Loving Persephone

Chapter 45: Andersons

Breathe in, breathe out.

Paulit-ulit kong kinalma ang sarili ko para sa susunod na mangyayari. This was definitely unplanned. Nababahag ang buntot ko.

Covenant and I only intended to buy things for our town hopping. I was the one holding the list and Covenant's carrying the basket. Namimili kami ng inumin na bibilhin nang biglang may magsalita sa likuran ko.

"What a fortunate coincidence, Covey!"

The voice was familiar and when we turned around, it was the smiling face of Chastity and a middle-aged woman that greeted us. Tulak ng matandang babae ang isang malaking cart at diretsong nakatingin sa'kin. Hindi pa man siya nagpapakilala'y nararamdaman ko na kung sino siya. My heart's pounding nervously.

"Oh, why, what a concidence really," Covenant mumbled.

Pumagitna sa'min si Chastity at itinuro ako. "She is Ate Persephone, Mum, Covey's girlfriend." Then she turned to me and did a hand gesture to her mom. "Ate Persephone, I would like to formally introduce to you our mother, Maria Lucille."

Napalunok ako't awkward na ngumiti. Naglahad ng kamay ang ina ni Covenant sa'kin at kaagad ko itong tinanggap.

"Pleasured to finally meet you, hija." Malumanay at malambing ang boses niya.

"Nice to meet you po," sagot ko.

"Just call me Tita Lucille. I have heard a lot about you from my son. I'm glad na makita ka sa personal. You are charming indeed," nakangiti niyang sabi.

I glanced at Covenant and saw him smiling. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at pinisil ito. Hindi magkamayaw ang pagtambol ng puso ko. In front of us is his mother! Sanay natingnan ko man lang ulit ang sarili ko sa salamin.

"Alam kong mamimili kayo ni Cove para sa road trip ninyo but I wasn't expecting na maabutan namin kayo rito. Why don't we shop together? Sa bahay na rin kayo mananghalian. Ipagluluto kita ng paborito mo, hija."

"Naku! Nakahihiya naman po," sabi ko sa maliit na boses dahil nakahihiya naman talaga.

"H'wag ka nang mahiya. Nasa bahay ang Daddy ni Cove at gusto ka rin niyang makita." That added more to my nervousness! I'm meeting his family?

"Dad would be so glad to meet you, Ate. He always sees Covey smiling at his phone whenever you are texting and Dad blatantly thinks Covey's off his head."

"Belt up, Young lady," saway ni Covenant sa kapatid na humahagikhik.

"Dad said Covey's deeply, madly and profoundly in love. I don't know what that exactly means."

Tita Lucille chuckled. "You'll know what that means in due time, Chast. Right now, let's resume shopping because it's almost twelve and I'm certain you don't want to get your Dad famished."

"Oh no, that would be awful. Let us go then, Mum. I don't want Dad to be hungry."

Nakahihiyang tumanggi sa ina ni Covenant lalo pa't sobrang bait niya sa'kin. Gusto ko rin namang mameet ang pamilya ni Cove pero hindi ko naman inaasahang ganito kabilis mangyayari iyon.

Kumakalabog pa rin talaga ng malakas ang puso ko. I don't want to act awkward around them pero paano ko mapakakalma ang sarili ko? Pagbaba ko pa lang sa sasakyan ni Cove, nanlalamig na ang kamay ko.

"Hey, your hands are cold. Calm down," he crooned. How can I calm down?

"Kinakabahan ako."

"Pardon me for this unplanned circumstance that have caught you off guard for certain but rest assured that my family is nice, Persephone. Need not worry too much. Just be yourself."