I Would Hate To Be You

Chapter 12 [unknown]

Chapter 12

"How long has he been sleeping?" he asked, walking toward his brother. He was so careful with his steps. Perhaps, he's scared that he might wake him up.

"Uhm . . . not really sure. I guess less than an hour?" I answered, sounding unassertive. "Nasa taas kasi ako kanina at si Kuya Boaz ang nagbabantay sa kaniya—"

"May bisita pala tayo?" a voice behind us said. That caused me to stop talking.

Agad akong napalingon. My parents are here.

"Ma . . ." I trailed, suddenly feeling so shy. Pakiramdam ko rin ay nag-iinit na ang buong mukha ko. It just feels so weird to be in this situation. I know that I've been declaring my feelings for Japheth with my family for the longest time, but it's different to actually have him here at our house—in flesh. I caught myself nibbling my fingers against each other.

Calm down, Atom. Hindi naman umaakyat ng ligaw si Japheth. Jusko ka, girl!

I heaved out a long, sharp sigh before parting my lips. "Mama, Papa, this is Japheth."

"Japheth? 'Yung bahistang kinukuwento mo?" agad na tanong ni Papa.

Napakagat ako ng labi. Jusko, 'wag niyo naman akong ilaglag, parentals! Kumusta naman ako ngayon?

Hiyang-hiya akong tumango. Hindi naman ako sanay sa sarili ko. Jusko. Kakapanibago na nahihiya ako.

My Mama's eyebrows furrowed. "'Yung crush mo?" she asked.

That candid question caused my eyes to widen in shock. Did she actually say that in front of Japheth?

Mahabaging langit . . .

I mean, he already knows that! I don't think I could have hidden it more. Hello, sobrang obvious ko naman siguro na crush na crush ko siya. Weird lang na marinig mismo sa mga parents ko na linalaglag ako sa harap niya. My God.

When I looked at Japheth, his face was blushing. Don't know if he's shy or embarrassed, or both.

He politely extended his right arm before my parents and said, "Japheth po."

"Larry, iho," ani Papa na nakikipag-kamay sa kaniya.

Then, my Mama shook his hand. "Sandra, Japheth. Nakilala na rin kita sa wakas," nakangiting sabi niya.

Ano ba 'tong nanay ko? Hindi rin marunong magtago ng saya kagaya ko. Halatang-halata sa mukha niya na sobrang dami kong kinu-kuwento tungkol kay Japheth at laking pasasalamat niya na finally, nag-meet na sila in flesh.

Her candid reaction made me swoop right into her side. "Ma, subtle naman tayo riyan," I whispered to her. She just laughed at me. Could you believe that? Nakakaloka. Clearing my throat, I said, "Siya 'yung kapatid ni Jonas. He came here to fetch his brother."

"Talaga? Sobrang liit naman ng mundo," my Mama managed to comment despite my glare.

"Oo nga po," Japheth replied in a polite and gentle tone. "And I'm grateful that Atom was the one who saw him. I don't know what could have happened if not," he added gravely.

To lighten up the situation, I joked, "Sobrang malakas ka siguro kay Lord kaya ako ang pinadala niya na makahanap sa kapatid mo." He bowed his head a little and released a good-natured chuckle. "Teka lang pala. Pupuntahan ko si Kuya Boaz sa taas. Sasabihin ko na nandito na ang sundo ni Jonas. Excuse me, Japh, ha," paalam ko. Tumango lang siya.

I gave my mother the 'wag-mo-ako-ilalaglag-habang-wala-ako look. She quickly caught it and nodded her head. That gave me a relieved feeling.