#PTG22 Chapter 22

The next few days of vacation have been uneventful. Feeling ko old couple na kami ni Jax kasi mas gusto talaga namin na nasa bahay lang kami. Sometimes, we'd watch movies or series. Mas madalas na nag-uusap lang kami tungkol sa kung anu-ano'ng bagay. We'd talk about literally anything... and I love it. I love it more than anything in the world. I'd seriously take talking with him than going in some fancy place.

"Tumawag ang Mama mo kanina," Yaya said. I felt Jax stiffening beside me. Even though he wouldn't say, I knew that it bothered him na hindi siya gusto ng parents ko for me. Although I'd argue that it wouldn't matter if the whole world was against us. I love him—that's seriously all that matters.

"Bakit daw po?" I asked robotically. I knew what the reason was—they'd cancel on me again. Sanay naman na ako. It honestly didn't bother me as much as it did before. I already have Jax with me. He's my family now.

"May pupuntahan daw kayo sa Ilocos na party yata? 'Di ko masyadong tanda. Tawagan mo na lang ang Mama mo," Yaya said.

I grunted. Ilocos? Ang layo! And it's not as if pwede kong isama si Jax... or could I?

"Hey," I said, looking at my boyfriend who's pretending to watch the series. "Wanna go to Ilocos?"

"I'm not invited."

"I'm inviting you," I urged. "Please? Besides, 'di ba sabi mo gusto mong makausap sila Mama? This is the time. Pansin mo naman na 'di sila masyadong pumupunta dito, 'di ba?" I continued. I knew Jax felt bad for me dahil laging mag-isa lang ako. That's one of the reasons, I believed, on why he's always in my house. Ayaw niya na mag-isa ako.

"Baka magalit sila."

"Maybe... But what can they do? Their daughter's already way too in love," I said, planting a kiss on his lips. "So, please? Sama ka na, ha?"

In the end, ako na naman iyong nasunod. So, a few days after, we were en route to Ilocos. I didn't inform my parents na kasama ko si Jax dahil alam ko na hindi sila papayag. In the 10 months that we're together, not once akong nakaramdam ng approval mula sa kanila. But it didn't matter. I chose Jax. They should just deal with it.

"Two rooms?" I asked when I heard Jax asking for room availabilities. "Are you serious?"

"In case your parents ask."

Ugh. Why couldn't my parents see this?! How Jax clearly crave for their approval kahit ilang beses kong sinabi na 'wag na? How he clearly respects them kahit na minsan, sobrang harapan na iyong pagpapakita nila ng disapproval? It's so unfair! It's unfair how they wouldn't even give him a chance! Jax came from a good family, pero kung tratuhin nila, akala mo galing sa magnanakaw na pamilya.

We stayed in an old house that was turned into a bed and breakfast. I tried to sneak into his room, but it was locked. Mautak talaga 'yung lalaki na 'yun. So, I contented myself with sleeping.

"Please don't fight with your parents," sabi niya habang nagda-drive. We were back on the road. I looked at the map, and it said na in an hour, nasa Laoag na kami. It's so far! Talagang balak pa akong papuntahin dito ng parents ko!

"I don't fight with my parents."

"You know what I mean."

I sighed. "Fine... but if they say something remotely mean about you—"

"I appreciate your concern, I really do, but we don't have anything to gain if you keep on antagonizing them. Let's just leave them be," he said. I get his point, really, but how could I also make them understand kung hindi ako magsasalita? The problem with my parents is because they failed to watch me grow up... kaya siguro hanggang ngayon, bata pa rin ang tingin nila sa akin.

I spent the rest of the ride being quiet. Ramdam ko na kasi iyong mangyayari sa Ilocos... Ramdam ko rin kung bakit ako pinapunta dito. Alam ko na kahit hindi na binanggit sa akin, tuloy pa rin iyong plano nila na ipakilala ako sa anak ng kaibigan nila. I was sure it's some rich family's son—it's the only thing that would make them respect someone. It's all about the money with them.

My parents told us that we'd meet them at some place near the place where the party would be held. Ni hindi ko nga alam kung sino iyong pupuntahan namin. They just literally gave me the address—and were clear that my presence was important.

"Jax," I called. We were in a restaurant, waiting for their arrival. "If may nasabi sila, ako na iyong magsosorry, ha? Dapat talaga hindi na kita sinama dito..."

He slightly turned to look at me. There was a small smile on his face. "Okay lang ako. And I wouldn't be comfortable with the idea of you going to this place alone. Sobrang layo pala nito."

Hinawakan ko iyong kamay niya na naka-hawak sa pisngi ko. "Di ka ba nagsasawa sa mukha ko? Literally, magkasama tayo araw-araw ever since vacation started," I said. Sobrang dami na naming napanood. Ngayon lang nasulit iyong subscription ko sa Netflix dahil sa panood naming dalaw. We scoured every documentary about crime syndicates—that's our latest obsession.

Umiling siya. "No. It's very surprising how we never ran out of things to talk about."

I laughed. "I know. Dami mo kasing alam."

He wrinkled his nose. "You love that about me."

I grinned. "You're right," I said, then I was about to lean in to give him a kiss when we both stiffened upon hearing someone clearing his throat. Agad na napa-tayo si Jax nang makita iyong mga magulang ko. I rolled my eyes.

"Katherine," Mama said, her carefully shaped eyebrows arched at me.

Pilit akong ngumiti. "Ma," I replied, kissing her cheek. "Pa," I greeted, too.

Jax awkwardly greeted them. Thankfully, may kaunting manners pa naman pala na natira sa parents ko kaya inacknowledge naman nila iyon. Alam ko na nagulat sila nang makita si Jax kasi ang pakay talaga nila ay ipakilala ako sa kung sinuman. They should really start listening to what I am saying. There's no way I'd follow their stupid request.

"So... can I ask why I am needed here?" tanong ko. I just wanted to hear it from them. And for them to hear what I was about to say.

Nakita ko na nagtinginan sila sa isa't-isa. "We will talk about that later," Mama said, throwing a quick glance in Jax's direction. Huminga ako nang malalim. This was starting to get beyond annoying.

"Right. Let's eat first. Mamaya pa iyong party," Papa interjected bago pa man ako magsimulang magalit. He knew me—I am his daughter, after all. He should know that I was never one to follow their commands. I didn't even know why they were trying. Ganoon ba nila ka-gusto na mapa-bilang sa pamilya ng kung sinuman ang nirereto nila sa akin?

We ate in uncomfortable silence. No one dared to talk. And it stayed that way hanggang sa matapos kaming lahat. After that, we proceeded to another hotel.

"We'll stay in one room," sabi ko bago pa man makapagsalita si Jax. Kitang-kita ko iyong panlalaki ng mga mata ni Mama. Oh, she hated this as much as I hated what was happening.

"Katherine, please," she said, trying to contain herself.

Umiling ako. "No. Jax and I will stay in one room. He's with me," sabi ko. Ramdam ko iyong paghawak ni Jax sa braso ko. He didn't like this, alam ko, but until when would we allow this? It wasn't as if we're doing anything wrong! We love each other. We're both responsible adults. My parents were just being controlling as usual.

"Let them," Papa said, trying to pacify the situation. "We won't stay for long, anyway."

Mama was glaring at Jax openly—as if Jax was the reason why I was acting this way. Kung hindi nga dahil kay Jax, baka mas malala na ako ngayon. Jax was the one who kept on reminding me to calm down.

I requested for a room that's far away from my parents'. Agad akong naupo sa kama pagpasok namin sa kwarto. Jax looked concerned.

"I'll stay here. 'Di na ako sasama mamaya."

Umiling ako. "No. Sasama ka."

Nagbuntong-hininga siya. "Katherine..." he said, then walked towards me. Naupo siya sa tabi ko, at saka hinawakan iyong kamay ko. "I love how you're protecting me, but not at the expense of you fighting with your parents. It's not worth it."

I looked at him. "Bakit? If it's the other way around, if ako iyong ayaw ng parents mo, will you let them treat me the way my parents are treating you?" I asked him. Hindi ko alam kung bakit bigla akong naiiyak. This was just... hard. I want them to like Jax. I want them to at least give him a chance. Kasi mahal ko 'yung tao. Kasi kahit naman ganito iyong relasyon ko sa mga magulang ko, mahal ko sila...

I just want us to get along well. But they couldn't give that to me. They're forcing me to make a choice.

Worry flooded his face. He cupped my face with both his hands.

"Of course not," he replied, caressing my cheeks with his fingers.

"Ayun naman pala... Bakit sa akin, hindi mo maintindihan?"

"Wag kang umiyak..." sabi niya habang pinupunasan iyong luha ko.

I pushed him. "Kasi naman! This is so stupid! If they really love me, they should appreciate you because you love me and you take care of me!"

Hindi ko alam kung bakit nakukuha niya pang ngumiti sa lagay na 'to. Pilit ko siyang tinutulak, pero nagawa niya pa rin akong hatakin. He captured me inside his arms. I felt him kissing the top of my head.

"I promise... no matter how badly you think they're treating me, I won't take it against you. I won't leave because of that," he whispered in my ears.

"Promise?"

I felt him nodding. "I promise... So, please stop crying. I hate it when you cry."

Tumango rin ako. "Okay... Pero ayaw mo talagang sumama mamaya?"

Umiling siya. "No. You have something to discuss. And I'm tired from the drive, anyway," he replied, and then kissed the side of my head this time.

* * *

Jax and I took a nap. Magkatabi kaming natulog. If it weren't from the incessant knocking from one of the hotel staff (na apparently inutusan ng parents ko na gisingin kami. Seriously, what did they think we would do here), hindi ako magigising.

"Can you help me zip this up?" tanong ko nang isuot ko iyong dress na binili ni Mama. She told me to wear this. It was a champagne colored floor length dress. This party seemed fancy. I would have enjoyed it more if Jax would come.

Jax stood behind me. I watched his every movement with the mirror in front of me. Kitang-kita ko iyong pagtitig niya sa leeg ko.

"I don't like this," sabi niya habang naka-simangot.

Natawa ako. "Ayaw mo sa damit ko?"

Umiling siya. "It's too... sexy. And I won't be there to cover your back."

I bit my lower lip, but it wasn't enough to subdue my laughter. Tumalikod ako sa kanya, at isinabit ang mga braso ko sa palibot ng leeg niya. I tiptoed and planted a kiss on his lips.

"You know I'm fiercely loyal to you," I said, pulling his lower lip with my teeth.

"But you're too beautiful."

"Only in your eyes."

Umiling siya. "No. Your face..." he said, touching my cheek with the back of his hand. "It's sinful."

I wrinkled my nose. "Effective yata 'yung gayuma na ginamit ko sa 'yo. Gandang-ganda ka na sa akin."

Natawa na rin siya. It felt so good to hear him laugh. I love being happy—but I love it more when he's the one who's happy. His happiness is my happiness. Basta masaya si Jax, sumasaya na rin ako.

"Yung zipper, Jax," sabi ko, at saka tumalikod ulit sa kanya.

Jax zipped my dress up. "You'll meet a lot of people there. But remember whom you'll come back to," he said, then planted a kiss on my nape.

I gazed at his reflection at the mirror. "I know. It's you whom I'll always come back to, Juan Alexandro. You're my home," I said, before we shared another kiss that was cut short when we heard another round of incessant knocking.

* * *

It was a party of the Fariñas. I guess they're pretty famous here in Ilocos? I wasn't really all that interested. I was just here to heed to my parents' request.

"Don't get drunk," Mama said, chasing the flute of champagne from my hand.

"I'm not drunk."

"It's your third drink already," she said disapprovingly. "Please, Katherine. Don't humiliate me."

I gritted my teeth. Ako pa? Dinala nga nila ako dito na wala man lang akong kakilala! I kept on trying to talk to them about Jax, but they kept on dismissing me!

"Fine," I said. "I'll just go somewhere where I can't humiliate you," I continued before I walked out on them. Dire-diretso ako sa paglalakad hanggang sa makarating ako sa garden. Naupo ako sa gilid ng fountain. I looked up and saw a lot of stars shining. God, I would have loved this night kung nandito si Jax... But my parents even forced me to leave my phone in the car. Alam nila na kung dala ko iyong phone ko, I'd spend this party talking with Jax in the phone.

"Ugh! So annoying!" I shouted when I couldn't reign in my frustration anymore. I was probably so annoyed that the glass shattered in my hands.

"Whoa..." a guy said—his mouth wide in... fascination upon witnessing me shattering a glass with my bare hands.

"I'm sorry," I said.

He smiled, and then walked until he's right in front of me. He was wearing a tuxedo and his hands were both inside his pockets.

"You're not from here," he stated.

I arched my brow. "And why will you think that?"

The side of his lips rose. "Because I'm sure that if you're from here, I'd know," he said with that cocky look on his face. "I'm Kieran Ramirez. You are?" he asked, offering his hand to me.