question, I still feel pressured. Lalo na sa tingin sa akin ni Tita Agatha at Mommy. I feel like there's only one answer and that I can't let them down. Dagdag pa na ayaw kong mapahiya si Atticus.
"Uhm..." I trailed and glanced at Ali.
I saw him take a deep breath before raising his eyes to look ay me. He gave me an encouraging smile that didn't reach his eyes and nodded.
"O-Okay lang po sa akin," I said while our eyes are locked. Nag-iwas lang ako ng tingin para ngumiti sa kanila. They were all smiling ay my answer.
It pleased me to see them happy but I feel like there's an elephant sitting in the pit of my stomach.
Nang matapos ang dinner ay nag-aya si Mommy ng wine sa pool area. Ali joined them. My brothers excused themselves to go back to their rooms. Gusto ko rin sana pero nandito pa si Atticus. It will be rude.
Sa pool side kami pumwesto. I dipped my legs in the water. Atticus can't do it because he's wearing pants and it was too tight to fold.
"Did I make you uncomfortable earlier?" Atticus carefully asked, looking at me as if I'm a glass that could crack anytime.
I paused and nodded after a few seconds. "Yes."
His expression turned somber. "I'm sorry. I just wanted to tell them my intentions."
Hindi na ako sumagot doon. Nilaro ko na lang mga paa na nasa pool. I know if I say something, it will only to tell him the same answer.
"Magaling ka na bang mag-swimming?" I asked in a lighter tone to change the topic.
Atticus laughed a bit. "Of course. I learned for the best."
It was an hour later when the Santiesteban left. Ali never looked at me, even just to say goodbye. It bothered me that I feel so guilty. I feel like I've done something wrong.
Hyon Alexandria Serrano:
Please text me once you've reached home.
An hour and a half passed but there wasn't a reply from him. Saglit lang naman ang byahe papunta sa condo niya diba? It's already a bit late so that means the traffic isn't that bad.
Kahit na inaantok ay hinintay ko talaga ang pagsagot niya. It took five minutes for him to respond.
Ali Santiesteban:
I'm home.
Huminga ako nang malalim at hindi na nag-isip. I dialled his number. Akala ko ay hindi niya ito sasagutin pero tatlong ring lang ay sumagot na siya.
"Hello," I started. He didn't say anything. I can only hear him breathe. Silence prolonged until I couldn't take it. "I'm sorry."
"Bakit ka nagso-sorry?" Ali gently asked. Walang bakas ng galit sa boses niya. Tanging pagpapasensya lang.
"About earlier... Nahihiya lang akong tumanggi."
"It's okay. I understand, Hyon," he lowly murmured.
I inhaled sharply. My heart was squeezing painfully inside my chest.
"It's okay," he repeated to assure me, but this time I can hear exhaustion in his voice. My eyes heated.
"I'm sorry..." ulit ko, dahil hindi ko alam kung ano pa ang pwedeng sabihin maliban doon.