Unlawful Destiny

Chapter 19: Ceremony

"So, you ready to go?" tanong ni Jax sa akin. Suot niya ang isang sage green suit jacket at vest na halos kakulay ng dress ko.

"Yes, I think." tila ba kabado ang sagot ko sa kaniya.

Ngumiti siya, "Don't worry, I'll be there with you the entire time."

Huminga ako nang malalim at saka naglakad paalis roon. Pagbaba namin ng elevator ay agad kaming pumunta sa parking lot kung nasaan ang mga sasakyan namin.

Nasabi ko na rin kay Jax na dadaan muna ako sa amin to drop off mommy's car. Pagkarating doon ay nahagilap ko si mommy sa balcony at umiinom ng tea niya.

"Ada! I was so worried about you. Why are you all dressed?" pagtatanong niya.

Lumitaw si Jax sa likod ko at binati si mommy. Mukhang nagtataka siya kung bakit ganito ang mga suot namin.

"We're going to our friends' wedding, ma'am. It's in El Monte, it's a private property owned by one of our friends." pormal na paliwanag ni Jax kay mommy.

Tumango naman si mommy, "Oh yeah I heard, Niccolo's going there too." napalunok naman ako sa huling sinabi niya.

Mukhang gusto niya akong makausap kaya't sinabi ko kay Jax na maghintay na lang muna siya sa sasakyan.

Pag-alis niya ay agad akong nag-apologize kay mommy, "I'm really sorry for hust disappearing and taking your car mommy. It was just an urgent matter." paliwanag ko.

"I understand, you're old enough to make decisions for yourself but I would highly appreciate if you tell me the least of details first." halata ang concern sa boses niya. Tumango naman ako at niyakap siya.

"I'm actually staying at a hotel right now. It's near seaside, I would just like to stay at my own place right now mom. Would that be okay? But of course, I'm not taking your car. I'm actually here to drop it off." inabot ko sa kaniya ang susi. Hinihintay kong kunin niya ito ngunit ngumiti lamang siya sa akin.

"You can keep the car for a while. If you really need it." aniya.

"Wait, really?" hindi ako makapaniwala. Is she finally allowing me to drive?

"Like I've said, you're old enough. I need to stop holding you back, you can drive." ngumiti siya.

Holy shit, I can't believe she's not scolding me right now. Kung noon lang ay baka grounded na ako dahil sa pagtakas ko ng kotse niya.

"Thank you, mommy. I love you. And again, I'm sorry." niyakap ko siya.

"Just tell me if you need anything okay? I love you too, sweetie. You should go, your boyfriend's waiting for you." pagbibiro niya sa akin.

"Mom! He's not my boyfriend." pagsaway ko sa biro ni mommy.

"You'll get there. I just know." natatawa niyang sabi. Hindi ko na ito pinansin at lumabas na ako ng bahay.

Nakita ko si Jax na nakaupo sa hood ng kotse niya. Nakapamulsa siyang naghihintay sa akin.

"Hey, sorry that took a while."

"No, no it's okay. How was it?" tanong niya.

"You would not believe this, my mom is letting me keep her car for a while. Says she's finally allowing me to drive." natutuwang sabi ko kay Jax.

"Really?" tila ba nahawa siya sa tuwang nararamdaman ko.

"Yes! I actually can't believe that she's starting to loosen up on me. My whole life she's like this very strict and uptight parent." sabi ko kay Jax.