Beyond the Fields

23

"Kinakabahan ka,"

I could feel his hands trembling. Damang-dama ko rin ang lamig nito sa aking palad. I wanted to laugh, pinipigilan ko lang kasi parang ang sama ko namang tao kung gano'n.

"I'm not," he denied.

"They're nice. Don't worry, just go with the flow. Thiago is the only person you need to worry about."

"Ano?"

Nginitian ko lang siya at umiling. Mukhang hindi niya narinig ang huling mga sinabi ko.

He heaved a deep sigh before we entered the mansion. I saw how he roamed his eyes around and he was holding my hand so tightly.

Napangisi ako. Hindi kinakabahan, huh?

As we reached the dining table, nandoon 'yung parents ko. 'Yung mga kapatid ko lang ang wala, as usual... they are late.

Mom gave us a welcoming smile and Dad scanned Klein up and down in an intimidating manner.

Here he is again. Nananakot.

Well, they were a bit surprised when I arranged a family dinner with them at sinabi kong dadalhin ko ang boyfriend ko. Gladly, they agreed. Hindi naman daw masyadong hectic 'yung schedule nila kaya naisingit pa.

It's really my first time bringing a man home and introducing him to my parents. Madalas kasi, sinasabi ko lang at hindi naman din nila nirerequest na makilala.

But this time, it's different.

I gave them my proudest smile. "Ma, Pa... si Klein po. My boyfriend."

Klein cleared his throat. "Good evening, Ma'am and Sir..." pormal niyang sabi at nagmano na rin siya.

Mabuti nalang at hindi snob si Dad sa kaniya. Heck. I would die.

"Gwapong binata," Mom commented, slowly nodding at me as if she wanted to say 'great choice, naka-jackpot ka rito anak.' "Maupo muna kayo at magkwentuhan muna tayo dahil late na naman ang mga kapatid ni Thalysia. Pasensya na, hijo..."

Klein smiled. "Ayos lang po."

"Your name is?" Dad raised a brow.

Kaagad na napaayos ng upo si Klein sa aking tabi. I've never seen this side of him before. It's quite entertaining to watch, para siyang tinatawag sa recitation. "Klein Viorel Velasquez po,"

"Velasquez..." Dad uttered repeatedly as he looked at me, trying to recall something. "Ah, the Velasquezes. Malapit lang ang bahay niyo rito, hindi ba?" Dad smirked.

Napansin kong nabawasan ang kaba ni Klein dahil nakita niyang ngumisi ang aking ama. Which was so surprising. "Opo,"

Muling tumingin si Dad sa akin na para bang nais niya akong asarin.
"Tama pala talaga ang Mom mo? You said it was a TV show? But instead, you were thinking about—"

"Hey, family!"

Phew. Thank God.

Thiarra was in a good mood. Why are these people so unusual today? Hindi ako sanay! Alongside with her was Thadeus at sa likuran naman ay si Thiago na nagtitipa ng sa phone niya.

Mabunggo sana siya. Hindi tumitingin sa dinadaanan, e.

"Where have you three been?" taas kilay na tanong ni Dad.

Thiarra sat beside Thadeus and Thiago, pinagitnaan siya ng mga kapatid naming lalaki.

"Thiago, put the phone down. We have a visitor." pagalit na tugon ng aming ina.