I'm Yours to Keep

Chapter 34

Habang nasa biyahe patungo sa bahay, nilingon ko si Gerard na seryoso sa pagmamaneho. "Aren't you nervous?" I asked.

Saglit niya akong nilingon at saka ngumiti. "I've met them."

We decided this morning to formally introduce him to my parents. He initiated since we're going out-of-town at mas gusto niyang harapin sila Mom and Dad para ipagpaalam ako, kahit ako naman ang nagyaya.

Naabutan namin si Mom sa sala na nagbabasa ng ilang papel sa couch habang nasa isa pang sofa si Dad, nagbabasa ng diyaryo.

"Care!"

I smiled at Mom at lumapit para halikan siya sa pisngi. "Good morning, Mom." Lumapit din ako kay Dad para halikan siya sa pisngi. "Good morning."

Nang tumayo ako nang diretso, pareho na silang nakatingin kay Gerard na tipid namang ngumiti sa kanila. "Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Isidro."

Tumango si Dad while Mom smiled at him. "Good morning, Gerard. Have a seat."

Naupo siya sa kabilang dulo ng sofa kaya naupo ako sa pagitan nila ni Mom. Muling ibinalik ni Dad ang tingin niya sa diyaryo habang prenteng nakaupo sa isa pang couch.

Mom held my hand. "Are you okay? What happened at work?"

"I resigned but... I'm basically fired. But uh, nakahanap naman ako pagkakaabalahan. Gerard and I need to go somewhere, I'll be back maybe tomorrow."

She smiled at me and nodded. "Are you sure that you're okay?"

Marahan akong tumango. "I'm doing something important so, I need to be okay."

She offered me a hug kaya niyakap ko siya nang mahigpit. I wish she knows how important this is but Hannah and Xander need her more than I do. Nang kumalas kami sa yakap, huminga ako nang malalim at ngumiti. "Also, uh, Gerard and I are together."

Marahang ibinaba ni Dad ang diyaryo at saka ngumiti. "I always knew you'd make a good couple."

Mom chuckled and nodded in agreement. "Your father is right. Where are you going, anyway?"

I blinked and smiled at her. "In Batangas for... a sand art competition."

"Really? Were you invited as a judge?"

I forced another smile at marahang umiling. "We'll go there to watch. I'll just pack some stuff tapos diretso na kami doon."

Tumayo na ako at nagtungo sa kwarto ko para mag-ayos ng gamit. Isang backpack lang ang dala ko dahil baka hindi rin kami magtatagal ng isang araw doon. Nang matapos kinuha ko ang cellphone ko at tinawagan si Miguel.

"Hey..."

"Are you busy?" I asked.

"Kinda. I'm preparing a surprise for Chels. She's promoted."

I smiled and sat on the edge of my bed. "I wish I could come."

"Why can't you?"

Yumuko ako at tumitig sa sahig. "Uh, Gerard and I have to go somewhere. Babawi ako sa inyo next time."

Narinig ko ang pagbuntong-hininga niya. "Long overdue na kayong dalawa so you should make the most out of each day."

"Thank you. Good luck."

"Thanks. Take care."

Pagbaba ko, nag-uusap na sila Dad at Gerard tungkol sa isang bagong labas na sasakyan. Gerard stood up at kinuha ang bag ko habang hinarap ko naman si Dad,

"We'll go ahead."

He nodded. "You take care. Call us if you need anything."

I kissed them one more time at lumabas na ng bahay. Sa biyahe, nakatitig lang ako sa labas nang biglang may maalala. Nilingon ko si Gerard na abala sa pagmamaneho. "How long have you been working for KMA?"