Nagmamahal, Paraluman (Completed)

NP08

One week has passed. It's already eighteenth of December. Malapit na ang pasko at kitang-kita na rin sa paligid ang mga dekorasyong parol, Christmas tree, light, at iba pa. Kung nasa isang baryo lang kami ngayon, wari ko'y gabi gabing mauubos ang aming barya dahil sa mga nangangaroling na bata.

A not so pleasant morning welcomed us, as the whole Isidro Family were sitting inside the sala of my condo unit with some mixed emotions rising from each and every member of our family gathered around with my suitor at the center.

Kasalukuyan akong nakaupo sa pang-isahang sofa kalapit ni Melanie habang pinapanood kung papaano ang galawan niya, mapapayag lang sina mama, papa, at Tito na ilabas ako. He was wearing a gray fitted t-shirt paired with his denim pants and black shoes. Gulo ang kaniyang buhok at ang kaniyang ekspresyon ay pawang walang tigre sa kaniyang harap kung hindi ay isang kuneho.

"Sir, I am currently working as a newscaster at ABS-CBN, and sometimes a model at Metro."

While me, was here hindi magkandaugaga kung saan ilalagay o ipupwesto ang aking kamay. I felt somehow awkward as my parent interrogate him about our relationship. Iyong tipong dalawa sa kanila ay nakatapos ng medisina ngunit kung makapagtanong ay parang nag-abogasya. Samantalang si daddy, kung makatingin sa aming dalawa ay parang uuwi ako nitong wala na ang isang daliri.

"So kuya Salvador, saan mo dadalhin si ate?" tanong ni Melanie habang nakangisi at pinipisil ng bahagya ang aking kamay. Noong dumating dito si Salvador kanina, as usual tumili ang gaga. Isama mo na ang pagrequest na magpicture silang dalawa at pagtataning kung kumain na siya. My family is this weird, buti hindi ako nahawa.

"Just at the park nearby. Last week, she's with me alongside Elani at ABS-CBN to show what place it is behind the camera," he answered professionally and looked at me proudly.

I remain abstain and calm, trying not to interrupt their interrogation to Salvador. Bilib na ako sa isang ito dahil kung sumagot ay parang normal na siyang nasa interview kung saan hindi siya ang nagtatanong ngunit ang sumasagot.

Bigla naman akong natigilan nang mapansin ang huling sinabi niya. Lagot. I told them that Elani brought me there instead of him, it will be such a mess kung mapansin iyon ng tatlo.

"Hmm, okay. I thought you'll bring her at heaven, sayang," Melanie said and acted like she's sad about him not bringing me into her shit line. Siniko ko lamang siya at sinamaan ng tingin dahil alam ko ang ipinupunto niya.

"I have respect for her," weh? E kung makahingi ka d'yan ng halik noong nakaraan akala mo kung sino.

"Okay, fine," dad uttered looking at my mother. "Muse is even matured now to think for herself... Just bring her home to us before six in the afternoon," dad added that made my smile wider. I thought he'll never give Salvador a chance, but here we are celebrating inside.

Marahan na siyang tumayo gano'n rin ako, his face was there full of joy like he won at the lottery or become a millionaire in such a wish. Tiningnan niya ako gamit ang mata na parangkumu-konekta sa aking isip dahil sa isang senyas ay agad na akong nagpaalam at naglakad na patungo sa pintuan.

"Ingat kayo hijo, hija. Bumalik ng buo ha, hindi bawas," mom said and I just chuckled before waving at them. I also mouthed thank you to them and leave.

Habang naglalakad patungo sa elevator, napansin ko ang pananahinik ng aking katabi. Dahil nasa unahan niya ako, tumigil ako sa mismong paghakbang niya. Bumalik naman siya sa reyalidad at nakakunot na ng noo dahil sa aking ginawa.

"Why did you stop?"

I rolled my eyes before answering his query, "Natameme ka kasi. Para kang pumasok sa isang haunted house tapos paglabas ay parang inalisan ng dila."