Disobedience

Chapter 59.1: Pamamanhikan

Elijah

My baby's house—she insists that it is our house now—-is currently full of the Piercetons, the Ayers and the Wencezlaos. The sun is up and shining on the kids giggling and playing in the pool with their inflatables and waterguns. The smell of deliciously roasted chicken and pork lingered in the air. The chatters of our loved ones echoed on the huge premises. Pamamanhikan is what Tatay Holt called this whole thing. Though we're already engaged, our parents would still like for our families to meet in one single gathering.

And safe to say that it was a headache. What do I mean by that? Well, the Pierceton's are mostly politicians which means that when they travel away from the motherland, they must have security details. I have at least ten in my head that I can think of who hold political positions in the states. Might I add the fact that the Ayers are also in the political limelight.

It's a pain because even after I proposed to my baby, we still couldn't plan for the wedding because once again, we have to consult with everyone, because they have to coordinate with their security details, which plane to take, which venues—all that good stuff. Maybe it's better if we just elope and get married in secret but my Granny Adela (Who was a former Senator) would never forgive me if she doesn't see Kimberly walk down the aisle and for us to put on each other's wedding band.

It was her wish when she turned ninety years old and she said that if I don't make it happen, she will haunt me in the middle of the night and she will make sure that she would appear while I am having intercourse with my wife—-I know, what a thoughtful grandmother.

For the meantime, my lovely family all managed to fly here for the pamamanhikan, it has taken them all a month to be on the same page. They are all here in the Philippines tropical soil—-specifically, in our backyard, sitting on chairs and tables. Most of my uncles are chuckling and chatting with Kimberly's relatives over a case of Redhorse and Sisig. My other extended family members were going back and forth on the catering-styled food table that had mostly Filipino delicacies. I have never seen them this eager to try food. My nieces were horrified to see a roasted pig with an apple to its mouth for the first time in their very white lives. They decided to give it a try and there they were eating it with extra rice and Mang Tomas.

I think my Granny's on her second plate of Crispy Pata. The poor private nurse just helplessly watched my Granny use a pair of tongs to pick out more cholesterol-packed crispy skin to put on her plate.

"Ms. Adela, the doctor said—"

"---The doctor can say whatever she wants and I am not gonna listen!" She sing-sang while she takes a bite of her food. "I am ninety years old, I refuse to die without eating whatever this delicious, heaven-sent pork is! Why don't we have this in Rhode Island?!" She exclaimed before she put the plate on top of her walker and dragged it to the nearest table. The red-haired nurse just did a facepalm before she followed my grandmother.

I just shook my head and mouthed to the nurse, "It's okay."

Despite the delicious food, the security detail are standing strong in each of their posts, the place is swarming with them even more especially Kimberly's mother is a Supreme Court of the United States Judge—-or SCOTUS Judge. In American politics, Judge Kirsten Jane Ayers is just as powerful as the President of the United States—- POTUS. Unlike the president who could only be elected every four years, Judge Kirsten gets her supreme court seat for life once she's appointed. The president might have the executive position, but she can't quite pass a law or overturn a ruling without going to the SCOTUS. They go hand in hand in many important decisions.

I really can't wait for this day to be over, do not get me wrong, I love my family but I am looking forward to a chill time with Kimberly. Just me and her, sitting on the couch, her head on my chest, watching whatever series or movie we want. There is really nothing more fulfilling than to be able to hold Kimberly in my arms.

I had decided to propose to her in the comfort of our own home, when there were only the two of us. It was simple yet intimate—no bullshît from any of our family members and also, I couldn't wait. There is this sense of possesiveness in me, to see my rings on her finger—-to make her officially Mrs. Kimber Jane Wencezlao-Pierceton. I winked at my baby when she glanced at me, she's currently sitting with her lawyer friends and Nacho.

"So, the twenty-year-old girlfriend was just a rumor?" My brother asked my father as we sat here around a wooden table. From here, I could see Tatay Holt grilling some barbecue while he held open a book; The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love by bell hooks. He was also wearing an apron that was given by Kim's mom that says, Bîtch, I am the secret ingredient. Although he was reading and cooking, I could see him often eyeing Judge Kirsten who was chatting with one of my single Governor uncles.

"Your mother's the only woman I would ever love. I already told you boys the reason why I came here with Kim's mother."

Donkey Dom and I nodded.

"She would have been so proud of you, son." He smiled. "And to you too, Dom. You boys have been great. When is it your turn, Dom?"

Sunod-sunod naman na napaubo ang kapatid ko.

"Now, who is this Elenna?" My father added.

"S-She's no one to me, father." He cleared his throat. "A silly school girl with a silly crush, is all." Dagdag pa niya. He downed his scotch which is sooo like my brother when he's lying.

"Okay, she's too young for you anyway."

Dom glared at me when I disguised a laugh with a cough.

"She's a young adult, I get that, but she is Filipina, Dominic." My father said with a somber tone. "I am not being a racíst piece of shît, god, no. I would never." He shivered. "All I am saying is that your international political position forbades you from being with anyone other than an American citizen. The only way you can have her is if you throw away everything you have worked for ever since you were a boy, which we both know cannot happen, right son?"

Napalunok naman ang kapatid ko.

"I know, pops."

Father nodded before he started wandering to the grill to join Judge Holt.

"What?" Angil sa akin ni Donkey Dom nang titigan ko siya.

"How long do you think you can lie to Pops?"

His jaw clenched.

"I-I am not lying." He licked his lower lip, his hand holding the empty glass, like he was stopping himself from punching me. "Her father will never approve of me anyway, I am sure that he would rather empty all the clips in his gun collection on me than to ever accept me."

My eyes then caught something under his suit sleeve—-something pink, purple and white.

"Hey, what are you—"

"What is that?" Kunot noo kong tanong habang nakatingin sa palapulsuhan niya. There are three colorful bracelets next to his Rolex watch. He quickly retracted his hand from my grip as his cheeks burnt—the first time I saw my brother blush.

"F-Friendship bracelets. She loves Taylor Swift, okay." He looked away for a moment.

I covered my mouth in shock. The first bracelet said; KUYA. The second one; DOMINIC, and the third one; 🩷🩷🩷

"Tell me, Donkey Dom, does she call you Kuya Dominic in bed—"

"---Shut up." He glared at me. "I told you, I have never touched her okay. I just..."

"Oh, you're in sooo much shît, big bro. One of these days, it will be your turn to run to me in your boxers because her father is shooting at you."

He just glared at me, his fingers reached for the bracelet and subtly caressed it like it was his comforting gesture.