Eh Yung Hindi Naman Tayo? DATI (COMPLETED)

Hot Seat

November 18, 2017:

"Good evening, Nay, Tay." You politely greeted my parents when we went joined them for dinner in a private dining room in a restaurant of the hotel we're staying in.

You carefully slipped your hand away from the small of my back to take Nanay's hand which she offered for you to touch your forehead. "Buti naman nandito na kayo." Nanay smiled as we touched our foreheads to the back of her hand.

"Tay." I smiled at him and paid the same respect.

I saw you take a deep breath before you stepped forward to take the hand he offered. "Tay." You smiled but he didn't smile back. He just quietly stared at you with piercing eyes as you touched your forehead on his hand.

"Dito ka sa tabi ko, Menggay." He said when we started walking to the empty chairs in front of them, your hand on my waist as usual.

"Tay..." I started to protest but you whispered. "Sige na, Love."

You walked me to my seat and sat alone on the opposite side of the table. The room was eerily silent for the next fifteen minutes while the food my parents ordered were served. It was only broken when Tatay thanked the servers before they left and Nanay asked you to say grace before our meal.

We started eating still in silence. Although you smiled and mouthed thank you when I put some dimsum and noodles on your plate, we were still quiet. We all knew only one person has the authority to break the silence in the room and he did so halfway through the meal.

"Yung tanong ko kanina." He told you plainly.

Nanay and I were perplexed and simply looked at each other but you seemed to know exactly what Tatay was talking about.

"Magkasama po kami sa kwarto niya kanina, Tay." You answered and I could swear I saw my Tatay's eyes grow so wide they almost popped out to attack you. "Pero para lang po i-congratulate siya at ibigay ko sa kanya yung surprise ko na roses at pailaw sa room niya po." You explained.

"Yun lang?" He asked in warning tone and a cold stare.

You almost choked on the food you were chewing at that question. You quickly drank water from the glass on the table and swallowed hard. "Y-yun lang po." You stammered and avoided his gaze. It was clear to everyone in the room how that was a lie.

"Dito ka din sa hotel matutulog?"

"Opo, Tay, pero sa ibang kwarto po. Sa kabilang dulo po ng hallway."

He nodded. "Good."

That word was followed by a deafening silence.

"Kailan nga ang kasal?" He asked next.

To which you promptly answered, "Next year po. Dumating na po yung approval from Vatican. Naka-set na po yung date. Bale reception, hotel, flights, gowns and suits at ibang details na lang po ang paguusapan."

"Nagtingin na po ako ng mga gowns sa HongKong nung nandoon ako, Tay. May iilan na akong pinagpipilian." I added to back you up.

Nanay took that cue and pitched in her own comment to disperse the awkwardness in the room. "Tayo na sa singsing nila, Tatay. Regalo natin sa mga bata." She said.

Tatay looked at her and nodded. She smiled at him and he smiled back as I watched how the magic still radiated between them after all these years.

When I turned to you, I found you already staring at me with a smile and I knew we had the same hopes for our future together.

"Saan mo balak itira si Menggay pagkatapos ng kasal? Safe at okay ba yun para magpalaki ng mga bata?" Tatay asked again in his serious voice.

"Ano po... May nakausap na po akong broker para sa isang property sa South."

"Sa South? Ilalayo mo si Meng?" He said, raising an eyebrow.

"Tay, ako po ang may gusto sa South." I answered.

"Pero alam niya kung saan ang pamilya mo." Tatay said.

"Teodoro..." Nanay called calmly.

"May lupa din po kaming tinitignan malapit sa bahay po sa Bulacan." You said, making Tatay turn to you.

"Maigi yun." Tatay nodded. "Matutulungan ni Meann si Menggay sa mga apo namin."

"Tatay, apo agad?"

"Bakit hindi? Ganoon naman talaga pag nag-asawa na." He told me before turning to you. "RJ?

"Po?"

"Malapit naman na ang kasal sabi niyo. Hintayin na muna nating matapos bago niyo ako bigyan ng apo." He said in a calmer voice and a little smile.

"O-opo, Tatay. Opo." You answered while enthusiastically nodding your head.

"Good. Aasahan ko yan. May tiwala ako sa'yo." He told you.

"Salamat po, Tay."

//

After dinner and coffee with some chat with my parents, we went back my room where you stopped by the door.

"What? Halika na, Love." I tugged on your hand to make you go inside.

"Sabi kasi ni Tatay..."

"I know exactly Tatay said." I stepped closer to you, pressing my body on your chest, inching my lips towards yours, slowly playing with your collar. "He said hintayin na after kasal bago siya bigyan ng apo." I whispered, my breath brushing your lips.

"Love..." You gasped and I could feel your quickened breath and racing heartbeat.

"The stars are waiting, Love, and I have yet to make it up to you. Hindi pa naman natin siya mabibigyan ng apo. Hindi pa nasuko ang Bataan." I giggled, grabbed your collar and pulled you inside my room.

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Unbeta'ed and not proofread. Thank you for reading.