Reminiscing You

Chapter 6

*chirp**chirp*chirp*

"Wake up, Achi! It's already 12 PM."

"*groan* Just five more minutes, Mom."

"Mom? *chuckles* I'm not your mom." Sarcastically said by the voice near me. Confused, I slowly opened my eyes only to see Runie in front of me. Runie? Wait...what the hell happened last night?!

"Runie?! Wha-what happened?! Where am I?!" Because I panicked, I fell off the bed. I felt pain all over my body. Oh, right. Something did happen while we were at the concert. Runie just stood in front of me and giggled.

"Relax, Achi. You're at my house." She effortlessly said while smiling.

"Why am I at your house? And...oh, God! Mom!" I immediately tried to find my phone when I noticed that I wasn't wearing my pants. Why was I in my underwear?! In a girl's room even?! Runie saw me panicking and all she did was laugh harder while I desperately tried to cover my lower half with a pillow.

"Glad I'm so amusing for you." I said while obviously pissed at her attitude. She then stopped laughing and explained the whole situation to me. Apparently, when I decided to go home last night, she ran behind me to catch up and made sure that I'll get home safe. How cowardly...I let a girl worry for me like that? Anyway, throughout the whole ride, I was crying my heart out while she held onto me and listened to every word I said. When I was already groggy due to crying so hard, she decided that I should just stay at her place since it's a closer destination. According to her, she contacted my mom and explained the events to her parents. They both agreed that I should stay, but they didn't have a spare room. Since Runie already knows how sleepy I was, she just told them that it'll be fine. I'd be out like a light anyway. She also tended to my wounds while we were alone. I really should take the time to thank her sometimes.

"Okay...but what happened to my pants?" I asked. She then giggled before telling me that I was the one who removed them myself. Of course she tried to stop me, but I kept on yelling that it was too hot and uncomfortable. Oh, right! I do like to sleep in my underwear. My bad. When she got tired herself, she just let me be. Runie then took out a camping mat to sleep on and that explains the whole thing. I felt embarrassed. I then asked her where my pants were and to kindly help me find the bathroom.

When I finished grooming myself, I quickly went out and talked to my mom just to update her about my situation. Of course she was worrying, but I reassured her that everything's okay. Praying that she wouldn't notice my bruises when I come home. I turned around only to see a tall handsome middle aged man with a great clean cut and a short boxed beard. He must be her father.

"G-good morning, Sir!" I shouted. Why did I shout?! I made him look like some higher class soldier in an army. He chuckled and said--

"It's already afternoon, son. Also, you don't have to be so formal. You can just call Mr. Ellis, or Rowan for short."

"Is it really okay to use your given name, Sir? I mean, Mr. Ellis."

"It's alright, son." He smiled. I did the same gesture in return. I was about to excuse myself when he suddenly grabbed my shoulder and said--

"Let's eat lunch." I felt a little bit of hostility? It might also just be my imagination. Everything was silent when we all sat down in the dining room. Although, it could also be because we were starting to eat. Her mom made a delicious pork sinigang that was, coincidentally, my favorite. I ended up eating a lot. When Runie excused herself to go to the washroom, I then thanked them for the wonderful meal and was about to leave until Rowan stopped me.

"Can I have a talk with you, son?" I nodded while looking nervous and guilty. Mrs. Ellis then stood up and went to the back door. Incidentally leaving me alone with Rowan. I'm not sure if I did anything wrong but if I did do something...I am so dead.

"Y-yes, Sir."

"You don't have to be so nervous." He said.

"I just wanted to know your intentions with our daughter." My intentions? What intentions?

"I--umm--well...Runie is a great friend, Sir. So I suppose...I just intend to be as good as a friend to her?" I timidly responded.

"Are you certain that that's all you want from her? Because I don't want my daughter to get hurt, boy. And as a father, I will protect her from anything or anyone who even thinks of harming her." He said while sounding so stern. I gulped. Facing such tensions is really not good for my body.

"I-I can assure you that I have no ill intentions towards your daughter. I also want to protect her, Sir. She is one of the most valuable people in my life thus far. I wish for nothing, but her happiness." There was a long silence as if we were praying in a temple where no man has ever made a sound. He then grinned, stood up from his seat and came towards me. We were face-to-face. Oh, God I repent...but please don't take me to your side just yet. I thought for sure that he was going to hit me, instead all he did was suddenly hug me. I was stunned. Speechless even. I don't know how to react to these kinds of situations. Do I hug him back? Do I not? Can someone please just tell me what to do?!

"Welcome to the family, son!" As awkward as I was, I just gave a faint laugh. I almost felt like my soul was going upwards. Besides, what's taking Runie so long? I just shrugged it off and Rowan started to become friendly with me. We then had a lot of conversation while waiting for Runie to come back. Her mother joined our conversation as well. Talking about their life, love, and everything else, made me wonder about the future and what it holds for me. I didn't know it then, but my life was already changing right before my eyes.