𝐴𝑙𝑤𝑎𝑦𝑠

18

"When is your family free?" He asked as he hug me from behind and rested his chin on my shoulder.

"Hmm why?" I asked and looked at him from the vanity mirror.

"Naisip ko kasi, don't you think it's time for me to meet your family again? Like in this kind of situation ah. I mean, gusto ko rin kasi sana to tell them my intentions personally. As in sa kanilang lahat and not only sa Kuya mo. Just like before. Ayaw ko naman kasing isipin nila na I'm taking advantage na porket pumayag ka, okay na yun" What he said made my heart melt in an instant.

"Is that so? Hmm I can ask them for a dinner if you want me to naman eh"

Herbert turned me around, making me face him and hugged me again after.  "Yes, please. But before anything else, si Luna. Don't you think it's time na rin for me to meet her? I mean, she's your daughter. Out of all the people, diba dapat sa kanya ako unang mag paalam? She should know na I'm very much serious with her Mom. Puro naman kasi boses lang nung bata nakakausap ko. Tapos, pa-konti-konti lang. I never got to talk to her in a deeper and serious manner" He said which made me feel a bit swivet, but at the same time appreciative of what he just said. "Kasi look, it's been almost what, going two months na halos that I've been courting you. And yet, I've never personally met Luna pa rin"

"Si Luna? Uhm..."

"Oh why? Come on, I want to personally know the kid. Gusto ko syang makilala. And you know, for me to be able to bond with her and hopefully build a good relationship with her as well" He looked and smiled at me for a second. "I know how much she matters to you. So syempre, whoever matters to you, then the same goes with me as well. They matter to me na rin. Isa pa, once you say your yes, edi parang anak ko na rin sya diba? O hayaan mo naman sya to build a relationship with her father"

I slapped his arm playfully. "Baliw!" He pressed his face to my neck as we both have a good giggle.

He looked at me this time and unclasped a bit from hugging me. "O why? Totoo naman eh. Mommy nga pala tawag nya sayo 'no? Which makes me the Daddy. Ay wow ang saya"

"Grabe you're so sure naman na she'll be able to like you"

"Naman. I'm sure we'll jive. Gulat ka, mas nagbo-bond na kami. Tsaka isa pa, wala ka bang tiwala sa boyfriend mo?"

"Ay ganon? At kayo na talaga ang nag bond ah" I chuckled. "Hoy! What boyfriend? Swerte mo naman ata. You haven't met my family yet again nor my daughter, tapos boyfriend? Excuse me, convince me more muna 'no. Also, I haven't said yes pa nga. So lakas mo naman ata, Mayor?" We both laughed.

"Dun rin naman kasi punta nun" He winked. So I rolled my eyes at him. "O kaya nga let's set up a dinner with your whole family. Pero unahin na natin si Luna. I really want to meet her. Please?" He said with so much eager.

I just smiled and nodded as a response to him. He smiled as well and continued hugging me, pressing his face to my neck again. As I reciprocate his hug, here I am thinking. I guess he's right after all with regards meeting Luna. Perhaps it's a good idea. After all, they should really have a nice relationship because I don't want anything to cause any problem along the way. Because yeah, I can see myself saying yes to this guy sooner or later and of course, spending the rest of our life together with assurance and no hindrance this time around.

"Lalim naman ng iniisip mo dyan" His voice made me comeback to my senses.

"Huh? Ah wala. Ikaw talaga"

"Bigla ka kasing tumahimik tas parang for a moment you're not present. Okay ka lang?"

"Oh sorry. Yeah, yeah I'm fine. Nothing to worry about. Anyway, tapos ka na po bang magpaka clingy dyan? Cause if yes, hello, you said you'll make me hatid kaya. I'm finished na with what I'm doing oh" I giggled.

"Tapos na? Well, sorry ka kasi never-ending 'tong clingyness ko for you. Tsaka asus if they just know eh mas clingy ka nga. Lalo na pag tayo lang" He grinned. "Ay opo, Madam. Ihahatid po kita, don't worry. So tara na ba?"

"Whatever you say, Herbert Constantine" I rolled my eyes and chuckled, cause what he said was true anyway. "Yes, let's go na. Actually dapat kanina pa kaso you're busy making harot there eh"

"Kaso you're busy making harot there eh" He spoofed me out of nowhere which made me instantly facepalm and chuckle. "Tara na nga po" He chuckled as well with what he just did and got my bag.

"In all fairness, very on point your Kris Aquino impression"

"Eh sa halos araw-araw ba naman kitang kasama at kausap hindi ko pa ba mape-perfect?" We both laughed as we make our way to the parking. "Pasok na po, Madam" He opened the door for me and helped me go inside.

Once he got in, he started the engine and started to drive as well. We're having a chitchat while he's driving when all of a sudden I noticed that he's going to a different way. "Wait, hindi naman ito yung way ah?" I asked in confusion.

He glanced at me. "Ah yeah. Basta, trust me na lang" He smiled and tapped my knee quickly so I just nodded my head, still being curious to what may be his agenda.

Few moments after I've noticed that we're approaching this known hotel here somewhere in Pasay. I guess, if you know, then you know. After parking and settling for a bit, he went out, opened the door for me and helped me get down like the usual.

"Okay ka na? Lika na" He held my bag with his right hand and the other, around my waist.

We entered the elevator. "Hoy what's your balak?" I slapped his arm faintly.

He chuckled. "Relax. Just trust me" He looked at the front and grinned.

"Herbert Constantine ah" I squint my eyes on him.

"Cute mo!" He booped my nose and continued chuckling.

Few moments after, we got out of the elevator and walked a bit. Good thing there's just minimal number of people in this floor. We got to have our peace and privacy. Later after, we stopped and here we are. I got a bit shocked that made me look at him.