He Got Deja Vu

Eleven

"B-Baka 'di n-nila ako magustuhan."

Natigil ako sa pagnguya. Tatayo na sana ako para kumuha ng tubig.

"I'll get you water," siya na ang tumayo ay kumuha sa ref ng pitcher. Kumuha siya ng baso at nilapag ito sa gilid ng plato ko bago sinalinan ng tubig.

Napainom agad ako. Pakiramdam ko ay nanuyo ang aking lalamunan.

Nervous.

That's all I felt.

Jagger's a good person, I know. But, I don't know why I felt something heavy inside my chest.

He's caring and loving so maybe his parents too? Right?

I hope so.

He squeezed my hand that is on the table. He gave me comfort even I don't ask. He's my comfort.

"We can do that next time. Magsabi ka lang kung kailan..."

I inhaled, "Uh, maybe next weekend?... I'll meet your parents." He smiled at my remark.

Napayuko ako, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't be scared 'cause they're your parents. 'Di lang ako sanay." Ang kamay niyang nasa akin ay lumipat sa aking pisngi na dahilan ng pag-angat ko ng tingin sa kanya.

Kwinento niya sa akin ang kanyang pamilya. He has a younger sister, Jahneia. His parents run a restaurant kaya marunong din siya sa pagluluto.

Sa kanya sana iyon na business pero ayaw raw niya mag-handle. Baka raw 'di niya kayanin at siya pa ang maging dahilan ng paglugi.

Malulugi raw?

Mataas ang kompiyansa ko na hindi! Siyempre, dahil kung ang may-ari ay may ganitong pagmumukha sinong 'di mapapakain sa restaurant na 'yon?

Owner palang ulam na.

Weekdays became hectic. Card day na sa Wednesday. Hindi kami gaano nakakapagkita ni Jagger dahil sa schedule.

Ang bilis ng araw. Nakakakaba.

Hanggang sa dumating na ang araw kung saan mami-meet ko na ang parents ni Jagger. I'm nervous. That's because, I'm excited and... scared at the same time.

"Ikaw pala pinagkakaabalahan ng anak ko," Jagger's mom said. She looks hostile. We're having a dinner on their house.

"Please, My. Don't start." I can sense irritation from Jagger's voice. I bit my lower lip. Parang kasalanan ko na nag-aaway sila.

"Why? I was just asking..." Tita Thalia said, nonchalantly.

"Mommy naman. Please don't be rude to her," Jahneia cooed, Jagger's younger sister. "She looks nice naman po, eh."

Jahneia's features are soft. Mukhang 'di nakakabasag pinggan. Her voice is also soft, sounds angelic. I smiled to her and mouthed 'I'm okay.' She just pouted and continued eating.

She's her Daddy's younger version. Mukhang maamo at masiyahin.

While Jagger's the younger version of his mom. Mukhang matapang.

"Do you love my son?" halos 'di na ako makakain.

"Thalia, naman." Tito Julio looked to me, "Hindi lang siya sanay sa bisita. Sorry, hija." He smiled apologetically. I just gave him a half smile.