Dreamed Love Story

21. Possessive Suitor

There was a dead air of silence. My mouth is gaped open. My mom is covering her mouth, eyes bulging, but there was happiness in it.

Ang malakas na tawa ni Papa ang bumasag sa katahimikan at para kaming ibinalik ni Mama sa reyalidad. Si Blake ay pinagpapalit-palit ang tingin sa aming tatlo ni Mama, with a hopeful expression.

Yes, I was shocked by his sudden confession. But in my head, I'm already shouting a thousand 'yes', with conviction.

"I-I ... " My mom took a deep breath, then looked at Blake. "I was taken by surprise ... A-and I wanna say, that's courageous of you to do that Blake. I like you na, hijo."

Dad became serious. Habang ako, ito, nanatiling tikom ang labi. I didn't expect Blake would do it. Oo, inaamin kong gusto kong manligaw siya sa akin and I can feel he has feelings for me, but this is different. He said it in front of my parents, for Pete's sake.

"Okay lang po ba, Tito, Tita?" Blake looked nervous while waiting for my parents response.

Both my mother and my father looked at me. "For us, you may. Just don't hurt our princess, alright? But it all depends to Hope, hijo. Kapag sinabi naming oo, at ayaw niya pala, it will be complicated right?"

Mom and Dad both laughed at my fathers playful remark. But not me and Blake. We remained serious.

"Hope, pwede ba akong manligaw?" Ang banayad at masuyong tinig ni Blake ay tila musika sa aking pandinig. But the effect of what he said is still the same; waking up the beasts in my tummy and creating chaos on my system.

"I-It's ... Uhm ... I-I ..." Pakiramdam ko, ang bobo ko ngayon. I can't construct even a simple sentence, at nabubulol pa ako. What the hell? Is it this difficult to say YES?

My mom and dad looked at me seriously. Pero nakikita kong nangingiti si Mama sa akin.

"O-okay lang n-naman s-siguro," I stuttered while uttering those words.

"Siguro? Are you uncertain, nak?" Mom asked me, maybe detecting the doubt in my voice.

"NO, IT'S NOT LIKE THAT!" Bahagya pa akong napatayo sa aking upuan dahil sa sinabi ni Mama. In return, I earn laughters from them. I blushed furiously when Blake looked at me and smiled. Shit. Nakakahiya.

"So, I think my daughter likes the idea, Blake. She really is." My mom smiled playfully at me, probably teasing me from my sudden outburst.

"So, do you like my daughter, huh?" My mother asked, looking at Blake.

"Yes, Tita. So much." He said those words while looking at me, adoration evident in his eyes. My heart melt because of that stare.

I remained silent the rest of the dinner. I was contemplating on the situation. Did Blake really just asked if he could court me? And better, I said yes. Totoo ba to? O baka nananaginip lang ako? Baka masyado lang akong nagpapantasya na gusto din ako ni Blake na kahit sa panaginip eh iyon ang iniisip ko?

I pinched my waist. Ouch. Fuck, it stung. Ibig sabihin, totoo nga 'to. Blake smiling at my parents while throwing glances at me is real. It's not just a product of my imagination.

Nung medyo lumalim na ang gabi, nagpasya na sila Mama at Papa na matulog na. Bago umakyat, nagpaalam muna akong ihahatid lang si Blake sa gate.

"Ihahatid? Anong ibig mong sabihin, nak?" My mother looks confused, na pati ako nalilito na din.

"Uuwi na po siya, Ma." I respectfully replied.

"Oh," she looked surprised at what I said. "Hindi ko ba nasabi sayong dito matutulog si Blake? I told you na nakapagpaalam na siya sa Mama niya, right?"

Nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Mama. Dito si Blake matutulog, sa bahay namin? I thought it's just about dinner nung sinabi niyang pumayag na ang Mama ni Blake. At ang mas nakakagulat, pumayag si Papa? He is not just some random guy now, manliligaw ko na siya.

I blushed upon remembering the word 'manliligaw'. Ang sarap pakinggan, pero parang hindi totoo.

"But, ma..." My protest was cut off by my father.

"Look at the clock Hope, and decide wether we should send Blake home or not," nakangiting wika ni Papa.

I looked at our wall clock and it says it's already 11:45! I can't believe it. I checked my phone at nanlumo ako ng makitang quarter to 12 na nga. So, ganun katagal na mula ng dumating kami kanina?

"So, good night to the both of you. Matulog na rin kayo mayamaya. Behave, both of you," my mother's tone is serious, yet there is playfulness in it.

Nang tuluyang makaakyat sina Mama at Papa, Blake pulled me para umupo sa sofa, katabi niya. We were sitting close to each other that my elbow is already touching his.

"So, uhm, hindi ka pa matutulog?" I decided to break the ice.

"Hindi pa naman. Inaantok ka na ba?" Blake's tender voice plus the physical contact is sending electricity to my system.

"Not really. It's just... just..."

"Nabigla ba kita kanina?" He asked, gently holding and tilting my jaw to face him. I couldn't look at him in the eye. "Look at me, baby." He gently lift my chin but I stubbornly remained looking on the floor.

"You bet. Di ko ini-expect that you would ask me that, lalo na sa harap ng parents ko." Nagsasalita ako habang nakayuko, because I don't want to be drown in his stare.

"So, baka nagulat ka lang din sa desisyon mo?" His tone is probing, yet there was fear in it. Agad kong inangat ang ulo ko dahil sa sinabi niya. Now I am looking directly at his beautiful eyes that shows different emotions. It always amazes me how these tiny part of our body can show so much emotions and tell so much feelings.

"I never make important decisions easily, Blake. I always weigh things. Remember that." Kahit ayaw ko, may langkap parin ng tamis ang boses ko.

"I'm so glad you are, Hope. Di ko alam ang gagawin ko pag umayaw ka, o kung sinabi mong nabigla ka lang ng um-oo ka kanina. I will definitely go insane."

Napangiti ako dahil sa tinuran niya. "So, bakit mo pa tinanong kung natatakot ka naman pala sa isasagot ko?"

"I don't want to be overpowered by fear forever. At kahit humindi ka man ngayon, I'll try again tomorrow, the next day, the next next day, and I won't stop trying until you'll say yes. But right now, I don't want to pressure you to say yes instantly, although I would be very glad if you will. Take your time, baby. Let me show you everyday of how much I care for you. I'm more than willing to wait for your sweet yes."

Bahagyang namasa ang gilid ng mga mata ko dahil sa sinabi niya. As I look at him, there was undeniable affection in his eyes. I felt so lucky I met him.

"So, starting today, you are officially mine. Nililigawan na kita, kaya wala ng lalaking pwedeng lumapit sayo. I'm a mad man when I'm jealous, baby, remember that."

"Eh paano si Justin? Di ko rin siya pwedeng lapitan?" I jokingly said, but him being possessive of me makes my heart flutter.

"You can, but not too close. Sa akin lang dapat." His voice is firm, like he really meant what he said.

"Go to your room now and sleep. Good night. Dream of me, baby." His voice is sweet, and I felt his lips on my forehead.