Dreamed Love Story

20. Meet the Parents + Permission

I was shaking a bit, sweating hard. I've never seen my dad been this mad, and definitely not because of a guy.

"Pa, u-uuwi na p-po s-si... siya," nauutal at medyo nanginginig kong wika, habang nakaturo kay Blake.

"Who said he can go home? Get inside, Hope. You too, young man." Ma-awtoridad na wika ni Papa at bahagyang niluwagan ang pagkakabukas ng aming gate.

Before Blake could take a step forward, I tugged his shirt.

"Don't, Blake. Just go home. Di ko alam kung anong maaaring gawin ni Papa dahil galit siya," binulong ko lang iyon, upang hindi marinig ni Papa.

"What are you whispering, Desiree Hope?! Get inside. Now!" My dad's loud voice is scary. At kapag binanggit na niya ang buo kong pangalan, paniguradong galit na siya.

Prinsesa ako kung ituring ng parents ko. Bakit hindi, dahil nag-iisa akong anak. But I was never raised to be spoiled. Hindi nila ako kinukunsinti kapag may nagawa akong mali.

Minsanan lang magalit si Papa sa akin, at nakakatakot yun. One of those times is nung pinagpuputol ko yung mga rosas na tanim ni Mama dahil na-upset ako sa resulta ng exam. He got mad, and scolded me. Katakut-takot na pangongonsensya ang ginawa niya, dahil medyo nalungkot si mama. I felt very regretful that day, that at the very next day, binasag ko yung lahat ng piggybanks ko para bilhan ng bagong bulaklak si Mama.

"Don't worry, baby. I'll face your parents, and I'll explain it to them. Don't worry about me, I can handle myself."

Medyo napanatag ako dahil sa tinuran ni Blake. Pero di ko parin maiwasang mag-alala. My parents are so protective of me.

When we entered our house, my dad motioned us to sit in the sofa, malayo sa isa't-isa. That's when my mom entered the scene, coming out from the kitchen.

"Oh, who's this handsome boy in our house, honey? Manliligaw ba ng anak mo?" Malapad ang ngiting wika ni Mama, habang matamang nakatitig kay Blake.

Napaubo ako dahil sa sinabi ni Mama. Si Blake naman, medyo nagulat, pero agad ding napangiti.

Did I already said that my mom is very eager for me to get a boyfriend? Yes. Weird. Ewan ko ba kay Mama, pero minamadali na niya akong pumasok sa isang relasyon. She said I was too busy studying that I forgot how to be a teenager. She said I should loosen up sometimes.

"Good evening Maam, Sir," pormal na wika ni Blake. Dahil sa sinabi niya, medyo napangiti ako dahilan para gumaan ang pakiramdam ko at mabawasan ang aking kaba. He don't need to be too formal in front of my parents.

"Good evening hijo," magiliw na bati ni mama. "Drop the Maam and Sir, just call us Tita and Tito." My mom's warm smile made Blake blush.

Tumikhim sa Papa at matamang tiningnan si Blake. "So, what's your name, young guy?"

"It's James Blake Cortez, Tito." Blake said, looking directly at my dad. Hindi siya natatakot kay Papa ha? O kung oo man, ang galing niyang magtago niyon.

"How old are you?" My dad asked again, making me more nervous.

"I'm already 19 years old, Tito."

"Nililigawan mo ang anak ko?" Natutuwa at puno ng pag-asam na tanong ni Mama.

"Ma naman," medyo nahihiya kong protesta. Baka kung anong sabihin ni Blake. Baka isipin niya ganun na ako ka-desperadang magka-boyfriend.

"Uh-uhm... Tita, kasi po-"

"We're just classmates, Ma," I interrupted, cutting him off.

My dad butted in on our conversation. "So, what's with the hug earlier?" Sinabi niya yun habang nakatingin ng masama kay Blake.