✓ Always, All Ways (Preview)

01

I had many relationships before pero bakit feeling ko ay ibang-iba si Dan sa kanilang lahat? I did not consider my past relationships as failed relationships because I've learned so many things. Kahit na karamihan doon ay play time lang at hindi seryoso, may natutunan pa rin ako. At iyon naman palagi ang importante 'di ba?

Hindi ako kinakabahan sa social gatherings kasama ang family members ng ex-boyfriends ko noon kaya nagtataka ako sa sarili ko kung bakit ang dami kong iniisip na worse na mangyari.

I badly want for Dan's family to accept and like me. I really love this guy. No doubt about that.

Nagbalikan lang kami at hindi ko pagsisisihan ang naging desisyon ko.

Yes, cheating is a choice and he chose to do that but asking for a second chance is also a choice, right? He made that choice and I willingly accepted him.

He holds my hand when we reached the gate of their house.

"Am I seeing nervousness in your face Kelly? That's a first! Tell me, what's wrong?" He became sweeter and more expressive noong nagkabalikan kami. At first, alam naman namin sa isa't-isa na laro lang 'tong ginagawa namin. Syempre sa umpisa lang iyon kasi mas nakilala namin ang isa't-isa kaya mas lumalim ang feelings namin.

"Just be honest with me, did they really ask me to go with you or baka ikaw lang ang nagpumilit na isama ako rito? Is my dress too short? Hindi ba bagay 'yong make-up ko sa event? Sabihin mo lang kung ano 'yong pwede ko pang ayusin, Dan."

Humarap siya sa'kin.

"Kelly, stop. Stop it, okay?"

"What? Stop what?"

"Just be yourself."

"Gosh. I've heard that all the time and it didn't work on me. Mayaman kayo at alam mong wala akong pwedeng ipagmalaki sa pamilya mo, baka classy lahat ng tao riyan at alam mo rin na hindi ko kayang makipagbasayan sa kanila, baka isipin ng parents and relatives mo na---" Hindi ko na natapos ang sasabihin ko because he shut me up using his mouth.

For some reason, it always worked on me.

"There," he said while wearing his perfect side smile. "Don't say anything. You don't have to worry, they will like you. Bakit ka ba nag-iisip ng ganiyan? Noon pa man ay mahal kana ng pamilya ko."

Everyone is greeting him noong nakita na dumating na kami. Ipinapakilala naman niya ako sa mga pinsan niya na ngayon ko lang Nakita at tanging tango o ngiti lang ang sagot nila. Mas lalo tuloy akong nakakaramdam ng kaba because they seem not to like me.

Hindi binibitawan ni Dan ang kamay ko. I think, it is his way to assure me that everything will be okay and I appreciate that.

Lumapit na kami sa parents niya.

"Mommy, Daddy, I want you to meet Kelly... girlfriend ko po."

They are both smiling pero kinakabahan pa rin ako. Lalong humigpit ang pagkakahawak ni Dan sa kamay ko. Feeling first time naman ako palagi kapag nakikipagkita ako sa kanila.

"Good evening po," pagbati ko sa kanila.

"You told us na maganda ang girlfriend mo Dan," pagsisimula ng Mommy niya with her intimidating voice. So hindi na kaagad pumasa ang beauty ko sa kanya? "But you didn't tell us na sobrang sexy pa rin pala! Kelly! How can you maintain that figure?" pagpapatuloy ng Mommy ni Dan na may kasamang pagpalo sa balikat ng anak at pambobola sa'kin. As if first time namin magkita. Hindi ko tuloy alam kung seryoso na natuwa siya o sarcastic. Palagi naman niya akong binobola at pinapakaba.

"It's nice to see you again, Kelly." Dan's father. "Mommy baka matakot sa'yo si Kelly," dagdag na pagbibiro pa nito. 

Humarap sila sa'min. "Kelly huwag kang mahihiya. Feel at home lang ulit ha? At ikaw naman Dan, huwag mong iiwan si Kelly at baka maagaw pa ng ibang business partners ng Daddy mo." Dan's mother.