Sunsets and August

13

[Asan kayo?]

"Dinner here sa garden. I'm here sa kitchen to answer your call, Kuya." Sinilip ko naman ang lahat ng sulok dito sa kusina pati sa sala para makasigurado na walang nakakarinig sa'kin. I quietly excused myself to answer Kuya's call and my parents didn't mind. 

Napansin naman ako ni Ate Kana at nag ngitian lang kami. We are both nervous kase kanina pa hinahanap ng lolo at lola namin si Kuya and worst is that this is not just a family reunion. Kanina pa kase bukambibig ng isang tita namin na may inimbita sila ngayong gabi. 

Me and Ate Kana had a bad feeling about our visitors later. Parang may magaganap na naman na arranged marriage. 

[Papunta na kami diyan. Let's just stick to our plan. Whatever happens later, isasama kita paalis.] 

"Okay. Balik na ako sa labas, hinahanap na ako ni Mom." After the call with Kuya, I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the uneasiness. I walked back to the garden where the rest of the family was gathered. The air was thick with anticipation, but I forced a smile as I approached my cousins, determined to keep things light—at least for now.

"Xan!" My cousin Akira greeted me with a hug. "Where have you been hiding? We were just talking about that time you—"

"Oh no, we're not bringing that up again!" I laughed, cutting her off before she could embarrass me with yet another childhood story. The last thing I needed was to draw more attention tonight.

Maya-maya pa, isang kotse ang huminto sa harap ng mansyon. Agad akong napatayo, kasabay ng iba kong pinsan.  My heart skipped a beat, knowing that Kuya Kenshin had arrived.

The car doors opened, and Kuya Kenshin stepped out, his expression unreadable. Ate Kaye beside him, looking poised and confident as ever. My gaze shifted to the backseat as Caleb stepped out, his face carefully neutral. Ate Kaye's quick glance in my direction was enough to remind me of the plan: Caleb was to be introduced as her cousin.

The tension was palpable as Kuya Kenshin and Ate Kaye walked toward the gathering, Caleb trailing just behind. Whispers rippled through the crowd, shock evident in every face. Our parents, especially my mother, wore expressions of barely contained anger, their eyes locked on Kenshin as he approached.

"Kenshin!" Mom rushed toward him, her voice sharp with concern. "What is this? Who is this woman with you?"

Before Kuya Kenshin could respond, another car pulled up, its arrival announced by the maids. The timing couldn't have been worse—or better, depending on how you looked at it. The guest had arrived, adding another layer of tension to the already fraught atmosphere.

I glanced at Kuya Kenshin, who looked more determined than ever. His jaw was set, his hand resting protectively on Kaye's back. He wasn't backing down, and neither would I.

"Leave." sabi ni Dad kay Kuya na ikinatakot ko. 

"No." 

"Magkakagulo na naman ba ang pamilya dahil sa'yo Kenshin?"

"I'll leave after dinner. I have an announcement."

"Leave now—" Dad started to insist, but the sound of a commanding voice cut him off.

"Let him be." Nagulat na lang ako sa striktong sagot ni lolo sa'min. "Bumalik na kayo doon at samahan niyo ang lola niyo. Kenshin, paupuin mo ang iyong bisita sa tabi mo."

"Pa—"

"Huwag niyo ipahiya ang pamilya sa mga bisita. Hindi na bata si Kenshin at alam na niya kung ano ang tama o mali sa pagdedesisyon. Stop controlling your children."