When our professor arrived for the lesson, Anne Marie and I went in. Jhunel also entered the class, and I saw him, but he never turned to look at me. He seems to be separating himself from me at this point.

Napabuntong-hininga ako. Somehow, I can say, I'm starting to feel sad about him distancing himself from me.

Time went by swiftly, and I was oblivious to it.

I was instantly anxious about traveling home with Jhon Rey, thinking that we would have a family dinner tonight. Anne Marie seemed perplexed as to why Jhon Rey and I were leaving the room together, but I didn't say anything to her. Mukhang may panibago na naman kaming pag-uusapan bukas. Sasabihin ko na lang sa kaniya lahat ng mangyayari ngayong gabi.

I noticed Derrick is still lagging behind me; it seems like he is aware of Jhon Rey going home with me but still chooses to look over me, as my father told him to do.

Alas sais ng gabi nang makarating kami ni Jhon Rey sa bahay. Bukas ang gate at may hindi pamilyar na kotse ang nakaparada sa garahe namin. Surely it's from Jhon Rey's parents.

My chest tightened as my anxiety increased. I know this dinner is not like the real ones, but I can't seem to be at ease.

How many times do I remind myself that we are not getting married for love, but I truly can't help but approach it like a typical girl who will meet his family and hear their perspectives on the wedding preparations? Iyong isipin palang na ganoon, sobra na ang kaba sa dibdib ko.

"Hey, are you alright?" Jhon Rey appeared a little concerned for me. We were still in his car, and I was unable to muster the will to go.

"Hindi ako sigurado. Kinakabahan ako. Ikaw ba,hindi?"

"I'm fine," sagot niya. Sabagay, mukhang wala lang naman sa kaniya iyo. Yeah, right; he had encountered this situation before, having dinner with his loved ones and family. "Ikaw ang inaalala ko," he admitted. "Do you think you'll be alright?"

Napabuga ako. "To be perfectly honest, I can't help but worry. They did, after all, see what had occurred before. Nasira ang family dinner niyo dahil sa amin ng best friend ko, kaya hindi ko maiwasang makaramdam nang ganito."

Sinubukan kong huminga pero bawat buga ko ng hangin ay hindi naiibsan ang kabang bumabalot sa sistema ko. But even if, I breathe slowly, trying to control myself.

Naramdaman ko ang kamay niya sa balikat ko. Mahina niya akong tinatapik kaya naman napalingon ako sa kaniya. "It will all work out perfectly. Now let's leave. They are already inside, waiting."

Napakurap ako. Tila ba nagkaroon ako ng lakas dahil sa ginawa niya. I let out a sigh and got out of the car. Hinintay ko siyang lumabas at tumabi sa akin para naman makakuha pa ako sa kaniya ng lakas ng loob na pumasok sa pamamahay namin at salubungin ang pamilya niya.

Nagulat ako sa ginawa niya. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko.

My heart started to beat more quickly as a result, but because I was focused on him, I forgot how anxious I was. "Jhon Rey..."

"Shall we?"

Nakita ko ang mga magulang namin sa dining room. Kapuwa nag-uusap. Sabay-sabay silang napalingon sa amin at mababakas ang gulat sa mga mukha nang makita kaming magkasama ni Jhon Rey. Lalo pa't magkahawak ng kamay.

"Bagay sila," Jhon Rey's mother said. "Sheen May is absolutely lovely," she continued.

I bit my lip because I don't know how to react in a compliment. Especially, it came from Jhon Rey's stunning mother. They mostly look the same. She has smooth, white skin. In comparison to her husband, she has a very soft and kind face. I now clearly know that my father and Jhon Rey share a trait. They exude a really menacing air. To that, add their bulky appearances, which suggested that you should heed their advice if you wanted to avoid waking up in the hereafter.

"See? There is nothing to be concerned about," Jhon Rey told me. "Mukhang gusto ka ni mama." He was still holding my hand in his when he said that. His warmth soothes my fears, which I can feel my tears are welling up.

"Halika na kayo at maupo na," sambit ni mom.

Both of us were seated near our families. Mom of Jhon Rey is beaming at me. She exudes a welcoming aura. Totoo bang gusto niya ako?

Ipiangsandok ako ng pagkain ni mom. Hindi na kami nagkaroon ng pagkakataon ni Jhon Rey na magpalita pa ng uniporme dahil dumeretso na kami sa nakaplanong family dinner na ito.

"I want to thank you for accepting my invitation tonight," panimula ni dad.

"This is what we've been waiting for, Mr. Velasco. We were overjoyed to learn that your daughter is now fine. The most anticipated wedding may now begin to be planned," Jhon Rey's father responded.

I turned to gaze at the man in front of me. Si Jhon Rey. Katulad ko ay para bang mas pinipiling maging abala sa pagkain habang nakikinig sa pinag-uusapan ng matatanda. Isa pa, gutom na rin ako. Mabuti na lang at masasarap ang mga pagkaing nakahanda at hindi ako muling masusuka.

"So, when will the wedding's official date be?" Jhon Rey's dad inquired. That query almost made me lose my cool.

"I believe as quickly as is practical," sagot ni dad. "It might be best to wed her before her baby bump appears."

Napayuko ako. Sinubukan ko pang mas mag-focus sa pagkain, pero hindi ko na muling nagawa pa.

However, Dad is right. It is best to get married soon before I suffer from choosing a wedding gown that will fit me. Mahirap magsukat kung malaki na ang tiyan ko.

Napahaplos ako sa tiyan ko. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwalang mararanasan kong lumaki ito at magkaroon ng laman. Manganganak ako na siyang sabi nila ay napakahirap gawin dahil parang ang isang paa mo ay nasa kabilang-buhay.

"We can hold the wedding in three weeks," dad continued.

"Should we plan a lavish wedding?" Jhon Rey's dad inquired. "I still have my contacts, and we will provide your daughter with whatever she requests. My wife will also contribute to the preparation, so your daughter won't be stressed out about this."

Dad gave me a glance. "I only want the best for my daughter."

That was the first time he said that. My heart shatters, and I'm being emotional again. I wish he really meant it.

"I agree. For a woman, getting married is a once-in-a-lifetime experience." Jhon Rey's mother smiled at me softly, looking more thrilled to be attending my wedding than I am. "I think Sheen May deserves a beautiful wedding where everyone will stare exclusively at her," dagdag pa niya.

I somehow had a better feeling about her. I turned to face Mom. Hindi siya umiimik simula pa kanina.

Napansin ko naman ang pagbaling ng atensyon ng lahat sa akin, except kay mom, who turned to gaze at Jhon Rey when he said, "I think the bride will decide what kind of wedding she wants."

"Tell us what kind of wedding you want, honey," Jhon Rey's mom inquired.

"I just want a simple one that is exclusive to our families," I replied.

"Sigurado ka, anak?" tanong pa ng mom ni Jhon Rey. Naguat pa ako nang tawagin niya ako nang ganoon.

Tumango ako at ngumiti. "We don't need to spend a lot of money on this. Simple is sufficient. Simply direct the funds to those things that are most needed, or just save them for more investments."

Dad's frown caught my eye, but he quickly erased it.

"Sheen May is quite modest and down-to-earth, as I can see. Her attitude is good," said Jhon Rey's father.

Carpio's family will provide the majority of the wedding's necessities. I'm not sure if this is what they call "supplication," in which a guy requests the daughter's hand from her family. I think it is.

Since I usually have nothing to say, I shouldn't feel anxious now. My input is rarely sought because Dad usually makes decisions. I feel ashamed that he appears to want to spend the entire wealth that the Carpio family owns on this wedding alone. Pansin kong iyon ang dahilan kung bakit hindi maipinta ang mukha niya kanina dahil sa sinabi ko.

"What about honeymoon destinations?" Jhon Rey's mom asked. "Should they visit other nations?"

"I don't believe that is required at this time," my mom finally commented. "As you can see, my daughter is expecting a baby and has academic obligations."

"I see. Let's leave it until after their graduation," sagot naman ng mom ni Jhon Rey na mukhang napansing wala sa mood si mom.

"How about after the wedding? Will they cohabit together? My son purchased an apartment there; however, I am unable to suggest it because of its distance. It's too far away from us."

I turned to face John Rey. Are we going to share a home?

"I don't believe that is a wise decision. After the wedding, my daughter will continue to reside here," my mother remarked.

Muli akong napakagat sa labi dahil nararamdaman ko ang bigat ng pinag-uusapan nila.

"But won't that be discussed by others? If people learned that they were living separately, they might not be persuaded. They might think their wedding is some kind of a joke," kontra naman ng dad ni Jhon Rey.

Well, it is, forcing us to get married this way, is surely some kind of a joke. I feel awfully guilty about this marriage.

"We should live together," sabat ni Jhon Rey na siyang ikinagulat ko. "Para mas makilala pa namin ang isa't isa."

Napatingin ako sa kaniya at tinagpo niya lang ang mga mata kong naguguluhan. "In order to ensure that your efforts are not in vain, I'll do my best to be a good spouse. I sincerely hope that this marriage will help us get over this financial crisis. Let's support one another."

Napasinghap ako. Hindi ko inakalang lalabas ang mga iyon sa labi ni Jhon Rey. Gusto niyang magsama kami sa iisang bubong?

"I know this is my fault, and I really want to apologize for what I did, especially to your daughter, Mr. Velasco."

Muli niya akong tiningnan pagkatapos niyang sulyapan si dad. Ngumiti siya na para bang hinihipnotismo akong sumang-ayon sa desisyon niya.

Jhon Rey, what are you saying?