Chapter 18 Family
"Time will never tell you that it's time, but you can know it's time."
-UnleashingDesire
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Sam tightly hugs her before letting go. He looks at her seriously making Celindra confuse. He suddenly kneeled in front of her. Hindi makakibo si Celindra sa nangyayari sa harap niya. Hindi niya alam kung anong gagawin o sasabihin. Feeling niya ay nananaginip siya.
"I just want to formalize our relationship and ask you... Will you be my girlfriend?" Celindra's mouth opened but she felt she couldn't speak. Celindra could only nod with a smile. Although, hindi siya makapaniwala na gagawin iyon ni Sam, sobra ang saya ng nararamdaman niya.
Tumayo si Sam at yinakap si Celindra. "Turn around." Ginawa naman ito ni Celindra kahit nagtataka siya kung ano na naman ang gagawin ni Sam. She felt Sam's hand on her shoulder making her nervous. Then, feeling something cold touch her neck. She looks down and saw a necklace. It's very simple but looks good on her skin. There is a round stone as its design.
Remembering the couple necklace that they bought earlier she chuckled.
"I can't give you a ring for now... So I choose necklace instead." Celindra turned around when he spoke.
"When did you bought this?" she asked. Sam shook his head.
"It's one of family heirlom." Sam smiles at Celindra. Mas lalong hindi makapaniwala na ibinigay ni Sam sa kaniya ang family heirlom nila. Umiling agad si Celindra.
"You shouldn't have--." Sam put his finger on her lips to stop her from speaking. But that move made Sam regret it. Her lips are smooth and soft making him want to taste it. He calmed himself and sighed as he put down his finger before he can even lose control. He didn't know what happened to him. These days whenever he is with Celindra, he wanted her. Afraid that someone will take her away from him.
"I insist." His voice was hoarse making Celindra blush. Celindra looks down, feeling embarrass.
"I.. You bought a couple necklace for me earlier. I will store this, to be safe and wore the couple necklace with you..." Celindra muttered. She really felt embarrass. This feeling is new to her. She didn't know how to act.
Nung narinig ni Sam ang sinabi ni Celindra ay nagulat siya dito. Akala talaga niya ay hindi para sa kaniya ang couple necklace na binili nila. But now, knowing na sa kaniya pala ibibigay ni Celindra ang necklace ay sobra ang saya niya na napangiti siya at yinakap si Celindra.
"Hmm.. Do as you wish..." He buried his head to her neck to hide how happy he is.
"Yaaaaaaaaay!! Sis-in-law na kita! Oh my gosh!" And the lovely harmonious atmosphere was ruined. Celindra pushed Sam instantly making him glare at the person who suddenly shouted.
"What? What? Don't glare at me! I was the one who played the music!" Maya stomp her feet as she neared them.
"Sis Maymay?" Celindra said. Maya who heard her run towards Celindra and hug her. "My little Linlin, I miss you so much." Celindra saw other people who went out to their hiding place. Lahat sila ang may malaking ngiti. Halata naman na kanina pa sila nandito, kaya si Celindra ay mas lalong nagulat at nahiya sa pangyayari.
"Aunt Chesca? Uncle Soleman? This.." Celindra realize why those people in the pictures look so familiar! Kilala pala talaga niya ang mga ito!
"Don't tell me she's my cousin." Sam eyes darken at the thought of it. Even she is, they can never stop him anymore. His mother glared at him. Ally grinned.
Vanessa couldn't help but rolled her eyes too. She knew what his brother thought. Tahimik namang nakangiti si Soleman at pinapanood lang ang kaniyang pamilya. Napakaswerte niya at umuwi siya ngayong gabi. Dapat kasi ay meron pa siyang gagawin sa kompanya. Pero pina-uwi siya ng kaniya asawa sa kadahilanang 'may iuuwing babae ang kaniyang anak na si Sam'.
"Of course not! Silly son! If she is, why would we stay there hiding for so long? Her family and ours are very close friend and business partners!" When Sam heard her mother said that he sighed a relief but become confused.
"Then why I didn't know her?" Sam's question earned a roll eyes to her mother and sisters. Nag-uumpisa ng mag-isip si Soleman kung anak niya ba talaga si Sam dahil sa mga tanong nito.
"You are too busy with that bitch of an ex of yours when we met their family." Hindi na nacontrol ni Vanessa ang kaniyang bibig. Nung una ay okay lang sa kanila yung babae na yun pero ng tumagal na ay dun nila nakita na hindi worth it yung babaeng yun para sa kapatid nila.
"Vanessa! Your words!"
"Just telling the truth mom."
Sam looks at Celindra. Magtatanong dapat siya sa kaniya nung umiling ito at ngumiti.
"I only met them rarely. I was living in the school back then and couldn't go with mom whenever they visit Aunt Chesca." Celindra explained. Magsasalita ulit sana si Sam nung may narinig silang boses sa tapat ng entrance ng green house.
"Mommy? Daddy? Big Sisters? Brother? Why...?" They saw the little boy who is walking toward them widen his eyes.
"Big sister Linlin!" Tumakbo ito papunta kay Celindra at yinakap siya. "Big sister Linlin! I miss you! Why didn't you call me? Don't you miss me, Big sister Linlin?" Sunod-sunod na sabi ni Shawn na ikinatawa naman ni Celindra. Umupo siya at hinalikan ang mga pingi nito.
"How couldn't I not miss this handsome little boy? Hmm.." Celindra ruffled his hair.
"I'm not little anymore! I can even marry you since mom said I'm already a big boy!" Shawn suddenly carried by Sam.
"Ah! Big brother Sam! Put me down!"
"Youre still little since I can still carry you. And you can't marry your big sister Linlin." When Shawn heard that, his eyes widen again.
"I will eat more to grow fast. But why can't I marry big sister Linlin?" Shawn curiously asked. Sam looks at Celindra who is watching them talk. He looks at her eyes, making her look at him too.
"Because I will marry her." His statement made her stunned. Kinabahan siya bigla na baka marinig nila kung gaano kabilis at lakas ang tunog ng tibok ng puso niya. Hindi na siya makatingin ng diretsyo kay Sam at tumingin siya sa baba. Napangiti naman si Sam ng nakita niya ang reaksyon ni Celindra. She didn't refuse his statement and it made him happier.
"Ahhhh!!! Oh my gosh! Ouch! Mom!" Sumibangot si Maya sa kaniyang ina. Na-ikinatawa lang nila Vanessa at Ally.
"Your voice is too loud Maya. You are already old yet you act like a child. Look at your brother! He is already fishing a wife yet you don't even have a relationship!"
"Mom! I'm still young!"
"Young your face! Come on, let's go inside. It's getting colder here." Nag-umpisa na siyang maglakad palabas, kaya naman nagsilabasan na rin sila sa greenhouse.
Celindra, Sam and Shawn are the last people who went out. Celindra looks back at the green house and smiles before catching up with Sam.