When it Rains (Completed)

CHAPTER 5

Riding shotgun, I remained quiet while he's driving the car down the road. What a coincidence, I think? He claims that he's the brother of Kuya Alrey's fiancé, so that's the reason I'm inside of his car. Sinundo niya ako dahil iyon ang utos ng father niya. I'm worried, dahil hindi ako naka-proper attire. Ayaw ko namang pumunta sa family dinner na naka-uniform.

"Look, I'm not dressed properly for the dinner; you shouldn't have to leave them to go get me."

"No, Dad wants to meet the entire family. That means, kasali ka."

Hininto niya ang kotse at may inabot sa backseat, saka niya binigay sa akin. "You can wear that instead."

It was beige trench coat, and a grey beret. "Do you want me to wear this? Magmumukha lang akong tanga nito," reklamo ko.

"Wear that, or Dad's gonna get angry dahil ang tagal natin."

Parang naman akong galing sa ibang bansa sa binigay niyang damit, pero pansin ko rin medyo pagkakatulad ang outfit niya sa susuotin ko. Baka yung ang theme ng outfit nila kaya hindi na lang ako masyadong nag-alala pa.

Una siyang lumabas sa kotse at pinagbuksan pa talaga ako ng pinto. "Hindi naman ako babae para tratuhin mo ako ng ganto," I reminded him.

"Just get off, inaantay na tayo nila."

Isinilong niya ulit ang mga sarili namin sa hawak niyang payong. I was still wondering why biglang bumuhos ang ulan. I clearly heard the news, it was going to be a sunny week.

Pumasok kami sa isang restaurant at binati kami ng mga nasa front desk. Patrick and I went to the table where our families were seated after he asked the front desk clerk (who is obviously acting strange because of him). I was taken aback by the sight of a long, empty hall with so many doors. May private rooms pala mga table dito.

Sinundan ko lamang siya hanggang sa huminto siya sa isang pinto at kumatok. Nakarinig pa ako ng tawanan sa loob bago siya nagpasyang buksan ang pinto.

"Oh Patrick, you're here," a man greeted my accompany, and so, every person in the room turned their heads to us.

Tita Alice and Tito Renzo were happy to see me, same as Ate Reina, and the other aged couple who seemed to be the parents of Kuya Alrey's fiancé. Trisha, who sat beside Kuya Alrey was happy as well, but I saw how Kuya's smile faded as he looked at me.

I was trying to fight over the hesitation in me to speak, but I have to. "Good evening po," bati ko sa kanila saka ako sinamahan ni Patrick sa table.

Niyaya naman ako ni Ate Reina na tumabi sa kanya kaya sumunod naman ako, habang tumabi naman si Patrick sa may edad na babae. "Hi Mom, sorry we're late."

"It's okay," his Mom said and turned to me. "So you're the one who returned the ATM card?"

I was stunned to speak. Agad akong binigyan ng tanong sa pagkakaupo ko. I tried to calm myself down. Ayaw kong masira ang gabing 'to. "Yes, Madam," I replied, trying to sound polite as I could.

"Good to know that we're meeting a good family," the man beside the old lady spoke.

I looked around and realized something. Sobrang layo ng attire ko kina Tita Alice, bigla ako nakaramdam ng hiya. "Flynn," tapik pa sa 'kin ni Ate Reina. "You look great."

I smiled awkwardly. "Thanks," matipid kong sagot.

"Akala ko nga may something sa pagitan nyo," sabi pa niya, referring to me and Patrick.

"No. Pinahiram lang sa 'kin niya 'to. Naka-uniform kasi ako."

Before returning to the families' conversation, she gave me a quick grin. Ate Reina can be a little strange at times.

I introduced myself as the family's foster son. The other family seemed to be surprised. Sunod-sunod naman ang tanong na binigay nila sa akin. I tried to be nice as I could, now that I could see Kuya Alrey getting pissed off. Buti naman, na-divert na ang attention nila kina Kuya at Trisha dahil kay Patrick. Nakahinga naman ako ng maluwag. I hope Kuya knows it's not my intention to steal their attention.

Trisha, Kuya's fiance, seemed to be perfect for him. They look good together, and she's happy with him. I don't see any reason na hindi sila magkakatuluyan until Mr. Villamore asked for the date. They mean, wedding date.

"We will decide later for that," sabi ni Kuya.

The dinner ended well, and the families parted ways. Sumama ako palabas nina Tita, ngunit nakita ko namang nilagpasan kami ni Patrick at kinausap sina Tita. "Flynn, nak, sumabay ka na lang muna sa kanya. Hindi rin kasi tayo kasya lima sa kotse."

As if I had any choice. Kaya sumama ako kay Patrick, imbes kina Tita. His family's on another car, and it seemed they had a personal driver. Umalis na ang kotse ni Kuya Alrey at sumunod naman ang kina Ate Trisha. Now, I'm alone with him.

Bago pa niya ako pagbuksan ay inunahan ko na siya at pumasok sa kotse niya. Sumunod naman siyang pumasok. "You seemed mad."

"I'm not. Start driving and take me home."

"Whoa, whoa, is that how you treat your future brother-in-law?"

I didn't respond until he started to drive out of the place. For the whole time, nakadungaw lang ako sa side window. Ayaw naman mag-initiate ng conversation ang kasama ko kaya nanahimik na lang ako—

"We're here."

Hindi ko namalayang nakarating na kami sa tapat ng bahay. Napansin ko ulit ang suot ko kaya huhubarin ko na sana iyon. "Hey, hey, you can take it and return it the next time we meet. It's cold outside, you need to wear to cover yourself."

May point naman siya.

Bago ako ang nagpasyang buksan ang pinto, lumingon muna ako sa kanya. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," he said and gave his casual smile.

I went outside the car and ran to the front door of the house. Unexpectedly, nadatnan ko naman si Kuya Alrey na nag-aabang sa porch.

I was thinking na nagpapahangin lang siya nang nagsalita siya bigla na pumigil sa akin. "Stop hitting on him, Flynn."

"Mali lang ang iniisip mo, Kuya—"

"Wag na wag kang gagawa ng eksena na magpapahinto sa kasal namin. Naiintindihan mo ba?"

It took a while to understand what he said. "That's something I would never do, Kuya."

Pumasok na ako sa bahay at iniwan si Kuya sa labas. Tahimik na ang buong bahay, tanda na nagpapahinga na sina Tita at Ate Reina. Dumiretso na ako sa kwarto ko. Magbibihis na sana ako nang madaan ko ang isang body mirror at nakita ko ang sarili ko.

All this time, nagmukha akong timang dahil sa attire ko.