A Close Second

Eighteenth

Hihihi! Thank you guys! Kakilig kayo! ❤❤❤

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As promised, Keith introduced me to his whole family.

It wasn't a super big family, but it wasn't a small crowd also. His father's side was comprised of five siblings: Tito Kevin (the oldest) had 4 children, Tito Richmond (the 2nd eldest) had 5 children, two of whom had children of their own (Ate Aiz included); Tito Leo (3rd) had 3 children, and then there's Tito Kurt, Keith's father and the youngest with Andrei and Keith.

I got to meet his Aunts and Uncles, who were all dears and were all very welcoming. According to them 'Ang ganda naman ng batang ito.' (that's verbatim I tell you).

It was nice, especially when I see Keith just be himself.

His eyes smiled along with him. All night, he kept his hand around me, but I could tell that he was relaxed. It was like this was his most favorite place in the world.

His cousins were all great! A lot of them were intimidating, especially the older ones, but in the end it was all just their first impressions because they're big playful personalities.

Keith wasn't an exception. He was a whole different person from what he is in school. Here aside from smiling, he chatted pleasantly sa mga pinsan niya, playful banters (polite and funny, unlike sa kanila nila Nico na kulang nalang sabunan ang bibig sa murahan nila) and then there's the bullying part.

He's being teased mula pa kanina nang ipakilala ako. Ranging from "Uy, hindi ka pala bakla!' to "I was actually waiting for you to come out of the closet. Mamahalin ka parin naman namin.'.

True to his word, I was the first girl na iniharap ni Andrew sa kanila.

I was so at ease with his cousins that I was in the mood to even tease him with them, chuckling with all of them instead of defending his pride. I wasn't even the slightest bit uncomfortable when they call me 'Andrew's girlfriend'.

Naalala ko yung pagpapakilala niya sa akin sa Lola niya.

Pagkatapos na pagkatapos naming kay Ate Ice at Kuya Dave, dumeretso kaming dalawa sa may pinaka gitna kung saan nakaupo ang mga matatanda. Of course, seeing as everyone was having a good laugh about something.

Napaangat ako ng tingin kay Keith. He raises an eyebrow at me.

"What's with the look?"
I glanced at the table briefly. "Kasi..."
"You'll do fine, Baby." He tells me, holding me by the waist. "They'll love you."

Hindi na ako nakapagsalita pa dahil siya na mismo ang nagsalita.

"Happy Birthday Grandma." Sabi niya.

Lumapit si Keith sa Lola niya at hinalikan ito sa magkabilang pisngi, na dahilan para ikangiti ng matanda. He also takes her hand para magmano. She thanks him and then he goes back sa tabi ko.

"Grandma, I want you to meet someone." Sabi nito, looking at me.

"Hello po. Good evening po." I say, taking her hand saka naman nagmano din like what his grandson had done kanina. I gave the woman a small smile, giving a present that Mommy had graciously prepared for me. "Happy Birthday din po."

Nakatingin lang ito sa akin, as if hindi makapaniwala before glancing at Andrew who was behind me. I got nervous, stepping back to Andrew's side. Napansin ko naman na nakatingin din ang mga ibang kasama nito sa table sa akin.

What? Did I do something wrong?

Tita Jodi seemed to be at a loss of words at nanlalaki ang mga mata niya. She snaps out of it, giving me a smile before standing up.