Almost Feels Like Always (COMPLETED)

HUDSON (TWENTY NINE)

"WHAT?" Mom's voice thundered in our dining room. "You're getting married?!"

They were all looking at me, waiting for me to answer Mom's question even though I already told them. They just got home yesterday because the Ventura's annual Charity Ball will be held on Saturday. I arranged an intimate dinner to announced that I'm going to marry Autumn on my birthday.

"Ma, will you please calm down?" I said to her.

"Calm down? You just said you're getting married and you want me to calm down?" She put down her silverware and drank from her glass of water. "Alam mo ba kung anong pinapasok mo, Hudson?"

I took a deep breath. "Of course, Ma."

"Are you serious?! Ano uunahan mo pa ang Kuya Gibbs mo?" She massaged her temple and shut her eyes tightly, controlling her outburst. "What about Autumn? Her parents? Do they know?"

"Not yet. Gusto ko sa inyo muna ipaalam. Ayaw ko namang kausapin sila nang hindi ko pa kayo nakakausap."

"Oh, God..." Muli siyang pumikit.

Dad was rubbing her back, hushing her. Kuya Gibbs and Ate Zi were just looking at me, still in disbelief. Nang medyo kumalma si Mom ay muli siyang nagsalita.

"Hudson, isn't it too sudden? You're just turning 22, Anak."

"I'm of legal age, Ma."

She drew a sharp breath. "Paano kung may mga gusto pang gawin si Autumn na hindi ka kasama? Did you even think about that? Don't you think you're stealing a lot of opportunities from her?"

"Hindi ko naman siya pipigilan sa mga gusto niyang gawin, Ma. We're just getting married. She can still do whatever she wants. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na kasal kami ay magiging asawa ko na lang siya. She'll still be her own person. If she wants to pursue med school after we graduate then, I'll back her up. Hindi ko siya pipigilan."

"Why are you rushing? Is Autumn pregnant?"

I rolled my eyes. "Of course not. She's on pills."

They almost choked. Napainom si Dad ng tubig. Mom was on it again. She just won't give up.

"Then what's the rush?" She shook her head. "Pag-isipan mo munang mabuti 'to, Hudson. Huwag kang pabigla-bigla. Hindi biro ang pinapasok mo."

Now, this is annoying me. I don't expect people to support me. Everyone will have opinion about it. I know some will raised their brows but I didn't think that my own family will go against me. Though it's understandable. Siguro hindi lang matanggap ni Mom dahil ikakasal na rin si Kuya. Maybe she's just scared she'll lose her sons.

"Ma, we both wanted it. We're getting married even if you don't give us your blessing."

Napasinghap si Mom sa sinabi ko. Maging sila Dad ay nagulat. Siguro hindi nila inaasahan na ganon ako ka-desidido. Mom helplessly turned to Dad and I did, too. I looked at him for rescue. Kuya and Ate Zi remained silent. They were just listening.

"Lemuel, kausapin mo ang anak mo." Mom said coldly.

"Paano ang kasal niyo? What's your plan? I mean, may ipon ka na ba?"

Nabuhayan ako ng pag-asa sa tono ni Dad. Alam kong hindi rin niya gusto ang idea but he also knew that he can't do anything to change my mind. They have no choice but to give me their support.

"We're not planning a grand wedding, Dad. Civil lang muna. Kahit tayo-tayo lang. 'Yun din naman ang gusto ni Autumn. Saka na lang ang church wedding kapag may sarili na akong pera."

Mom looked at me as if telling me 'see?' But I shrugged it off.

"Magta-trabaho na rin naman ako after I graduate, Dad. I can provide well for Autumn."