The Sweetest Scheme of Fate (Defying Fate Trilogy #1)

Chapter 23: Confrontations

They all looked stupefied. I thought our parents would get hysterical. I prepared myself for their indignant reaction. But, I did not expect them to be awfully quiet. They just gaped at us and said nothing. I lowered my gaze because I couldn't return their perplexed stares.

"Hannah and I are together," Hanns spoke and an awkward and deafening silence filled the room. The tension was palpable and I didn't dare to look up to see our parents' baffled faces. Heat swallowed my whole face.

I heard Tita Lynda repeatedly clear her throat as she tried to smile. "Ano bang pinagsasasabi mo, Hanns? Anak, paanong magiging kayo ni Denisse, eh magpinsan kayo?" she asked as she stood up. It was obvious in her voice the uneasiness. Halata din na pilit lang ang ngiti niya. "Hindi pwedeng maging kayo," mahinahong pagpapatuloy niya.

I expected that Tita would say that. Alam ko namang lahat sila ay ganoon ang iisipin nila. Pero, kahit gaano ko inihanda ang sarili ko sa pagdating ng araw na ito ay masakit pa rin palang marinig mula mismo sa kanya na hindi kami pwede ng anak niya. And what had hurt me more? Is the fact that we are being judged because of our relationship even if they do not know what Hanns and I went through just to make everything that we have work.

"Magpinsan kayo, anak," Tita Lynda repeated in a low voice.

"Pero, kami na po at wala po akong balak na pakawalan siya," my boyfriend replied calmly.

"Ikaw talaga, Hanns napakamapagbiro mong bata ka," Mama said laughing uncomfortably. She looked at my father then who was staring intently at me.

"I am not pulling a joke here, Tita," Hanns uttered. He was holding my hand the whole time.

"Anak, tama na 'yang mga kalokohan," Tita said as she turned to the Lorenzos and smiled at them. "Pagpasensyahan niyo na 'yung anak ko, gusto raw kasi niyang maging komidyante balang araw," she tried to josh but it didn't help to lighten the atmosphere inside the dining area. "Maupo na kayo dito, Hanns at Denisse nang makapag-umpisa na tayo."

"Ma, hindi nga po ako nagbibiro dito, seryoso ako," pag-uulit ng boyfriend ko.

"Hanns, hindi ito ang tamang oras para sa mga kalokohan mo. Halina kayo dito at maupo na kayo."

"Pero, totoo po ang sinabi niya, Tita." Ako na ang nagsalita kahit sobrang kinakabahan na ako. I tightened my hold at my boyfriend's hand when all the eyes shifted to me.

"Anong totoo, Denisse?" Papa questioned coldly. Lalo akong kinabahan sa tono ng boses niya. "Anong totoo?" he repeated when I didn't answer.

I opened my mouth but nothing came out from it. Ang tanging naririnig ko lang ay ang mabilis na pagkalabog ng puso ko. My father was looking expectantly at me but I just lost my voice right there and then. "Nagmamahalan po kaming dalawa, Tito." It was Hanns who spoke for me.

Papa shook his head. "You're ridiculous!

"Mahal ko po si Hanns, Papa," I murmured. "Totoo po ang sinasabi niya. Kami nga po," I declared and heard our mothers gasp.

Napatayo si Mama sa kanyang upuan. "You must be kidding, Denisse. Bakit naman magiging kayo ng pinsan mo?" tanong niya.

"Matagal ko na po siyang mahal, Mama," I replied, not able to meet her gaze. "Mahal na mahal ko po si Hanns."

"What?!" Papa huffed, his brows were also furrowed. "Naririnig mo ba ang sarili mo, Denisse?!" he spatted.

"Tito, huwag niyo naman pong sinisigawan ang girlfriend ko." Naramdaman ko ang pag-iiba sa demeanor ni Hanns kaya mas lalo kong hinigpitan ang pagkakahawak ko sa kamay niya.

"Tumahimik ka d'yan, Hanns!" Papa snapped. "Anong pumasok sa isip niyo at pinatulan niyo ang isa't isa?!" he yelled and I bowed my head.

"Mahal po namin ang isa't isa," I whispered.