Beyond Loving You

01

〰️

Making my way through the sea of people dressed in long gowns and suits, I found the group I have been looking for since I got off from my parents' grip. Along the way, I grabbed a flute of wine off a waiter's tray and sipped a little. Nang makita ako ng mga pinsan ko ay panay ang kaway nila na tila ba hindi ko pa sila nakikita.

"When are you gonna introduce to us who you're dating?" was what they welcomed me when I joined their circle. They asked mockingly as if challenging me to answer. I was even surprised why they were suddenly asking me that damned question. I don't tell them anything about my dating life or anything maybe that's why they were this curious.

"What made you think I'm dating someone?" I raised my eyebrow at them, definitely catching up on their fishing.

"Why, is there no one?" April bravely retorted back, still not backing down with their interrogation. Palibhasa, mayroon na silang partners. As one of the remaining singles among us cousins, I'm usually in the hotseat.

"I got no time to date, alright? Tsaka na," is what I kept on telling them. That's my default answer whenever they ask me about it. It's not entirely true but it's what I'd like myself to believe.

The girls rolled their eyes at me while the boys booed me saying, "We're still young, Tomi. We got nothing but time, alright? Live a little!"

I know that, alright. But I was in no hurry.

Bigla na lang may umakbay sa akin at nang tingalain ko ito ay si Kael lang pala na bagong dating. "Stop teaming up against Tomi, guys. Come on."

I sent him a sideway glance knowing fully well he didn't exactly mean what he said. Kung tutuusin, siya pa ang mamumuno ng pang-aalaska sa akin. He was just late to be here to start it.

"Oh, shut up, Kael!" I elbowed him on his side and hastily removed his arm around me. Hindi pa ako nakontento at tinulak siya palayo.

"What? I was just saving you!" he said while holding the part I hit. I knew better though, with that knowing smile. Gusto niya rin iyong pang-aasar na kanina lang ay ginagawa ng iba naming pinsan.

"Saving my ass."

In the end, they changed to another topic. Ngayon naman ay si Irish iyong sentro ng pang-aasar dahil katulad ko, wala rin siyang boyfriend. We were in that kind of situation when I caught sight of one of our people approaching us. I immediately closed my eyes and breathed deeply.

What again?

"Tomi, pinapatawag ka ng Mommy at Daddy mo sa loob," Layla, the youngest of our maids approached me at agad na napatahimik ang lahat.

I wanted to ask what for but then where would that bring me? Kagagaling ko lang sa kanila kanina dahil pinakilala nila iyong associate nila na may anak na babaeng kaedad ko. They obviously wanted us to be friends but I knew that girl and I know we don't vibe.

"Kagagaling mo lang sa kanila, ha? May ipapakilala ulit?" tanong ni Troi at mukhang hindi lang siya itong nagtataka. Even my other cousins were curious.

Lucky for them their parents weren't like mine. Hindi nila kailangang humarap sa kung sino sino para makipag-kilala. I, on the other hand, have been exposed to that kind of situation ever since then being my parents in the corporate world.

"Hala ka! Baka arranged marriage na ngayon!" dagdag naman ni April na siyang dahilan para matawa na naman silang lahat.

I frowned at what they said. I knew why my parents make me do it—to establish connections. Dahil sa business nila at sa mundong ito, iyon ang importante. That is why we were hosting this party in the first place.