Forever & Always

2

October 31

We became friends. Close friends. Time went by so fast. Di ko namalayan na magiging friend kami dahil sa muntikang aksidente na yun. But I feel like... There's more.

This can't be. I can't fall in love with this guy. Hindi ko alam pero nakakaramdam ako ng takot. Baka mapabayaan ko studies ko? Hindi, hindi, huwag nega.

Napabalikwas ako sa pagkakahiga ko nung bilang bumukas yung pinto ng kwarto ko. It's my big bro, Paul.

"Bakit, kuya? Nakakagulat ka, para kang nakakita ng multo?" Sabi ko sa kanya at humiga ulit sa kama.

"Come on, have breakfast. Now!" It was a command. Kaya bumangon ako at inayos ang sarili ko. Ba't ganun si kuya?

I was about to enter the dining room nang may marinig ako na pamilya na boses doon. I slowly walked in the dining room and saw this guy guy happily eating breakfast with my family.

"Oh, Prim!" Pagpapansin saakin ni Papa. Napalingon naman yung guy, si mama, at kuya. I was surprised to see Jay, with my parents. Anong ginagawa niya dito?

Umupo ako sa tabi ni kuya at nagsalin ng kanin at ulam sa plato ko. Linagyan naman ni kuya ng milk yung glass ko. And now I feel the awkwardness around us.

"So, Jay, ano nga ulit yung pakay mo kung bakit ka nandito?" Tanong ni Mama kay Jay. Nakikinig lang ako sa kanila pero ayon sa peripheral vision ko, Jay keeps glancing on me.

First time kong makaramdam ng ganito. Combination of fear, awkwardness, nervous feelings inside me. My heart is just beating so fast.

"Ah, tita, I'm here because..." Everyone was waiting for the continuation of what he was about to say. Even me, my heart was beating times 3.

"Gusto ko pong ligawan si Prim." Sabi ni Jay. Bigla namang nabilaukan si kuya. What?! Ligaw?! Wala ni isa saamin kumibo except from my brother coughing hard.

Binigyan ko si Jay ng anong-sinsabi-mo-look. He just smiled at me as an answer. What?! Pabalik-balik ang tingin ko kina mama at papa. Mama held Papa's hand.

"You know, Prim is our only daughter. She's still young, gagraduate pa siya ng college. Ni minsan di namin siya pinagbuhatan ng kamay, not even her brother, we support  and give her whatever she wants. She's the most kind daughter. She deserve the world." Papa said.

I want to cry dahil sa sinasabi ni Papa. Parang vows lang sa isang kasal. He's calm and just feeling the moment.

"Maipapangako mo ba na tratuhin mo si Prim ng mas mahigit pa sa pangtrato namin sa kanya?" Mama said.

I don't know what I'm feeling right now. Happy? Nervous? Scared? Palipat-lipat lang akmi ni kuya sa magulang namin na nagsasalita.

"I promise tito and tita, and bro. I promise to take care of her until my last breath." He grinned.

"Aww. Our teenage days, Primo." Mama said in awe. And para siyang naiiyak? Kinikilig?

My mind is slowly taking it all in. Slowly. Hidi ito paspasan Prim. Kalma lang.

"Huwag ka puro salita, dapat may gawa." Pagsisira ng kuya ko sa moment namin ngayon. Si kuya talaga, panira!

"We are giving you the permission to court our daughter, pero huwag niyo naman sanang seryosohin ng sobra ang kung ano man ang namamagitan sainyo ngayon at sa darating na hinaharap." Papa is so good at words.

I stared at Jay. I did not expect this day to come. And this feeling also. Is he the answer of my prayers?

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