"We're here." napalingon siya sa akin at ngumiti ako
"Relax, they will love you." he held my hand when we got out of the car
Naglakad na kami papasok sa restaurant dito sa New Washington, napatingin ako sa paligid and some people are already drinking.
May tumutugtog na banda sa mini stage and I love the vibe, Jieven pointed at a table and I saw Michelle.
Nakita din niya ako and she waved at me, nang makalapit kami ay lahat sila tumayo.
"You must be Aishelle?" a beautiful woman asked me
"Yes po, it's nice to meet you." i smiled
"Aishelle, this is my mom." inakbayan niya ang mommy niya
"My dad and siblings." tinuro niya isa-isa para maipakilala sa akin
"You look so pretty!" his sister held my hand
"Mag alcohol ka nga, baka may dala kang virus." natawa sina Mich sa sinabi ni Jieven
"I'm Jieven's ate, call me Leyan." she offered me her hand and I accepted it
Sumenyas si Jieven na umupo ako sa tabi ni Michelle, he went to the manager's office.
"So, you're living the fiction life I want huh?" nakangisi si Mich sa akin
"Wattpad?" napailing ako at sabay kaming natawa
Makalipas ng ilang minuto ay bumalik na si Jieven sa table namin, may mga dinala nang pagkain sa amin ang mga waiter.
"She's allergic sa shrimp and crabs." napalingon ako kay Mich
"Allergic din naman si Jieven sa ganyan ija." Jieven's mom smiled
"Meant to be?" Ate Jeanne smiled
"Baka naman soulmate." siniko ni Ate Leyan si Jieven
"Naniniwala kayo sa ganyan?" natawa si Jieven at napailing
Nang maihatid na lahat ng pagkain sa table namin ay sabay kaming nagdasal bago magsimula kumain, Jieven helped me get what I want.
"This one?" he pointed at the bowl with Sinigang
"That's her favorite." Mich smiled
"Really? Gaya-gaya ka na ah." Jieven joked
"Coincidence." napakibit balikat ako at natawa kaming tatlo
We finished eating dinner and the waiters cleaned up our table, Jieven's dad ordered drinks for us.
"How old are you ija?" Jieven's mom asked
"I'm turning 17 next month." i answered
"Anong kurso ang napili mo? Malapit ka na mag College." Jieven's dad asked
"Medicine po." i answered and smiled
"Another doctor in our family." he held his wife's hand
"I can help you with that ija, you will be a great doctor." she smiled at me
"Thank you." i smiled
"Call me mommy or tita Jeanne, kung saan ka kumportable." she held my hand and I nodded
"You have to call me dad, I like you for my son." he smiled at me
I just nodded and took a glance on Jieven, he smiled at me. Makalipas ng ilang minuto ay dumating na ang request na drinks, inabutan ako ni Jieven ng wine.
"Thank you." i whispered
"Do you want to sit there?" tinuro niya yung sea wall
"I have a hoodie sa car if nilalamig ka." dugtong niya
"Okay, let's go." nauna na siyang tumayo at inalalayan ako
"Doon lang kami ni Aishelle, just call us when it's time to go home." napatango lang ang dad niya
Naglakad na kami palabas ng restaurant, pumunta muna kami sa kotche niya at kinuha niya ang black hoodie. Inabot niya sa akin 'yon at agad ko namang sinuot, nabawasan ang lamig na naramdaman ko.
"It looks good on you." he smiled
He held my hand and we crossed the road, inalalayan niya akong umakyat para makaupo sa sea wall. It's dark kaya hindi namin makita yung dagat, napasandal ako sa balikat niya.
"Tell me about yourself." napalingon ako sakanya
"About myself?" i asked
He nodded, "I want to know you more."
"Ask questions, so I would know what do you want me to tell you." nanatili akong nakatingin sa dagat
"What are your interests, things you hate and love." nakatingin siya sakin habang sinasabi 'yon
"I like writing poems, especially when I want to release my anger or sadness." panimula ko
"I also like writing stories, reading books, and taking photos of nature." i smiled
"How about your dislikes?" he asked
"Spicy food." nakita ko ang pagka dismaya sa mukha niya
"Mukhang hindi tayo magkakasundo jan, I love spicy food." he laughed
"What else?" he asked
"I hate people who compare me to others." i smiled bitterly
"Let's.. not talk about that if you're not comfortable." he answered
Napatango lang ako at sumandal muli sa balikat niya, naramdaman kong hinalikan niya ang gilid ng ulo ko and I smiled.
I never felt so safe like this before, I wish all of this isn't a dream. I wish all of this is true, not a trial card or a lesson that I will carry for the next few years.
"Jieven! Magpapa-picture daw tayo as a family sabi ni mom!" Ate Leyan shouted
"Nakakahiya talaga kahit kailan yung bunganga ng isa, parang busina ng truck." natawa kaming dalawa at nagsimula nang maglakad pabalik sa restaurant
Tumabi si Jieven sa mom niya and I stood beside him, I was shocked when his mom pulled me to join the photo.
"You are part of the family now ija." Tita Jeanne smiled
I smiled back and looked at Jieven, nakangiti din siya sakin. All of us faced Michelle, siya ang kukuha ng photo.
"Sana all! Okay, 1.. 2.. smile!" she shouted
Nang matapos ay sabay na kaming naglakad palabas ng restaurant, dumiretso na kami kung saan naka park ang mga sasakyan.
"It was nice to meet you Aishelle, thank you for making my son happy." Tita Jeanne held my hand and smiled
"Punta ka sa bahay next time! I will give you some of my dresses na bagay sayo, you're my sister now!" Ate Leyan said and hugged me
I hugged her back and binuksan na ni Jieven yung pinto ng kotche, agad naman akong sumakay.
"Ihahatid ko lang sina mom sa car nila, I'll be back." sabi niya at agad akong tumango
Nang makita kong paalis na ang sasakyan nina Tita Jeanne ay bumalik na si Jieven at sumakay sa kotche, he looked at me and smiled.
"Did you enjoy?" he asked
"Sobra." i smiled
