The Virgin Stripper

10

VV

"Love?" tawag niya sakin.

"Po?" sagot ko sakanya habang nakatingin sa binabasa kong libro.

"Its been 2 months since we got into a relationship, don't you think we should get married?"

"Married? Agad?" inilapag ko muna ang libro.

"Getting married is not based on how long you were in a relationship with a loved one. That's what I believe. And we've known each other for four months," ani nito.

"Oo nga, getting married is not based on how long we were, but isn't it just too fast? I still haven't met your parents. I wanted to meet them first," I explained.

"Is that all?" he answered.

Dalawang buwan na ang nakakalipas nang sinagot ko siya. We got to know each other in four months of living together. Saka I'm already four months pregnant. Hindi na rin ako pumapasok sa trabaho last week pa. Eh kasi tong tatay ng anak kong to ayaw akong papuntahin sa trabaho. Five months ang usapan pero mapilit siya. Pumayag na rin lang ako.

Habang tahimik ang paligid, biglang nagring ang kaniyang cellphone. Hinayaan ko muna siyang sagutin ang tawag para balikan ang usapan.

Hindi naman ako nagrereklamo kung magpapakasal kami agad. Gusto ko kasi muna makilala ang kaniyang mga magulang. It looks weird kung magpapakasal kami na hindi man lang ako nagpakilala sa kanila.

"Val, I have great news," bumalik siyang nakangiti.

"Anong good news?" tanong ko.

"We're going to the airport para sunduin sila," he sat down on the sofa.

"Sinong sila?"

"My parents and your soon-to-be parents," he joked.

"Really? When?" I got shocked.

"Well, sabi nila they are landing na so probably ngayon. Surprise raw."

"Ngayon? As in now na? Oh my gosh! Elijah, anong susuotin ko? What do your parents prefer?" I panicked.

"Chill, just wear anything you feel comfortable with," he placed his hands on my shoulders.

"Ok, I'll just go change," tumaas ako sa kwarto namin. Dumeretso ako sa closet kung saan ay punong-puno na ng damit. Pagka umuuwi kasi ni Elijah eh may daladalang pasalubong na kung ano-ano, kadalasan ay damit kaya napuno na agad ang banda ko.

Ilang minuto akong nandito at sa wakas ay nakahanap na rin ako ng susuotin. I wore a black body-con dress that revealed my tiny bump. I paired it with some white sneakers. May nakita akong denim jacket, dinampot ko na rin at ginamit ko yun.

"I'm ready," bumaba ako at nakita ko si Elijah na nakapalit na rin.

He changed into denim pants and a white loose polo paired with the same white sneakers I'm wearing.

"How'd you know I wore the same shoes?" I asked.

"Kasama kita sa closet kanina and you chose those," sabi niya.

Binili ko itong sapatos last month. I bought these shoes even though it was expensive. I managed to buy them through my savings. Ayokong siya lang ang gumagastos.

"Ah, I see. Why'd you want to wear the same shoes, huh?" I teased.

"It isn't called a couple's shoe for no reason," he tucked a loose strand of my hair behind my ear.

"Your hair is already too long, love," he smiled.

"Yeah, I know. Magpapagupit ako bukas after our appointment," I linked my arm with his and we directed ourselves to his car.