Eh Yung Hindi Naman Tayo? DATI (COMPLETED)

EYHNTK- The Aftermath

Tatay fixed his eyes on me as he sat across from us while you held my hand tighter.

"Alam naman naming pananagutan mo si Meng." He spoke after a few seconds. "May plano na nga kayong ikasal di ba? Matagal na kayong engaged, may bahay na kayo, ibang properties na ini-investan, savings at mga negosyong tinatayo pa. Alam naming handa kayo. Wala kaming duda doon pero hindi yun ang usapan." Tatay, who we all expected to unleash all hell on me was surprisingly more calm compared to Nanay who was throwing daggers with her stares.

"Alam din naman namin na hindi kayo nag-uusap lang o naglalaro ng jack en poy tuwing magkasama kayo. Kahit saan mo ipaalam na dalhin si Meng payag naman kami, kahit ilang oras o araw pa yan at alam namin ang mga posibleng nangyayari sa mga panahon na yun. Hindi kami magbabanal-banalan o magtatanga-tangahan at ide-deny ang katotohanan na nagmamahalan kayo at bahagi yun ng isang relasyon. Dahil pinagdaanan namin yan. Di naman siguro kami makaka-limang anak sa titigan at kwentuhan lang." He continued. "Kaya hindi din yun ang kinakagalit namin. Naiintindihan niyo ba?" He asked and we both nodded.

I was surprised at how openly talked to me about this matter but the 'I Know What You're Doing To My Daughter So Be Thankful I Do No Have A Shotgun To Your Head' look he gave me kept me far away from celebrating.

"Opo, Tay." That was all I could say.

"Ang kinagalit namin eh yung hindi kayo nag-ingat. At kinasama din ng loob namin na tinago niyo yung ganitong problema. Higit isang linggo na pala. Dinamay niyo pa tong si Nicolette." He told us.

"Sorry na nga po, Tay." Ate Niki said.

"Sorry po." I whispered.

"RJ..." Nanay's cold voice that matched her icy stare called. When my eyes met hers that was when I realized that the daggers in her eyes where not of anger but more of her pain and disappointment. I felt a painful squeeze in my heart at that point for hurting the woman who has accepted and loved me no less than her real sons.

"Nay, s-sorry po." I stuttered as I tried my best to fight back my tears.

"Buo. Buong-buo yung tiwala namin eh. Nung sinabi mong aalagaan mo si Meng at pinangako mong hindi hahayaan na may makasakit sa kaniya." She said resentfully. "Okay naman. Naiintindihan naman namin kahit ilang beses na umiyak at masaktan si Meng ng mga taong paulit-ulit na nagsasabi ng masama sa kaniya kasi wala ka naman talagang magagawa dun. Kahit kami. Kahit gaano namin siya protektahan, hindi natin mapipigilan yan. Tapos ganito? Hinayaan mong malagay sa alanganin ang anak ko?"

That hit home. My tears started falling then and I heard you start sobbing softly again.

"Sinuwerte kayo na negative yan. Eh paano kung nabuntis nga si Meng na hindi pa kayo kasal? Ni hindi pa nga alam ng tao kung ano kayo. Hindi niyo pa nga sinasabi ang relasyon niyo tapos mabubuntis siya habang paulit-ulit siyang tinatawag na malandi at kung sino-sinong lalake ang kinakabit sa pangalan niya na halos ibugaw na ang anak ko!" Her voice cracked with anger and pain. "Ano na lang?"

"Nay, alam niyo namang..." You started to explain but she raised her hand to stop you.

"Oo. Alam ko. Alam kong hindi niyo pwedeng aminin. Alam kong madaming bawal. Sige, kung positive nga, at umamin kayo at nagpakasal, mababago pa ba ang isip nila? Gagawa at gagawa pa rin sila ng mali para masiraan kayo kaya, anak, pakiusap lang. Wag niyo na silang bigyan pa ng dahilan para may sabihin pa kasi masakit na." She paused and clutched her chest. "Kung nasasaktan ka sa mga yun, mas nasasaktan ako. Nanay mo ako eh." She said in a softer tone as her eyes focused on you.

"Sorry po." You sobbed. You let go of my hand and rushed to your Nanay, wrapping your arms around her neck and burying your face in her hair. "Sorry po, Nanay. Sorry. Sorry." You cried and your apology echoed with every sob.

Her quiet tears fell as she hugged you back and Tatay held you both in his arms. I watched with remorse and tears as I fully realized the possible consequences that could have happened. Ate Niki was crying too.

"Mahal kita eh." Nanay said softly as she brushed your hand away from your face. She then looked at me. There were no more daggers in her eyes but the pain was was still there. "Mahal ko kayo. Mahal namin kayo ng Tatay niyo kaya natural na alalahanin namin kayo."

You pulled away from their embrace to look at Nanay. She cupped your cheeks and wiped your tears with her hands. "Naiintindihan mo yun di ba, Menggay ko?" She asked and you nodded.

"Opo. Love you, Nay. Mahal na mahal ko po kayo ni Tatay. Kayong lahat ng mga kapatid ko. Alam ko po na nagkamali po kami. Sorry po talaga pero..." You turned to look at me then your Tatay and back to Nanay. "Hindi ko po pinagsisihan ang lahat ng ginawa ko para sa pagmamahal ko kay RJ at hinding-hindi din pi ako papayag kung paglalayuin niyo kami." You said and I felt like the luckiest man on the world to have the woman that I love stand up for me like that.

"Alam naman namin yun." Nanay answered. "Nasa edad naman na kayo. Ayaw din naman na pati sa amin magtatago din kayo. Mas malala yun. Nasaktan lang talaga kami ng Tatay. Pinapauwi lang namin si RJ kanina para lumamig muna ang sitwasyon bago tayo mag-usap pero dahil matigas ang ulo niyo at mas gusto niyong mag-usap tayo ng puro maga ang mata sa luha at sumisinghot ng uhog, oh eh di fine." She chuckled and we all laughed softly.

"Ingat. Doble ingat talaga, Menggay, ha? Please lang. Ayoko na nang ganito. Nakaka-stress. Daig ko pa yung nag-labor ulit." Ate Niki pouted.

"Opo, Ate. Promise." You said.

"Basta, Meng, Jay, Niki, at kahit sino pa sa inyong nakakarinig diyan." Tatay talked aloud, making Coleen, Dean, Kuya Nico and Kuya John come out of their hiding place. Tatay smiled at their guilty faces then looked at all of us one by one. "Kayong lahat, kahit ano pa, andito kami ng Nanay niyo. Wag kayong maglilihim sa amin. Walang lihiman sa pamilyang ito. We protect each other kaya dapat alam natin kung ano ang hinaharap natin. Habang nandito kami ng Nanay niyo, gagawin namin ang lahat ng makakaya namin para sa kabutihan ninyong lahat."

"Salamat po, Tay, Nay. Sorry po ulit." I told them as I stood up and wiped my tears. "Sana po mabigyan niyo ulit ako ng chance para patunayan ang sarili ko, para pagkatiwalaan niyo po ulit ako gaya ng dati."

Nanay and Tatay looked at me with unreadable expressions for a few heart-stopping moments so when they nodded and smiled, I couldn't help the tears that flowed from my eyes again. I swore from that moment to never break that trust they so willingly gave me again.

"Awww..." Dean said with a hand to his chest. "Tama na yan! Group hug na!" He then stretched his arms to the side and pushed Coleen, Kuya Nico and Kuya John with Matti towards you and your parents as Ate Niki joined you too.

I smiled as I watched that beautiful family moment.

"Bro!" Kuya Nico looked at me while you were all still in the family hug. "Naligo naman kami. Halika na dito." He said with a little smile.

I looked at Nanay and Tatay hopefully. They smiled and waved their hands as an invitation to join you. It only took a heartbeat for me to be in that warm embrace with the family that not only welcomed me but also loved me unquestionably.

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Unbeta'ed and not proofread.

Natapos na sa wakas. Hahahahaha... Kumusta naman kayo?

Happy Easter again. 😊

Thank you for reading.