They were already in the living room habang naghahanda ng maiinom ang ina ni Erika. Her father was there sitting with them as he stared at Francis from head to foot.
"Papa para namang may papatayin ka sa mukhang yan" komento ni Erika.
"Ito ba ang dahilan kaya ba sinabi ng mama mo na ayaw mong bisitahin ka namin?" May panibughong saad nito sa anak.
"Alam mo Alan napaka tradisyonal talaga ng pag-iisip mo, pakinggan na muna natin tong anak natin." Saad ni Zenaida. "Hijo, heto gusto mo ng tubig?" Tanong ni Zenaida kay Francis.
He nodded nervously just filling the conversation in. Now that the dust had settled the reality of what he said came crumbling in front of him. He was feeling uneasy watching the predatory eyes of Erika's father. Hindi niya ito naisip ng mas maigi, he could have played it cool rather than announcing it out loud. However, sooner or later it must be dealt with, and based on how her parents reacted they probably didn't know yet that she was pregnant.
"Ilang buwan na kayong magka relasyon nitong anak ko?" tanong ulit ni Alan.
"Mga ilang buwan na po simula noong magkakilala kami sa..."
Erika's eyes sharpened. Don't you dare tell them the truth! Saad ng isip niya.
"Sa opisinang pareho naming pinagtatrabahuan" he completed his statement.
Erika then saw her mother's piercing, penetrating every fiber of her being probably thinking that she had fooled around and given up her three-year relationship with Elliott for this new man.
She has a lot of explaining to do.
"Eh bakit ka ba naririto hijo at mukhang hindi alam ni Erika na darating ka" saad ng ina nito.
Her mom knows how to stir the conversation in the right direction. She thought to herself.
"We had a small misunderstanding..." panimula nito.
Small misunderstanding? What a joke! She thought to herself.
"And I wanted to make it right with her kaya lang hindi siya pumasok kanina sa opisina kay medyo nag-alala ako. I'm sorry if I surprised both of you. I just really want to make sure that Erika's safe and now that's confirmed I don't want to insist on my presence anymore." Francis readily stood up and politely headed towards Alan and Zenaida to bid goodbye.
"Dito ka na magpalipas ng gabi dahil malayo din ang biniyahe mo para lang makita ang aming anak at pagkakataon na din itong mas makilala ka pa namin ng mabuti" saad ni Zenaida na mabilis namang pinabulaanan ni Alan ngunit ng tumingin muli si Zenaida sa kanyang asawa alam ni Alan na mas maiging hindi na siya kumontra sa desisyon nito.
"At ikaw Erika, alam mong taggap ka dito sa bahay ano mang oras, pero huwag mo kaming pagsinungalingan ng ama mo, hindi ka namin pinalaking ganyan" pangaral nito.
"Sorry po Ma, Pa" ang tanging sambit niya.
When her parents stood up and went to the kitchen, Francis immediately went in her direction and spoke to her.
"Erika, we need to talk" he uttered softly.
"Yes, we do, but now is not the right time Francis," she replied.
He nodded understanding what she meant.
"I need to help them; would you be okay to stay here alone for a couple of minutes?" she asked.
He nodded and she immediately left the living room and found her mother preparing for dinner.
"Ma..." she uttered while she took a glass and filled it with water.
BINABASA MO ANG
Hello There, Stranger
Romance"I'm pregnant Francis" Erika uttered nervously as she carefully watched his reaction. She clasped her hand anticipating the worst. He looked at her dead in the eye. "Are you sure it's mine?" Francis blurted out. She felt a stab in her chest recogn...
