"So I got news pala," Anjo announced habang kumakain kami ng brunch dito sa Maginhawa.

It's Sunday. Wala kaming klase. After finishing my chores, Ahron picked me up and we went straight to Maginhawa for our weekly hang out.

All heads turned to her as she dropped the bomb.

"Apparently, the ex is back in town and he's asking for Javee," she said with distaste.

Now, all eyes shifted to me. Complete ang girls ngayon. Lhyle wasn't with us dahil may kino-cover 'tong photoshoot.

I shrugged. If I heard that about two years ago, I would've cared. But so many things happened already. Wala na akong pakialam sa kanya.

"Ex, you mean Dela Costa?" Maxxie clarified.

"May iba pa bang ex si Javee?" Anjo shrugged.

"Ano daw kailangan niya? Makikipagbalikan? After ilang years, seriously?"

"I don't know. Hinanap niya lang. Sabi ko nga 'wag siyang asshole, e. He doesn't get to even ask."

I kept my quiet all throughout the conversation. Hinahayaan ko lang silang mag-usap. I really didn't care about Rohann anymore. It's been almost three years, I think. Wala na siya sa puso at isipan ko. If he's around, no one gives a fuck. As long as he doesn't go parading around me.

"Babe, you okay?" Hiromi asked me, concern featured in her doe eyes.

I beamed at her. "Of course." I turned to the girls. "Don't mind him, guys. Let bygones be bygones. I have someone else na."

At this, halos kuminang ang mga mata ni Anjo. "Aba syempre. May makakatalo pa ba kay Fafa Racel?"

"Amen," I agreed and we all laughed.

"So, what's the deal na ba talaga? What's the real score?" Ahron asked me after she sipped from her smoothie.

"Nothing official pa. Actually, 'di pa namin napag-uusapan nang matino," simple kong sagot.

"But you're in love with him?" Hiromi asked quietly while she fiddled with her drink.

A fond smile curled in my lips and I said confidently, "So much."

"Whoo! Ako na lang ba ang walang love life dito? Javee has Racel. Ahron has Justin. Si Maxx, wala naman balak," whined Anjo. "Napag-iiwanan ako, mga bes!"

"Hey, wala din naman si Hiro, a?" natatawang wika ni Maxxie habang nag-protesta naman si Ahron sa pagkaka-link niya with Justin.

"That's what you think! Nakita ko pinsan niya nung isang linggo. She said may nagugustuhan daw 'tong si H, 'di man lang nagkukwento e!" Anjo answered Maxxie.

Hiromi went beet red all of the sudden. "H-ha?"

"Uyy. Sino 'yan, a?" biro ko.

"W-wala. Don't ask. He's got someone else na rin kasi."

Bigla naman akong nalungkot sa sinabi niyang 'yon. Bumagsak ang ngiti sa mukha ni Hiro, as if what she said hurt her deeply. Whoever that guy was, mukhang hindi lang simpleng crush ang nararamdaman niya for him.

Ayoko siyang saktan so I didn't press for more details.

"Ay gano'n? Party na lang tayo, girl. Makakalimutan mo rin 'yan!" Anjo told Hiromi. "Hanap tayo fafa!"

"Spoken like a true play girl," Maxxie joked, rolling her eyes.

I chuckled, listening as they teased each other to and fro. Light lang din kasi ang atmosphere dito sa Antiteasis. It's quaint and all but it's a true spot for barkada chill outs.

Suddenly, habang may binabanggit na trek adventure si Maxxie, I got distracted by my ring tone. Fishing it up, I smiled nang makita ko kung sino ang tumatawag.

"Yes naman. Tumatawag pa si baby boy," teased Maxxie, sinusulyapan ang pangalan sa screen.

Sasagutin ko na sana ang tawag but Hiromi accidentally hit one of the smoothies. Tumapon ito sa table namin, thank goodness maagap si Ahron at napunasan agad 'yon.

Hiromi apologized to us. Tumawa lang sina Maxxie at Anjo. I waved a hand to shrug her apologies away.

The second time Racel called, I quickly got up to my feet to answer his call. Lumabas ako ng cafe for better reception. Nangingiti-ngiti rin ako dahil nakasunod sa 'kin ang mga nang-aasar na boses ng mga kaibigan ko. Buti na lang hindi sila yung tsismosa type. 'Di na sila sumunod sa labas.

"Hey, love," bati agad ni Racel na agad na nagpangiti sa 'kin.

Hoshet. Hindi ko mapigilan ang explosion ng kilig sa stomach ko. I contained the wide smile spreading over my face.

"Hey," I said back in my most composed voice.

"Where are you? You doing okay?"

"Yup, I'm with the girls. You?"

"I'm on the road. Susunduin sana kita. Are you gonna be busy the whole day?"

My brows furrowed in curiosity. "'Di naman. Pauwi na rin kami, e. Anong meron?"

"Dad wants you to come over. It's his birthday on Wednesday but we're having a mini celebration tonight. He wants to meet you daw."

What he said alarmed me. "Huh!" I exclaimed. "Hey, ba't ngayon mo lang sinabi? Wala akong gift. 'Di ako prepared! I'm not even wearing a dress!" I rambled.

"Sorry, ngayon ko lang din nalaman na may party today," he apologized. "Don't bother with a gift, okay lang. And no need to wear a dress. Come as you are. You're beautiful as it is."

I bit my lip. Nag-pa-panic na ako. Napatingin ako sa suot ko. I'm wearing an off-shoulder top naman paired with white shorts and brown boots. Will this do? He mentioned na small party lang naman pero okay na ba ito? I'm going to meet the parents! Shucks!

What to do? What to do?

"Hey," he called. "Chill, it's gonna be okay. Just be yourself. I want them to see what I saw in you. C'mon, baby. Just be yourself."

Huminga ako nang malalim. His words had big effect on me dahil kahit papaano ay kumalma ako.

"Fine, sige na nga. But let's buy him a gift before we go. Wine siguro or any alcohol that he likes? Does he drink ba?" sabi ko habang nag-iisip na ng mga bagay na pwede kong dalhin mamaya sa party.

"Sure. So that's a yes? You're going?" excited niyang tanong.

"Syempre. I want to meet them, too."

"Great! I'll pick you up. Nasaan ka ba?"

I told him where we were. After the call, bumalik na ako sa girls to tell them na mauuna na ako sa kanila. They were giddier than me pa nga dahil with the exception of Ahron, first time nilang makikilala si Racel. Which happened about an hour later. Ngiting ngiti nga 'tong si Anjo nang ipakilala ko officially sa kanila si Racel.

They were pretty cool naman. Hiromi was timid as usual kaya medyo awkward ang introduction ko between them. She couldn't meet his eyes properly for some reasons, siguro dahil brokenhearted din siya ngayon.

I sort of felt uncomfortable tuloy. My babe was heartbroken and here I was, introducing the love of my life to them. Sana ay hindi siya ma-offend.

Good thing Anjo and Maxx kept things light. They interrogated him, slight, before totally loosening up. With Ahron naman, well, magkakilala naman na sila so there's nothing new. Not really.

"I'll borrow your friend muna if it's okay?" Racel told them after exchanging pleasantries.

"Gusto mo wag mo nang isoli, e," biro ni Maxxie before the girls shooed us away.

I waved at them before climbing into the BMW.

"You must know. My friends really like you," I told him as soon as he settled in his seat.

"Buti na lang. Nagpapa-good shot ako," he said, laughing. He started the engine and took off right away. Katulad ng napag-usapan namin, dadaan muna kami sa mall para bumili ng regalo.

Gosh. I felt so nervous. Nakita ko naman na ang parents niya before pero iba yung feeling ngayon. I was finally and officially meeting the people who raised this man that I adore so much.

Hoshet. Magustuhan kaya nila ako?

#

Two hours later, with a Whiskey and mocha cake in hand, I found myself nervously standing at their doorsteps. Daig ko pa ang aakyat ng ligaw sa kaba na nararamdaman ko.

Racel took a long glance of my face and grinned. "Don't be nervous. You look fantastic." He kissed my cheek and held my free hand before ringing the door bell.

Kung kanina ay napapakalma niya pa ako, now, it did little. My heart was crashing so bad. I really wanted to win their favor.

A maid immediately ushered us into the mansion. I stared in awe at its amazing interior. Well? I expected nothing less from the Gutierez family. It's a given na malaki ang bahay nila dito sa Ayala Alabang. His dad works as an executive in the US habang neurosurgeon naman ang mom niya. On top of those, may iba din silang businesses. It's no wonder.

My hands were slightly trembling habang naglalakad kami papasok ng mansion. Racel had a firm grip on my hand and he squeezed it when I told him na parang mamamatay ako sa kaba.

"Relax. I'm here. I won't leave you," sabi niya in earnest and surprisingly, it calmed my nerves na. "They'll love you 'cause I already do."

Cozy lang ang ngiti sa mukha niya pero para akong nakuryente sa sinabi niya. Did he even realize the implication of what he said?

Hindi ko na napigilan. A wide very kinikilig smile etched on my face.

We stepped into the hallway and made our way to the backyard kung saan naka-set up ang mini celebration. Konti lang ang tao. Wala pa siguro sa twenty. Hula ko ay pamilya lang din at kakaunting kaibigan ang invited ngayon. I could see familiar faces. Nandito si Vianne. And there's also the Claui girl na nakikita ko lagi sa Instagram.

Upon seeing us, lumapit kaagad ang mommy ni Racel. Nung una ay nagulat pa ito na ako ang nakita niya. Then, a warm smile spread on her face.

My heart started to beat faster again.

"What a lovely surprise. I must say I have many questions running in my head, but they can wait. I take it you're my son's special girl, yes?" Mrs. Gutierez said with a very maternal smile.

I nodded, letting out a polite smile. "Opo. Nice to meet you po ulit, Ma'am."

Racel draped an arm around my shoulder. "Ma, this is Javee. I've mentioned her before?"

"Nice to see you again, hija. Don't be shy around us ha. Nakakatuwa naman." Then turning to Racel, "Anak, ha, 'di mo sinabing siya pala ang girlfriend mo. Actually, kanina pa ako kinakabahan sa kung sino ang dadalhin mo ngayon. Thank goodness it's her," gushed his mom in the warmest tone ever. Nahihimigan ko rin ang excitement sa boses niya. "I'm sure your dad will be thrilled to see her today."

Okay. That's already a good sign, right?

I breathed a sigh of relief. "Um, Ma'am. Racel said mahilig daw po si Sir sa Whiskey. Sana po magustuhan niya ito," I said, handing over the gift that I bought.

"Nag-abala ka pa," his mom answered. "And call me mama. Please, I insist."

Uminit ang magkabilang pisngi ko. Unable to call her mom, tumango na lang ako.

Racel was wearing a wide grin, halatang natutuwa sa naririnig. "Where's Papa though?"

"Nasa taas pa. Bababa na rin 'yon. Kumain na muna kayo."

Inasikaso niya kami sa pagkuha ng pagkain. Nahihiya na nga ako because she was gushing over me and even introduced me to some family members as the girlfriend. I wanted to correct her na hindi pa kami pero hindi ako makasingit. It all felt too surreal.

By the time we were done with the introductions, saka naman bumaba ang daddy ni Racel. He was most surprised when I was introduced. Then, a soft laugh erupted from his lips.

"A De Villa? Anak nga kita," he said fondly to his son before turning to me. "Alam na ba ni kumpare na girlfriend ka pala nitong anak ko?"

I squirmed a bit. Under his parents' close scrutiny, kahit na mababait sila ay kinakabahan pa rin ako. Pa'no ko ba sasabihin ang totoo? I felt Racel squeeze my hand in a comforting gesture.

"Hindi pa po, e," sabi ko.

Mr. Gutierez' brows shot up.

"Not yet, Pa. We're taking it slow," Racel chimed in.

"Gano'n ba?" Tumawa ang daddy niya. "Okay, son. Just tell us kung kailan tayo mamamanhikan."

It was a joke. Tumawa silang tatlo but blood shot up to my cheeks and my heart was pounding hard and fast. Oh, my goooood! Anoooo daaaaw?

"Sige na. You kids have fun," his dad said. "And Javee, welcome to the family, anak."

I felt lightheaded habang nilalayo ako ni Racel sa kanila. Did that just happen? It did, right? I got the approval of the parentals, right? They called me anak. They even welcomed me.

Holy wow.

Sa sobrang saya ko kaya ay pakiramdam ko, lumilipad ako sa cloud nine. It felt so bizarre and dream-like. Nakakatuwa. Masayang isipin na kahit ganito ang level nila sa buhay ay mababait silang mga tao.

"Told you they'll love you," Racel whispered to me. He looked so proud and happy that I wanted to kiss his cheek right then and there, but I refrained and stopped myself.

Instead, I let a big smile flash on my face. "They're amazing."

#

Vianne mostly kept me company. Abala na rin kasi si Racel sa pakikipag-usap sa iba niyang mga pinsan. Nakilala ko rin dito yung kuya-kuyahan niya at ang kapatid nitong barkada ni Lhyle. Small world talaga.

Claui, the object of my jealousy before, was finally introduced to me. To be honest, awkward for me na makita siya in person. She was so genuine and nice, literally glowing dahil maganda siya-not in the super artista way but in her own natural beauty way. Siguro because there's always a smile on her face kaya parang she looked radiant and everything.

I no longer feel insecure but damn. Racel had this kind of girl and he never once looked at her?

"Hi! We finally met! I wanted to talk to you kanina but Tita was so busy spazzing over you," Claui laughed and even that sounded nice. "She loves you, I can super tell."

I smiled. "Thanks. Buti na lang."

"So how did you start? Paano kayo nagkakilala?" she asked. "I'm curious lang coz that idiot doesn't really tell me anything. Bihira na kami magkita, e."

And so, I told her the brief summary of our story. Syempre, I excluded the private details. Yung mga important parts lang.

"Oh, my god. Kapatid ka pala ni Jacob!" she said in surprise. "Well, wala naman ako alam sa mga away-away nila. But now that I see it, may family resemblance nga."

We would've continued with the conversation but a new family arrived in the yard. May kasama 'tong tatlong mga babae na agad tumakbo kay Claui para yakapin ito.

I focused on my food na lang muna habang nag-uusap sila. Vianne was talking to her friend kaya hindi ko siya kasama. I was looking around for Racel but I couldn't find him.

Not that I was being clingy pero I was feeling slightly out of placed here. To her credit, Claui tried to engage me in conversation pero hindi ko kasi masundan ang pinag-uusapan nila.

Then, things went downhill when I heard one of them whisper to Claui,

"Girlfriend ba 'yon? But I thought you're the girlfriend?"

Claui immediately nudged her and berated her. "Hey, hindi kaya."

"No, really. Akala talaga naming lahat kayo ang end game. After Vianne broke up with him, we all thought kayo na. Childhood sweethearts kayo, 'di ba?"

"Well, I tell you. Hindi nga."

My stomach flipped and the food tasted sour in my mouth. They were whispering but I could hear them above the music. They weren't even whispers kasi. Just low talking. Mukhang hindi naman sila aware na naririnig ko sila but damn if it didn't make me feel weird.

So gano'n pala? Everyone here thought Claui was the sweetheart. Kaya pala halos lahat ay nagulat nang pinakilala ako ng mommy ni Racel.

"Cuz!" said one of the girls.

Nag-angat ako ng tingin at nakita si Racel na papalapit sa amin. Binati niya ang tatlo niyang pinsan sabay upo sa tabi ko. Casually, he snaked an arm around my waist and grabbed a bite from my spaghetti.

"Sorry, baby. Tinawag ako ni Tito sa labas, e. Okay ka lang ba dito?"

"Yeah, okay naman," I said, smiling tight-lipped.

"I'm glad to see you jamming here with my family," bulong niya as he planted a kiss on my palm.

The heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach dissipated slightly sa sinabi niya. The tender look in his eyes was so beautiful that I somehow forgot na nagseselos ako.

"Lovebirds, lovebirds. Get a room!" biro ng isa sa mga pinsan niya. The nicest among them. I think her name was Sophia.

Ngumisi si Racel.

"She must be really special, e, since you brought her here?"

"She is," Racel said smugly.

"Kailan pa naging kayo?" tanong nung isa, yung kausap kanina ni Claui.

Racel was going to answer but the question was directed to me. So ako ang sumagot, "Actually hindi pa kami."

Racel stiffened and quickly said, "Not yet anyway."

If the girls were surprised to hear that, they didn't show. The Sophia girl was quick to shift to another topic na rin kasi. Habang nag-uusap ang magpipinsan, Claui leaned to me. "Tara. Kuha tayo ng desserts."

Kahit na reluctant akong iwan ang tabi ni Racel, I stood up and went to the long table with her to get some desserts. Sumunod din sa 'min kaagad si Racel.

"Himala. Kumakain ka na ng pandan ngayon?" Racel told Claui when he saw what she was putting on her plate.

"Oo 'no. Tagal na. Outdated ka na. 'Di kasi nagpapakita."

Racel laughed. "I've been busy," sabi niya sabay tingin sa 'kin as if to say na dahil sa 'kin kaya siya naging abala.

They talked like casual friends. Like bestfriends, to be exact, that I was beginning to feel like a third wheel. Racel wasn't really ignoring me, no. Siguro aftereffect lang ito ng mga narinig ko kanina kaya I was in a relatively bad mood na ngayon.

I slowly inched away from them. Parang gusto ko na lang umupo sa isang table alone or I could just go to the restroom. Anywhere so I could clear my thoughts. Shucks. Ayokong maging clingy or selosa. Hindi naman ako gano'n.

As I placed small distances between us, Racel sneaked a glance at me and placed a hand on my waist to stop me. He kept me in place and pulled me even closer.

He smiled at me before tossing a glance at Claui.

"Bagay kayo," she commented.

"Thanks," he answered.

"O sige. I'll leave you lovebirds alone na," and then she went back to the table of the three girls.

Racel then whispered into my ear, "Wanna go outside for a while? It's getting cramped here."

I nodded. Nilagay na muna niya sa table yung chocolate cake na kinuha ko then he steered me in the direction where we parked his car.

Racel studied my face, concern clear as day in his eyes. "Is something wrong, baby?"

I couldn't stop my big mouth from blurting out, "So Claui's your childhood sweetheart pala? She's pretty talaga."

"You think so?"

"Mm." I hummed.

He faced me fully then. He placed a finger under my chin and lifted it up. "Not as beautiful as you, though. Are we okay? What did the girls tell you?"

"Wala naman. I just heard a few things is all."

"Like?"

"Nothing. Forget it. It's stupid," I mumbled glumly.

"No, I want to know. I want to explain."

"You don't have to. Really. I'll be okay."

"But I want to. What did you hear?" he said in his malambing na boses.

"Your cousin said kasi, yung Olga, she said na everyone thinks you'll end up with Claui. 'Yon lang naman." I sighed.

"Sinabi niya 'yon?" His face darkened and then he sighed deeply. Lumapit siya lalo sa 'kin. Now I was cornered against the hood of his car. He placed a warm kiss on my forehead and then he hugged me. His hands were resting around my waist as he placed his chin on top of my head. The gesture felt so soothing and intimate that I felt like I was ready to implode. His strong arms seemed like a lifeline to me and it felt bloody amazing to stay trapped between them.

"Don't listen to them. I hardly give a fuck if they want someone else for me," he said softly. "Besides, I don't think they do. You should hear how my titas talk about you."

I nuzzled closer to him, idling my hands on his back. "I'm sorry. Bumagsak lang ang mood ko. I didn't mean to dampen your spirits or anything."

He pulled away and looked straight into my eyes. "It's okay. I love knowing how you feel." His right hand was caressing my cheek. "The next time this happens though, please tell me. I don't want any misunderstandings between us."

"Ako rin naman," I said, nodding.

Nang bumalik kami sa loob, maayos na ako. I even began to enjoy myself dahil kinakausap din ako ng mga tito at tita niya. Like they really wanted to get to know me.

And yung Olga pala, she only sounded like a brat. But it seemed I misunderstood her. Gano'n lang pala siya magsalita. When we talked again, she apologized to me. Hindi ko alam kung kinausap ba siya ni Racel or what, but she explained her side of things to me. I forgave her dahil naiintindihan ko rin naman talaga ang point niya.

We talked for some time until finally, it was time to go.

Bago kami umalis, niyakap ako ni Claui. She told me furtively, "You've got one less girl to worry about, Javee. I know you heard the whispers here. Don't think much of them, please. Walang gano'n between us. I admit, nagka-puppy love ako kay Racel pero wala na 'yon. I moved on. I'm dating his cousin now. At isa pa, he's obviously in love with you."

Genuine ang ngiti ko nang nagpasalamat ako sa kanya. I guessed I worried for nothing. Everyone here was fantastic. Lalo na his parents.

His mom was reluctant to let me go but she eventually allowed us. Binigyan pa nga ako nito ng mga pagkain bago kami pinaalis, saying, "Balik ka, a?"

Now we were on the road. Dating gawi. Racel dropped me off sa lagi naming binababaan.

But this time, something was different.

As soon as I got out, I heard a voice.

"Javee?"

Paglingon ko, it was Kuya Chris. He was wearing his shirt and jogging pants so I guessed he was doing his midnight run.

His eyes cut between me and Racel before his expression completely went cold.

"Kuya," bulalas ko sa sobrang gulat.

Lumapit siya sa amin. Racel kept close to my side, holding my hand. Nanlalamig ako sa takot dahil sa mga tingin ng kapatid ko. Lalo pa nang nag-angat siya ng kilay sa magkahawak na kamay namin.

"What's this? Umamin nga kayo. Are you dating?"

"Kuya, let me-"

"Yes," matapang na sagot ni Racel

My brother's jaw tightened. Then he sharply looked at me. "Let's go."

"But Kuya-"

"Uwi na!" he yelled, making me wince. Kuya Chris grabbed my hand and abruptly pulled me away from Racel. "We're going home!"