As much as I want to say I was on a cloud nine because Jia and I were finally together, I can't. Not when I was up all night thinking about my fears about our relationship especially the involvement of her family. My family has been pushing Jia and I together and would probably jump in happiness when they find out about us. I couldn't say the same about Jia's family.
With a heavy heart, I knocked on Jia's door the next morning.
"Good morning!" she said cheerfully as she kissed me on the cheek.
I smiled at her as my heart beat loudly. I gave her a stem of red rose. "Good morning."
Jia smiled widely as she accepted the flower and smelled the rose.
"Thank you for this."
I just smiled. Jia frowned a little.
"May problema ba? You don't seem happy."
I sighed as I sat on the chair in the dining area. I pulled Jia to stand in front of me as I hugged her on her waist.
"Jia, are you really sure about us? I mean, if you have any doubts, we could forget everything that happened yesterday and start over," I said.
Jia pushed me away a little and stepped back. She crossed her arms on her chest.
"What?" she raised an eyebrow bitchily.
I scratched my brow as I let out another deep breath. Then I took both of her hands in mine and laced our fingers together.
I smiled at how easy and comforting this felt.
"Isabel, explain yourself," she snapped.
"Look, Jia, I love you and I love your family. I super love them," I said. "And, you know, I don't want to lose them if you have doubts. I could probably stand losing you but not your family," I joked, giving a nervous chuckle.
Jia pulled her hands away.
"Do you want to get dumped in less than 24 hours after we got together? Because that's how you get dumped," she said.
I grinned sheepishly as I pulled her closer to me again and I hugged her on her middle again.
"You know I'm kidding. Di ko kakayanin mawala ka sakin same as your family. And I'm really scared, Jia," I said honestly.
"Why are you scared and why do you even think you're going to lose them?" she asked as she caressed my hair.
I looked up at her.
"I was just talking to Mamu and Papu last week, Jia. Wala naman akong sinabi tungkol sa nararamdaman ko sayo. Tapos the next time I'll see them, tayo na? That seems disrespectful. It's why I was planning to tell them that I'm courting you if you agreed yesterday. I can't do that anymore," I said with a pout.
"You're overthinking."
"I'm not. Besides, paano kung di nila tayo tanggap? You were supposed to be straight as fuck and I was just supposed to be your best friend. Now, you're in a relationship with me, a girl. They'll be shocked. Unless, of course, you've been in a same-sex relationship before that I didn't know about."
"Hindi ko ba nasabi sayo?" Jia suddenly said. "I did date a girl when I was in high school so di naman mabibigla ang pamilya ko."
"WHAT?!" I yelled as I moved back.
Jia busted out laughing.
"Joke lang! Ang cute mo!"
I pouted at Jia. I can't believe she was still messing with me when I was so scared of the future of our relationship.
