The Feelings (The Series #2)

Chapter 14

Worried — Chapter 14

I looked one more time at the mirror... okay... I'm ready.

Weekends came. Ngayon, inimbitahan kami ng iba naming kamag-anak na galing pang Singapore—a family dinner reunion. Mom said that we must have to be really prepped, dahil isang malakihang family dinner 'to. My father's side is really an enormous and influential family. Hindi talaga maiwasan ni Mommy na ma-intimidate tuwing makikipagkita siya sa mga 'to. Well, ano nalang ako? I'm sure they'll shower me a swarm of questions about what'll be my status in life.

I'm wearing a formal, cyan blue, dress, matched with 2-inch sandals. Kahit 'di ko naman porte ang mag-make-up, kinailangan ko pa ring magpalagay. Mom was almost furious nu'ng nalaman niyang nag-iinarte pa ako dahil ayokong magpalagay—she's really into this dinner of ours. It's like she's trying to show that everything must be perfect and well.

"Xavierre, anak, we'll be leaving in 15 minutes," Mom said in authority, as she checked on me on my room. I sighed, at 'di na umimik. As I went down to our living room, napansin ko namang chill lang sina Dad at Zac. Kami lang talaga ni Mom ang kinakabahan para sa mamaya.

"Hon, calm down," Dad reminded Mom.

Mom really looks frustrated, kahit ayos na ayos na siya. "Havre, I really can't stay calm, when there's an important meeting related to your side of the family." Halata talagang kinakabahan si Mommy—hindi naman siya mage-English nang ganito, kung kalmado siya. "They're just that too significant!"

Humalakhak si Daddy. "Everything will be fine," he said in assurance. "'Wag ka nang kabahan, dahil mababait at approachable naman silang kausap. We've been married for years now, but you still act this way whenever they're around."

"I just..." Mom trailed. She suddenly sighed, trying to relieve herself. "I'm just used in acting this way..." sambit niya.

"Don't," Dad said. "As I said, everything we'll be okay," he repeated.

Mom just smiled at him—so as Dad.

"Can we please go already?" sumingit naman si Zac. "Your dramatic conversations really get out of hand. Nakakasuka pakinggan," he added.

Nagtawanan sila. I was stood quiet. Hindi ko na rin kailangang sumali pa. It would just add another minutes of talking—a possibility that we'll might be late for the said dinner.

Dad was our driver for tonight. Mas mabuti pa raw na kaming pamilya lang ang pumunta, at 'di na isama ang sinumang driver o kasambahay na mag-aasikaso pa sa amin. Zac was really the conversation starter of the family—siya lang talaga ang may naibibigay na topic para pag-usapan. I sighed. I guess I'll just be quiet for the night.

Nakarating na rin kami sa wakas sa venue ng dinner namin. By the looks of the restaurant, I'm certain that it's reserved occasionally for our family. At sa itsura palang ng interior, malaking pera din ang inambag ng ibang parte ng pamilya para makakain lang dito. This looks expensive, really.

Nang makapasok na talaga kami, hindi maiwasan ng mga labi ko ang mapaawang. People inside were too formal—parang 'di ako nababagay. "Zac, pinch me," I demanded.

"Huh? Pinangsasabi mo?" giit niya sa 'kin.

"I think I'm dreaming," I replied.

"Oh, edi baliw ka," panunuya niya.

Inirapan ko siya. "'Di lang kasi ako makapaniwala na nandito tayo," sumbat ko.

"Adik ka ba?" giit niya. Konti nalang talaga, masusuntok ko na 'tong kapatid ko sa harap ng maraming tao, eh. "Maniwala ka dahil lahat ng tao rito, kamag-anak natin."