"Malapit na debut mo, hindi ka uuwi?" Tanong ni Ariesa sa kabilang linya. As usual, I was on the training center. Next week pa ang finals namin kaya tulad dati, pwede ulit akong mag-day off sa training at kumuha ng exam physically. I can take another day off on my birthday, but the thing is I had plans already. Nauna nang magpaalam si dad sa mga coach ko para kuhanin ako nang araw na 'yun. Dahil dalawang araw na 'yung day off ko for the month of May, kailangan ko nang tipirin pa yung 5 days na natitira. May pa lang at may kalahating taon pa.
"I'm sorry." Bulong ko. My feet were sulked on the water. Katatapos lang ng training but I chose to stay here for a bit while talking to her.
"Miss na kita. Bruha ka!" I laughed as she chuckled. "Sige na. Alam ko namang busy ka sa life mo. Love you sis. See you when I see you!"
I hanged up and took a shower to eat my dinner.
I really thought that things will go my way peacefully, but I was wrong because after I took my final exams on 15th of May, dad fetch me right in front of the campus.
"We have to meet someone." He answered after I asked where we are going. My mind was really tired to think even about the possibilities or to resist, so I ended up obliging. I just found myself wearing a mint green formal dress inside an extravagant reataurant.
"Adi." Pareho kaming nagulat nang magkita kami. He was wearing tux with his parents on the side. Bahagya silang tumayo at nakipagkamay kay dad na nasa tabi ko. Lumapit naman ang mama niya at saka ako hinalikan sa pisngi.
"Dad, what is this about?" Takang tanong ni Adi sa daddy niya. Nagtatanong. Tipid na ngumiti sa akin ang daddy ni Adi at lumingon sa akin sandali bago tumawag ng waiter completely ignoring Adi's question. Mukhang wala siyang planong sumagot kaya lumingon ako kay daddy gamit ang nagtatanong na mga mata.
"Let's eat first." Dad uttered and shifted his gaze. I scoffed and stared on the glass of water in front of me.
I already have a hint where this is going, but I get it off my mind. Kahit ano namang mangyari, hindi ako papayag. Aside from that, Adi's too nice to push for it. He was way different to Chase. It would be different from the last time. I believe in him.
"So..." Dad uttered while spinning his finger on the wine glass getting the attention of everyone after a couple of while. "Do you have any plans on getting married?" Halos maibuga ko ang iniinom kong wine dahil sa tanong niya. Nagkatinginan kami ni Adi.
"Tito—"
"I know that there's something going on between you two. Everyone already knows about it. There's no need to deny it, son." His dad spoke up. Damn!
I was ready for this to come but I didn't expect that I will still react this way.
"Dad—"
"Get married immediately."
Adi and I both tried to explain that they were thinking it wrong. But they never listened even a bit. They kept on insisting that we are just shy admitting it to them. Bumuntong-hininga ako at saka tumingin sa bintana. Ayaw ko sanang sumabay kay Adi pero masyado nang late at wala nang bumabyaheng bus. Sobrang tipid kong tao para mag-taxi. Ayaw ko rin namang manghingi ng tulong sa bahay.
"I'll sort it out." Adi consoled. Lumingon ako sa kanya at ngumiti.
"I'll handle it myself." Sagot ko sa kanya. We are on the middle of our way when rain started pouring hard. We couldn't risk it, so we decided to stop by in the nearest coffee shop.
