KABANATA 18 — Grandmother
The roaring sound of the tricycle's engine was so loud and it resembled what I was feeling inside as Lukas went up to me.
"Hi," he muttered as he ran his fingers through his hair.
For the first time, I didn't see the usual confidence that his face would show every time I would see or talk to him. Kitang kita ko sa mga mata niya ang pag-aalinlangan sa nangyayari ngayon. I wasn't sure anymore, too. I was feeling nervous ever since he got out of the tricycle.
Mali man ngunit itinago ko pa rin ang aking tunay na nararamdaman. I hid every emotion behind a mask. I wore a huge smile on my face even though deep inside, I completely knew that this was wrong.
Lukas professed his feelings for me and bringing him here might give him the wrong impression. As much as possible, I didn't want him to misunderstood things. Ngunit sinubukan ko nga bang gawin iyon? My best friend was right when she told me that not rejecting him the first time he told that he was going to court me was already wrong. Pinaasa ko na kaagad siya noon.
But I just wanted to try. Gusto ko ring maranasang magkagusto sa ibang lalaki. I was so eager to prove that I could do it just like how it happened with Lev Matteo.
Obviously, it didn't work.
Magtatanong si daddy. And because Lukas was an honest and a great guy, he would tell him the truth. Which I didn't want to happen and I just realized that just a moment ago.
"Okay lang ba sa'yo ito, Lukas?" bigla kong naibulalas ang mga salita. Imbes na batiin siya ay ito ang lumabas sa bibig ko.
Bigla akong nakaramdam ng pangongonsensya sa aking isip.
I was so mean for thinking this way when Lukas was already here and willingly accepted the invite of my father.
Nais kong siya na ang tumanggi upang hindi na ako mahirapan. If he disagreed, it would be easier for me. Hindi ko na siya kailangang dalhin pa sa loob at ipakilala pa kay daddy.
But like I just said, Lukas was not like the other guys out there.
"It's okay, Veign. I was kinda wanting and waiting for this, too. I want to meet your dad and tell him about my real intentions with you."
Napaawang na lamang ang aking bibig dahil sa pinahayag niya. I was so dumb for doing this to Lukas. Minerva was right. I shouldn't have lead him on. I shouldn't have made him hope for something I couldn't give to him yet. I wasn't sure about my real feelings for him but right now, all I knew was I wanted him to back out. Because I, myself, wanted to back out already but I was a coward so I couldn't do it on my own.
But it was too late to do so. Narinig ko ang boses ni daddy na lumabas din pala mula sa mansyon. Matinding pagkalabog sa aking dibdib ang naramdaman ko nang makitang patungo na siya sa aming direksyon. His driver was beside him but left immediately after hearing what dad told him.
His eyes idarted to Lukas. He examined him from head to toe. Ako ang kinabahan para sa kaniya.
"Lukas, that's my father," I whispered to him nervously.
Lukas stood up straight with a serious look on his face. I was so horrified when Lukas went up to dad and respectfully greeted him while offering his right hand.
"Good morning, sir. I'm Lukas, Veign's classmate and friend." Naghihintay ang kamay niyang nakalahad sa harap ni daddy.
Seryoso rin ang tingin ni daddy ngunit masuyo niyang tinanggap ang kamay ni Lukas. My father wore his intimidating look, making Lukas looked like he was so nervous.
