Panay ang lingon ni Laureen kay Aston para makita kung komportable ba itong papunta sila sa bahay nina Travis para sa dinner na imbitado sila. Kasama rin nila si Nyla na inimbitahan mismo ni Travis.

Nakakandong si Alistair sa lap ni Aston habang nasa sasakyan.

"Are you sure you're okay?" bulong ni Laureen kay Aston.

Ngumiti naman si Aston at tumango. Hinawakan din nito ang kamay niyang nakapatong sa hita. "Yup. Love, we're good. Stop worrying about me," sabi nito bago hinalikan ang likod ng kamay niya.

Ilang beses tumango si Laureen dahil sa sagot ni Aston. Ayaw na niyang magkaroon ulit sila ng hindi pagkakaunawaan dahil kay Travis. Gusto man niya ang friendship nila, pero kung maaapektuhan ulit ang relasyon nila ni Aston, mag-a-adjust siya at vocal siya roon.

Even Travis wanted to stay away from them unless needed.

Pagdating nila sa bahay ng mga Magbanua, kaagad silang sinalubong ng mommy ni Travis na naghihintay na sa kanila sa main entrance ng bahay. Excited itong lumapit sa kaniya at mahigpit siyang niyakap. HInalikan pa ang pisngi niya, hinawakan ang dalawang kamay niya, at saka ibinaling ang tingin kina Aston, Alistair, at Nyla na nasa likuran niya.

"It's nice to meet you finally." Nakipagkamay ang mommy ni Travis kay Aston bago hinawakan ang kamay ni Alistair. "Ang guwapo naman nitong baby na ito! Ipinakita sa 'kin ni Travis ang picture nitong si baby kanina and I was so excited na nagpunta kaagad kami sa mall!"

Napailing si Laureen sa sinabi ng ginang dahil sigurado siyang namili ito ng regalo para sa anak niya.

Sunod na binati ng mommy ni Travis si Nyla. Nagsimula itong magtanong tungkol sa pinsan ni Aston. Itinanong nito kung kumakain ba si Nyla ng fruit salad na maraming cherries dahil iyon daw ang ginawa.

Laureen remembered how Travis loved to eat cherries.

Nang makapasok sa bahay, bumungad sa kanila ang family picture ng mga Magbanua. Lumabas din ng kuwarto ang daddy ni Travis na nakasakay sa electric wheelchair dahil hindi na nga ito nakalalakad.

"It's nice to see you again, LJ," natutuwang sabi ng daddy ni Travis habang papalapit sa kanila. "Your son looks like you and he's growing."

Lumapit siya sa daddy ni Travis para magmano at hindi na siya nagulat nang halikan nito ang likod ng kamay niya. Panay ang tanong nito kung kumusta na siya at ang tagal na nilang hindi nagkita. Ipinakilala niya si Aston na nagkamayan.

Everything was casual. Travis' dad was talking to Aston about something, and his mom was talking to Nyla about her work as a journalist.

Mula sa dining room, lumabas si Travis para batiin din sila.

"Dad, this is Nyla. She's the journalist I was talking to you about," pagpapakilala ni Travis sa pinsan ni Aston.

"Yes, I've met her." Ngumiti ang daddy ni Travis. "I am very much interested in having a conversation with you. I know your mom's father. We met when I was still younger."

Pasimpleng nilingon ni Laureen si Aston na nakatingin kay Nyla. She was aware that Nyla's maternal family was into politics, too. Her maternal grandfather was a former senator who was ambushed.

Inaya na sila ng mommy ni Travis na magpunta sa dining table. Napakaraming pagkain at hindi nawala ang paborito niyang vanilla cake with caramel syrup. Mayroon ding sinigang na baboy, lechon belly, mga prutas, at salad.

Laureen knew it was all her favorite. Kung ano ang nakahain, iyon din ang madalas na lutuin ng mommy ni Travis sa kaniya noong sila pa. Madalas pa siyang pinadadalhan noon ng mga pagkain para daw hindi na siya magluto.

Paminsan-minsang nililingon ni Laureen si Aston na casual na nakikipag-usap kay Travis. Busy naman ang daddy nitong kausap si Nyla habang siya naman ay kinakausap ng mommy nito. The conversation was just about Hawaii, her parents, and her "pregnancy". Itinanong nito kung hindi ba siya nahirapan at kung bakit sa ibang bansa pa namalagi.

Laureen had to tell lies. It was so hard for her, but she had to.

Aston knew that Laureen wasn't comfortable with too much lying. The way his girlfriend held his hand under the table, he knew it was getting harder, so he had to step in and ask Travis' mom about the structure of the Magbanua's house. Luckily, the old lady started talking about the antique collections and drifted the conversation away from Laureen.

Naramdaman niya ang pagpisil ni Laureen sa kamay niya. Hindi nila ipinahalata. Isang pisil din ang naging sagot niya hanggang sa pinag-usapan ang tungkol sa landscape na ginagawa sa likod ng bahay.

Travis's mom was very welcoming and loved telling stories about her amigas. Tawa na lang sila nang tawa at napapailing na lang si Travis sa mga ikinukuwento ng mommy nito tungkol sa mga tsismis ng mga senior citizen ng Baesa.

After dinner, Travis and Aston were still talking. This time, Travis was carrying Alistair.

"Isang araw, meron ka nang little boy na tumatakbo sa hacienda," sabi ng mommy ni Travis habang pareho silang nakatayo sa may hagdan at may hawak na wine glass. "I'm still sad na you didn't end up with Travis, but I am happy that you're happy. We'll still keep in touch, right?"

"Tita naman!" Naramdaman ni Laureen ang pag-iinit ng mga mata. "You'll make me cry! But yes naman po. You can come visit us sa hacienda. We can visit you and Tito here with Aston, of course."

Tumango ang mommy ni Travis. "Grabe your glow when Alistair came, ha? You look and feel different, Laureen. Dati sa tuwing nagvi-visit ka rito, palaging business and careers ang pinag-uusapan natin. Now, you didn't mention a single thing about it. I am happy that you're living the best life now. Sobrang sarap maging mom, 'no?"

"Yes, Tita. I didn't know I'd enjoy it as much as I do now. Halos hindi na nga ako nagwo-work now kasi I wanna focus on Ali and Hannah's scolding me na. Imagine, she's scolding me kasi hindi na raw ako nagwo-work!"

Pareho silang natawa. Inaya sila ng daddy ni Travis na magkuwentuhan tungkol sa bagong ipinatatayong school building ng foundation nila ni Travis. Pinag-usapan nila ni Aston ang tungkol doon, kung okay lang ba na hindi pa nila iyon binibitiwan. It was fine for her boyfriend, too. In fact, he was willing to donate.

When everyone was busy talking and laughing, Laureen subtly observed everyone around her. Aston and Travis were finally talking casually. It was something she didn't expect. Kung kailan nagdesisyon na siyang lumayo kay Travis para sa ikatatahimik nila ni Aston, ngayon naman niya nakikita na nagiging okay naman ang dalawa.

Aston noticed that Laureen was away from them. Nagpaalam siya kay Travis na buhat pa rin si Alistair at nilalaro ng mommy nito. Nilapitan niya si Laureen at humalik sa gilid ng noo.

"You look like you're enjoying the company." Laureen smiled at Aston, referring to Travis.

"I do," Aston murmured. "I didn't know that Travis was into cars, too. He likes to try car racing, love. Sabi ko sa kaniya, sabihan niya 'ko kapag nasa Manila siya. I can bring him to the race track."

Laureen just nodded but subtly smiled. Very not what she was expecting.

—

It was a Sunday, and Laureen just finished fixing her hair. Nakaupo naman si Aston sa gilid ng kama at nakatingin sa kaniya. Bakas ang pag-aalala sa mukha nito at mukhang gustong magtanong, pero hindi magawa.

Nasa bahay sila ng parents ni Aston dahil dito na sila pinatuloy. Gusto sana niyang sa bahay na lang ni Julien dahil mas komportable siya, pero gustong makasama ng parents ni Aston si Alistair.

Tulad ngayon, silang dalawa lang ang nasa kuwarto dahil na-kidnap ang anak nila ng mga lolo at lola na nasa sala.

"Love, are you sure?" tanong ni Aston. "I know that Mama invited you, but you can say no naman. I know you're uncomfortable, and Ate Yeza isn't around to be with you. A-Ayaw kong hindi ka kumportable."

Ngumiti si Laureen at hinarap si Aston. "Hindi na ako makakahindi sa lola mo, e. It's okay. I'll just stay beside Julien. Nag-message naman ako sa kaniya. Your mom also talked to me na kung hindi ako comfortable, sa table lang ako and sasamahan niya 'ko. It's okay, love. Let me try lang."

Tumango si Aston. "Okay. But tell me when it's too heavy for you, aalis kaagad tayo and please, don't lie to me."

"I will," Laureen assured. "Don't worry, I will try, love. Let me try."

She saw uncertainty, but Aston nodded. Nagpaalam ito sa kaniya na bababa na muna sa mga magulang para ma-check na rin si Alistair kaya naiwan siya sa kuwarto. Kakayanin naman talaga niya, pero naramdaman din niya ang kaba sa dibdib. Ilang beses siyang nagtanong kay Julien kung mahihirapan ba siya, pero sinabi naman nitong hindi. She would meet the other Laurents, that was it.

The family lunch was just inside the subdivision, too. Sa isang bahay rin naman ng kamag-anak ni Aston. Hindi niya kabisado lahat dahil medyo marami, pero may ilan na siyang nakilala personally. Some were just seen through photos.

Habang naglalakad, tulak ni Aston ang stroller ni Alistair. Binasag ni Aston ang katahimikan para ipakilala ang bawat bahay na madadaanan nila. Most of the Laurents lived inside the village. As per Aston, it was safer.

Laureen already had an idea about the agency owned by the family through Yeza because of Alistair. It was hard for her to explain or grasp, but the agency involved security. Agents were working—like investigators, she wasn't sure, but Aston did mention about hired killers. Hindi siya makapaniwala noong una dahil akala niya ay sa pelikula lang iyon, pero hindi pala. She stopped asking about it. She didn't want to know more.

"Whose house is this, love?" Laureen asked Aston when they stopped in front of a house with an American vibe. "This house looks nice!"

"Yuan's parents' house." Aston smiled. "Azienda's live here."

Kilala ni Laureen ang mga ito. Sumalubong sa kanila si Yuan. Ngumiti ito sa kaniya at nag-wave. Itinuro sa kanila ni Aston ang daan papunta sa garden kung saan gaganapin ang family lunch.

To Laureen's shock, it was a full catering. It wasn't just a simple family lunch. It was a literal party. Maraming tao at sabay-sabay na tumingin sa kanila ni Aston. Isa-isa pang lumapit para bumati sa kaniya at kay Alistair.

Aston's grandmother screamed upon seeing her, making everyone laugh. Bigla siyang nailang kaya humawak siya sa kamay ni Aston na pinisil ang kamay niya at natawa. Mabilis ang tibok ng puso niya, pero kaagad iyong kumalma nang masigurong nasa tabi niya si Aston at hindi siya iniwan.

"Thank you for coming." Aston's grandmother hugged her. "Welcome to the family, Laureen. Please, make yourself feel at home. Huwag mong pansinin ang iba. Ako na lang kasi ako lang naman ang maganda rito." Pabulong ang pagkakasabi nito bago humiwalay sa kaniya.

Natawa sila ni Aston sa sinabi nito, pero totoo naman. Hindi naman maikakaila.

Aston's grandfather also said hi to Alistair and her, and for a moment, she felt guilty that she had to lie again about Alistair. It was hard, but she knew it would get easier. Nasasanay na rin naman na siya at ito na rin ang buhay nila ni Aston.

Nang makalayo, kinawayan siya ni Julien. Julien said hi to her, too. Pinatabi siya sa lamesa kung nasaan ito, si Asia, at Lucien na kaagad nagpakandong sa kaniya ngunit ikinagulat nila nang bigla na lang natapon ng pamangkin niya ang hawak nitong juice. Nabasa ang damit niya.

"Ate, samahan kita sa loob ng bahay," pag-aya ni Asia. "Ate, sorry. Gusto mo bang magpakuha ako ng damit for you?"

"No, it's okay. Huhugasan ko na lang 'to. Where's the comfort room?" tanong niya.

Asia offered to come with her. Kumaway siya at sumenyas kay Aston na papasok sa loob ng bahay.

"Are you sure, Ate, na hindi na ako magpapakuha ng damit?" nag-aalalang tanong ni Asia. "Si Lucien talaga. He's very clumsy."

Natawa si Laureen. "It's okay, really. I'm okay here, Asia. Lalabas na lang ako. I know my way out. Thank you. Asikasuhin mo na si Lucien."

Bago pa man makalabas si Asia, narinig na nila ang sigawan sa labas dahil tumalon na pala sa pool ang anak nito. Laureen knew it. Sinadya ng pamangkin niya ang mabasa para may dahilan na mag-swimming.

While inside the comfort room, Laureen was washing her clothes. It's a good thing she was wearing something dark. The pineapple juice could stain her top if it were white. Inayos din niya ang pagkakatali sa buhok. It was in a bun para hindi siya mahirapan kay Alistair lalo na at nagsisimula na itong mag-grip.

"Oh, I'm sorry!" Someone opened the door and immediately closed it.

Laureen's heart pounded because she saw who it was. It was Suri and of all places, sa comfort room pa sila magkikita. Ilang beses na siyang nag-prepare just in case magkita sila. Suri inflicted some fears, and Laureen felt uncomfortable, but she needed to face her sooner rather than later.

She breathed and went outside, and Suri was there with crossed arms, staring at her.

Gustong lagpasan ni Laureen si Suri lalo nang nag-iwas na ito ng tingin, pero hindi na niya palalagpasin ang pagkakataong ito dahil baka ito na ang una at huling maglalapit sila.

Suri radiated that bitchy, entitled, and mean girl aura. But the woman was undeniably beautiful. No wonder she became an international model, too. The face was fierce, and the eyes were piercing, making her uncomfortable.

"Can I talk to you?" Laureen stopped Suri from entering the comfort room. "Just a minute of your time."

Suri didn't say a word and stared at her, waiting.

"I know you don't like me and don't have to. I don't know you, you don't know me. You only know me base sa gusto mong makilala ako and that's okay. I won't explain myself or make myself likeable," sabi niya habang nakatingin kay Suri. "Your thoughts about me won't change because you already decided I'll be the villain here."

Walang naging reaksyon si Suri sa sinabi niya.

"Aston loves you so much, Suri, and I will not take that away. Alam kong galit ka sa 'kin because you feel he changed because of me. I'm sorry if I made you feel that way. But if I keep minding you and other people, paano naman kami?" aniya habang nakatitig kay Suri. "You don't have to like me. A little respect will do."

Still, Suri said nothing.

"I love Aston, and I am going to keep him. You can hate me or say things about me, but I am not going anywhere," diin niya ngunit sa kalmadong boses pa rin. "We can ignore each other's existence if that will work for you, but I will be a part of Aston's life. We both love Aston, Suri. Aston loves you, and I don't want him to unlove you. We can be casual if you still won't like me for the sake of Aston. I am keeping him."

Suri breathed, but Laureen left before she could even say anything. She knew how destructive Suri's words were, and she would protect herself this time. Hindi siya handa sa puwedeng sabihin ni Suri. Ang mahalaga, nasabi niya ang gusto niyang sabihin. She would know next time, but not now. She didn't need to hear the words. Her emotions were heightened, and she might cry. She didn't want to make a scene.

Unknown to her, Aston heard everything.

When she entered a hallway, someone pulled her inside one of the rooms, pushed her against the wall, and kissed her lips.

The way Aston cupped her jaw and kissed her slowly made Laureen feel at ease. Her racing heart calmed and she kissed back. In between kisses, Aston murmured.

"Say that again."

"Say what?" Laureen pulled away and smiled.

"What you said to Suri." Aston brushed his lips against Laureen's.

Laureen chuckled and kissed the side of Aston's lips. "You're eavesdropping. Labas na tayo. Baka hinahanap na nila tayo." She tapped Aston's cheeks.

Aston laughed and stayed inside the room, smiling.

—
T H E X W H Y S
www.thexwhys.com