Tease Me, Bella Beatrice

18:

"Baby, kakain na tayo. Gising ka na." I pinched Gigi's cheeks gently as I try to wake her up.

She's asleep like a baby on my lap and instead of responding to me pinching her, she just held my hand and continued sleeping. Napangiti ako saka natigilan. She really is tired.

"You should let her sleep and not pinch her cheek, son." Mayamaya ay narinig ko ang boses ni Papa. Nakita ko siyang nakasandal sa may gilid ng pintuan at naiiling-iling. He's looking good as usual. "That would be real love."

"Hi, 'Pa." I just smiled.

He shrugged then looked at me one more time.

"Get her on bed and get down. We are going to eat."

Tumango na lang ako habang pinapanood siyang umalis patungo sa kusina. Sandali akong muling natigilan habang pinoproseso ang saglit na usapan namin ni Papa. I don't exactly know what to do. Napakastrikto talaga ng isang iyon at akala mo ay mangangain sa tingin pa lamang. I can't help but to admire him silently. He is my role model in everything.

"Baby, we should go." I silently whispered into Gigi's ears as I gently carried her on my arms.

Hindi naman nagising si Gigi which is good. Hindi ako nahirapang iakyat siya sa kwarto ko and tuck her in. Ni hindi siya nakamalay dahil tulog mantika ito ngayon dahil sa sobrang pagod. After kissing her on her forehead, I whispered how I love her and made sure she is warm in bed. I got out of the room quietly at doon na nagdiretso sa kusina. Naabutan kong nagsasandok na sina Mama roon at tinutulungan siya ni Jordan. Nakatingin lang naman si Papa sa amin at seryoso ang hitsura.

"Oh, where's Gigi?" Si Jordan na nagtataka. "Bagsak na?"

"Yup. Apparently. It was my fault why she's too tired though."

Tumango nang marahan si Jordan habang naniningkit ang mata at sumasang-ayon sa akin. Natatawa pa nga ako sa hitsura niyang animo ay nagpapahiwatig ng tuwa. The jackpot look, I may say. Si Mama ay hindi iyon napansin at nagdiretso na lang sa pagsasandok.

"Is she pregnant?" Si Papa mayamaya na ikinatawag ng pansin ni Mama. Halatang naintrega ito at ngayon ay natigil na at naupo. Maging si Jordan nga ay nakatingin din sa akin at nagtatanong. "She looks like she is."

"I don't know, 'Pa. Hopefully she is." Nakangiti kong sambit.

"Idiot." He hissed. "You're hoping she is pregnant without securing a ring on her finger? Ganoon ba kita pinalaki? Ganoon ba ang itinuro ko sa inyo? No and I am madly offended you two aren't married yet."

Nanahimik ang lahat. Maging si Mama ay hindi makasagot kahit na si Jordan. Si Papa ito eh. He has too much power and influence in this household so you understand the feeling of being roasted by him.

"Ano? Puro tite ang pinapairal? Marry her before giving a life into this world."

"’Pa, iba naman na ang panahon ngayon, e. We can get married later."

"She is someone's daughter. Tandaan mo iyan, Pierce. Give their daughter the things and assurance they deserve. I will personally contact Lucas and tell them we are scheduling a dinner with them. Mamanhikan tayo by this month."