Finders, Keepers

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I felt Calian's arm wrapped around my waist when we got out of his car, which made me turn my head and look at him.

"Sorry, do you feel uncomfortable?" He quickly removed his arm as he asked me that.

I shook my head and smiled at him widely.

"No. It's okay, Calian." I assured him.

Tumango siya habang nangingiti na rin, tila ba nabunutan ng tinik sa isinagot ko sa kaniya.

I felt my cheeks heated up when I saw his family looking at us attentively, watching us every step we took while waiting for Calian and me to reach them. I breathed deeply when we were only a few steps away, trying to at least release the tension I was feeling.

Nadagdagan ang hiya ko nang makita si Sorin na bumubulong ng kung ano sa mommy niya habang ang buong atensyon ay nakatuon din sa amin.

"G-Good morning po... " Nahihiyang bati ko sa kanila.

"Good morning, hija." Bati sa akin pabalik ng papa ni Calian, samantalang tango at ngiti lang ang tugon ng ibang naroroon.

"Thank you for coming and granting Calian's request. He was really looking forward to us finally meeting you." His mom added, while giving me the sweetest smile.

A smile automatically formed on my lips as I felt the warmth of those words. It's true that smiles are contagious, and I proved that today with Calian's mom. Even her sincerity radiated from her aura, which made me feel relaxed.

"Mom, binubuking mo naman ako." Tawa ang sumunod sa sagot niyang 'yon.

I looked at him and realized how they look so much alike. Even the laugh lines in their eyes are identical.

"Thank you po for inviting me." I said while giving them the same intensity of cordiality for the inviting atmosphere they're giving me.

Tumango ang mga taong naroroon.

"Everyone, I present to you Ghaliya. My soon to be girlfriend." He was serious, but a smile still painted on his lips.

Some of his cousins and elders laughed when he extended his arm sideways, acting like he was really presenting me. I couldn't help but laugh as well.

Lumapit sa amin ang mga pinsan niya at isa-isang nagpakilala. Naramdaman ko naman ang muling pagpulupot ng braso ni Calian sa baywang ko habang tinatanggap ko na ang kamay ng mga pinsan niyang halos puro lalaki.

"Let's eat first before we go to swim, okay?" Anunsiyo ng mama niya matapos ang pagkakamustahan.

Gano'n nga ang nangyari matapos naming ilagay ang mga gamit namin sa hotel. We ate lunch and then decided to take a dip after. We will be staying here for two days and one night. Hindi naman ako nagsisisi na sumama dahil madali lang pakitunguhan ang mga pinsan niya.

Nakakainggit nga kasi close silang lahat. May mga pinsan naman ako, pero almost all of them were either studying abroad or already living there. Growing up naman as an only child, ako lang talaga mag-isa.

"Hey, you're not going to swim?" Lumingon ako sa nagtanong no'n.

It's Qwin, Calian's cousin and Sorin's sister.

"I will." Sagot ko habang binabalik ang tingin sa harapan kung saan tanaw ang lawak ng karagatan at ang pagkukulitan ng mga pinsan nila.

I smiled. I like their loudness.

Nakita ko sa peripheral vision ko na pinasadahan niya ng tingin ang suot ko kaya muling napunta sa kaniya ang atensyon ko. I also looked at myself when she pointed it out.