Definitely Out of his League | published under Ukiyoto Publishing

35th League: The Dinner

35th League: The Dinner

PANAY ANG sulyap ni Iris sa nakasabit na orasan sa dingding ng kaniyang kuwarto. Her parents were ready downstairs. Presensya na lang ni Travis ang hinihintay nila.

She was happy for the genuine excitement her parents had about meeting her boyfriend. Mahal na mahal siya ng kaniyang mga magulang kaya ganoon na lamang ang suporta ng mga ito sa kaniya.

Kinuha ng dalaga ang kaniyang cellphone upang tingnan kung nag-reply na ba ang kaniyang nobyo sa mga text message niya. Wala pa rin. Sinubukan niya itong tawagan pero walang sagot ang binata.

Sa isip niya, hindi kaya inandaran na naman ng hiya si Travis? Tila nawala ang pananabik na kanina'y nararamdaman niya.

"Ms. Iris, pinatatawag po kayo sa baba. Nandiyan na raw po si Sir Carlisle," tawag sa kaniya ng kasambahay.

Matulin naman siyang nabuhayan ng loob dahil sa pagdating ng kaniyang kuya. Para siyang isang limang taong gulang na bata. Ngayong nagkaayos na sila ng kaniyang kapatid, she couldn't help but act childishly.

"Kuya!" utas ni Iris sabay dinamba ng yakap ang kaniyang kapatid.

"Well, I've heard that your boyfriend's coming. I'm a little offended, I didn't get an invitation," nakasimangot na wika ni Carlisle.

"Sorry na, Kuya. Medyo hadalian kasi. Although, I'm so happy you came. Dapat sinama mo na rin si Ate Sapphire. I am excited na ma-meet n'yo si Travis," masayang pahayag ng dalaga.

"Well, I'm also curious about him. I hope I can get to see what makes him special to my sister," Carlisle replied.

"He's a very nice person, Kuya. He made me realize things I was naive about before. And I think he's already on his way," maligayang tugon ni Iris habang pasulyap-sulyap sa pinto at bintana.

Carlisle wasn't even sure about what he should feel. But he knew that deep down inside, he was anxious of what Travis could offer to her sister. Clearly, he wasn't the best candidate for her. And he couldn't possibly believe that Iris would dump Ryland over someone rather mediocre.

Seeing the undeniable joy in her sister's eyes, he was also aware that he needed to give him a chance. The thing was that he just couldn't see through Travis.

Iris heard a motorcycle throttle from outside. Mabilis siyang lumabas ng bahay upang daluhan ang binata. She wasn't expecting her to be in his formal attire. And she was glad that Travis decided to be his normal self that day.

"Bakit ang tagal mo?" iritadong kompronta ng dalaga.

"Rush hour kaya! Sobrang traffic, nasa Pilipinas kaya tayo! At saka..." Saglit na natigilan ang binata.

"Ano? Dami mong excuses, dinadaga ka lang yata," nakairap na sambit ng dalaga.

"Oo na! Ikaw kaya ang lumagay sa katayuan ko! Tingnan mo naman ako. Haharap ako sa tatay mong bilyonaryo! Pati sa Kuya mong mamaw ng corporate world! Tingin mo ba, nakakalakas ng loob 'yon?" utas ng binata.

"I see, that's why you're backing out," nakahalukipkip na tugon ni Iris.

"W-Wala akong sinabing ganiyan! Puwede ba, Iris, 'wag mo muna 'kong awayin. Hindi ko na nga alam ang gagawin ko, eh," kinakabahang sabi ni Travis.

"Simple! Just be yourself, Travis. I'm not forcing you to act cool. I'm not forcing you to tell lies. Just be the Travis Gary Falcon that I know. I believe in you. Mahal mo ba talaga 'ko?" tanong ni Iris.

"O-Oo..." halos pabulong na tugon ni Travis.

"Hindi kita marinig."

"Mahal nga kita! Parang tanga namang magtanong 'to!" namumula at kunot-noong wika ng binata.