Kinabukasan, nagising akong wala paring ayos dahil alam ko naman na kami lang ni Papa ang nasa bahay ngayon. Mamaya pang tanghali darating ang mga bisita namin. I let out a yawn and stretch my body while making my way downstairs.
"Oh, Aelin. Gising kana pala." Banggit ni Papa nang makita niya ako sa ilalim na ng hagdanan.
Napahinto ako sa pagliliyad at umayos ng tayo nang makita ko ang kasama nito. He is currently standing with a gorgeous woman whose wearing a white suit who has another girl on her side that looks exactly like her.
My eyes widen when I turned towards the clock in the living room to see that its already time for lunch.
Tanghali na pala.
Sa sobrang hindi ako makatulog sa pag-iisip sa lalaking nakabangga ko kahapon ay alas singko na ako ng umaga nakatulog. Waking up at this time is surely unhealthy, yet I don't care. Kasalanan 'to ng lalaking 'yon eh. Ang gwapo kasi.
Bumaling ako sa kanilang tatlo habang nahihiya sa itsura ko. "Magandang tanghali?" Bating tanong ko.
The older woman smiled at me assuringly. "Good morning."
Father tsked. "Pagpasensyahan niyo na ang anak kong 'yan."
The other girl shakes her head. "It's okay, tito. Baka na jet-lang lang siya."
Parang may humaplos sa puso ko sa dalawa. Ang bait nila ha, infairness. Then my father puts his hand on the lower back of the older woman and smiled at me.
Pinakilala nito ang dalawa. Penelope got her face from her mother. Both got a black hair and green with a shade of blue eyes but has a fair skin. Delilah is slightly more taller than her daughter.
Parang magkaparehas lang kami ng mga height. I got out of my reverie and smiled at them, handang handa na akong tumakas para ayusin ang sarili ko.
Lumingon ako kay Papa. "Mag-aayos lang po ako."
Tumango naman ito at pinaupo na ang dalawa, ako naman ay dumiretso na sa aking kwarto at nag-ayos. Wearing a black crop-top and a high waisted maong shorts secured by a Gucci belt and a Doc Martens boots. I unconsciously smiled while looking at the belt. Hindi ko inaasahang may belt rin pala akong kagaya niya.
After applying myself a lip gloss and mascara, I went downstairs to eat lunch with my dad and the two woman. Pagkadating ko sa sala ay nakita ko sila kaagad na nag-uusap. Kumunot ang nuo ko dahil akala ko kakain na kami sa kainan. Bakit hindi pa sila nakaupo sa dining room?
I hesitantly cough to gather their attention, agad naman silang lumingon sa akin. Agad namang tumayo si Papa at inakbayan ako.
"Aelin, we're going to eat in a restaurant." Sabi nito na para bang alam na nito ang itatanong ko. Tumingala ako sa kaniya at tumango. He then looks at Delilah and Penelope.
"Let's go?" Tanong nito na agad namang sinagot nang dalawa ng tango at sabay na kaming lumabas ng bahay. When we entered the famous restaurant that my father booked a table - that's what he said - for us and take a seat.
The waiter immediately assisted us by seeing my father entering at the first glance. Isa isa kaming nag-order at nang matapos ay nagsimula nang mag-usap ang mga kasama ko.
Later on, my father - whose beside me - turn towards me. "May eskwelahan na pinapasukan si Penelope. Gusto ko sanang ipapasok ka narin doon para isang hatid nalang ng driver natin." Sabi nito. Tumangi naman ang dalawa especially si Penelope.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sure you'll love it there," She gushes. "Madami doong activities and they also focus on academics when needed to." Dagdag niya.
I smiled tightly and turn towards my father. "Anong pangalan ng paaralan?" Tanong ko.
Delilah chuckled. "La Lune University, hija. Its the most known school in Asia."
I let out a nervous laugh. Wala namang masama diba? I mean, mas mabuting may kilala akong estudyante sa paaralan na iyon. Penelope seems trustworthy and nice.
I nodded and shrug. "Sure."
Penelope stood up from her sit and hugs me. I laugh and hug her back softly. Pagkatapos niyang yakapin ako ay hindi nito napansin ang nilagay ng waiter kanina na Iced Tea. Nasagi niya ito at tuloyan nang natapon sa lamesa at sabay noon ang pagtulo sa aking shorts.
Napasinghap kami ng sabay. "Oh my gosh!" Impit na sigaw ko.
"I'm sorry..." She said. Nakangiwi ito ngayon at tinawag agad ang waiter. She keeps on apologizing and I keep on telling her that its fine.
"It's fine now, Pen. Ayan na ang waiter oh. Aelin already forgave you, don't torture yourself." Sawa dito ni Delilah.
Penelope sighs and nods at her mother, then bumalik na siya sa upuan niya na para bang walang nangyari. Delilah smiled at me reassuringly.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Tanong nito. I smiled at her and nodded while slowly standing up. I winced at the texture of my short. The waiter arrived and started cleaning up the mess. Napatingin ako sa katauhan ng lugar at napansin na ang lahat nang mga mata nila ay nasa sa akin.
"Pupunta lang ako sa Comfort Room." Paalam ko sa kanila. Dad looks at me worriedly.
"Are you sure? Papabilhan kita ng short." Sabi nito at sabay kuha ng cellphone nito. I immediately shake my head. "It's fine, Dad."
"No, it's not!" He snaps at me making me flinch. He lets out a big breath and looks at me sorrowfully.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
I smiled. "It's okay."
I then make my way to the comfort room while looking at my legs. Nakakarindi sa pakiramdam ang lagkit na iniwan ng inuming 'yon. I couldn't really blame this n Penelope because she didn't mean it to happen. Malapit na akong makalapit sa banyo nang nauntog ako sa isang matipunong dibdib.
I froze on my spot while looking at the familiar chest. I nervously look up while my heart was hardly tumping on my chest. Nung ako'y nakatingala na ay doon ko napatunayan na totoo ang aking hinala. Standing in front of me is the man that I keep thinking about last night and who I have an owe to.
His mouth twitches when he saw my state and sigh while looking behind me. "I'm sure your dad will take time to buy you a new short." He blurted out.
My heart skip a beat hearing his voice.
"Uhm...okay lang naman. Sige, pupunta muna ako sa banyo para malinis ng kaunti ang lagkit nito." Sabi ko at nagsimula na siyang lagpasan.
However, what he said made me stop. "May utang kapa sa akin. So, I want you to listen and do as I say." He coldly said.
I sigh. "Alright, Clive." I said and went back in front of him. "Now what?"
He shrugs, then grab my hands and went inside the restroom while dragging me inside. Napalunok ako sa ginagawa nito.
"Anong ginagawa mo?" Taning ko sa kaniya. He sighs and grab my waist using both of his hands and raise me up. Kaagad niya din naman akong pinaupo sa lababo at may kinuha sa kaniyang bulsa. Napasinghap ako nang makita kong may bitbit itong manipis na leggings.
"Saan mo nakuha 'yan?" Natatarantang tanong ko.
"Shut up." He said sternly.
I did what he said and as he grabs my belt ay kaagad ko siyang tinulak. "Hoy! Wag na wag mong gawin ang iniisip kong gagawin mo! I have my own hands, kaya lumabas kana at ako na ang papalit sa sarili ko." Sigaw ko sa kaniya at hinablot ang hawak niyang leggings.
"Fine..." He said then went out of the restroom and stayed outside. "Dalian mo, kung hindi ako ang papalit sayo." Banta nito.
"As if!" Sagot ko sa kaniya na sinagutan niya lang ng mahinang tawa.
Dali-dali kong sinuot ang leggings matapos kong hubarin ang short ko. Pagkatapos nun ay kasabay nang pagbukas ng pintuan. I ket out a sigh in relief while Clive let out a breath in irritation.
"Damn, ang bilis naman nun." He mumbles. I glared at him. "Ano?!" Singhal ko
He immediately shake his head. "Nevermind."
I nodded and turn around to smile at him. "Thank you!"
"Dalawang utang na loob na ang mayroon ka sa akin." He sing-sang and smirk. My whole face was immediately filled with shock.
"Paano? Ginawa ko naman lahat ng sinabi mo ah?" He shakes his head. "That's not how the rules works with me, Mrs. Gucci." He said. Grabe naman itong lalaking 'to, kung makasingil ng utang na loob, ang kapal ng mukha.
I rolled my eyes. "Fine, anong gusto mong gawin ko?"
He smirks. "Give me your number."
"What?!" Bulyaw ko. "Ayoko nga." Pagmamadilta ko.
"You have no choice, darling." He said. Agad niyang nilahad ang palad niya na may cellphone. I sigh and punched in my phone number.
"Ayan na ha? Ano pa ang isa?" I eagerly asks. He tsked and shakes his pointer finger in front of my face.
"Ah ah, sa susunod mo pa 'yan malalaman." Kumunot naman ang nuo ko. "Susunod? How sure are you?"
He looks at me in the eyes and winks. "With you, I'm more than sure." Then walk out without returning the gucci belt of mine. I was left there stunned and dumbfounded. Shore? Shore. Ginagago yata ako nito eh. Halatang nambobola at isa pa, ang gucci belt ko!
"Hoy, Clive! Ang gucci belt ko!" Sigaw na habol ko dito pero nung nakalabas na ay hindi ko na ito nakita pa. I went back to the restroom and grab my wet short. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay may kumatok sa pinto at agad ko namang iyong binuksan at lumabas na.
"Hey, Aelin. Ito na nga pala ang short na pinabili ni Tito. Nakaㅡ" Agad nitong pinutol ang sariling sinasabi nang makita ang suot kong pang-ibaba. She looks at the leggings then back at me in disbelief.
"Saan mo nakuha 'yan?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. I shrug. "May nakabanggaan lang akong kakilala at sinisuwerteng may dala itong leggings."
Although, hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha 'yon. Dadag ko pa sana sa sasabihin ko ngunit hindi ko na lamang ginawa dahil baka pagalitan ako nang ama ko. She narrowed her eyes at me making me nervous but she eventually blink and shrugs her shoulders too.
She nodded and smiled. "Okay then, let's go back. Magsho-shopping pa tayo pagkatapos nating kumain." Excited na saad nito. I smile at her and grab the short that my father brought for me. Pagdating namin sa lamesa ay kumunot ang nuo ng dalawa na nag-uusap nang masinsinan.
Dad looks up at me while raising his eyebrow. "May tumulong sa akin na kaibigan na nakabanggaan ko." Ulit na pagpapaliwanag ko. He nodded but still keeps on looking at me suspiciously.
I just ignored him as we sat and ate our food, after that we make our way outside of the restaurant and shop. The two woman was so busy squealing like teenage girls. My father sighs and puts his arms on my shoulders.
"You will be going to your new school, La Lune University on monday. Are you sure that's what you want?" I nodded. "Mabuti na 'yung nay kasama akong kilala ko." Sagot ko sa kaniya na sinuklian niya ng tango. He then looks infront of us and sigh again.
I chuckled. "Let me guess. Its your treat." He lets out chuckle. "Yeah. I wish your mother was here...Atleast, I don't have to do this new things that makes me uncomfortable."
I smiled. My dad and I did a heart-to-heart talk right after we came to San Francisco, California. Until now, we still do that to understand eachother. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi niya iyon ginawa kay mama pero wala na akong kinalaman doon kasi desisyon niya naman 'yon.
I pat his side. "That's fine, Dad. You love and miss mom and that's normal because you love her. We just need to understand that love is also about letting go." Payo ko sa kaniya. He nodded and shake his head while chuckling.
He kisses the crown of my head. "You've grown so much, my princess. I'm so proud of you." He mutters. I hummed, "Thank you." I mumbled.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to be happy just for you." Sabi nito. Napailing nalang ako, simula nang maghiwalay sila ni mama ay palagi na itong iniisip ang kaligayahan ko.
"This is a start, dad. Your new branch, my new school and new family members." I cheered him up making him laugh even though there's nothing funny. Dumiretso na kami sa dalawang nasa loob na ng H&M. My father's phone rings and he immediately took it while sparing a glance and I immediately nodded as he answered the phone.
Napailing na lang ako, habang nakayuko sa suot kong leggings. "Of course, new leggings." I chuckled. I then look up and look at my sorroundings as I enter the clothing store.
"And hopefully, a new life full of love and happines." I mumbled and joined the two woman while grinning ear to ear.Kinabukasan, nagising akong wala paring ayos dahil alam ko naman na kami lang ni Papa ang nasa bahay ngayon. Mamaya pang tanghali darating ang mga bisita namin. I let out a yawn and stretch my body while making my way downstairs.
"Oh, Aelin. Gising kana pala." Banggit ni Papa nang makita niya ako sa ilalim na ng hagdanan.
Napahinto ako sa pagliliyad at umayos ng tayo nang makita ko ang kasama nito. He is currently standing with a gorgeous woman whose wearing a white suit who has another girl on her side that looks exactly like her.
My eyes widen when I turned towards the clock in the living room to see that its already time for lunch.
Tanghali na pala.
Sa sobrang hindi ako makatulog sa pag-iisip sa lalaking nakabangga ko kahapon ay alas singko na ako ng umaga nakatulog. Waking up at this time is surely unhealthy, yet I don't care. Kasalanan 'to ng lalaking 'yon eh. Ang gwapo kasi.
Bumaling ako sa kanilang tatlo habang nahihiya sa itsura ko. "Magandang tanghali?" Bating tanong ko.
The older woman smiled at me assuringly. "Good morning."
Father tsked. "Pagpasensyahan niyo na ang anak kong 'yan."
The other girl shakes her head. "It's okay, tito. Baka na jet-lang lang siya."
Parang may humaplos sa puso ko sa dalawa. Ang bait nila ha, infairness. Then my father puts his hand on the lower back of the older woman and smiled at me.
Pinakilala nito ang dalawa. Penelope got her face from her mother. Both got a black hair and green with a shade of blue eyes but has a fair skin. Delilah is slightly more taller than her daughter.
Parang magkaparehas lang kami ng mga height. I got out of my reverie and smiled at them, handang handa na akong tumakas para ayusin ang sarili ko.
Lumingon ako kay Papa. "Mag-aayos lang po ako."
Tumango naman ito at pinaupo na ang dalawa, ako naman ay dumiretso na sa aking kwarto at nag-ayos. Wearing a black crop-top and a high waisted maong shorts secured by a Gucci belt and a Doc Martens boots. I unconsciously smiled while looking at the belt. Hindi ko inaasahang may belt rin pala akong kagaya niya.
After applying myself a lip gloss and mascara, I went downstairs to eat lunch with my dad and the two woman. Pagkadating ko sa sala ay nakita ko sila kaagad na nag-uusap. Kumunot ang nuo ko dahil akala ko kakain na kami sa kainan. Bakit hindi pa sila nakaupo sa dining room?
I hesitantly cough to gather their attention, agad naman silang lumingon sa akin. Agad namang tumayo si Papa at inakbayan ako.
"Aelin, we're going to eat in a restaurant." Sabi nito na para bang alam na nito ang itatanong ko. Tumingala ako sa kaniya at tumango. He then looks at Delilah and Penelope.
"Let's go?" Tanong nito na agad namang sinagot nang dalawa ng tango at sabay na kaming lumabas ng bahay. When we entered the famous restaurant that my father booked a table - that's what he said - for us and take a seat.
The waiter immediately assisted us by seeing my father entering at the first glance. Isa isa kaming nag-order at nang matapos ay nagsimula nang mag-usap ang mga kasama ko.
Later on, my father - whose beside me - turn towards me. "May eskwelahan na pinapasukan si Penelope. Gusto ko sanang ipapasok ka narin doon para isang hatid nalang ng driver natin." Sabi nito. Tumangi naman ang dalawa especially si Penelope.
"Oh my gosh, I'm sure you'll love it there," She gushes. "Madami doong activities and they also focus on academics when needed to." Dagdag niya.
I smiled tightly and turn towards my father. "Anong pangalan ng paaralan?" Tanong ko.
Delilah chuckled. "La Lune University, hija. Its the most known school in Asia."
I let out a nervous laugh. Wala namang masama diba? I mean, mas mabuting may kilala akong estudyante sa paaralan na iyon. Penelope seems trustworthy and nice.
I nodded and shrug. "Sure."
Penelope stood up from her sit and hugs me. I laugh and hug her back softly. Pagkatapos niyang yakapin ako ay hindi nito napansin ang nilagay ng waiter kanina na Iced Tea. Nasagi niya ito at tuloyan nang natapon sa lamesa at sabay noon ang pagtulo sa aking shorts.
Napasinghap kami ng sabay. "Oh my gosh!" Impit na sigaw ko.
"I'm sorry..." She said. Nakangiwi ito ngayon at tinawag agad ang waiter. She keeps on apologizing and I keep on telling her that its fine.
"It's fine now, Pen. Ayan na ang waiter oh. Aelin already forgave you, don't torture yourself." Sawa dito ni Delilah.
Penelope sighs and nods at her mother, then bumalik na siya sa upuan niya na para bang walang nangyari. Delilah smiled at me reassuringly.
"Are you okay, sweetie?" Tanong nito. I smiled at her and nodded while slowly standing up. I winced at the texture of my short. The waiter arrived and started cleaning up the mess. Napatingin ako sa katauhan ng lugar at napansin na ang lahat nang mga mata nila ay nasa sa akin.
"Pupunta lang ako sa Comfort Room." Paalam ko sa kanila. Dad looks at me worriedly.
"Are you sure? Papabilhan kita ng short." Sabi nito at sabay kuha ng cellphone nito. I immediately shake my head. "It's fine, Dad."
"No, it's not!" He snaps at me making me flinch. He lets out a big breath and looks at me sorrowfully.
"I'm sorry, sweetheart."
I smiled. "It's okay."
I then make my way to the comfort room while looking at my legs. Nakakarindi sa pakiramdam ang lagkit na iniwan ng inuming 'yon. I couldn't really blame this n Penelope because she didn't mean it to happen. Malapit na akong makalapit sa banyo nang nauntog ako sa isang matipunong dibdib.
I froze on my spot while looking at the familiar chest. I nervously look up while my heart was hardly tumping on my chest. Nung ako'y nakatingala na ay doon ko napatunayan na totoo ang aking hinala. Standing in front of me is the man that I keep thinking about last night and who I have an owe to.
His mouth twitches when he saw my state and sigh while looking behind me. "I'm sure your dad will take time to buy you a new short." He blurted out.
My heart skip a beat hearing his voice.
"Uhm...okay lang naman. Sige, pupunta muna ako sa banyo para malinis ng kaunti ang lagkit nito." Sabi ko at nagsimula na siyang lagpasan.
However, what he said made me stop. "May utang kapa sa akin. So, I want you to listen and do as I say." He coldly said.
I sigh. "Alright, Clive." I said and went back in front of him. "Now what?"
He shrugs, then grab my hands and went inside the restroom while dragging me inside. Napalunok ako sa ginagawa nito.
"Anong ginagawa mo?" Taning ko sa kaniya. He sighs and grab my waist using both of his hands and raise me up. Kaagad niya din naman akong pinaupo sa lababo at may kinuha sa kaniyang bulsa. Napasinghap ako nang makita kong may bitbit itong manipis na leggings.
"Saan mo nakuha 'yan?" Natatarantang tanong ko.
"Shut up." He said sternly.
I did what he said and as he grabs my belt ay kaagad ko siyang tinulak. "Hoy! Wag na wag mong gawin ang iniisip kong gagawin mo! I have my own hands, kaya lumabas kana at ako na ang papalit sa sarili ko." Sigaw ko sa kaniya at hinablot ang hawak niyang leggings.
"Fine..." He said then went out of the restroom and stayed outside. "Dalian mo, kung hindi ako ang papalit sayo." Banta nito.
"As if!" Sagot ko sa kaniya na sinagutan niya lang ng mahinang tawa.
Dali-dali kong sinuot ang leggings matapos kong hubarin ang short ko. Pagkatapos nun ay kasabay nang pagbukas ng pintuan. I ket out a sigh in relief while Clive let out a breath in irritation.
"Damn, ang bilis naman nun." He mumbles. I glared at him. "Ano?!" Singhal ko
He immediately shake his head. "Nevermind."
I nodded and turn around to smile at him. "Thank you!"
"Dalawang utang na loob na ang mayroon ka sa akin." He sing-sang and smirk. My whole face was immediately filled with shock.
"Paano? Ginawa ko naman lahat ng sinabi mo ah?" He shakes his head. "That's not how the rules works with me, Mrs. Gucci." He said. Grabe naman itong lalaking 'to, kung makasingil ng utang na loob, ang kapal ng mukha.
I rolled my eyes. "Fine, anong gusto mong gawin ko?"
He smirks. "Give me your number."
"What?!" Bulyaw ko. "Ayoko nga." Pagmamadilta ko.
"You have no choice, darling." He said. Agad niyang nilahad ang palad niya na may cellphone. I sigh and punched in my phone number.
"Ayan na ha? Ano pa ang isa?" I eagerly asks. He tsked and shakes his pointer finger in front of my face.
"Ah ah, sa susunod mo pa 'yan malalaman." Kumunot naman ang nuo ko. "Susunod? How sure are you?"
He looks at me in the eyes and winks. "With you, I'm more than sure." Then walk out without returning the gucci belt of mine. I was left there stunned and dumbfounded. Shore? Shore. Ginagago yata ako nito eh. Halatang nambobola at isa pa, ang gucci belt ko!
"Hoy, Clive! Ang gucci belt ko!" Sigaw na habol ko dito pero nung nakalabas na ay hindi ko na ito nakita pa. I went back to the restroom and grab my wet short. Makalipas ang ilang minuto ay may kumatok sa pinto at agad ko namang iyong binuksan at lumabas na.
"Hey, Aelin. Ito na nga pala ang short na pinabili ni Tito. Nakaㅡ" Agad nitong pinutol ang sariling sinasabi nang makita ang suot kong pang-ibaba. She looks at the leggings then back at me in disbelief.
"Saan mo nakuha 'yan?" Nagtatakang tanong niya. I shrug. "May nakabanggaan lang akong kakilala at sinisuwerteng may dala itong leggings."
Although, hindi ko alam kung saan niya nakuha 'yon. Dadag ko pa sana sa sasabihin ko ngunit hindi ko na lamang ginawa dahil baka pagalitan ako nang ama ko. She narrowed her eyes at me making me nervous but she eventually blink and shrugs her shoulders too.
She nodded and smiled. "Okay then, let's go back. Magsho-shopping pa tayo pagkatapos nating kumain." Excited na saad nito. I smile at her and grab the short that my father brought for me. Pagdating namin sa lamesa ay kumunot ang nuo ng dalawa na nag-uusap nang masinsinan.
Dad looks up at me while raising his eyebrow. "May tumulong sa akin na kaibigan na nakabanggaan ko." Ulit na pagpapaliwanag ko. He nodded but still keeps on looking at me suspiciously.
I just ignored him as we sat and ate our food, after that we make our way outside of the restaurant and shop. The two woman was so busy squealing like teenage girls. My father sighs and puts his arms on my shoulders.
"You will be going to your new school, La Lune University on monday. Are you sure that's what you want?" I nodded. "Mabuti na 'yung nay kasama akong kilala ko." Sagot ko sa kaniya na sinuklian niya ng tango. He then looks infront of us and sigh again.
I chuckled. "Let me guess. Its your treat." He lets out chuckle. "Yeah. I wish your mother was here...Atleast, I don't have to do this new things that makes me uncomfortable."
I smiled. My dad and I did a heart-to-heart talk right after we came to San Francisco, California. Until now, we still do that to understand eachother. Hindi ko maintindihan kung bakit hindi niya iyon ginawa kay mama pero wala na akong kinalaman doon kasi desisyon niya naman 'yon.
I pat his side. "That's fine, Dad. You love and miss mom and that's normal because you love her. We just need to understand that love is also about letting go." Payo ko sa kaniya. He nodded and shake his head while chuckling.
He kisses the crown of my head. "You've grown so much, my princess. I'm so proud of you." He mutters. I hummed, "Thank you." I mumbled.
"Don't worry, I'll be sure to be happy just for you." Sabi nito. Napailing nalang ako, simula nang maghiwalay sila ni mama ay palagi na itong iniisip ang kaligayahan ko.
"This is a start, dad. Your new branch, my new school and new family members." I cheered him up making him laugh even though there's nothing funny. Dumiretso na kami sa dalawang nasa loob na ng H&M. My father's phone rings and he immediately took it while sparing a glance and I immediately nodded as he answered the phone.
Napailing na lang ako, habang nakayuko sa suot kong leggings. "Of course, new leggings." I chuckled. I then look up and look at my sorroundings as I enter the clothing store.
"And hopefully, a new life full of love and happines." I mumbled and joined the two woman while grinning ear to ear.