My First Love

15

Chapter 15

Pawisan ang mga kamay ko. Nanlalamig ako. Nanghihina ang mga tuhod ko. At sobrang lakas ng tibok ng puso ko. Mariin akong pumikit bago kumatok sa opisina ni Dad dito sa bahay.

"Dad, pwede.. pwede ko po ba kayong maistorbo?"

Hindi ko alam kung bakit ko ito gagawin. Ang gusto ko lang masabi ko na agad ito kay daddy para hindi na ako kakabahan kapag magkasama kami ni Georgina..

"Sure, princess."

Inilahad nya ang kamay nya at umupo ako sa upuan. Kinalma ko ang sarili ko.. Kailangan ko ng masabi 'to kay dad. I know he'll understand me but hindi maiiwasan ang gulat or ano kapag nalaman nya..

"Dad.. Actually, I'm here to.. I'm here to.." Goddmnit! Say it, Niña Denisse!

Tumigil sa pagpipirma si dad at saka umayos ng upo. He's gonna stay overnight at aalis rin sya bukas for a business deal somewhere in Korea.

"I'm waiting, princess. What is it?" nakangiting tanong nito.

Gustong-gusto ko ng magsalita pero, sht, hindi ko magawa!

"Do you want me to buy you something in Korea? Allowance? You want to come with me to Korea?"

"Dad, no.." naiiyak na ako! Sht, I've never been this nervous in my entire life sa harap ni dad!

"Or is this about you and Georgina?"

Wait.. What? Napapikit ako. Sht, alam ni dad? Paano?

"Princess. Look at me. I never taught you to look down, right?"

Tumango ako tumingin sakanya. "Hey, bakit ka umiiyak? Wala ka pa ngang sinasabi.." humalakhak pa ito.

"Dad, I'm sorry.."

"For?"

"Dad, I... I fell in love." deep breathe. "Dad, I love Georgina."

Narinig ko ang malalim na pagbuga ng hangin ni Dad so I set my eyes on his. Magsasalita pa sana ako pero he cut me..

"Niña Denisse, you never say 'sorry' because you fell in love. Never.. Don't."

He smiled! Oh my gosh! Is this for real?!

"Dad.."

"I've been expecting this but not so soon.. I've seen the way you look at her, princess, it's the same way that Jana looks at her girl.. It was full of love and care. You never smile that way not until you met her. At kapag kinukwento mo sya sakin, I know there's something between the two of you."

"Dad.. Hindi ka.. galit? Or--"

"You just fell in love. With a girl same as you. I can't do something about that.. But I'll support you no matter what. I'll protect you."

"She's gonna protect me too, dad. Thank you.."

Lumapit ako sakanya at yumakap. Hindi ko alam kung kelan ang huli naming usapan na naging emosyonal kaming dalawa, but damn! Nabunutan ako ng tinik!

"Hija, be strong, okay? I know people nowadays na okay at tanggap na nila ang ganitong relasyon but then meron at meron pa ring mga taong hindi kayang umintindi at hindi kayo basta-bastang matatanggap. Pero kahit na ganoon, palagi mong iisipin na tanggap kita at mahal na mahal kita."

Hinarap nya ako at pinunasang ang mga luha ko. He may not be the best dad but for me he is.

"I love you too, dad."

Humalakhak muli ito at tumango. "So, I guess I'll be meeting the two of you tomorrow lunch?"

"Dad, you serious?" gulat kong tanong.

"Yes. I want you to formally introduce her to me."

Tumayo na ito at naiwan akong tulala. Oh my gosh.. Lunch? Dad, what are you thinking?

"Princess, c'mon I'll walk you to your room, okay?"

Lumapit ako sakanya at magaang umakbay ang kanyang braso sakin. "Dad.."

"Niña, don't be afraid. I just told you to be strong.. I just want to meet the first girl who ever dared to make my daughter fall in love."

Pagkaalis ni dad ay agad akong tumawag kay George..

"G?"

"Hmm? Yes, baby?" halos mapapikit ako sa lambing ng boses nya!

"I already told my dad about.. us."

Narinig ko ang pagsinghap nya sa kabilang linya at mumunting pagmumura..

"G, ano ba? Hey.."

"Anong sabi ni tito? Oh, sht.. Bakit di mo ako sinabihan? Bakit agad-agad? Kailan yan? Ha? Baby.." nahihimigan ko ang pagkataranta nya sa kabila.

"He's perfectly fine with it. Naglakas na ako ng loob kanina na kausapin sya because I'm bothered.. You always get paranoid and nervous whenever we're together. I want you to be calm and enjoy the moment with me so.."

"I don't know what to say.. but, baby," halos kabahan ako dahil hinihintay ko iyong kasunod..

"You made me happy. Sht, you always do. I love you, baby."

"I love you too.."

She's too excited dahil sa pagaamin ko kay dad. It mean we're legal to both sides, daldal na sya ng daldal hanggang sa pareho na kaming inaantok.

"Baby, can you pick me up at lunch sa school?"

"I have a class tomorrow during lunch.."

"Ganun ba? Okay, I'll tell dad.."

"Hey, baby, hey.. Ano bang meron?"

"He said he wants me to formally introduce you to him. And just want to meet the first girl who ever dared to make his daughter fall in love with."

Impit na sumigaw ito kaya medyo inilayo ko saglit ang phone ko.. "For you, baby, I'll compromise. We'll meet your dad tomorrow lunch."

"Hey, are you sure about this? You'd skip a class.."

"It's gonna be for the both of us. It's okay, baby. For you, for you."

I'm really content of this.. Having a sweet girl. I still can't believe we've come to this point.

"Thank you, baby.. So let's sleep?"

"Of course! We shall sleep already. Kailangang maganda tayo bukas sa harap ni tito! I can't wait!"

"Baby?"

"Yes, prettiest letter? What is it?"

"Aren't you nervous or scared?"

"Why would I? I already have you and I'm meeting my girlfriend's father.. I'm excited."

"You sure you're not?"

"I'm sure. I trust our love, okay? We're meeting your dad. Sleep now, baby."