HS2: Matchmaker's Tragedy

CHAPTER TWENTY

"Open the gate, Xia."

I nervously nod at Mama. She is at the kitchen, cooking something, when the bell rang. I know that it's him kaya mas lalo lang akong kinabahan. 

I opened the gate and I saw him. Mukhang nag-commute lang ito papunta dito but still, he looks fine. Na-conscious naman ako sa sarili ko.

Mukha pa siyang nagulat nang makita ako saka napatingin sa likuran ko. He smiled nervously at me.

"Pasok." I said and turn my back on him. Naramdaman ko naman ang pagsunod niya hanggang sa masabayan niya ako.

"Is Mayor here?" He asked, not stopping his eyes from roaming around. Halata sa boses niya na naiilang siya.

"No. He's at the central plaza." Nakapasok na kami sa bahay at naabutan ko si Mama na naka-upo sa couch, hinihintay malamang kami while having her tea.

I felt Blake stiffed for a moment so I composed myself, trying my best not to laugh at his misery.

"G-Good morning, M-Ma'am." He formally said. My brow shot up. Ma'am? Teacher mo?

Mas lalo ko lang naramdaman ang pagkailang ni Blake nang i-scan siya ni Mama. Kung siya naiilang, ako, kinakabahan.

"Hijo...sit down." She put her tea on the mini table and pointed the couch. Inalalayan muna ako ni Blake na maupo saka siya tumabi sa akin. He cleared his throat. We both can't look at my mother. It's as if we've done something bad! I heard my mother's chuckle. "So...you're Xia's friend who's name is...?"

"Blake. Blake po." He attentively answered. He glanced at me with a questioning look. I gulp. Yeah, I didn't introduce him as my boyfriend because I was afraid of what reaction my parents are going to show, especially my father.

"Blake..." She nods.

"Blake Carter po." He cleared. Tumango-tango naman si Mama. I can't read her expression. She doesn't look mad neither happy. "Is she mad?" He asked me when my mother is not watching us.

"I don't know." Napatuwid ako ng upo nang muli siyang bumaling sa amin.

"So, how are you with your studies? My daughter is an honor student so I don't want any distraction in her studies." I gasped by what she said. Really? Distraction agad?

"Don't worry, Ma'am, I...uh, will never be a distraction to her." He smiled. "And uh...about my studies, maayos naman po."

Silence filled our space. It's the silence that sends awkwardness in every part of me including the tiniest part of my cell. I just can't formulate a word to say. And I think, Blake can't too because he is just answering my mother's question.

"Kumain ka na ba?" Mama asked him again, hindi na siguro nakatiis sa katahimikan. "You should eat. We should eat." Before we could even say a word, she left us in the sala and go to kitchen. I sighed in relief. Tahimik pa rin kaming dalawa sa sala, parehong lumilipad sa kung saan ang pag-iisip.

"I...I am sorry..." Alam kong napalingon siya sa akin nang bigla akong magsalita pero pinanatili kong nasa baba ang paningin. "I...wasn't able to introduce you as my boyfriend. It's just, I am afraid of their reaction, especially my father." I explained. He tap my back as if assuring me that it is okay.

"You don't have to introduce me as your boyfriend. It's okay. Wala pa rin naman akong napapatunayan sa kanila kaya sa ngayon, okay ng ganito muna." I looked at him and smiled. "But I'm sorry too. I already introduced you as my girlfriend." I managed to roll my eyes even though the inner me began to have chaos.

"Whatever, Blake." I heard him chuckled because of what I said. Even his chuckle affect me! Man, I really fall hard for this boy.

"Xia, have your friend here." Niyaya ko na siya sa kusina. He's a bit comfortable now but he didn't leave my side. He just stayed beside me all the time. "Are you allergic with shrimps?" My mother asked.