A Marcos

Stay still

"she's back!!" I heard squeeling inside the room before I decided to open the door.
The excitement that my family gives every time I arrive gives me the exact feeking of being valued.
I opened the door, "Welcome back!!" they chant. Mom came over to hug me as tightly as possible, dad and my brothers aren't here-- probably at work. Same goes with the Manotocs-- Kuya Mich and Kuya Matt had meetings while Kuya Borgy had to finish lots of designs for runway show which he is so obsessed to have me as his model.
"Baby!!" Mom tightly hugged me. I embraced her back and she even wiggled me. I spotted Tito bong and Mama Liz at the corner so I ran over to hug them both at the same time.
"Mhm, How's Baguio?" Mama Liz asked. "Did you like our place there nak?" Tito Bong asked.
"Yeah, How's the vacation?" Mom interrogated
The three boys went in, greeting everyone.
"sup?" Kuya Sandros says he was the last one to get in.
"well.. actually.." I came over to them and hung my arms on their shoulder, "They are okay na."
I look at them, giving them a face. "right guys? no more arguments?"
"yeah," Kuya Sandro said.
"yep" Kuya Simon adds
"uhuh" and Kuya Vincent agreed.
"See, I told you.. That Vacation will have a great impact on their bond." Mama LAM spanks Tito Bong.
We all laughed.
Mom came closer, "It's a good thing that our Unica Hija helped them to be reminded of their relationship."
"yeah, but it was hard." I rushed, making a face. "Come on, let's eat. I'm super hungry na." I grab mom to the dining table
"wow, another lechon!!" I felt the excitement and hunger when I saw those.
I continued eating even though I sensed their stares and exchanged looks.
I know there's something they wanna spill.
"Anak?" Mom started.
"hmm?" I answered but didn't let go of stuffing my mouth with food.
"Uh-- it was all settled for tomorrow, about the...public introduction of yours." Mom spilled.
I started coughing uncontrollably, Everyone panicked to help me and it was Kuya Sandro who gave me the water.
"Gosh, Could you stop trying to let it all fit in your mouth?" Sandro scolds
Kuya Simon just looks at me, I know he already reads my mind.
The pressure that fills me after Kuya Simon spilled about the public introduction they were planning made me so tense.
What will they say about me? Are they gonna bash me too?
"Are you okay?" Mom worriedly asked.
I nod. "are you sure about it?"
they all look to me, "about the public introduction?"
Mom looks at Tito Bong, "I think its time ija,"
"plus everyone already knows you. You are so famous on social media." Tito added
"Thank God, I'm not that active these days." I commented.
"Nak, listen to every word that I will say okay?" Mom approached me and kneeled in front of me.
"We have to introduce you to at least lessen all these issues that keep on spreading and to answer all of their curiosity." Mom explained.
My brows furrowed, realizing what she said. "Why do we have to be obliged to tell everyone about everything?"
"Because that's our Life, Max. It's what we're living for." Sandro joint.
Mom sighed. "I have two options for you, After the introduction you can stay here and face every person that will come on your way or.. you can just turn back and go to states with us-- like nothing really happened. They just know you, that's all." Mom expound.
"Be a coward to be specific." Sandro states again.
"It's called privacy, Sandro." Tito Bong shuts him.
"Oh bohoo-- no matter how we hide or how we try to escape it. There's always gonna be cameras, let's all deal with that." He reasoned.
"You know what? Max's right. Why are we so obliged to tell them about every happening?" He added.
"If we say or not say, they're all gonna criticise us anyway." I covered.
"Exactly!" Sandro points at me.
"Because we love them!" Tito Bong answered.
"No matter what they say or do, they are still family."
"Its what your lolo ferdi lives for, so  where our loyalty lies."
That made us all shut.
"Just let her decide what she wants, she's 18. She knows what she'll enter." Kuya Simon stood up after he said those and left the room.
"Simon's right Dad, Max has the right to decide for herself." Vincent spoke up too.
I grin at them. "I'll do it."
Mom smiled, "Thank you anak." and kissed my cheeks.
"I'll be off to bed so I can be ready tomorrow." I permission and they all agreed with me. I said my good nights and took off.
I went straight to the balcony upstairs and let out the anxiety that I was trying to hide all those hours of exchanging conversation.
My body paralysis and I tried to catch my breath repeatedly.
"you're fine, you're fine." I gaslighted myself.
I shake my hands and force my body to function, "I can do this. I'm a Araneta- Marcos.. I know I can do this."
Just then, I can't help but to sit down-- covering my face with my palm.
"No one should make you feel inferior without your consent." I always know that voice.
"but you give your consent for them to do it." He sat beside me.
I removed my palm as my teary eyes showed up. I started busting so kuya Simon pulled me for a hug. I pour it all out on his chest and he goes tightly hugging me as my cry goes louder.
I whipped to let out everything I felt.
After that, I tried to control my emotions and Kuya Simon lets me go.
"sorry, I'm overreacting." I react, wiping my tears.
"hey," He helped me wipe it as well. "Every emotion and feeling you have is valid. Always remember that."
I came back from hugging him again and started sobbing again. "kuya.." is all I let out. "I know what I was entering but I never knew it would be this hard."
He hugged me back again. "I'm here Max. I'm here."
Just when everything is calm. We had an exchange of conversation.
"I'm just so scared..What if?" he shush me. "what if they won't like you? what if they won't accept you?"
"screw them." he comments. "you are perfect, even with their opinions."
He placed his palm on my cheeks and let out, "I'll be on your side always, okay? I'll never leave. No matter what."
"How lucky I am to have you." I smiled at him and rested my head on his shoulder.
Someone tickled my back, and hugged me too. "You're good, Max."
It was Kuya Vincent.
I faced him and saw Kuya Sandro at the back. "don't mind it, okay?" he said.
I sneered and nodded. "Thank you, Kuya's!"
"Give me a hug, fast." I demand.
"Ugh, come on. We can't just squeeze it there." Kuya Sandro made reklamos.
"Fast, Kuya!" I demand it again.
"Fine." He rolled his eyes and went over. We all squeeze together for an embrace. "Glad I have you though."
"How bout we go to.." Oh I'm not liking this one again. They carried me all the way downstairs and straight to the pool area. "Seriously, it's not funny." I scolded them. The three of them goof around, laughing with their lungs out
When we reached the pool area, they got ready to dash me. "Kuya, my phone is still in my pocket." I said.
Kuya Simon reached to get it off, then they counted and threw me, splashing the water all over.
I swam up immediately and went out. Pushing and pulling them to the pool to get my revenge. We all guffawed at each action. They went out of the pool and shot me with the water gun.
I took the host on the side and splashed it to them. "ano huh?" They all soak out wet.