Leaving Was the Easy Part (Millennia Series #1)

18

#LWTEP

"It's very nice to meet you hija." Bumeso ang mommy ni Santi sa akin nang makalapit kami sa kanila.

They're already waiting by the door when we came. Halatang hinihintay na talaga ang pagdating namin.

"I'm Aria Valerio, and this is my husband, Hunter."

"It's nice meeting you too, Tita Aria," Sinuklian ko ang beso niya at ganoon din sa daddy ni Santi. "You too, Tito Hunter. I'm Celina Rios po."

"Let's go inside, Penelope and Terrence are already in the dining." Si Tito Hunter.

"What? Who called them?" Angal ni Santi.

"I did." Matapang na sabi ni Tita Aria kaya hindi na nagprotesta pa si Santi.

Tito Hunter led the way and we trailed behind him.

"Your whole family's here?" Mas nadagdagan pa ang kaba ko dahil sa impormasyong nalaman.

"I have no idea why they're here." Naiiling niyang sabi. Alam kong worried siya sa mararamdaman ko dahil halata iyon sa itsura niya. Hinawakan ko ang braso niya para ipaalam na ayos lang.

Naabutan namin silang nag-uusap nang marating namin ang dining.

"Hi! Oh my, you're so pretty!" Masiglang bati ng babae nang lumapit siya sa akin at bahagyang yumakap.

I was just staring at her the whole time because I really admire her features. She's tall, fair-skinned with a long black hair and upturned eyes. She's wearing a light make-up but her aura screams power. Naka-suot pa siya ng corporate attire which I can say that suits her well.

"I'm Penelope."

Lumapit na rin ang lalaki pagkatapos no'n. Matangkad rin siya at maputi. He's built just as Tito Hunter.

"Terrence, nice to meet you." Tipid na pakilala niya.

"Hello. I'm Celina Rios, thank you for the warm welcome."

"Mom invited us over for dinner. Aayaw sana ako dahil busy sa firm, same with Terrence sa law school, but she said may ipakikilalang girlfriend daw si Santi so we didn't hesitate to go. Minsan lang 'to," halos ibulong na niya ang huling parte.

Pinamulahan ako ng pisngi dahil medyo nahiya ako. 

"Ate can you just drop it? This is just a simple dinner." 

"I know." Tipid niyang sagot at tinignan ko nang makahulugan.

Their family is so nice and I feel really welcomed.

Naupo na kami pagkatapos ng pagpapakilala. Si Tito Hunter ang sa kabisera at sa kanan niya naman si Tita Aria na katabi si Terrence. Sa kaliwa si Penelope at katabi niya si Santi habang nasa tabi naman niya ako.

"It's very unusual for Santi to bring home a friend, especially a girl, so I bet there's something going on between you two."

I was caught off guard with Tita Aria's remark. Bakit may pag-atake?

"Ma, isa ka pa."

"Why? It's true, isn't it? Hindi mo naman talaga dinadala ang mga friends mo dito, maski pa close friends." Bumuntong-hininga si Santi na parang pagod na sa mga sinasabi ng mommy niya.

"I heard you're from UP. Nako, alam mo ba some of my colleagues are from there too and not only they're smart because they, too, are so fun to be with!" Panimula ni Penelope.

"Really? Well, thank you, I guess?"

"I can see that you're just the right amount of adventurous but responsible." Naka-ngiting sabi ni Tito Hunter.