Song: Narcissist- No Rome ft. The 1975

Hate 

Nawala lang ang tingin ko kay Benjamin nang sinalubong ako ni Brittany.

"Come on, Kelsey! Join us!" aya niya sa akin.

Ngumiti naman ako at nilingon ang mga magulang ko. Both of them are looking at us and they're smiling. Hihilahin na sana ako ni Brittany palayo nang may mapagtanto siya.

"Oops. I forgot to ask permission from you, Tito and Tita!" nahihiya siyang tumawa. "Can I borrow Kelsey for a while po? I'm just going to introduce her to my cousins!"

Tumango si Daddy habang si Mommy naman ay tahimik na humagikhik.

"Go ahead, Brittany." Sabi ni Mommy. Brittany squeals at tsaka na ako tuluyang nagpahila sakanya.

Her cousins are already smiling at me when I joined their table. I smiled back. Ang isa niya namang pinsan ay may kaakbay na isang babae. The lady smiled at me.

"Hey guys! This is Kelsey!" pakilala ni Brittany sa akin sa mga pinsan niya. I saw Benjamin scoffed. Binalik niya ang kaninang iniinom na wine sa kanyang bibig.

"We recently just met her at the business party and I was immediately mesmerized by her beauty. Isn't she pretty?" Brittany giggled. Nahihiya naman akong tumawa.

She doesn't need to do that. A simple introduction will do. But of course, we have our own ways of introducing someone to a new group of people, kaya wala na rin akong magagawa.

Tumango ang mga pinsan niya maliban kay Benjamin. He chuckled a little. Umiling ito. Napansin naman ni Brittany ang reaksyon ng kanyang kapatid. She rolled her eyes at him. Mamaya maya pa ay nagpakilala na ang mga pinsan niya sa akin.

"Hi! I'm Margaux." Bati ng isang babae na may katangkaran at maganda ang pangangatawan. She looks like a model but I heard she's a doctor.

"Hi! Nice to meet you."

Sumunod naman sakanya ang isang binatang lalaki. He smiled cheekily at me. Buong akala ko naman noong una ay kinuha niya ang kamay ko upang kamayan ito. Pero laking gulat ko nalang noong hinalikan niya ito. He smiled cheekily at me again.

"It's a pleasure to meet such a beautiful lady like you. I'm Dominic Stefan Donovan." He said then he curtsied at me.

Nanlaki naman ang mga mata ko nang dahil sa ginawa niya. His cousins started cheering for him. Tumawa sila nang dahil sa ginawa niya.

"O-Oh... H-Hi..." medyo nahihiya kong bati.

Ngumiti siyang muli sa akin sa huling pagkakataon bago magpakilala sa akin iyong pinsan nilang may kasamang babae.

"I'm Aiden and this is my wife," he turns to his wife like he's so in love with her. Ngumiti sa akin iyong babae.

"Anastasia," she offered her hand to me. I gladly accepted it. "Nice to meet you, Kelsey."

"Nice to meet you, too."

I smiled at the both of them. Naramdaman ko namang lumapat ang kamay ni Brittany sa balikat ko. Nilingon ko siya.

"They just got married recently. And now... Ate Ana is two months pregnant!" she exclaimed happily.

Nagulat naman ako doon. At talagang hindi sila nag-aksaya ng panahon! They immediately wanted to start a family huh?

"Congratulations!" sabi ko. Ngumiti silang muli sa akin.

"Thank you!" parehas nilang sinabi sa akin.

Sunod namang nagpakilala sa akin ang isa pang lalaki. He shakes my hand formally.

"Gio," he said simply.

"He's heartbroken." Brittany whispered. Mukhang narinig iyon ni Gio kaya sinamaan niya ito ng tingin.

"I hope you enjoy the night, Kelsey." aniya at tipid na ngumiti sa akin.

"Thank you."

Sinundan ko si Gio ng tingin. Tumabi siya kay Benjamin. Nakita ko namang nagsalin si Benjamin ng wine sakanyang wine glass. May sinabi siya kay Gio at hindi naman siya pinansin nito. Gio kept a straight face. Siguro masyado siyang naheartbroken kaya ganito ang mood niya ngayon.

Pinanood ko naman si Benjamin habang sumisimsim sakanyang wine. His aura screams so much confidence and I hate it. Why is he so damn confident? How is he able to do that!?

Mamaya maya pa ay nakita kong ibinaling niya ang tingin sa amin. Mabilis kong iniwas ang tingin sakanya. Whoa! He almost caught me staring at him. Ugh! I hate myself for doing that.

Mas batang babae naman ang bumati sa akin ngayon. Just by looking at her, I think she's only fifteen. Bata pa ang katawan at mukha. I smiled at her.

"Hi! I'm Felicity. Welcome to our family!" aniya sabay niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

Hindi ako nakayakap agad pabalik sakanila nang dahil sa gulat doon sa sinabi niya. My mouth parted. I did not expect that!

"What are you even saying, Fel?" narinig kong sumabat si Benjamin. Nilingon siya ni Felicity. Hindi ko naman naiwasang mapabaling ulit ng tingin sakanya.

"What's the matter, Kuya Benj? Everyone who gets invited over to our family dinner is a family, too!" paliwanag si Felicity sakanya.

Benjamin rolled his eyes. Siguro hindi niya tanggap iyong sinabi ni Felicity. Oh well, no one needs his opinion.

I heart Brittany groaned. Mukhang nainis sa mas nakakatandang kapatid. Binalik kong muli ang tingin sakanya.

"Oh fuck off, Benjamin. We didn't ask for you to talk!"

Hindi ko naiwasang mapangiti nang dahil doon. I'm glad Brittany and I are on the same page. Tumawa ang mga pinsan niya dahilan kung bakit supladong nag-iwas ng tingin si Benjamin.

"Don't listen to him, Kelsey. We're very glad to welcome you in our family." Ngumiti si Margaux sa akin.

"At tsaka, masaya kami na nadagdagan kami ng babae dito. Though you're not a full-blooded Donovan, I feel like we're going to have a very solid sisterhood!" Brittany squealed. Napatalon pa siya at napapalakpak nang dahil sa tuwa.

Naging masaya naman ang takbo ng gabi kong iyon. Hindi ko kasi pinapansin si Benjamin kaya naging solemn iyong gabi ko. My mother asked for me after I met the Donovan cousins. Ipapakilala niya pa raw ako.

"Kelsey, this is your Tita Lorena. I suppose you met Aiden, right?" tanong sa akin ni Mommy. Tumango naman ako. "She's his mother. Habang ang Tito Aaron mo naman, nasa California."

Tumango akong muli. Nakita ko namang siniko ni Tito Francisco si Tita Lorena. Kumunot ang noo nito sakanya.

"But don't worry, your Tita Lorena and Tito Aaron are trying to build their love back- Ouch!" hindi na naituloy pa ni Tito Francisco ang kanyang sasabihin dahil binatukan siya ni Tita Lorena.

"Shut it, Francisco! Lahat nalang ba kailangan mong i-share?" Tita Lorena rolled her eyes on him.

I chuckled quietly. May pinagmanahan naman pala itong si Benjamin.

"Stop it you two! Nasa harap kayo ng bisita." Ani Tito Ferdinand. Feeling ko siya ang panganay sakanilang tatlo. The way he stands fits for a perfect example of a serious older brother.

Natikom naman ang bibig ni Tito Francisco kahit na may gusto pa siyang sabihin. He pouted and he moved closer to his wife. Ngumiti naman ako.

It's cute to see a scene like this, 'yung  hindi nahihiya na makipagbiruan sa isa't isa kahit pa nakaharap sa bisita. I rarely see those. Most of my aunts and uncles are either prim and proper or they're just quiet. Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng pamilya na puno ng saya.

Pagkatapos akong ipakilala nila Mommy ay dumiretso na kami sa dining table. Maraming putahe ng pagkain ang nakaserve sa lamesa. It's like there's a whole community that's going eat here sa sobrang rami ng pagkain na pinahanda nila.

Tumabi ako kay Mommy at sa kabilang gilid ko naman ay si Brittany. Ngumiti siya sa akin.

"You should try Tita Cecilia's lasagna. They're the best." Aniya.

"And also... you should try Tita Lorena's crème bulee." Si Felicity.

"Yes! Oh my god! And my mom's turkey!" Brittany pursed her lips at tsaka itinaas ang tatlong daliri, pinapahiwatig na sobrang worth it ng mga iyon.

"Okay. I'll try everything you suggested."

"How could you forget Tito Francisco's steak?" nagulat naman kami nang biglang sumabat si Margaux sa usapan. She's beside Felicity.

"Yes!" sigaw ng dalawa. Napabaling naman ng tingin ang iba sakanilang dalawa. Nahihiya nilang itinikom ang kanilang bibig.

"Margaux's right. Out of all the foods that we suggested, my dad's steak is the best!"

"Okay. I'll try and taste everything you suggested," sabi ko. "Oh! And actually, my mom baked a cake. She's really good at baking. You should also try it." ngumiti ako sakanila. Brittany and Felicity squealed.

"Oh we would love to!" si Brittany.

Mamaya maya pa ay nag-umpisa na ang kainan. Kinuha ko iyong mga pagkain na sinuggest nila sa akin kanina. So far, I'm loving Tita Cecilia's lasagna. Hindi ko pa natitikman iyong turkey at steak ni Tita Barbara at Tito Francisco. I'm still busy finishing my lasagna. Nang matapos naman ay kumuha na ako ng turkey at steak na sinasabi nila. My eyes widened at how good they taste!

"Liking it?" bulong sa akin ni Brittany.
"I'm loving it." sagot ko. We both chuckled.

Nang matapos ko nang kainin ang ibang isinuggest nila sa akin, I proceeded on tasting Tita Lorena's crème bulee. Napatango nalang ako nang dahil sa sobrang sarap. Can I take one home?

"It tastes so good, right?" tanong sa akin ni Mommy na kumakain na rin pala ng crème bulee ngayon. Tumawa ako at tsaka tumango.

"How is the food, Bernard?" tanong ni Tito Francisco kay Daddy.

"I feel so full honestly! Everything tastes good! This family is blessed with great cooks!" puri ni Daddy. Tumawa ang iba.

"How about you, Kelsey? How is the food, darling?" nagulat ako nang tanungin ako ni Tita Barbara.

"Oh... Actually, Brittany, Felicity, and Margaux, suggested some foods that I should taste before we started eating. And everything tastes so delicious." Tita Barbara smiled sweetly at me.

"What do you like most?" napabaling naman ang tingin ko kay Benjamin na umepal sa usapan ngayon. Dominic turned to him, too, at tsaka kumunot ang noo. Dominic shrugged his shoulders at tsaka kumain muli.

Hindi ko pinansin ang tanong na iyon. I would love to start eating again if only my Mom didn't urge me to answer Benjamin's question.

"He's asking you, Kelsey..." she whispered in my ear.

I sighed. Tiningnan ko si Benjamin. There's a ghost smile on his lips. Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay.

"Everything tastes best. I couldn't pick one." I answered simply.

Ngumuso siya at tsaka tumango. Nabago naman ang usapan matapos iyon. Pinagusapan namin iyong mga pinagkakaabalahan namin ngayon at kung ano ano pa.

"My son just got married recently," Tita Lorena started. "Now, Ana is two months pregnant! I couldn't wait to be a grandmother!"

Based on her facial expression, I know that she's so excited about the birth of her first grandchild. My parents smiled at her.

"And also, my son has been very busy these past few days. He's been managing two companies at a time." tumango naman si Daddy sa sinabi ni Tita Lorena. He looks impressed.

"Buti at nagagawa mo iyon, hijo! Hindi naman ba mahirap?" tanong nito kay Aiden.

"Hindi naman po. I can handle it. I'm also doing this for Ana's sake so I don't really mind." Ngumiti siya sa amin. Tipid ko siyang sinuklian ng ngiti.

Mamaya maya pa ay napunta ang usapan sa pinagkakaabalahan ng mga anak ni Tito Ferdinand at Tita Cecilia.

"Margaux and Gio are both working now. Gio's the one managing our hospital." Tumango si Mommy sa sinabi ni Tita Cecilia. "Actually, nagpaplano nga kaming irename iyong ospital, e. But we still don't know when. Masyado kasing mahabang proseso, e."

"How about Margaux, Cecile? Is she done with med school?" si Mommy.

"Matagal na, Tin! She's on her last year of residency now! And so far so good! She's starting to get known around the country because of her ability. Makes us a proud parents!" Tita Cecilia giggled. Nilingon ko naman si Margaux na tipid na ngumiti sa amin.

"While my Dominic is graduating high school this year. Akala nga namin at malelate 'tong grumaduate dahil sobrang pasaway!" she continued. Mabilis namang napaangat ng tingin si Dominic sakanya.

"Wow! Mommy! I'm not anymore!" reklamo nito.

"Wag kang magsalita ng tapos, Dom." Biro ni Brittany. He childishly rolled his eyes on her.

"And Felicity is on her 10th grade! She's doing really well in school kaya wala ako masyadong prinoproblema dito."

Natawa si Felicity sa sinabi ni Tita Cecilia. She's smiling like she's so proud of herself. Tiningnan naman siya ng masama ni Dominic at tsaka muling inirapan.

Hindi ko talaga alam kung bakit sobrang nacucute-tan ako sa mga magkapatid na nag-aaway. Maybe because I never experience such thing. Sino naman ang aawayin ko? Ang mga katulong? That's not right!

Nakakalungkot rin pala maging only child.

"How about Kelsey, Tin? Ano ang pinagkakaabalahan niya ngayon?"

Malaking ngiti ang ibinigay ni Mommy sakanila. Sa gilid ng aking mga mata ay napabaling ng tingin si Benjamin sa amin.

"Oh my daughter just graduated with honors recently! Summa cum laude to be exact! I still couldn't get over it. Sobrang laking achievement para sa amin ni Bernard!"

Tita Lorena and Tita Cecilia looks shocked. Lumapit naman sa akin si Brittany upang may ibulong.

"You are so amazing! Congratulations!" she hissed. I smiled.
"Thanks."

"Really?" si Tita Lorena. "That is amazing, hija! You took up Architecture, right?"

Tumango ako.

"That course is no joke! Mahirap iyon! You'll need real determination and skills! We are very glad to hear that, Tin!" pumalakpak siya.

"I know. Ang sabi ko nga sakanya noon, sapat na sa amin na makagraduate siya ng kolehiyo. But our daughter still gave us more than we expected!"

"Napakaswerte niyo kay Kelsey, Tin! Mabait, masipag, at magandang bata! Swerte ang mapapangasawa!" si Tita Barbara. Medyo kinabahan akong tumawa.

Here we go again...

"Naku! Napakawife material naman pala nitong anak ninyo, Bernard." Si Tito Francisco. "I wonder if she knows how to cook and do laundries. I will be so amazed! I bet she still has time to learn gayong napapalibutan siya ng mga house helps sainyo?"

"I bet..." I heard Benjamin mocked. Kaunti lang kaming nakarinig noon. Thank god Brittany tried to shut her brother's mouth again.

"Our daughter is very independent, Francisco. Her future husband has nothing to worry about."

Ngiting ngiti si Tita Barbara sa akin ngayon. Tipid akong ngumiti pabalik at tsaka nag-iwas ng tingin.

Nang matapos akong pag-usapan ay napunta naman ito kay Brittany at Benjamin. I found out that Brittany is still finishing her medicine degree in States at nandito lang sila para magbakasyon.

While Benjamin... he's a licensed engineer and a topnotcher. He's currently trying to handle their own company at nandidito lang rin para magbakasyon.

Oh I can't wait for this annoying man to leave this country! Mababawasan ng mga nakakabwisit na tao ang Pilipinas!

"Kelsey, I heard you're also trying to learn how to handle your company in the future." Ibinaling muli nila ang tingin sa akin nang sabihin ni Tita Barbara iyon.

"Uh... yes po."

"That's great. Maybe my son can help you with that. Marami na itong alam and I'm also sure he doesn't mind helping you. Am I right, Benj?" nilingon niya si Benjamin.

"What- I didn't-"

"Right, Benj?" hindi na natapos ni Benjamin ang kanyang sasabihin dahil nilakihan siya ng mata ni Tita Barbara. That made him shut his mouth.

"That's great, Barb! I'm sure my daughter would love to!" si Mommy. My eyes widened.

At kanino niya naman napulot 'yan? Ayos lang sa akin na may magtuturo sa akin, pero hindi ako kailanman magpapaturo sa lalaking 'to! Over my dead body!

Bumuka ang bibig ko upang may sabihin pero masaya na muli silang nag-usap at wala na akong panahon pa para isingit pang muli ang usapang 'yon. I look over to Benjamin who seems really surprised as well. Tumingin siya sa akin at kinunotan ako ng noo.

Suplada kong iniwas ang tingin. I tried to catch up with their conversation even though what my Mom said still concerns me.

Naligpit na't lahat lahat ang lamesa pero hindi parin sila tapos sa usapan. Everybody seems so engrossed by the conversation that nobody wants to stop. Lumingon naman ako sa likod at nakitang doon nila pwinesto ang dessert table.

Gio, Dominic, Ana, and Margaux are currently getting some desserts.

"Do you want some?" tanong ni Felicity sa akin nang mapansin sigurong nakatingin ako doon.

"Mamaya nalang." Sabi ko. Tumango siya at sinamahan si Brittany na kumuha na rin ng dessert.

Ilang minuto ang nakalipas ay tsaka ko nagpadesisyonan na tumayo upang kumuha na rin ng dessert. My mouth watered nang makita ko ang mga nakahain na doon. Paubos na naman na ngayon iyong binake ni Mommy na cake so I didn't bother getting some since meron naman niyan sa bahay.

I was busy picking some desserts nang maramdaman kong may tumabi sa akin.

"How's feeling like a princess, your highness?" napabaling ang tingin ko sa pinaggalingan ng boses na iyon. I sigh at walang ganang binalik muli ang tingin sa dessert table dahil si Benjamin lang pala ito.

Hindi ko siya pinansin. Lumayo ako at dumiretso sa ibang parte ng dessert table upang kumuha ng iba pang putahe.

He chuckled lightly.

"Wow! The princess is a snobber now huh?" pang-aasar niya.

Ignore him, Kelsey. Remember what Jeya told you.

Umiling ako at kumuha ng isang chocolate mousse. I continued on ignoring him.

"Dahil ba hindi na kita minemessage sa Facebook kaya mo ko iniisnob ngayon?"

Doon ako tuluyang napatigil. Hindi ko na kaya pang pigilan ang sarili ko na hindi siya sagutin ngayon. Sobrang epal niya!

"At ang kapal naman talaga ng mukha mo!" sabi ko. Plastic akong ngumiti sakanya.

Ngumisi siya at tsaka humalukipkip. He shrugged his shoulders at me boyishly.

"Siguro minsan kailangan mo nang magpacheck kasi hindi naman lahat ng tao ay gustong kausap ka." dagdag ko.

Ngumuso si Benjamin at mapang-asar na tumango. "Ohh... Is that the case? Then why did you accept my friend request?"

Tumawa ako. "I didn't know that it was such a big deal for you. Bakit? Ngayon lang ba may nag-accept ng friend request mo?"

"Yeah," he answered confidently. "The friends that I have now on Facebook are the one's who sent me a friend request. Ikaw lang iyong friend ko ngayon na ako mismo ang nag-add."

I nodded my head pleasingly. I smirked. "Should I be flattered then?"

"Of course! I mean, aren't you flattered that you're friends with the Benjamin Donovan?"

And that... that confidence is what I hate the most about him. Hindi ko alam kung saan niya napupulot ang lahat ng confidence niya!

"No." agaran kong sinagot.

His mouth parted a little pero agad rin namang nakabawi nang unti-unti siyang ngumisi. "It's okay that you won't admit it. I know you're still in the indenial stage."

Tumawa ako pero sa totoo lang gigil na gigil na ako sa lalaking 'to. The way that he's so overly confident is so annoying!

"Buti ka pa alam mong nasa indenial stage ako. Kasi ako hindi. Malawak lang siguro 'yang imagination mo kaya mo nasasabi 'yan noh?"

Benjamin smirked at wala nang idinuktong doon. Tatalikod na sana ako sakanya ng bigla niyang matabig ang fruit salad. The cream immediately went down my legs. My eyes widened. Bumuka ang bibig ko at masamang tiningnan si Benjamin.

Buti nalang at binti ko lang ang nadamay! I'll probably explode with anger if he ruined the dress that I'm wearing today again. Napalingon sa gawi namin ang lahat.

"What the hell! Again!?" sigaw ko sakanya. Bumaba ang tingin ni Benjamin sa binti ko. Now my legs feels so sticky. So annoying!

"Oops. Sorry. My bad." Aniya. Mas lalo akong nainis.

I don't know if he did it on purpose or what, but the way he apologized―or is that even an apology―doesn't seem so sincere! I mean, kailan pa ba naging sincere ang isang 'to pagdating sa paghingi ng tawad?

I was about to hit him when I heard my father.

"Kelsey!" masamang tingin ang iginawad niya sa akin. 'Yun rin ang naging rason kung bakit ibinaba ko iyong kamay na gagamitin ko sana upang hampasin itong Benjamin na 'to.

Benjamin smirked again when he noticed how I easily gave in to my father's warning. Malamang iniisip na nito na masyado akong takot sa tatay ko kaya hindi ko naituloy iyong dapat kong gawin.

Oh I swear, one day, I'll get even to him! Sasaktan ko siya hanggang sa tigilan na niya ako!

I hate him! I hate him so much!