It Might Be You

13

Maria Selena Ocampo

"Ano nga uli pangalan mo?" Tanong ni Mama Cristy kay Lucian.

Okay, what happened was, I said yes. Not an easy yes. Pikit-mata, labas sa ilong kind of yes.

And then he was really overjoyed he almost screamed. Isip-isip ko, hindi ko pa nga sinasagot ganyan na siya kasaya.

Kasi ayoko din namang magpa-bebe, magpakipot. Tsaka hinayaan ko lang naman siyang ligawan ako, hindi ko pa siya sinasagot. That's really two entirely different things. Related, but different.

So, hinatid niya 'ko pauwi, and out of courtesy I thought it was just right to introduce him to my family. Mommy will know, eventually. I bet matutuwa pa yun. But Mama Cristy and the family I am with now should know.

Kaya ngayon, nandito kami sa sala, at parang may meeting de avance sa sobrang tense ng atmosphere.

Paanong hindi, sinisindak sa titig nung tatlo si Lucian.

Hindi naapektuhan si Lucian ng mga death glares nung tatlo. Pagka-dating na pagkadating pa nga lang namin sa bahay, gusto niya na daw agad ipaalam sa pamilya ko. At kung makaka-skype niya lang daw si Mommy ngayon, gagwin niya para lang gawing legal or formal yung panliligaw niya.

"Lucian Quintero po," magalang niyang sagot.

"Kaklase mo si Selena?" Tanong ni Papa.

Umiling si Lucian. "Uhh, hindi po. Uhm kaibigan ko po."

Tumango-tango naman silang dalawa.

Tapos hindi ko na alam gagawin ko. But I'd like to start with pulling those three's eyes out first. Kanina pa kung makatitig eh. Daig pa 'ko.

"I wanted to ask your permission, hopefully, to allow me to court your niece," he asked hesitantly. "I'f you'd let me."

Sandaling kumunot ang noo nilang dalawa at napatuon sa aming dalawa. "Bakit ka pa nagpapaalam sa'min?" Tanong ni Mama Cristy.

Napatigil si Lucian, and I felt him get lost for a bit, but recovered right away too. "Uhh, I just thought you should know, as her guardians and her family. And I want you to know that my intentions are pure towards her."

Dahan-dahan silang napa-tango at napangit. "Napaka-bakit na bata," Mama commented. "Talagang nag-paalam ka pa, hijo, ah?"

Napangiti rin si Lucian.

"Salamat sa malasakit at inisip mo pa kami, pero kaya niyo nang dalawa 'yan," natatawa niyang sabi. 

He slowly nodded, understanding what my auntie said. "Thank you po."

They smiled and nodded too. "Dito ka na mag-hapunan," Mama offered.

He stopped, thought about my auntie's offer, and smiled. "Sige po," he nodded.

Nagpaalam sila Mama na maghahanda ng hapunan kaya naiwan kaming magpipinsan at si Lucian sa sala. "Psst, Tisoy," Japoy called Lucian.

I could just wince at Japoy's immature behavior. Sutsutan ba naman ang bisita?

Lucian just looked at him, not even a bit intimidated.

"Hindi porke't pumayag sila Mama, pasa ka na sa'min ah. If you really want to pursue ate Sel, you got to work for it, earn it," seryoso niyang palala. "English 'yon para maintindihan mo."

Lucian laughed a little sa huling sinabi ni Japoy. It's as if hindi nakakaintindi ng tagalog si Lucian ah. "I'll do my best," he assured them.

"At ipangako mo na magiging matino kang lalaki para sa insan ko dahil kung hindi, i-Vho-Vhong Navarro ka namin," Kuya Cholo reminded him too. "Ikaw lang ang kauna-unahang lalaking naglakas-loob na magpakilala samin at ligawan si Selena. Pero kapag talaga nagkamali ka, kahit isang beses lang, ibabaon kita ng buhay."