Change of Hearts

Chapter 23

Xander's Pov

"Honey?"

I was stuck on the couch when Janine's parents appeared in front of us. Why am I even so aggressive?

"X-Xander?" Kunot noong tanong ni Mrs and Mr. Valeriano.

Tumayo ako at nagbeso kay tita at tinanguan ko si tito.

"W-What are you doing here?" Nagpalipat-lipat ang tingin Mrs. Valeriano sa amin ni Janine na ngayon ay kasalukuyang nakatungo.

"I'm just visiting Janine, tita." Sagot ko.

Tumango naman si tita. Si tito ay ngumiti lang samin.

"Come on Xander, join us on a dinner. "Mr. Valeriano offered na hindi ko naman tinanggihan.

Timingin ako kay Janine and she's still bowing her head. I know she's uncomfortable right now. Who wouldn't? Kung nahuli ka ng parents mo sa akto.

"Okay po." Even though I already had a dinner. Nakakahiya 'rin naman silang tanggihan.

**

The dinner go smoothly. Janine's parents were asking random questions.

"So Xander, kumusta ang parents mo? We haven't talk this past few months." Tita suddenly asked.

"They're fine tita. Nagbabakasyon lang sila ngayon sa italy."

"Oh... by the way. I assumed that there's something going between you and my daughter as we caught you... almost kissing." Mr. Valeriano suddenly brought up the topic. Mukhang kanina pa siyang hindi mapakali kaya nagtanong na siya ng walang paligoy-ligoy.

Nasamid si Janine na ikinangisi ko. I'm enjoying this moment suddenly.

"Honey, are you okay?" Mr. Valeriano asked her worriedly. 

"Y-Yes. Dad. I'm fine." She smiled lightly.

Tumango si Mr. Valeriano at muling bumaling sakin ang matiim niyang titig. Halos mapatayo ako sa kinauupuan.

Fuck! Bigla tuloy akong kinabahan.

"So back to the topic. Magka-relasyon ba kayo ni Janine, Xander?"

Pero bago pa ako makapagsalita ay naunahan na ako ni Janine. "Dad, of course not."

"Pero nililigawan ko po siya. And since kaharap ko na po kayo, Mr. and Mrs. Valeriano, sana po ay pahintulutan niyo po ako. "

"But I'm just worried because, you know, your brother is her boyfriend back then. Some people might misinterpret this. Na tinuhog ng anak ko ang magkapatid na Salveda."

I shook my head. Janine gasped beside me. "Tito, hindi ko po mapipigilan ang ibang tao na magisip ng katulad ng sinabi niyo pero bakit po ba namin papansinin ang mga tao sa paligid. I like her, Tito. And God knows that."

Mr. Valeriano sighed. "Nagaalala lang naman ako sa anak ko." He looked at Janine worriedly and held her hand. Nagkatinginan ang mag-ama. "You know me and your mom loves you so much, Janine. And I can't bare seeing you hurting again."

"Don't worry, Tito. I'll protect her."

He nodded and looked at Janine lovingly. Janine just smiled at him.

"Xander," I look at Mrs. Valeriano. She's looking at me seriously. "Wag mo siyang sasaktan dahil ayoko ng maulit pa ulit yung nangyari sa baby ko. Masakit para sa aming parents niya." I nodded and give her my reassuring smile.

"Yes, Tita." I smiled at her. "Hinding-hindi ko po siya sasaktan."

After our dinner. Hinatid na ako ni Janine sa kotse ko.