Falling into Jade

Chapter 15

Jade's POV

My head can't think straight. I am really really nervous right now. There are so many scenarios crossing in my mind. What if's are killing me. Tonight is the family dinner and I can't back out anymore because tito requested me to come. I should have said that I can't come and made up excuses but I can't turn down Tito. I was busy walking back and forth thinking of any posibilities that could happen when I heard a light knock on the door. It's Mom.

"Hi Ma." I greeted.

"Althea's waiting outside." She said and slowly walk towards me. "You're so beautiful anak." she hold my now sweating hand. "Just relax baby. It's just a family dinner in Althea's place, what more pa kaya if your dada will request a family dinner too with Althea. " she joked.

"Mom!"

"Just kidding anak. Tara na. Ihahatid na kita sa labas. Althea's waiting remember?" my mom said as she drag me outside. "Take care of my daughter okay?" she said to Althea and the latter just nod. I hugged her and kissed her cheek, Althea did the same way too as we bid goodbye.

--

"Hey love.. still with me?" Althea asked. Urgh! Did I space out? I Faced her with I don't-have-any-idea-what-were-you-talking look. "I said your hand is cold." she said as she hold my hand tighter. "Relax... we're here!" bumaba ito ng sasakyan at pinagbuksan ako ng pinto.

"Thank you." hinawakan nito ang kamay ko ng mahigpit and I step outside of the car at sabay kaming naglakad papasok. My heart beats faster and I think anytime soon my heart will burst out from my chest. "Wag ka matakot Mk nandito lang ako. Di kita bibitawan." she secured and kissed the back of my hand she's holding.

"Althea!" Salubong samin ng Mama ni Althea na si tita Melissa. "Jade, my Jade. I am so happy na narating ka. Sabay sabay na tayong pumunta sa dinning area." Tita Mel said then put her arm aroud my shoulder while smiling widely. She and tito always make me feel welcome as if I am part of the family.

"Jade Iha!" Masiglang bati samin ni Tito at umakap sakin. "Buti at pinaulakan mo ang imbitasyon ko."

"Matatanggihan ko po ba kayo." I said.

"Akala ko kasi nakalimutan mo na kami." He said and acted as if he's hurt.

"That will never happen tito." I flash a sweet smile at him.

"Ang galing mo talaga mambola iha." Sabi niya na natatawa na. " by the way guys. I want you to meet Jade. My daughter's girlfriend.." pagpapakilala nito sakin. "and I hope soon to be wife. " he teased.

"Pa!" saway ni Althea sa papa niya.

"Naku anak! Choosy ka pa. Pag yang si Jade nabagot nasulot ng iba, wala ka talagang mamamana sakin bata ka." pailing-iling nito. Ito naman si Althea halos magmukhang kamatis na sa sobrang pula dahil sa hiya. "You should be proud of her." dugtong pa ng papa niya.

"Ofcourse I am Pa. Sino ba naman ang hindi magiging proud." sabi ni Althea.

Ilang minuto lang ay dumating narin ang mga pagkaing inihanda sa kunting salo-salo.

"So Jade, Tanchinco right? Are you related with Oscar Tanchinco?" biglang tanong ng kaibigan ni Tito and according to Althea, he is the father of Alex and also a business partner of tito Anthon.

"He's my father." I answered.

"Oh really? So how long have been together with Althea?"

"We've known each other in 5 years."

"You must be really lucky because you have Althea. I wonder why Alex here..." he said then shifted his gaze to his daughter " didn't end up with Althea. " sabi nito na nakangiti. Nang-iinis ba 'to? kasi effective.

"Dad!" saway ni Alex. Tsss if I know gusto mo rin na i-bring up yung idea na yun.

"What? Wala sigurong masama kung sabihin ko yun diba? You know what, I remember dati halos di mapaghiwalay 'tong si Alex at Althea. But then siguro nga it's my fault because I sent Alex abroad to continue her career there." pailing-iling nitong kwento and I am getting pissed. Seriously? sa harap ko pa talaga? nayukom ko na lang ang kamay ko sa inis when I felt Althea's hand under the table reaching for my hand then she hold it gently na parang sinasabing wag ko nalang pansinin.

"Uhm.. let's make a toast?" suggestion ni Tito para maiba ang usapan. Buti nalang marunong makiramdam si tito.

--

I am sitting at the living area alone because Althea excused herself a minute then after a while tito Anthon approached me. "Pagpasensyahan mo na si Gael iha. Ganun talaga yun. Parang babae kung magsalita... napakadaldal." sabi nito at tumawa ng mahina, natawa rin ako.

"It's okay tito." sagot ko naman pero biglang nag-iba ang expression ng mukha nito. Kung kanina ay nakangiti ngayon ay napakaseryoso.

"Sana Jade, wag mo ng iwan ang anak ko muli. Don't ever leave Althea again. She lost her goal nung nawala ka. Di na rin siya pumupunta dito sa bahay ay dun nalang sa condo niya nagkukulong dahil siguro ayaw niyang makita namin siya na wasak at ayaw niyang mag-alala kami ng Mama niya."

"I'm sorry tito." Sabi ko na naguguilty.

"No need to say sorry Jade. Naiintindihan ko naman. You two we're young that time kaya wala kang lakas ng loob na ipagtanggol ang sarili mo. But you know, thank you for coming back to her life again. Look at her now, bumabalik na ang dating Althea na anak ko and that is because of you. Thank you Jade." sabi niya na puno ng sinseridad. " I must admit na nung una ayaw kong maniwala na true love yang nararamdaman ng anak ko kasi tulad nga ng sabi ko bata pa kayo but then nakita ko talaga kung paano mo siya binago, at kung paano siya sobrang naapektuhan sa pagkawala mo. Tsaka ako naniwala na mahal na mahal ka talaga ng anak ko." ininaba nito ang salamin na suot suot niya at pinunasan ang matang halos maluha luha na. "Alagaan niyo ang isa't isa."

"Opo tito." sagot ko then he hugged me. Maluha luha na ako maybe because I am overwhelmed.

"Hay naku! Hindi na ako makapaghintay na matawag mo na akong Papa. Ito kasing Althea na'to ang bagal. Mas mabagal pa sa pagong." natawa nalang ako kay tito habg pinupunasan ko yung luha sa mata ko.

"Pa? Bakit mo pinaiyak si Jade?" Althea intterupted us and sat beside me. "Jade? Are you okay?" She asked and I can see the worry in her eyes.

"Yes love I'm okay." I told her para di na siya mag-alala.

"May pinag-usapan lang kami Althea." -tito

"Napakaseryoso naman ata ng pinag-usapan niyo."

"Sinasabi ko lang sakaniya na wala sa lahi natin ang mga pagong." tita said then we chuckled. "Mauna nako't baka hinahanap na ako ng bisita natin." umalis narin ito at iniwan kami.

"Love. Anong pagong?" curious na tanong ni Althea na ngayon ay naka kunot ang noo.

"Bahala ka nga jan. I-google mo." sagot ko na natatawa sabay walk-out. Napakaslow naman, pero handa ba ako kung sakaling magpropose si Althea? o baka naman handa ba siyang magpropose sakin? Ayokong mapressure, ayokong mag-expect sila, expectation hurts.