We are all seated at the Torres dining table. Kuya Axel said the prayers and the simple but bountiful dinner started. Thomas was all over me and Tyrone offering us everything in the table.
“Thomas, okay na kami. Kumain ka na diyan,” I discretely said.
“Are you sure? Do you want…” he was about to reach for some spring rolls to offer me but I stopped him.
“Okay na po, kumain ka na,” I said.
“Are you –,”
“Thomas,” I gave him a look.
He smiled and followed what I said.
I looked up and the others were intently watching the exchange. Thomas’ parents looked amused while the sisters were giggling. Then Kuya Axel winked at me. I smiled at them shyly and continued eating.
“Ara, have you chosen a design for the house?” Tito asked out of the blue.
“Uhhh...” I’m not sure what to say.
“She has not met with the architect and the designer yet, Dad,” Thomas butted in.
“When are you planning to meet?” Tito asked.
“No definite date yet, Dad. We’re still working on Ara’s schedule,” Thomas answered.
“Ara have you seen the lot? Was the size suitable for you? I told Thomas to buy the whole block but he doesn’t want to. The lots in that subdivision are small. I told him to get a lot here na lang, the cuts here are bigger,” Tita said casually.
Small ba yun? Grabe naman. Ang laki na nga nun para sakin. Kasing laki na nun yung lot namin sa Pampanga, eh dalawang bahay na nga yung nakatayo dun.
“The lot was perfect, Tita. It’s quite big na nga po for us,” I said.
“Really? But I don’t think the two courts will fit into that lot,” Tita said.
“Courts po?” I asked.
CourtS? With s?
“Yeah, the basketball and the volleyball courts. Thomas said Ty likes to play basketball. We don’t want to be unfair, we know your sport is volleyball. I’m sure you’d want it in your house,” Tita said as if it was the most sensible thing to say.
“P-po? Hindi naman po necessary yun,” I said. Nakakagulat naman yun, pagtatayuan talaga ako ng court.
I may think it’s absurd but when I looked up to them they looked dead serious. I turned to Thomas for help but he seemed to be waiting for me to make the decision.
Akala ko ba kilala ako nito ni Thomas, naging boypren ko rin naman to ah. Siguro naman alam nito kung ano ang mga gusto ko pero nganga. Parang kino-consider niya talaga na tayuan ako ng volleyball court sa bahay ko. SA LOOB NG BAKURAN KO!
“I know you’re more on reasonable expenses, Ars, but if you want it, I can make it happen for you,” Thomas said as if reading my mind.
“It’s really unnecessary,” I told Thomas. “Okay lang talaga kahit wala na yung volleyball court. Medyo sobra naman po ata kung meron pa nun.”
“Are you sure? What about a sandcourt? That’s a bit less expensive,” Thomas proposed.
Isa pa to eh.
I smile politely, “Really, it’s okay. Wala na lang pong volleyball court. Okay na po yung basketball court kung kaya pa.”
“Are you sure? I could still buy the –,”
