MARA's POV
"How do I look po, Tita?" I asked Tita Claurise habang naka-harap ako sa malaking salamin ko sa loob ng aking kwarto dito sa mansion nila. I live here after my parents died, at dahil malayo ito sa school at sa condo unit ako ni Kuya Mau, naka-stay.
"You look pretty, Mara. For sure ma-i-inlove sayo ang date mo." She cheered me on.
I don't think so, Tita.
"Si Andrei po ang parter ko tita." Acquintance party kasi ngayon gabi. Si Yana, si Athan naman ang partner. Mga Samaniego pa ba? They would kill just to keep their loved ones safe.
"Oh, super protective talaga ng mga batang yan. You should explore too, hija! Meet other people! Enjoy!" Tita Clau is very supportive. Lagi nya akong pinu-push na maging open sa lahat and I am happy for that. At least she wants what's best for me.
"Mommy, stop telling her that. Baka magka-boyfriend na yang si Mara ng maaga." I heard kuya Mau's voice. Naka-dekwatro sya sa mahabang sofa dito sa kwarto.
"Mau, stop being possesive with your cousin, she's 19 already, kaya na niya ang sarili niya." Tita defended.
Why do they always end up debating about these when tita motivates me about these kind of things? Ayaw na ayaw talaga ni Kuya ang idea about me having a boyfriend.
"Mom, I know that. It's not that I don't trust Mara. Mom, I'm a guy and I know what comes to other guys' minds when it comes to girls like Mara." Litanya ni kuya bago umayos ng upo at nilabas ang phone niya at kinuhanan ako ng litrato.
Kuya Mau sometimes stays here lalo na pag-pagod sya. Di kasi sya nakaka-rest sa unit niya dahil ginugulo ng ibang mga pinsan nya. Also, this mansion is located in an exclusice subdivision na tanging mga Samaniego lang ang nakatira. There are only 5 big Mansions here pero ang laki na ng area na inu-ukupa.
"Tita, I'm okay. Okay naman na po ako sa mga Samaniego eh, besides, they always take good care of me, right kuya?"
"Yeah, specially, Andrei." He mocked kaya binato ko sya ng hanger. Ayan na naman siya!
"What? Totoo naman ah!" He defended at natawa pa.
"Kayong dalawa talaga. Oh siya, sige na Mara at baka dumating na si Andrei." Tita said kaya sinuod ko na ang sandals ko pati ang bag ko. Excited na ako!
"There's a handsome gentleman waiting downstairs. Oh, you look very pretty, Mara." I gave Tito Alfred a smile and said thanks for the compliment. Matapos ay inalalayan na ako ni Kuya Mau pababa.
He even wanted to carry me para mabilis daw at maliit naman raw ako kaya napalo ko tuloy sya sa braso.
"Good evening." I greeted Andrei.
I am actually shy. Gwapo si Andrei and I am not confident when I am with him dahil alam kong ayaw ng mga tao na katabi nya ako.
"Good evening. Ang ganda natin ah!" He complimented kaya napa-ngiti ako.
Nag-paganda ako para sayo.
"I-uwi mo nang maaga si Mara, Andrei. And no alcohol." Paalala ni Tita.
"Of course, Tita! No one will even get near her!" Sabi ni Andrei habang naka-hawak sa waist ko. It sends shivers to my spine but I managed to stay calm.
Gustong-gusto ko pang batuhin ng purse si Kuya Mau na may nakakalokong ngiti pa sa mukha. Ano na namang iniisip nya?
"You are so possesive, Drei. hahaha." Tita chuckled.
"Of course, Samaniego yan, Hon." Tito butted. Di na kami nag-tagal at umalis na.
Andrei drove his car carefully and when he parked his car, he quickly ran towards the passenger's door and opened it for me. Nag-pasalamat naman ako at lumabas na rin.
