TBSW BOOK 2 : SUMMER PARADISE

27

Travis's POV

It's been two long days since umalis kami ng biglaan sa probinsya. I don't even understand why Crystal doesn't want to talk to me. I miss her.

Nasa kwarto lang ako at kanina pa nakaupo sa may dulo ng bed. Katatapos ko lang mag contact sa kaniya. I  let out a deep sigh. What am I gonna do ? I still want to help her with that Eric. 

Napalingon ako sa kumatok. It's Sofia. She smiled and entered the room. " It's dinner time Kuya, you looked like a mess. What's wrong?"

Tinignan niya naman ako na may pag-alala. Umiling-iling lang ako and tumayo na. " Nothing. Let's go " sabi ko nalang at nauna nang lumabas. Sumunod naman siya. They didn't know about me and Crystal. I don't know how my parents would react.

I saw them having dinner kaya umupo na rin ako matapos akong bumeso sa kanila. Nakauwi na pala sila from work. And yes, umuuwi sila para sabay kami lahat mag dinner kahit minsan sa umaga ay di masyadong nagkakasabay. Sa gabi lang talaga sila bumabawi. They're busy tho.

" Son, you're spacing out. You don't like your food?" Napatingin ako kay Dad na napansin na pala akong napatulala sandali. " Nothing Dad, I'm sorry. Let's eat"

At kumain nalang ako ng tahimik. Mom was just staring at me, ganon din si Sofia. Parang ayaw nila maniwala but geez, this isn't me. I'm so bothered.

" What's wrong Travis. Speak up. " Seryosong saad ni Dad. Nagdadalawang isip ako kasi ibang usapan na kasi yong ganito. " Yes baby, noong umuwi kayo ikaw lang yong di masaya. Bakit ? May naiwan ka ba doon ? We can ask someone to get your stuff--"

" He forgot to say goodbye to Crystal. "

Napalingon naman sila kay Tres na seryoso lang kumain. Pabalik balik naman tingin nila saming dalawa while Dad was just serious. " And I think Crystal was ignoring him kasi baka nagulat ito sa revelations doon. "   Di ko alam kung magpapasalamat ba ako or hahampasin tong kakambal ko. This is new to me.

" Wait, you guys mean Crystal Samson ? The daughter of our driver?" Tanong naman ni Sofia. Napaiwas naman ako ng tingin sa kanila. Di ko alam ilang minuto yong katahimikan bago nagtitili yong kapatid ko na babae and how Mom is laughing in disbelief.  What ?  I feel my ears heated up.

Tumikhim lang si Dad kaya umayos din silang dalawa. Dad just smirks. Whatttt.  What's wrong with them.  Their reactions are giving me shyness.

" Wow, you actually liked a girl!"

" Let me rephrase it Mom, he already loves that girl "

"Kyaaahhh! Kuya, this is the first time we talk about the girl you like "

" Yes baby, are you planning to pursue her ? Gosh, I'm excited. "

Masayang usapan nila. Ang uncomfy pala kapag ikaw ang topic nila. But those reactions are now priceless. They like Crystal.

" Wife, Sofia. Calm down you guys are making Travis uncomfortable with the discussion. Manners please, we are still at the table.  "

Kumalma naman sila at nagkatinginan lang kami ni Tres na ipinag kibit balikat nalang niya. " Son. " Sumeryoso naman ang mukha ko at tumingin kay Dad. He's now serious pero sanay kami sa ganiyang dating ni Dad.

" What's the real score? Are you courting her or still not "

Why did my Mom and Sofia grin. Ganyan, ba talaga ka saya.

" S-she's my girlfriend. And I don't know if I'm ghosted or what. She's not answering my calls since we get back here. She doesn't know the real me and I think Tres was right. Nagulat siguro ito. "

Nalungkot naman sila Mom sa sinabi ko. Biglang napalitan yong expression nila.

" Same case,baby. That's why I chose to be the secret wife of your Dad because i know that people will judge me. If they run some background investigation to me wala silang makikita na karapat dapat ako sa Dad mo. Wala akong maayos na background pa noon and others think of me that time na golddigger ako. "

"People are mean to someone they don't know. "

Sabi ni Mom and Sofia. Maybe ganyan ang naramdaman ni Crystal sa ngayon but I don't give a damn about people's opinions. 

"Don't worry Son, if you need help just tell me " sabi nalang ni Dad. Tumango lang ako sa kaniya. Ngumit nalang din ako sa kanila Mom at Sofia. Tumayo si Mom and hug me. Kaya niyakap ko nalang siya pabalik. " It's okay baby, I'm here. And besides kilala ko naman parents ni Crystal. Her mother is a great friend of mine. Don't worry, I'll support you"

Nag thank you nalang ako sa kaniya. I'm happy kasi after ilang years ang lumipas noong broken si Tres ay ngayon lang ulit kami nakapag-usap lahat tungkol na naman sa babae. Aside from Ashley.

" Kuya, you'll introduce her right?  "

Yan ang di ko alam. Baka nga sa susunod iwan na ako noj or ghosted talaga ako? If love is bitter then I don't want it. Ayoko din naman mamilit eh.

" Pupunta naman sila rito. So maybe you'll get the chance to meet her in person princess" sagot nalang ni Mom. Pag nandito na ba siya, baka iiwasan niya ako. Nalungkot naman ako sa naisip ko. Wag naman sana. Ang saklap kung first love tapos first heartbreak pa.

" Yay, sure thing! I'm excited"

" I'll talk to Samson for this matter. Excuse me. "

At tumayo na si Dad. Sinundan lang namin siya ng tingin lahat palabas. Is this really happening?

" Do you really love Crystal, baby? " seryosong tanong ni Mom. Napabuntong hininga nalang ako atsaka tumango. She smiled.

"This is the first time seeing you in love with a girl. My babies are maturing so fast. " and she faked a cry. Natawa nalang kami. Mom is sometimes childish but I love her so much.

" I love you guys but I want to share my love for Crystal as well. She deserves it. "

"Aweee"

Tinapik lang ako ni Tres at natawa nalang ulit kami. Maya-maya pa ay nagpaalam na kami na aakyat na uli sa mga kwarto namin para makapag pahinga. I hope tanggap ako ni Crystal. Kasi ako kahit sino o ano pa siya tatanggapin ko siya.