Loosen Us (Loose Trilogy #3)

Chapter 7

In the end I joined going with them. Nagpaalam ako kay Daddy na aalis ako, and of course pinaalalahanan niya lang akong mag-ingat. Compare kay Mommy, he's less stricter than her. That's why mas nagpapaaalam ako sa kaniya, kaysa kay Mom.

I wore a comfortable outfit this time. Sabi naman ni Doki, as long as comfortable yung fit. Okay na suotin. Nagsuot ako ng khaki na trouser and fitted polo. Pagkakita nga sa akin nila Doki, inasar agad ako na anong subject daw ang ituturo ko. 

Ang suot naman kasi niya ay isang shirt na may maliit na tatak, at denim pants. Habang si Tadeo naman, ay halos kapareho ng akin. White polo, patterned with a khaki trousers as well. Siyempre napansin ni Doki, 'yon kaya nang-asar ulit siya.

Kung malakas mang-asar si Jameson, may dodoble pa pala sa mas malakas mang-asar. And Doki got that title.

Pagkapunta sa isang kapilya na si Doki ang nagdrive gamit ang jeep wrangler niya. Nasa likuran kami nakaupo ng isang kaibigan nilang babae na mutual ko na sa instagram, her name is Finies. Si Tadeo ang nasa passenger seat. 

Medyo may kalakihan ang kapilya, kahit papaano may malawak na parking din. Estima ko mga tatlong sasakyan ang kayang magpark. Just like what they said, approachable ang sinasabing bantay ng simbahan.

I expected that they were attending such mega-churches, knowing their riches. But no. I guess this is way more comfortable. 

It's hard for me to distinguish why there is a need for them to believe in Him. If he's the God of providence, then there should be no poor, there should be no one who experiences grit. With that curiosity, in the end, I'm here.

I'm also surprised to see their main hall to have two aircons. Kaya malamig, wala pa naman akong dalang jacket. Hindi naman kasi nila na-describe ang pupuntahan namin.

Marami na ring kabataan, na I assumed in the ages of 13-20? Since some of them looks younger than us. May mga upuan na rin na nakabilog, ta's may ilang kabataan na nasa stage. Nagsa-sound check yata? 

May electric guitar, bass, acoustic, piano, and drums. And each instrument has a designated youth. Except for the electric guitar.

"Hello, mga kuya at ate!" bati sa amin nang ilang nakapansin sa presensya namin.

I can't help but stifle a smile at how organized they are.

"Mga bro—oh, may bisita kayo. Kaninong bisita si Miss?" Tumingin sa akin ang isang lalaking mukhang kasing-edad lang namin.

"Invite namin ni Tadeo. Si Kiarra Margiella." Umawang ang bibig ng lalaki. 

Nakaramdam naman ako ng hiya. Grabe naman magpakilala 'tong si Doki? Buong pangalan talaga.

"Oh, girlfriend ni Tadeo?" 

Nilingon ko si Tadeo na lumingon din sa akin. "Hindi pa." This time Tadeo spoke up. Kinantyawan naman siya nila Doki.

Kanina pa siya tahimik. Depende yata sa mood niya kung kailan niya lang gusto magsalita. Parang noong nakaraan lang nung makausap ko siya, ang dami niyang nasasabi. 

"By the way, Kiara. Si Kuya Teds, ang Chairman ng Youth Organization." 

The guy who just introduced Doki extended his hand to me. I wholeheartedly accepted it.

"Welcome, Ms. Margiella. Kung ngayon bisita ka, sa susunod kapamilya at kapuso ka na." Kumunot ang noo ko sa pagkakasabi niya.

Mukhang napansin ni Tadeo 'yon. "That's the tagline of this church." Napatango-tango ako.

Every person here was approachable. I didn't feel unwelcome or even out of place. The program has started. Nauna ang praise and worship, my instinct was right to know that Doki is the one who played the electric guitar. Then, the other girl named Jamaica, whom I met during Kuya Rafa's birthday, the one who led the song. May mga back-up singers din.