Alex's Point of View
"Hello, titaaaaa! We miss youuuu!"
Papasok na ako sa bahay nang marinig ko ang sigaw ni Shane. What the heck! Tumigil muna ako sa labas upang ayusin ang sarili ko bago ako pumasok.
Pagpasok ko, nadatnan ko sila sa sala habang nagkakamustahan pa rin. Napatingin sa akin si Darren at nginitian ko lang siya nang matipid.
"Alex, nasaan na 'yung lalaking kasama mo kanina?" Mom asked when she saw me. Napalingon naman sa akin si Shane and gave me a who's-that-man-your-mom-is-talking-about.
I just shrug my shoulders. "He left already, mom. Something important came up," I lied.
Venice is more important . . .than me. I whispered in my mind. Yes, even in my mind I am whispering 'coz I am afraid that they might hear my thoughts. My petty thoughts.
"You're here!" I greeted them pretending to be enthusiastic that they're here.
"Yes! How can we decline Tita Rose's invitation? They want to see us." Shane answered grinning.
I rolled my eyes at her. "Of course, they want to see the both of you to ask about my lovelife. To ask if I already found the boy whom I will settle with."
Lumapit siya sa akin at niyakap ako. Napakunot ako ng noo sa ginawa niya. This is so not her. Hindi niya ako madalas yakapin. Yinayakap niya lang ako kapag alam niyang may problema ako. More on beso-beso lang kami.
Itutulak ko na sana siya pero napatigil ako sa ibinulong niya. "You cried, don't you? What's your problem this time?"
"Nothing," I uttered under my breath.
"I won't force you now. But later, I will." And with that, she let me go.
"Honey, aren't we eating yet? I'm already hungry," Dad said in a childish tone and pouted. Grrr!
At ito namang si mommy, lumapit kay daddy saka pinisil ang pisngi nito. "Ang cute-cute talaga ng honey ko. Ajuju!"
Napaface-palm na lang ako.
"Ang sweet ng parents mo, 'no?" ani Darren na hindi ko namalayang nakapunta na pala sa tabi ko.
"Sweet or childish?" I asked sarcastically.
"Both?" He answered, smiling.
Napangiti na rin lang ako.
"Let's go." He held my hand and drag me towards the kitchen.
Hindi na lang ako nagsalita. He's just like that...often.
Pagdating namin sa kusina ay nakaayos na ang mga pagkain. Nakaupo na rin silang tatlo. Si daddy ay nasa dulo at si mommy ay nasa kaliwa niya. Si Shane naman ay nasa tabi ni mommy.
Napatingin silang tatlo sa amin ni Darren at sabay-sabay ring bumaba ang kanilang tingin sa aming kamay.
Mabilis naman akong napabitaw at gano'n din si Darren.
My parents just gave me a mischievous smile while Shane throw me a censorious stare.
Umupo na kaming dalawa sa harap nina mommy at Shane.
Before we eat, daddy prayed first. That's what I like about him the most. He's playful yet he is religious. He's a believer. A good follower that's why he wants me to settle down already and multiply.
Kalansing lamang ng kutsara't tinidor, pinggan at mga baso ang naririnig kanina ngunit nang nasa kalagitnaan na kami ng pagkain ay biglang tumikhim si daddy.
Napatingin kaming lahat sa kaniya.
"How's your work as an engineer, Shane?"
"It's fine, tito. I've got loads of projects. You know. Highest paid engineer is real."
"Well, what can I say? You've done a great job in all your projects."
"Yes, that's true, Hija. There's a lot of investors asking about you. They're interested about your works."
"Pinapalaki mo na naman ang ulo ko, tita," biro ni Shane.
"How about you, Darren? How's school?" Dad asked.
"Getting there, tito. One more year and I'll graduate already. Striving hard for my future and for my soon to be wife future."
He threw me an immediate look and looked back at Dad again.
"That's nice, Darren. How about my babygirl, hijo? Are you seeing her as a woman or just an ate? Are you considering him to be your wife in the future?"
"Dad!" I shrieked.
Dad looked at me and smiled. "Why? I'm just asking. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Napatingin ako kay Darren at nakatingin din siya sa akin. "But he's too young for me."
"Young at heart but not in mind, Alex. Besides, he's just 2 years younger than you. He's turning 19."
"Darren, can I get your answer?" He added.
Umayos naman ng upo si Darren saka ibinalik ang tingin sa akin. I don't know but I'm also interested with his answer kaya naman hindi ko binali ang titig niya sa akin.
"Tito...Alex is always a woman to me." He heaved a deep breath and continued. "And I would be lucky if she will be my wife... in the future. She's a catch and no sane man...will ever decline to be her husband," he said sincerely.
His words struck me. I was on the verge of crying again but I compose myself.
You're wrong, Darren. Someone already did.