Beneath the Stars (UNDER REVISION)

19

"Nice to see you again, Gabriella!"

Nakipagbeso sa akin si Mom, Leandro's mother. Tinanguan naman ako ni Dad na nakahawak sa bewang ng kaniyang asawa.

I roamed my eyes around their mansion. Ang homey ng feeling! Idagdag pa ang Christmas decorations nila na mararamdaman mo talaga ang Christmas spirit.

"It's been what? Five months ang pinalipas mo bago mo ulit iharap sa amin ang napakagandang fiancée mo, Leandro!" Mom rolled her eyes, Dad chuckled.

"Sorry po, busy lang po talaga sa pag-aaral..."

"Ay naku, biro lang iyon hija! Ano ka ba! Tinutulungan ka naman siguro nitong anak ko, ano?"

I nodded. "Syempre naman po. He's been a big help!"

"Fast learner din kasi," rinig kong sabi ni Leandro sa aking tabi. "Matalino kasi siya."

"Grey would be so proud of you," si Dad.

I gave him a small smile. "Yeah, he would." I guess... "But I don't really expect much, I just want to graduate and go to law school." I chuckled.

Napatango-tango siya. "That's good, don't pressure yourself too much. Just go with the flow."

Nagpapakabait na rin naman ako. I should take my studies seriously lalo na't graduating na ako... which I should've done in the past years.

Papasok na late, palaging bagsak, palaging tulog sa likuran, palaging napapagalitan, palaging napapapunta sa Dean's office, palaging sinesermonan pag-uwi.

Ang layo-layo ko na sa Gabriella dati. I couldn't believe that I am capable of changing into a better version of myself in just several months.

I wanted to be better for myself, Dad, and Leandro. My baby deserves better, and I want to be better for him.

It's the 24th of December. Tomorrow will be Christmas Day, inanyayahan kasi kami ng parents ni Leandro na dito kami mag-lunch. Since I want to spend my Christmas Eve with my grandparents.

I also bought Christmas gifts for them. A designer bag for Mom, a rolex watch for Dad, a necklace with a leaf pendant for Thiarra, a dark red sweater for Thalysia, and a leather jacket for Thiago. Kung ano ang sa tingin ko ay interests nila ay iyon ang naisipan ko.

Masayang-masaya naman sila sa mga regalo ko. Medyo na-late pa kami ni Leandro dahil sinamahan niya akong mamili, tinulungan niya rin ako sa pag-isip kung ano ang pwedeng ibigay.

"Sus, hija! Nag-abala ka pa!" si Mom. "Salamat, ah? Ang ganda-ganda, palagi ko na itong gagamitin!" She smiled widely and gave me a hug.

"Thank you, Ate!" it was Thiarra, sinuot niya kaagad ang kaniyang necklace. Bagay na bagay naman dahil silver ito, it compliments her tone.

"Oh my!" Thalysia squealed. "Thanks! You're the best sister-in-law!"

"Angas!" rinig kong sabi ni Thiago, suot-suot niya na 'yung leather jacket. "Dang, makakasungkit na naman ng maraming chicks!" He winked at me. "Salamat, Gabs!"

I pouted. "Don't call me that,"

"Salamat, hija. Idadagdag ko 'to sa collection ko," it was Papa.

"Walang anuman po, natutuwa lang ako dahil nagustuhan niyo." I smiled at them.

Natawa naman si Leandro sa aking tabi. Napakagat ako sa aking labi. I'm glad that they liked it. Nakakataba ng puso.

"Let's eat na," si Thiarra. "Baka lumamig na 'yung pagkain."

And we did. Halos ang laman lang ng usapan ay ang tungkol sa amin ni Leandro. Natuwa naman ako dahil puro kwento rin ang isa sa amin, mostly ay inaasar niya lang ako kaya puro naman ako irap.