Family
I was almost silent when we arrived at the airport. It was a private flight. Inayos ko pa ang hoodie at cap ko para walang makakilala sa akin. There are some bodyguards who are guarding us. Hindi man kami dumaan sa maraming tao. I still need to be cautious. Naramdaman ko ang paghigpit ng hawak ni Elias sa kamay ko.
"Loosen up." He comforts me softly.
Pumasok na kami sa private plane. Bahagya akong namangha dahil ngayon ko lang nalaman na may sariling private jet pala ang loko. I smiled at Luther who is the captain of that plane.
I was in awe when we arrived the Finnegan residences. I didn't expect that it was like a mansion. Akala ko simpleng bahay lang pero bakit parang sobrang laki ng lugar nila. May natanaw rin akong mga kabayo sa malayo habang umaandar ang sasakyan, may mga nadadaanan kaming nagtataasang puno papunta sa malaking bahay.
"Miho." Bungad kay Elias ng isang matandang babae. He looks so prim. She's wearing some jewelries. She's still beautiful in her.
"Ma." tawag ni Elias.
Bahagya akong napaayos ng tayo at kinakabahang ngumiti. Lumapit ito kay Elias at yumakap.
"You must be Neon?" nakangiting baling sa akin ng mama niya.
Nagulat ako nang lumapit rin ito sa tabi ko at niyakap ako.
"You really look handsome in personal. I sometimes saw you in billboard. It a pleasure to meet you hijo."
"Thank you ma'am." She smiled at me. Bahagya akong napatingin kay Elias nang hinila ng mama niya ang kamay ko papasok ng bahay. He smiled at me like he assured me.
Some of their maids are lining up in the entrance.
She also introduced me to their other relatives who were there. Just came home for the head of the family's birthday.
Hinanap ng mata ko si Elias na agad ko rin nakita na kausap ang iba niyang kamag-anak.
"Neon." Bahagya akong kinabahan at yumuko nang hinarap ako ni sir Victor. He looks so serious right now. Para akong nahiya sa harap niya. He's my boss.
"Sir"
Bahagya akong nagulat nang yakapin ako nito.
"Welcome to the family hijo." He patted my back and smiled at me. Para akong natulala ng ilang segundo doon. Kinakabahan na ako at handa na sasabihin nito, pero hindi pala...
"T-Thank you sir."
"You're scaring him, Victor. Come here Neon, I will introduce you to Elias's grandparents."
She took my hand and pulled me away from there. I felt Elias also following us. Parang gusto kong abutin ang mga kamay ni Elias at manatili lamang sa tabi niya. I'm really nervous right now!
"Papa." Tawag nito sa matandang lalaki na nakaupo sa sala katabi ang asawa niya. Lumapit si Elias sa lola niya at humalik sa noo.
"This is Neon, Elias' boyfriend." Bahagya akong nagulat sa sinabi ng mommy ni Elias. Akala ko magagalit ang matanda pero ngumiti ito at naglahad pa ng kamay.
I lowered myself and hold his hand.
"Nice to meet you, Neon." Mahinang sabi nito. I heard he's a retired general.
"Happy birthday sir. Nice to meet you po." Masyado na itong matanda kaya medyo mahina na ang bawat galaw. I gently shake our hands.
"Happy birthday lolo." Bati ni Elias. He even kissed him on his forehead.
"Thank you for coming here, hijo."
Everyone is happy because of the simple family gathering. We all filled the big dining table in their spacious dining hall.
"What is your plan hijo?" tanong ni sir Victor kay Elias habang nasa tabi ko. Some of his relatives are also waiting for his answer.
"He's popular, right? An idol?" her auntie asked him. They seems interested to her question. I nervously sipped my drink and look at Elias. He looks serious.
"This will be a big news for all. Aren't you afraid? Do you have plans to make your relationship public?" tanong ng isang pinsan niyang babae. Para bang nasa interview na kami ni Elias.
Tumikhim muna ako bago magsalita "I will retire from being an idol." Para bang natahimik ang lahat sa sagot ko.
"Rai." Elias called me. I know he don't like what I have said. Hindi ko siya pinansin bagkus hinarap ko ang pamilya niya.
"Buo na po ang desisyon ko, I don't want to ruin my relationship with Elias again. Kung hindi nila matanggap. I'm ready to step down. Marami pa naman akong pwedeng gawin. I can live behind the spotlight for you him." I saw his shocked for what am I saying. I smiled at him to assure him that I already decided.
"As long as you two are happy, we are not against it. We really love our son hijo. At first we don't accepted it when we heard about your relationship with my son. But I saw how he loves you. Kung ano man ang maging desisyon niyo. We'll support it." Tila natuptup ko ang labi ko dahil sa sinabi ng mommy ni Elias. I never expected it to be like this. To be accepted easily from his family. Napakaswerte ko kung ganito.
"Thank you po." Napayuko ako nang hindi ko na mapigilan ang luha ko. Umiling ako nang hawakan ni Elias ang kamay ko.
"Here." tinanggap ko ang wine na inaalok sa akin ni Elias. Nasa veranda kami ng mansion nila. Natatanaw namin ang maraming nagliliwanag na bituin sa langit. It gives me a comfort. Para bang nakikita ko ang sarili ko sa mga bituin. May sobrang liwanag at may mga malamlam. Even the cold breeze of the night is very comforting.
Naramdaman ko ang yakap ni Elias mula sa likod ko. I felt the warm of his hold. I perfectly fit from his hug. Naramdaman ko ang paghalik niya sa gilid ng noo ko.
"Ti amo, mia stella." bulong niya. Humarap ako sakanya at niyakap siya.
"Gusto mo daw magpa-press con?" tanong ni Kirby nang makita ako sa office. Alam na nila ang plano ko bago pa man kami bumalik ni Elias.
"Yes. I-I'm sorry Kirby, I don't want to ruin our group. I know I'm being selfish here. Maiintindihan ko kung magagalit kayo." nahihiya kong sabi sakanya. I still respect him as our leader.
Napaangat ako ng tingin nang hindi ito umimik.
Napayuko ulit ako nang mapansin ko ang seryosong mukha nito.
"Desidido ka na ba, Rai?" tanong niya. I slowly nodded my head.
Nakita ko ang paglapit nito malapit sa inuupuan ko. Pareho kaming napaangat ng tingin nang dumating ang iba pa. Rafael went to me and silently hugged me.
"You got my back." bulong nito. I smiled at him. I looked at Yohan who also smiled at me. Si Jaeki naman, kahit na mukhang pagod pa sa taping niya ay naroon rin.
"Hindi mo naman kailangan umalis sa grupo, Rai. We can still continue as a group. Wala naman 'yan sa kung ano ka. Ano bang mali sayo? Wala naman 'ah. Nag-mamahal ka lang naman. i can't see anything wrong! Kung magagalit sila. Then let them. Give them time. We'll wait for you untill you can confidently perform with us in front of our fans. Alam kong tatanggapin ka ng mga fans mo kung sino ka dahil mahal ka nila. Like the people who really loves you."
Tumingin ako sa mga kaibigan ko. Tumango ko Rafael at inakbayan ako.
"We will always be here for you, Rai." sabi ni Yohan.
"So it's really true that you and sir Elias are dating?" tanong ni jaeki.
"Ang slow mo naman pre. Ngayon lang ba naproseso utak mo?" natatawang tanong ni Rafael. Jaeki throw him the throw pillow from the couch.
"Yes, I'm sorry guys kung ngayon lang ako naglakas ng loob magsalita tungkol dito."
"It's okay, we understand. We know that it is hard for you too." si Yohan.
We stayed there and talk about my plan.
