That Smile

16

"Teka lang, taympers. Kinakabahan ako!"

Napahinto kami sa paglalakad ni Zacharias. Hawak niya ang kamay ko na nanlalamig na sa kaba. Kakapark niya lang ng kotse niya sa garage nila. Sinundo pa talaga ako ng kumag kahit ang lapit lang ng bahay namin.

"Ayos lang ba 'tong suot ko? Masyadong sexy? Pucha talaga 'tong si Aria, sabi 'wag 'yung sexy, eh!" Reklamo ko pa. Natatawa niya naman akong hinila at nagsimulang maglakad papasok.

"Ayos lang 'yang suot mo, Gi. Kalma ka lang. Walang nangangagat sa lahi namin," Natatawang sabi niya.

Binuksan niya ang pinto at pumasok na kami. Malaki ang bahay ni Zacharias dito sa village. Nakikipagpaligsahan ata 'yung mga size ng mga bahay dito sa village namin. Nahiya naman 'yung apartment kong kusina lang ata nila.

Bumungad sa amin ang isang babaeng nasa mga 15 years old ata. Nasa sala ito at may pinapanood sa TV. Bahagyang nanlaki ang mata ko at napalingon kay Zacharias. Hindi naman ako na-informed na may iba pa lang kasama! Akala ko Mommy niya lang!

"Mommy! Daddy! Nandito na si Kuya at ang girlfriend niya!" Sigaw nito at iniwan ang pinapanood nito.

"Abra, patayin mo 'tong TV!" Sigaw ni Zach.

Bakit may Daddy rin?! Jusko!

"Akala ko Mommy mo lang? Kasama rin pala kapatid at Daddy mo! Scammer ka!" Bulong ko kay Zacharias at napahawak ng mahigpit sa braso niya.

"Akala ko rin, eh." He chuckled.

He pulled me towards their dining area. There, I saw a not-so-old-woman and a man, preparing some foods on the table. They were talking and laughing which I found so cute. Kaso kinakabahan pa rin ako. Tumikhim si Zacharias kaya napalingon sa amin ang dalawa.

"Zachie, nandito na kayo!"

I almost laughed when Zacharias made a face. Her Mom walked towards us and kissed his cheek. I was caught off guard when she looked at me. She smiled and excitedly kissed my cheeks too.

"Good evening, Tita," I greeted her. "Tito, good evening po."

"Gia! Ang laki mo na!" The woman squealed.

"Good evening, hija. I am Kyler, Zach's father. Soon to be father-in-law mo na rin," Muntik na ako masamid sa sinabi ng Daddy ni Zach. He gave me a hug and a smile.

"I am Ella, Zach's mother. I've heard so much about you! Palagi kang kinukwento ni Zach sa akin since last year!" His Mom said. Ngumiti ako ng alanganin at tumingin kay Zach. Last year? Eh, hindi pa kami nagpapansinan nun, ah?

"Come on, umupo ka na. Malapit na 'to matapos. You take the seat beside mine!" She excitedly said and turned her back against us when I settled on my seat. Kinuha niya ang kaldereta at nilapag sa lamesa. "That's my specialty!"

"Ma, tinatakot mo 'yung girlfriend ko," Zach took the seat beside mine. "Sorry kay Mama, medyo madaldal talaga 'yan."

I smiled at him and held his hand. "Nagustuhan niya ata ako." I said. He smiled at me and nodded.

"Of course. Who wouldn't love you?"

"Mom, tapos na ba 'yung food? I'm so hungry na!"

Zach's sister entered the dining room. She immediately took the seat in front of me. She was wearing a sweater and a short, and a pout on her lips. Nice style, pareho kami. Well, aside from the pout, siyempre.