"I don't think you're ready."

That was what I uttered. It's Saturday and Cal told me that he wanted me to meet his parents... So that maging legal ang relationship namin. My system is shaking because I am kind of happy! Masaya dahil ito ang unang pagkakataon na mamemeet ko ang parents niya face-to-face.

"I am not," he confessed shyly.

Kita sa mukha niya ang kaunting takot, pero mas nag-uumapaw pa rin ang determinasyon. Kung kaya't kahit nakakakaba ay pinipilit ko rin ang sarili kong maging matatag. I want to reciprocate my boyfriend's determination.

"You are not so you should not have planned doing this," I whispered. Walang-wala ang lamig ng sala nila ang lamig ng palad namin ni Cal na magkahawak. Their maids informed us that his parents are inside their rooms, resting. Pero nakiusap si Cal na pababain dito ang mga parents niya.

"Darling, if I'll make myself ready, then matatagalan pa bago kita mapakilala sa kanila. I don't want you to feel like I am hiding you from them." Masuyo niyang pinaglaruan ang kamay ko. Kahit hindi ko pa totally napp-process ang sinabi niya ay namula na kaagad ako. I can't tell him directly this but I am glad that he thinks that way... That he always made sure I wouldn't feel off in this relationship.

He could have the option na hindi na lang muna ako ipakilala sa parents niya, since 'yan din ang bagay na hindi ko pa magawa ko sa kaniya knowing my family situation. Kaya hindi masukat kung papaano ako napahanga sa ginagawa niya ngayon.

"But we're both aware na, na hindi sila sasang-ayon sa atin. You are bound to marry Amethyst. And they will not surely like me." Iniisip ko pa lang ang posibleng trato sa akin ng mga magulang niya, nanghihina na ako.

"I made sure na I respectfully decline that request of them the moment we became official. And yeah, I am thinking the way you do. They might not like you." Ninakawan niya ako ng halik kaya napatitig ako sa labi niya. "But does it matter?"

"It's my biggest goal to make your parents accept me," bulong ko habang nahihiya. "Iba pa rin ang magiging dalog ng relasyon natin if they will accept me as your girlfriend."

"We have the same goal, I guess," he smirked. "Pero I want you to be so ready. Hindi sa minamadali kita. I understand that you have strict parents, that's why me adjusting is a must."

"You know what, I am wondering if totoo ka."

Nanlaki ang mga mata niya, pati ang butas ng kaniyang ulo saka tumawa. "Huh?!"

Yumuko ako. "It feels like I am having a relationship with a fictional man. I don't think you're real. Alam mo 'yon... I knew you as a heartbreaker, tapos ngayon halos ibigay mo na ang buong mundo mo sa 'kin."

He was giggling while lifting my chin. Malapit na akong mainis sa kaniya dahil tinatawanan niya ang sinabi ko. Pero kahit nakakunot na ang noo ko'y kaya niya pa rin 'tong halikan.

"That's a compliment, right?" ika niya.

I nodded. "Yups. I hope you don't..." I stopped.

"You hope I don't?" curious na siya.

Napaayos ako ng upo. "Mamaya na, your parents are coming," bulong ko, mas naging kabado. Napaayos din siya ng upo, saka inalalayan akong tumayo.

Her mother is looking elegant in her pink dress partnered with a white blazer. Naka-skinny jeans 'to kaya nahulma nito ang makurba niyang katawan. Cal once mentioned that his mother is already in his thirties but she looks younger than that. Kulot ang buhok nito ang napakaayos ng pagkakakulot. It seemed like it's the first thing she takes care the most.

At halos ng features ni Cal ay nakuha niya sa kaniyang Mom.

His dad is giving me a dark masculine aura. Lalo pa't naka-all black ang suot niya. Magkasingtangkad sila ni Cal at tanging ang kilay lang ang nakuha ni Cal sa kaniya. Well, I am only judging based on their physical appearance. Hindi ko pa batid kung kaninong ugali ang nagaya ni Cal.

"Walang masyadong school works? Don't tell me you're jeopardizing your studies again?" her mom. Hindi naman 'to mukhang galit. She looked like a pure concern mom.

"Wala nang masyadong tasks, mom. And no, I am taking care of my studies well."

"Balita namin ay kung saan-saan na kayo dumadayo ng mga kabanda niyo? Isn't that too dangerous?" ang kaniyang papa, na kanina pa nakatingin sa 'kin. Gosh, this is it! Meeting the parents!

Cal sighed. "It's for experience, pa. We can't just play in the same place over and over again." Sabay baling niya sa 'kin, nakangiti. "Mom, dad, this is Chelsy, my beautiful girlfriend. And darling, this is my parents-- Sandae and Jeriko Ramierez."

Sa totoo lang, hindi ko na matukoy kung maayos ba ang facial expressions ko ngayon. Hindi ko rin masabi na casual lang ang body languages ko. Sa pagiging kabado, ginagawa ko na lang ang kung anuman na sabihin ng utak ko.

"Hello po!" My voice was shaking. Gosh, nakakahiya. Parents like them surely are looking for a confident girlfriend for their son! And by just looking at me, siguro'y tinatanong na nila ang desisyon ng anak nila!

"Hi, sweetie," her mother responded. Pero hindi pa rin 'yon sapat para pakalmahin ako. "It's nice meeting you. Ilang linggo ka nang nakukuwento ni Cal sa 'min."

I smiled awkwardly.

"Let's take a seat?" si Cal at pinisil ang pisngi ko. Nagsiupuan ang mga parents niya habang 'di inaalis ang tingin sa 'kin.

"Please refrain mentioning other name in this conversion, Mom and dad. Let's respect my girlfriend."

Walang pag-aalinlangan namang tumango ang mga magulang niya. So... Ano nang next? Ano nang sasabihin nila! Paghihiwalayin ba nila kami? Lalaitin ba nila ako? O all of the above?

"You look tensed, my darling. You are here with me. I won't let them make you feel off," my man whispered.

"You're Chelsy Cattaneo, right? And your oldest brother is Rynierre Cattaneo?"

"Yes po..."

"I have heard about your parents, they are all commendable," his father slightly smiled. "Especially in Medical field, they're very good."

I smiled widely. This is not the first time na may nag-applaud sa parents ko in front of me, but to hear applauses from Cal's parents are satisfying.

"Is it true that your oldest brother is studying abroad?"

Tumango ako. "Yes po..." But I can't overshare. What's inside our family should only stay inside our family. I hope they stop mentioning about my brother. I might lie if they keep questioning.

"Anyway, baka hindi pa kayo naghahapunan? Yaya just finished preparing, I think."

"Tapos—" ani ko.

"Ang kaunti ng kinain mo kanina. Let's eat again," Cal.

Napasinghap na lang ako. Dumaan kami sa mcdo kanina para sa early dinner. And it's true na hindi ako nakakain ng maayos, kagaya ni Cal. We were both too pressured in this meeting.

The dinner table is occupied with healthy and delicious foods. Ang labong maubos namin lahat ng 'to.

Cal prepared a seat for me. Halos hindi ko na kailangang gumalaw dahil siya na ang kumikilos para sa akin. Of course, dahil ayaw kong masabihan na tamad ng parents niya, inaasikaso ko pa rin ang sarili ko. Pero most of the times talaga, inaagaw ni Cal ang trabaho ko kahit ang pagsandok lang ng kanin.

"Eat well, my darling," bulong niya nang magkaroon ng pagkakataon.

"You took the STEM strand, didn't you? I bet you're planning to pursue Medicine in the near future? Do you plan to becoming a doctor?"

Pinagmasdan kong mabuti kung papaano ako hinandaan ng wine ni Cal saka bumaling sa parents niya para sumagot. "I have been wanting to become a nurse and work in our hospital."

"Don't you want to become a doctor?"

"Studying a doctor maybe not her forte, Mom. It's a long term studying. I can't even imagine myself studying for that long," Cal commented.

"Of course, ganiyan naman palagi mong sinasabi sa 'min," her mom laughed a little. "Chelsy, our son is not really into academics. Kaya nga kapag nalaman kong pasok 'to sa honor roll ay masaya na kami ng papa niya."

Proud naman na ngumuso si Cal sa 'kin. I can't believe him. How can he act childish kahit kaharap ang parents niya. Most boys tend to act masculine in front of their parents. While Cal is the complete opposite. Parang ang nasa goal lang niya ay kung papaano ako mapangiti.

"He's into music, tita. And I support him in anything he's passionate of."

"Thanks, darling," he winked at me. "I will not surely let my academic record fall. Nakahihiya naman sa girlfriend ko na academic achiever."

Nagtawanan ang parents niya, at ang tawa na ng papa niya ang pinakalakas.

I am glad that they never mentioned Amethyst's name. Alam ko naman na hindi pa nila ako totally gusto pero nagagawa pa rin nila akong pakisamahan for their son's request.

"Is Caliver done playing? Sabihin mo nasa dinner na sila mommy and daddy," dinig kong utos ni tita sa kasambahay nila. I then remember Caliver. Hindi ko siya napuntahan sa kaniya kwarto kanina sa sobrang kaba. I wonder if... He's still sad sa pag-alis ni Amethyst.

"Yes po, ma'am."

Nginitian ako ni tita saka niyaya pang kumain ng marami.

"Your brother told me that he wanted to study abroad. Well, pwede naman. Pero mas maganda siguro kung pareho katong nandito sa Pilipinas..." aniya ng papa niya, ako naman ay napaisip sa narinig. Caliver wants that? If there's a possible reason why he wants so... Si Amethyst lang ang nakikita kong rason.

Bumagal ang pagkain ko sa naisip.

"He's too young, dad. Syempre, mag-eemote pa 'yan," si Cal.

"How about his therapy abroad?" his father added.

Nakabaling naman kaagad si Cal sa akin at ngumiti na lang ako.

"Of course, pa, that's one of my priority. Ilang months pa naman before ang flight, 'di ba?"

"Is that okay to you, dear? Na mag-aabroad pansamantala ang anak namin?" dugtong naman ni tita.

I don't like it and at the same time I don't hate it. Hindi naman ako insensitive para malaman na para sa recovery lang ni Caliver ang pagpunta nila roon. Syempre, nasa utak ko pa rin ang pag-aalinlangan. Amethyst and Cal might meet there, intentional or unintentionally... It's beyond my control.

Syempre, I am still bothered dahil mapapalayo ako kay Cal. He becomes part of my daily routine so to live without him will seem very different. I trust him pero kay Amethyst, ni katiting wala.

"Yes po. I understand. I can contact Cal easily naman online para 'di masyadong ma-miss." Pero alam ko sa sarili ko na mamimiss ko pa rin siya. Na kahit segu-segundo kami mag-call, ma-mimiss ko pa rin ang presensya niya.

"Well, you guys should discuss regarding about that thing. Mas magandang ngayon pa lang ay nagkaiintindihan na kayo," si tita. "Anak, Caliver!" Bumaling 'to sa kararating na si Caliver.

"Ate Chelsy?" His face brightened. Ipinasa niya ang dalang Ipad sa kaniyang yaya saka maliksing umupo sa tabi ko. "You looked beautiful tonight!"

"Aw, thank you!" I pinched his cheek. Narinig kong may umungol sa tabi ko kaya napabaling ako kay Cal na nagmamaktol. He keeps pouting his lips right in front of his parents! God, ako ang nahihiya ang ginagawa niya! Hindi ko ma-imagine na umakto nang ganiyan sa harapan sa parents ko dahil nakahihiya kaya!

"What the heck, son, you're being too childish!" natatawang saway ng papa niya sa kaniya. "You're cringe as well."

Tinapik siya ni tita. "Pabayaan mo na. It's been a long time since we saw him being so in love. At saka, para namang hindi ka ganiyan dati. I believe, you were worst."

Na-amaze ako at saka natigil nang maisip. It's been a long time since they saw him being so in love?

"Darling, what's wrong? Anong wine ang gusto mo? Hindi mo bet ang nasa table?"

So, noong sila pa ni Amethyst ay ganito rin si Cal? He was as childish like this? So... Hindi lang sa akin naging ganito si Cal? I wonder kung ano ang pinagkaiba ng ngayon at noon. I wanted to look at our picture using Cal's perspective, ganito ba siya exactly before? Is... he perhaps searching Amethyst in me?

"Darling?" Cal kissed my nape kaya natauhan ako.

"Yes?!" Pansin kong may iba nang pinag-uusapan ang mag-asawa sa harapan. Si Caliver naman ay pinapanood kami ng kuya niya habang nakangiti.

"What's in your beautiful mind?" He pouted again.

Nag-iwas ako ng tingin kaya umungol siya. I was about to wipe my lips using my finger when he immediately got a towel at siya na ang nagpunas.

"May nasabi ba ako? Did I say something that offended you?"

"Wala, ah. Tapos ka nang kumain? Ang kaunti lang ng—"

"You are offended. I know you."

"H-hindi nga."

He combed my baby hair. "Okay, let's talk about that later kapag tayo na lang dalawa. Open up, okay? I will listen."

Magically, his words managed to tame me. Kahit ayaw kong sabihin, kahit gusto ko na lang na ipagsawalang bahala ang narinig... But his words are too deserving to worship.

"Iha, can we excuse ourselves? We will be needed to wake up early tomorrow so we should rest early. Okay lang ba?" paalam ni tito habang magkahawak-kamay na sila ni tita.

"Okay lang po, tito! Gabi na rin po at baka hinahanap na ako sa amin."

"It's nice meeting you, Chelsy. Stay strong to the both of you."

They graciously made their exit, habang pinagmamasdan naman sila'y bumalik sa isipan ko ang narinig kanina. I can't help but to feel so down. Hindi naman nagmukukhang sinadya yon ni tita ni iparinig sa akin pero apektadong-apektado pa rin ako.

"Kuya, can I sleep early as well? Maghapon akong nanood sa Netflix, eh." I heard Caliver. "Gusto ko pa sanang maka-bonding si Ate Chelsy. Bibisita rin ba kayo bukas?"

"We can't promise because your ate has also a lot of things to do," sagot ni Cal. He's helping his father to wipe his stained cheeks. Sumunod na lang ako sa kanila pagpunta sa room ni Caliver.

It's nice in the feeling to know that meeting Cal' parents went successful. It's far from expectations. Akala ko'y gagawin nila ang lahat maghiwalay lang kami ng anak nila. I thought lalaitin nila ako at mamaliitin. 8 thought hindi nila ako pakisasamahan. I can say that they're good. Their family is ideal. Kung ako si Amethyst, ay tiyak mas matutuwa rin ako na maganda ang trato sa akin ng parents ng boyfriend ko. It must be in her point of view na childish anh boyfriend ko in front of his parents.

I felt someone hugging me from behind. Nasa sala na kami ngayon at paminsan-minsan na lang kung may dumaan na kasambahay. At kung mau daraan man, hindi 'yon kailanman pinansin ni Cal. His eyes is directly on me.

"Are you happy?" He kissed my neck.

"Super. I thought hindi nila ako magugustuhan."

"So... What's our problem? It looks like it's kind of a big problem."

"Hindi naman... Masyadong ko lang 'atang tinake personally."

He tightened his embrace. "Hmm? What else?"

"You being childish, in public and in even in front of your parents."

"What's wrong with that? I just can't help but to find you so cute, and it triggers me to act like a kiddo."

"So, kasalanan ko na cute ako?" I joked.

"It's never your fault that you were born to be cute and pretty though."

"But, Cal, that's not what I meant. Okay lang naman sa akin na pinapakita mo ang clingy side sa akin. When in fact, I felt loved every time you act like a kid."

"Then?'

"It's just that... Na-mention ng mama mo kanina 'yong ano..."

"Hmmm? Say it, darling."

I sighed in defeat. "She said that it's been a long time since they saw you being in love, making me remember Amethyst since siya lang naman ang pinakaminahal mo before."

"Minahal, Chels. Hindi pinakaminahal."

"B-but still, m-mimahal."

"Ikaw ang pinakamahal. Walang makatatalo."

"K-kahit na." My voice broke. Dahil hindi niya ako mapaharap sa kaniya. Dumapo ang mga daliri niya sa gilid ng mata ko. Para siguro malaman kung may luha ba o wala...

"I really can't deny, darling, that Amethyst is the girl I loved before. And yes, ginawa ko ang mga bagay na responsibility ko as her boyfriend that time. Pero there's no reason for you to compare my behavior sa mga ginawa ko para sa kaniya before. Lahat ng mga ginagawa ko sa 'yo, at sa mga kaya ko pang gawin, it's incomparable."

"Bakit kasi may ex ka pa!" Napasimangot ako.

"I won't caught your attention if I wasn't a bad guy."

"Tapos?" I pout.

"And what made me a bad guy? It's my past relationship."

Napatango-tango na lang ako. "You have a point. Maraming nanliligaw sa akin before na good guys. Hindi ko nga lang masyadong napansin."

He kissed the top of my head.

"Thank you for changing, Cal."

"You know what, the day I knew I was attracted to you, was the day I planned to just forget you."

"Ayyy," pagmamaktol ko naman.

"Kasi sabi ko, ikaw na 'yan, while I was at my worst state. I don't deserve to have someone like you. Sa isip ko, siguro kakampanti na ako kapag nakita kitang hawak na ng iba na ka-level mo."

"Bakit... Hindi mo tinuloy?"

"Hindi ko pala kaya."

"Cal..."

"I don't want to see you with someone else. I realize that it will be the death of me. Yes, hindi kita deserve. Pero riyan na ba magtatapos ang lahat? Don't I have the time to make a change? Don't I have the time to transform myself into the version that is deserving to be your boyfriend."

A moment of silence.

"Kaya kinulit kita habang binabago ko ang sarili ko para 'di na makawala."

Napangisi ako nang maalala ang pinaggagawa niya before. "Wise move. Kuhang-kuha mo talaga ang inis ko noon."

"Pero mahal mo na ngayon!" pang-aasar niya. "I am so lucky to have you, Chelsy. Darling, please don't go. Please don't leave me. I want us... To grow until we become old."

I am luckier to have him, actually. He doesn't have idea how I crave for growing with him.

He doesn't have any idea how thankful I am to have him.

The way he takes care of me... The way he loves me...

I hope he doesn't change.