A Summer to Forever

27

Days and weeks have passed and it was the last month of summer for Maine and RJ. He started courting her the night after he told her his intention. Nothing changed with their relationship, except for the more frequent hangouts together and him ensuring that he is always the first and last person that she would talk to every day.

She told her Tito Allan about it and he was supportive of them, but was also there to guide them and told them to not rush things. He finally introduced her to his dad as the one whom he is courting. He had nothing but good words for the both of them, and was very welcoming of her.

"Kailan mo naman ako ipapakilala sa parents mo?" He asked her as they were driving back home from the movies.

She looked at him and blinked repetitively.

"Sorry, no pressure," his eyes went back on the road and he let out a shy laugh. "Gusto ko lang kasi magpaalam din sana." He was serious about this courtship thing.

"Don't worry, ipapakilala naman kita, eh. Pero kasi pa'no kita mapapakilala kung wala naman sila dito," she laughed.

"Eh 'di puntahan natin sila."

She laughed harder.

"Anong nakakatawa doon?"

"Pupunta tayo sa Manila sa parents ko para lang magpaalam ka?" She laughed again. "Funny ka."

"Bakit hindi?"

She stopped for a moment and thought to herself that this guy sitting beside her is really serious. It made her let out a smile. "Ikaw talaga," she nudged his right arm.

"Naman."

"I'm sure my parents will like you," she assured. "Siguro a-acting lang na pakipot at first pero bibigay din." She laughed.

"Parang ikaw pala."

"Hmm?"

"Kunwari ayaw pero gusto naman pala," he looked at her and gave a smile. "Ako."

"Aray!" He screamed and let out a laugh.

"Bilisan mo mag-drive, gutom na ako!"

"Opo, mahal na prinsesa."

-----

She offered him to eat dinner with her Tito Allan and cousin Sam. He initially felt shy about it but with a little convincing from her has let him gave in. They arrived at the house just in time for supper, as Tito Allan was preparing the dinner table.

"God bless you, hija, hijo," as the two paid their respects. "Kumain na ba kayo? Kakain palang kami ni Sam."

"Hindi pa po, tito."

She went into the kitchen to wash her hands and get two more plates and two more set of utensils for her and RJ. On the other hand, he was talking to Sam, who was watching the OKC-Lakers game.

"Pasa mo, pasa mo!"

"Depensa!"

"OOOOHHHH!!!"

The living room was filled with the two's cheering when Tito Allan called them for dinner.

"Boys, masama pinag-aantay ang grasya."

RJ was the first to stand up and started to walk away from the TV.

"Tulungan ko lang po si Maine," he said to Tito Allan. He was about to head to the kitchen when she was already going back to the dinner table with their plates and utensils on hand. He hurriedly helped her and set their table.