You Belong With Me

Nineteen.

"Dad, how did you know you liked Mom?"

Today, my parents miraculously had a day off! We're waiting for our lunch right now and we are at Subic. Mom wanted to go away from the city and so we drove here.

Napalingon si Dad sa aking tanong. Mom is busy taking pictures of the scenery.

"Nakakagulat naman 'yan. Its the first time I heard you ask that!"

"I just... want to know."

"Well, I knew I liked her when she didn't leave my mind."

Napaiwas ako ng tingin. Chandler didn't leave mine, too... but that can't be the only reason, right?

"Bakit, anak? May nagugustuhan ka na ba? You're not getting any younger."

"I don't know, Dad. Hindi ako handa para sa pag-ibig. You know how it went with Nell back then."

"Anak, you grew already. You are a lady now. I'm sure you can handle relationships. Isa pa, hanggang kailan ka ba matatakot?"

That struck me. Nell was like years ago, its time to forget that.

"What's the tea?", Mom interrupted and sat down her chair. Oh no...

"Portia here likes someone, dear. Pero she said she's not ready."

Mom turned to me and raised her brow.

"What? Bakit? Niligawan ka ba?"

"Hindi po, Mom."

"Wait for the man to court you before you think of the relationship. Gary, teach her how a man should treat her."

Dad shared a lot of personal experiences. Natuwa ako dahil sa munting bonding naming tatlo ngayon. I got to open up to them! It felt refreshing.

"Don't choose a guy who lies. Big red flag!", Mom laughed.

Natahimik ako.

"Mom, what if someone pretended to be something just to be close to you?"

"Anak, that's creepy!"

"Oh, no. I meant, what if I made fun of myself just so you'd like me?"

Mom furrowed her brows while Dad chuckled.

"Well, that's weird. You shouldn't do that to yourself, dear. Show the real you!"

"That's true, anak. Plus, if you liked me because I was funny... what will happen if I stop making jokes?", Dad winked.

Right. Chandler is wrong for pretending. I can't change a thing about that.

At the back of my mind, I thought of every good thing he did. Yes, he pretended to be bad at some things but he was honest about a lot more! Its petty to hate him for that. I don't want to justify his lying but I want to convince myself that he's not a bad person for doing those. But... did he like me that much to go that far?

Chandler has been with me when I was happy, lonely, sad and angry... he helped me solve Mrs. Tala's stealing, Seth's betrayal, he made me realize I should forgive Anna and Nell... he let me cry on his shoulder. He is a good man. And I like him...

Oh my gosh. I like him!

Monday came and I have a meeting scheduled with the board. I got excited since Chandler will be there. I really want to talk to him and fix things.

"Miss Portia, the meeting will be at 10am," Michelle reminded me when I arrived.

I dressed up a little nicely today. I bought a Givenchy dress in Paris and I wore it today, I paired it with my new Valentino heels. Carrying my Christian Dior tote, I went inside my office.

Michelle went on with my schedule for the whole day and I listened.

"That's all, Miss."

"Thank you, Michelle. Your pasalubong are with Manong already."

"Maraming salamat talaga, Miss. By the way, you look gorgeous!"

I smiled. "Michelle, I already bought you your dream Prada bag. Huwag mo na akong bolahin."

"Miss naman, seryoso kasi. Ang ganda mo ngayon! In love ka po ba?"

Napatigil ako. Am I?

Gosh, Portia, you're not!

"Ugh. Go and work now, Michelle."

She chuckled and went out. I started reading some documents on the first hour. Nang malapit nang mag-alas diyez, naghanda na ako.

I scrolled through Instagram while waiting for the board to arrive. Si Tito Nino at Mr. Yu pa lang ang narito. Maaga pa naman.

Napatigil ako sa Instagram story ni Dia. She's with Chandler. Video iyon, sa gitna nila ay may lamesa na puno ng breakfast food. The background looked like a garden! Its like a breakfast date or something! Then Chandler was in front of her, nakaputing polo siya at malaki ang ngiti.

Wow... I thought he's in love with me and not with Dia?

"Portia, shall we start?"

I hid my phone and surveyed the room. Kumpleto na pala sila. I stopped at Chandler who's not looking at me. Huh. Someone's looking guilty.

We proceeded with the meeting. It lasted for two hours but I'm glad everything was settled after. At exactly 12 noon, I adjourned the meeting.

"Portia," Chandler called.

Nagulat ako sa pormal niyang boses. I faced him with a stern look too. Nakapamulsa siya. He looked dashing with his suit!

"I'm sorry for... everything. And, uh, you can forget about it."

Yun lang ang sinabi niya at umalis na. I was left dumbfounded!

Dia must have been a better option.

Napailing ako. Chandler is being a douche. Kung kailan naamin ko na sa aking sarili na gusto ko na nga siya, he'll greet me with this. I feel stupid!