Chapter Twenty-One

Song: Little Bit Better - Caleb Hearn & ROSIE

Introduce

Bahagya siyang napalayo sa akin, halatang nagulat sa biglaang alok ko. His forehead creased a little.

"Teka...sure ka ba? Hindi kaya nabibigla ka lang? I mean I can wait until you're ready."

Umirap ako at napailing. "I am ready, Primo. I'm 100% sure about this. Bakit? Ikaw ba? Gusto mo bang itago muna—"

"What? Of course not! Concerned lang ako sa 'yo dahil s'yempre...first time mo 'to. Baka lang gusto mo mag-take time."

"We've taken enough time. At saka kahit ano namang gawin natin magugulat pa rin sila. Not because you're my boyfriend but because I have a boyfriend in general."

He pursed his lips. "Parang kinabahan ako bigla ah?"

I smiled a bit. How is he so cute? Ganito ba talaga kapag in love? Na parang lahat na lang ng gagawin niya, gustong-gusto ko?

"Why? They'll like you! Especially Papa!"

"Gusto niya ako bilang tauhan. Hindi bilang boyfriend mo."

I didn't know he's such an over thinker! Wala namang pinagkaiba ang Primo na kilala nila sa Primo na bilang boyfriend ko ah? I know we both have our differences but I'm sure they wouldn't mind that.

I just don't know with Mama...

Hindi ko rin naman kailangan mag-alala kung sakaling may gawin na naman siya sa trabaho ni Primo. He's bound to leave anyway. Plus, I can just help him if he's having a hard time. I don't know if he'll like that but...I'm willing.

"You're not sure of that yet!" Sabi ko para pagaanin ang loob niya.

He sighed. "Alam kong mabait si Don Victor. Pero ibang usapan na 'to, Theia. Tungkol na 'to sa anak niya kaya kinakabahan ako."

"You don't need to worry! We'll just let them know. I'm not even concerned of their approval because I know they'll like you."

"Gano'n ka ka-confident sa akin?" I nod my head. "Grabe ka naman! Alam kong guwapo ako pero iba pa rin pala kapag galing na sa girlfriend mo."

I almost blushed when he addressed me as that. I feel like I'm in the clouds. It felt surreal that I'm suddenly...in a relationship. With the most unexpected person.

"A lot of people on this island love and admires you! What makes you think my parents won't? Not when they've seen how hardworking and genuine you are. I'm sure they would want that kind of person for their daughter."

"Sus! Tama na sa sweet words, Theia. Kinikilig na ako."

I pushed him away jokingly. Kinuha niyang muli ang kamay ko at saka pinagsiklop ito. Tumango siya at saka hinalikan ang pagkahawak naming kamay.

"We're in this shit together, right?" Aniya. Tumango akong muli.

"Always."

When the morning came, that's where I felt the nerves. It's finally happening. I never imagined a time where I have to introduce someone to my parents. Wala naman kasi iyon sa priorities ko but then it just happened.

Mabuti na nga lang at sinalba ako ni Jana kagabi sa parents ko. I heard they were looking for me but then she knows that I'm with Primo so she did what she could to keep them entertained and let me have more time with him.

Kasi kung hindi niya ginawa 'yon baka kaunting oras lang ang naibigay sa aming dalawa. Baka hindi pa namin napag-usapan ang tungkol dito.

I don't know what to do or how to act when I'm already in that situation. All I know is I want to do this. I want everyone to know that I have a boyfriend and it's Primo.

Hindi ako mapakali sa kuwarto ko habang hinihintay ang reply ni Primo. I just texted him if he's on his way now so I can accompany him while we join my family for breakfast.

I know...it's early in the morning and this is the kind of news I'm about to give to my parents but what else can I do? Either way, I'm still going to introduce him.

Primo:

Nandito na 'ko.

I gasp. I really am nervous, I'm not gonna lie. But maybe once I see him, all the nerves will calm down and I will be able to break the news to everyone.

Lumabas ako ng kuwarto at dumiretso sa kung nasaan si Primo sa halip na sa dining agad magtungo. Naabutan ko siyang nag-aabang sa akin sa entrada.

Primo gave me an assuring smile. "Okay ka lang?"

I nod my head. "A bit nervous. But...I can do this."

"We can do this, Theia."

I smiled back and nod again. He's right. We can do this. This is just the first step of the many things we have to conquer together.

I offered him my hand which he gladly accepted. I dragged him along with me until we reached the dining. Bago kami tuluyang pumasok ay hinarap ko na muna siya.

"Whatever happens, don't let it get it to you. Lalo na kung may sabihin man si Mama."

"Huwag kang mag-alala, Theia. Naihanda ko naman ang sarili ko. At isa pa, kung may masabi man siya, maiintindihan ko. She's your mother. I'm sure she just wants to protect you."

"Protect me from who? From you?" Napailing ako. "I don't need protection from you. And if in case she disagrees with us, you won't leave me, right?"

Natawa siya bahagya. He caressed my cheek gently to assure me. "Of course not! Duwag lang ang mga gumagawa no'n! We're in this together, remember?"

I let out a deep sigh and smiled. This is it.

I was the first one to enter the dining area. Agad silang napalingon sa gawi ko. Mama stopped chewing her food and pointed the allocated chair for me.

"Oh, hija! Just in time. Come sit and join us for breakfast."

I gulped and reached for Primo. "I hope you don't mind that I brought along a company."

Agad kong napansin ang pagkunot ng noo ni Mama. Out of all of them, she was the only person I keep on anticipating for her reaction. I knew she'll be the first one to oppose Primo and I's relationship.

Wala pa man akong nararamdaman kay Primo noon, hindi ko na agad maintindihan ang sama ng loob niya rito. Is it because I grew closer to him than Ali? Or is there a deeper reason that I should know about?

"Who—" bago pa maituloy ni Mama iyon ay hinila ko na papasok si Primo.

He awkwardly stood and bowed his head to them. "Uh...good morning po."

Mama's jaw dropped. Papa and my other siblings looked surprised. Ganoon lang sila nang ilang segundo, mukhang lahat sila hindi makapaniwala na nakikita ngayon. Kung hindi pa siguro bahagyang tumawa si Catalina, baka nanatili na lang silang ganoon at hindi na natapos sa pagkain.

"Why did I see this coming?" Aniya.

Papa cleared his throat. "Oh, Primo? What brings you here?"

Sasagot na sana si Primo pero pinangunahan ko siya.

"I brought him here because I'd like to make an announcement," Sabi ko. All of them shifted from their seats. Nilingon kong muli si Mama. Hindi na maipinta ang mukha niya ngayon.

Alam kong sinabi ko na hindi ko dapat masayadong pagtuunan ng pansin ang reaksyon ni Mama. But with the reaction she's showing us right now, I wouldn't be surprised if she won't let Primo join us for breakfast.

Does she have a deep rooted hate towards him? I don't understand.

"We're in a relationship." I announced. Adela almost choked on her food while Catalina gave me a proud smile as she nods her head. "And I'd like to formally introduce him to you."

"Oh! That is quite...unexpected." Ani Papa. He wiped his mouth using the napkin. He stood and offered us to join them. "Why don't you come and sit first so we can talk about this more?"

"Victor, you can't—" Papa gave Mama a meaningful look, the reason why she was cut off. She scoffed unbelievably. Pinanood niya kaming sabay maupo ni Primo sa hapag.

I held on to Primo's hand under the table to assure him that it's going to be fine.

"I'm okay." He whispered. "You don't need to worry about me."

I nod my head and looked at my parents again. Habang si Papa ay inabala muna ang sarili niya sa pag-alok sa amin ng umagahan ay nanatili naman si Mama na hindi makapaniwalang nakatingin sa amin.

"So..." Papa started after we finished getting food. "Kailan pa nag-umpisa ito? As far as I'm concerned, I thought Primo's closer with Catalina. Kaya nakakabigla na...kayo pala."

"Oh, he's just helping me with gardening, Papa! Actually nilalakad ko nga silang dalawa sa isa't isa, e. It's good to see that my matchmaking worked well." Catalina smirked and giddily smiled at the both of us.

Despite Mama's unwarranted reaction, I'm glad that someone in my family already accepts us. I saw Mama rolled her eyes. Hindi makapaniwala siyang napailing.

"It's been a while since we started talking. I kept in touch with him while I was in Manila. Then things started to escalate between us and...now we're here."

Papa nods his head. "I'd like to hear more from you, hijo. I'd like to know how you managed to win my daughter's heart despite all your workloads. I'm amazed. After all, Theia is really hard to please."

Primo chuckled and nods his head. "Oo nga po, e. Lalo na't hindi rin po maganda ang una naming pagkikita. But I think it's because I was persistent to get to know her more. I was...interested in her for quite a while now. So, kahit po ako hindi pa rin makapaniwala na pinaunlakan niya ako ng pansin at nandito kami ngayon."

"I'm sure Ate Theia knows you have good intention that's why she gave you a shot. I can vouch for Kuya Primo when people say that he's such a good person because he truly is. So I'm happy to know that you're both in a relationship." Ani Adela.

It was going well at first. I'm glad that almost all of them are happy and supportive of Primo and I. I'm glad that I didn't had a hard time convincing Papa. But then...there's Mama who seems not to let go of the fact that she had no idea that something is going on.

"Nagulat ako na bigla mo na lang siyang ipinakilala bilang boyfriend mo nang hindi namin alam na nangliligaw na pala siya sa iyo, hija. Isn't that how it's supposed to be?"

"I truly wanted to let you know, Mama. But I just didn't want it to affect Primo's work here while I was gone."

"Bakit? Tingin mo ba ay may gagawin ako sa kanya habang wala ka?"

I wanted to say yes. But instead, I remained silent and looked at her in disbelief.

"Anyway, ano pa bang magagawa ko? Nariyan na, e. I just hope you're not going to be Theia's distraction when she enters law school. Ayon ang pinaka ayaw ko."

Primo nods his head and smiled at my mother.

"I promise I won't be, Ma'am. Mag-aaral din ho ako ng medisina sa Manila kaya magiging abala rin po ako. I know law school can be tough so I'll make sure to support Theia and promise to be there for her in case she needs anything. I won't be a distraction, Ma'am."

My parents were both surprised to know about Primo's plan in Manila. Natuwa pa nga si Papa dahil hindi niya alam na gusto ni Primo na mag-doktor. Si Mama naman ay biglang natahimik na para bang ang lalim ng kanyang iniisip.

"All this time I thought you were interested in reviving your company, hijo."

"Uh, hindi ho. Mahirap na po kasi ulit 'yon paahunin mula sa lusak. At isa pa hindi rin ho ako kasing galing ni Papa sa larangan na iyan. Sayang din po ang natanggap kong scholarship kaya tinanggap ko na rin ho kahit na mahirap iwan nang mag-isa si Mama rito."

"You'll be studying in Manila as well, right?" Biglaang tanong ni Mama. Napaayos ng upo si Primo.

"Yes, Ma'am."

She rolled her eyes and chuckled. Napailing siya na para bang dismayado siya. Mamaya-maya pa ay bigla siyang bumaling sa akin.

"Theia," she called. "Is that the reason why you chose to stay here and not abroad?"

I knew she's going to open up about this.

"Apart from the reason that I didn't want to leave home, yes, that is part of the reason, Mama."

From the corner of my eye, I saw Primo uncomfortably shifting from his seat. Naramdaman ko rin ang bahagyang paghigpit ng pagkakahawak ng kamay niya sa akin.

"I can't believe you're staying for a...boy." Aniya sabay sulyap kay Primo.

I glanced at Primo who remained smiling at her and doesn't seem fazed by what she said.

Bumagsak ang balikat ko. "Mama..."

"What? Am I wrong? I mean it's a great opportunity to be given a chance to study abroad and you're letting all that because of this? I'm sure Primo would agree that this is a once in a lifetime opportunity that you shouldn't waste. Am I right?"

"Uh—" I cut Primo off.

"It was my choice. He might be part of the reason why I wanted to stay but he did not convince me to do that. It was all me. I wanted to stay and be with him."

Mama shakes her head. "That's a load of bullshit, Theia."

"Cassandra!" Hindi na napigilan pa ni Papa na suwayin si Mama. "My apologies for that. I hope you understand where she's coming from. She's a mother after all. Unang beses ito na may ipinakilala si Theia sa amin. I'm sure she's just as surprised as me."

"No worries, Sir. Hindi n'yo ho kailangan humingi ng tawad. Naiintindihan ko po."

I remained looking at my mother. Tama lang na inasahan kong hindi siya basta-basta papayag sa amin. What I expected from her is to at least treat Primo with respect. Hindi ko alam kung bakit ba ang pangit palagi ng iniisip niya tungkol sa kanya.

"Anyway, we're not here for your approval," sabi ko. "We're just here to let you know so that you wouldn't be surprised that I'll be seen with him most of the time. I just hope that you won't treat him differently after this. Please do not take this personally. I don't want this to affect his job."

"Of course, Theia. We won't." Si Papa. "Just as long as this won't also affect your study in law school."

I nod my head in agreement. Of course it won't. I'll make sure of that. Primo and I are going to make sure of that.

"Almost all of us accepts what you two have. You can love each other freely. I mean, bakit pa ba hahadlang sa kung anong meron na kayo? It was the first time you made a decision for yourself, Ate. 'Wag na pati 'to ipagdadamot mo pa sa sarili mo." Sambit ni Catalina. "Some people just need to accept that some plans don't work. 'Wag kasi ipilit sa taong ayaw."

Sumulyap siya kay Mama bago sumisim ng tsaa. A smirk plastered on her lips as she takes a sip. Mukhang natuwa pa siya dahil nakuha niya ang gustong reaksyon galing kay Mama.

Hindi rin naman nagtagal ang umagahan na iyon. Mama was the first one to exit the dining and Papa had to apologize for it. Ramdam ko naman kay Primo na masaya siya kahit na ganoon dahil tanggap agad ni Papa ang kung anong mayroon kami.

"Feeling ko talaga masyadong biased sa akin si Don Victor." Aniya habang naglalakad kami sa hardin.

Now that we became official and I've introduced him to my family, I can now freely hold his hand like this. Nga lang tuwing may nakakasalubong kaming trabahador, hindi nila maiwasan na mapatingin sa amin lalo na sa magkahawak naming kamay. I'm sure it won't be long until they realize what's up.

"Maybe you really are his favorite."

"May nagagawang maganda rin pala talaga ang pagpapabibo ko, e."

I chuckled along with him. We sat on the bench, still holding each other's hand. Humarap ako sa kanya.

"I want to check up on you. Are you sure you're okay?" Hindi ko maiwasang itanong.

Ngumiti siya at tumango. "Oo naman! Hindi mo kailangang mag-alala. Hindi naman ako nagpaapekto sa kung anong nasabi ng Mama mo. Okay lang 'yun!"

I pouted. Well, for me it's not okay. She could've at least treated him with kindness and respect. Hindi naman sigurong mahirap humadlang nang hindi nakakalimutang maging mabuti 'di ba?

He may be working for us but he's still human! Even if he tells me that he's okay, I can't convince myself that he is. I imagined myself to be in his situation and I don't think I can handle it like he does.

What would I do if his mother doesn't accept me for him? How would I feel? I'm sure it will hurt because I just want to love him freely. Gusto ko lang naman magmahal nang walang humahadlang.

"Are you sure—" naputol ang sasabihin ko dahil sa tawa ni Primo.

He pinched my cheek and pressed a quick kiss on my lips. I continued to pout.

"Ang cute mo!" Sambit niya. "Sa sobrang cute mo gusto kitang i-uwi sa amin!"

My eyes widened a bit. Napangiti siya nang dahil sa reaksyon ko. Is he...subtlety telling me he's going to introduce me to his mother? 

"Are you free today?"

"Why?"

"Tara! Pakilala naman kita kay Mama."