Jimin and I are not okay, and I know she's trying so hard to convince me that we are.

 

"Minjeong, kanina mo pa ako tinitignan. You should be focusing on the road, baka mapano pa tayo..." Bigla niyang sabi, sa harap siya nakatingin. "I told you okay lang ako, diba? Believe me, we're fine. I'm good. All is good, okay?"

 

Sasagot sana ako. We're not fighting naman. Feel ko lang ang off namin—or at least ang off niya—and deep down I know it's because of everything I told her that night.

 

Tumango lang ako at nag-focus na sa daan. Bigla niya naman akong hinalikan sa pisngi, kissing all my worries away, "I can't wait to tell mommy and daddy na," she says, "but why do I feel like your dress will steal all the thunder?" tinignan ko siya saglit and saw the way she was pouting.

 

"Bakit? Ano meron sa suot ko? Is it too much po ba? May baon naman akong damit at pantalon, kung gusto mo palit na ako bago tayo dumating sa inyo." sunod-sunod kong sabi, biglang nag-sink in na lang ulit sa akin ang kaba.

 

Mamaya na kasi namin ipapaalam sa magulang niya about sa amin.

 

"Minjeong, for sure inexpect na nila ito," sabi ng girlfriend ko kaninang umaga bago kami umalis ng apartment. "We were pretty obvious with it growing up..."

 

Ewan ko ba pero pinilit ko talagang sumuot ng dress, kinumbinsi ko rin si Jimin na tulungan ako sa paglagay ng make-up ko, making sure na light at natural pa rin ang look ko. Siya din nag-ayos ng buhok ko, basically my overall look. I could tell nag-enjoy siya dahil bihira akong mag-effort sa appearance ko and she's always wanted to dress me up. Suot ko yung niregalo niya sa aking puting dress na never ko pang sinuot, and I have to admit, it feels nice to look nice. If I can recall, the last time I tried to look pretty was nung prom night namin nung high school. Ngayon na lang ulit. I just felt the need to prepare...siyempre, meet the parents—not as Jimin's best friend, but as her girlfriend. Sinong hindi kakabahan?

 

"I think my girlfriend looks beautiful, Minjeong." she pauses and I can feel her admiring me from the passenger seat. "And if there's anything that's too much, it's your worries. Huwag kang kabahan...masyado kang obvious. It's just mommy and daddy naman at tayo pa rin 'to...we're still us. A pair of best friends." I tried to smile at her encouraging response, taking a deep breath as I slowed us down on the highway.

 

My girlfriend's right...kami pa rin 'to. And no matter what, at the end of the day, she'll always be my best friend.

 

-

 

San Simon, Pampanga. 

 

Bago pa man kami maka-park sa harap ng bahay nila, kita ko ang pag-abang ni tita Michelle kay Jimin sa kanilang front terrace. Malaking kubo ito na medyo mala-modern ang design. Nung huling punta namin ni Jimin dito was after nung senior high graduation namin: kasama namin sila Aeri, Ning, Somi at Lia noon at hindi pa ganito ang itsura ng bahay. Halatang newly renovated siya ngayon at walang kaalam-alam si Jimin tungkol dito. Same as with me so we're both equally surprised.

 

Ang ganda ng bahay nila. Provincial family house nila ito and it looks much better than it used to before. Masasabi kong mas maganda na siya sa bahay nila sa Mandaluyong at tuwang-tuwa ako. For sure makakapagbakasyon na ulit kaming magkakaibigan dito next year. Usually tuwing fiesta ng Mayo kami dumadalo dahil bongga lagi yung handa nila. The best talaga ang Kapampangan food!

 

Back in the day rin kasi, Jimin would always spend her summers here.

 

Naalala ko pa nga ang first time ko dito...Jimin welcomed me into her home and her family, reminding me what it feels like to be in a complete home again.

 

Kaya eto kaming dalawa, speechless and emotional nang makababa ng aming kotse. Pagbubuksan ko sana siya ng pinto pero mas nauna siyang bumaba—nakanganga siya, I can see her excitement slowly sinking in, and I can't help but smile as I watch her have her Extreme Makeover moment kung saan inire-reveal na yung new look ng pinaayos nilang bahay.

 

"Mommy, are you serious? Kailan pa 'to?" My girlfriend said aloud, astonished and still speechless. "Is this why pinilit niyong mag pasko dito? Paano na sila mamang? And where's daddy?" Hindi sumagot si tita at piniling bumaba ng terrace upang batiin kami sa gate.

 

"Jimin, kunin ko na ba sa kotse mga regalo natin kila tita at tito?" pagtanong ko.

 

"Kahit later na po," napansin niya naman ang maingat kong pagdistansya sa kaniya at hinila ako papalapit, "I want to tell them about us muna kaya stay close to me lang, hmm? Akong bahala sa atin." napalunok ako sa sinabi niya, our palms sweating against each other. I think it's comforting na kinakabahan din siya.

 

The least I could do was tell her I love her in which she gushed in an instant when I whispered it into her ear. 

 

"Mga anak," Jimin and I were interrupted by the longing voice of her mother, her arms spread widely, inviting us both for an embrace to share. We didn't need to think twice at agad siyang niyakap sabay ang paghimas niya ng aming likod, "Grabe, tumatanda na lang tayong lahat at magkasama pa din kayo!" Jimin and I giggled at that.

 

"Sayang hindi kayo kumpleto," Malungkot niyang dagdag nang bitawan ang yakap. I made sure na mag mano agad sa kaniya at sumunod naman ang girlfriend ko, "Balita ko raw eh nasa Japan sila Aeri. Kachikahan ko din nanay ni Ning nung nakaraan eh may handa daw sila sa Ongpin. Sabi ko pakidalhan naman ako ng tikoy at ham. Yung dalawa naman, ewan ko ba...mga walang balita sa GC. Buti pa 'yang tatay mo Minjeong nakakausap pa namin! Kamusta na ba mga 'yon?" 

 

"Mommy, hindi naman active si tita Julie sa FB eh, sa landline niya nga lang po nakakausap si Lia." pagpapaliwanag ni Jimin sa kaniya, "Si tito Matthew naman inactive din. Busy daw sa work sabi ni Somi."

 

Sa akin naman ngayon nakatingin si tita Michelle. Pansin ko ang pagbaba ng kaniyang mga mata. Akala ko binibigyan niyang pansin ang suot kong dress ngayon nang maalala ang magkahawak naming kamay ng anak niya. Nag-panic ako bigla at bumitaw. Agad naman kinuha ni Jimin ang kamay ko ulit at nagsalita, "Minjeong wanted to look pretty for you, mommy." I immediately glared at my girlfriend, scolding her with my eyes. "Compliment mo naman daw oh!"

 

Tumawa lang si tita Michelle at madiin na pinaglaruan ang aking mga pisngi, "Pretty pretty eh wala namang boyfriend!" mabilis kong tinignan si Jimin para sa reaksyon niya, nakasimangot ito gawa ng pag-backfire ng kaniyang asar sa sagot ni tita. Kung tutuusin, maaari na naming sabihin kay tita right here right now about sa aming dalawa but tito's nowhere in sight yet, "'O siya, tara na sa loob!" pag-aya niya.

 

"Saan naman si daddy?" tanong ni Jimin nang paunahin kami ni tita papasok ng bahay, "Ayun, inutusan kong pumunta ng alfamart eh paano ba naman kasi binasag yung isang tupperware ng fridge cake." tita responded.

 

"Kasi naman mommy, you keep using glass containers. Meron naman pong plastic..." Jimin scolded her pero tinawanan lang siya.

 

"Nandoon pa po ba si tito sa alfamart?" nais kong tanong at tumango naman si tita, "Gamit po ba niya ang kotse? Salubungin ko na po sana para hindi na siya mag-commute papasok dito."

 

"Nako 'nak, 'wag na. Kasama niya naman si Yeji," sagot ni tita. "Siya nga pinagdrive no'n para masanay dito."

 

"Yeji? Sino si Yeji?" Jimin asked right away. Na-curious din ako.

 

"'Yung kinekwento ko sa'yo nung nakaraan..." tinignan ko si Jimin pero mukhang wala siyang maalala, "Siya yung anak ng boss ng papa mo, pinakita ko pa picture sa'yo, sabi mo pa nga maganda!" kumunot ang noo ko sa narinig. 

 

"Ha? Mommy, fake news ka na naman. When did I say that? Wala din akong maalala na picture."

 

"Nung pumunta tayong EK, diba? Kasama pa mga pinsan mo no'n."

 

"Ahh, siya ba 'yung nasa Korea?" tumango agad si tita, "Jusko ka mommy, that was last year pa. Akala ko naman po kung sino..." natatawa na si Jimin.

 

Ako hindi.

 

"Mamaya, pakilala ko sa inyo. Basta, kaibiganin niyo ha? Baka dito na kasi siya tumuloy."

 

Naramdaman ko naman ang pagpulupot ng kamay ni Jimin sa bewang ko. I know I shouldn't have, wala namang masama sa gano'n, pero lumayo ako agad at nauna sa kanila ng onti. As much as possible, I don't want to get too comfortable with Jimin nang hindi pa namin sinasabi sa kanila.

 

For one, hindi namin ito apartment. Bahay nila ito. Respeto muna—behave kami dapat. However, upon seeing the slight hurt on my girlfriend's face, I could tell she doesn't mind about the skinship, but I do.

 

I better explain myself right away. I just hope we get the room we need mamaya lalo na before we make the big announcement. 

 

I really hope it all goes well. One thing's for sure, I can't mess up today. 

 

-

 

"Kamusta naman ang love life mo, Minjeong?" diretsahang tanong ni tita Michelle nang maiwan kami sa sala habang nagpapalit si Jimin ng pambahay. "Ang blooming mo today ah? May pinopormahan ka na, 'no?" I faked a cough, reciting a prayer na sana pabalikin agad ni Lord ang misis ko.

 

Habang nagiisip ng pwede kong isagot, naglabas ng bibliya si tita out of nowhere. Binuklat niya ito at bungad agad sa pahina ang hello kitty niyang bookmark, "Ang bigat talaga ng part na 'to," bumuntong hininga si tita, "Matthew 26:72...familiar ka ba sa passage na 'to, 'nak?" I shook my head honestly and gave her an apologetic look.

 

"Ito yung kay San Pedro, iha. Remember when he denied Papa Jesus?" she asked and I nodded truthfully.

 

"Three times po," sabi ko, "he denied Him po three times." tita Michelle only hummed upon my answer, closing the bible and resting it peacefully on her lap.

 

"Wala lang, share ko lang." her tone was playful at nginitian niya ako. Ramdam kong may something sa mga ngiti niya and I'm starting to feel uncomfortable without Jimin here. What's taking her so long ba? Paiyak na ako. "Oh, hindi mo pa sinasagot yung tanong ko," nagsalita ulit si tita.

 

"P-po?"

 

"Kamusta naman ang love life mo?"

 

Thinking swiftly, I'd be lying if I said lying never crossed my mind. But of course, spewing the truth was my number one leading thought. Never in a million lifetimes would I ever deny Jimin as my whole, but how can I not when Jimin and her father aren't here?

 

"Finally," pinangunahan ako ng dila ko, not sure why that random word made the cut.

 

"Finally?" my girlfriend's mother looked confused, hoping for an explanation. "Anong finally?"

 

I suddenly felt my heart take over my brain, "Buo na po ako." I completed my answer with a smile.

 

Hindi na nakapagkomento si tita sa sagot ko nang marinig namin ang tunog ng mga tsinelas ni Jimin.

 

Finally, andito na siya.

 

"Anak naman, ang bigat ng mga paa mo!" tita playfully scolded her but of course parang wala lang sa girlfriend ko at tinawanan lang din siya.

 

Agad siyang tumabi sa akin sa sofa. Ang daming space pero pinili niya talagang dumikit sa akin. The way tita's looking at us right now, feel ko nakakaramdam na siyang may something sa amin, although may something naman na talaga. Matagal nang may something, and looking back, tama si Jimin. I just know we've always been painfully obvious at yung mundo na lang ang naghihintay sa amin noon. Hopefully dumating na si tito para ma-announce na namin sa kanila. Kasi kung hindi, baka hanggang mamaya akong ganito—painfully distant and awkward when I should be expressing how much I'm in love with her.

 

"Uh, mommy, why do you have the bible out?"

 

Natawa si tita, "Kinwento ko lang naman yung binabasa kong passage kay Minjeong."

 

"Mommy, I know it's Christmas pero you could've entertained her with chikas or something." parehas na silang tumatawa. I tried to laugh along.

 

"Chumika kaya kami ni Minjeong," sabay tumingin sa akin si tita, "Diba 'nak?" I responded with an awkward nod.

 

"Weh?" Jimin looked at us suspiciously, "Binackstab niyo lang ako eh..."

 

"Kinamusta ko lang naman love life ni Minjeong," tita was quick to comment at itong si Jimin biglang naubo, "O-okay ka lang?" tanong ko.

 

"Sinabi mo na?" she asked quietly into my ear and I shook my head right away, "Edi ano sinabi mo?"

 

"Sabi ko-"

 

Napahinto ako sa pagsasalita nang may bumusinang kotse sa labas ng bahay. Agad tumayo ang girlfriend ko and the next thing I knew she was no longer beside me. She hurriedly made her way outside the house as I can see through their window, babae yung nasa driver's seat ng kotse nila pero wala dito ang atensyon ko kundi na kay tito lamang. Inabangan ko siyang bumaba ng kotse, naka-shades ito gawa nung tirik ng araw, and despite his hands being full from all the ingredients they bought, he welcomed Jimin into his arms at malambing na binati. Akalain niyong higit sampung taon silang hindi nagkita. "'Ba 'yan, bilis naman nila..." I heard tita whisper under her breath habang umiiling which confused me a little bit.

 

Turning back to Jimin and her father, I can't help but laugh softly at the sight of them, smiling through and through.

 

She's such a daddy's girl, I playfully thought.

 

And being here with her family who raised her perfectly well into the lovely person that she is, I can never forgive myself if I do end up breaking her heart—her very heart that spent half of its entirety completing and healing mine. 

 

-

 

Patatim, manok, shanghai, baked salmon at bopis ang mga handa nila mamaya for noche buena na inihain sa amin ngayong tanghali, specifically for me and Yeji's visit. Maya maya kasi aalis na din kami. Yeji's just waiting for her parents to come pick her up papuntang Elyu kung saan sila magpapasko. Ako naman, I would love to stay long here with Jimin pero isu-surprise pa namin ni dad si lola Lulu since we secretly chose to spend Christmas with her. Hanggang ngayon, hirap pa din si lola umalis ng Maynila. Kahit anong pilit namin na magbaksyon sa Baguio, ayaw.

 

Ayaw naman din namin siyang mapalayo kay lolo. 

 

Nang tignan ang aking orasan, dapat nakababa na ng Baguio si dad. Sabi niya by 5pm dapat pabalik na ako ng Maynila para sakto ang time of arrival namin sa Manila North Cemetery. Na-text na din ako ng caretaker nung puntod ni lolo kaninang umaga na nandoon na si lola. May dala pa nga daw na Jollibee. And upon the mention of my late lolo, naalala ko lang ang lolo Kim ko na nakapagcheck-up na. Pinagpapahinga daw muna siya ng mga doktor kaya hindi muna siya pinagse-selpon ni tita Yoona. The good news is, makakabalik daw sila sa 28 which excites me. Makakasama ko si paps sa birthday ko ngayong bagong taon.

 

I'm really looking forward to it. Jimin knows just how much I am. Kailangan ko makasama ang lolo ko lalo na't hindi ko alam kung makakasama ko siya sa mga susunod pa. Pero sana naman, umabot din siya sa birthday ni Jimin. Ayun din ang hiling niya. 

 

...

 

As of now, eating the delicious food Jimin's family prepared, grabe yung busog na nararamdaman ko. Para akong masusuka na ewan. Kada ubos ko ng kanin, agad akong sinasabihan ni tito Tony na mag sandok ulit ng panibago. Hindi naman ako makatanggi lalo na't si tito na 'yun.

 

Pabilog kaming nakaupo sa five-seater nilang lamesa. Si tita Michelle ang tumabi sa akin sa kaliwa ko, at imbes na girlfriend ko ang nasa kanan, si Yeji ang pinagtabi ni tito sa akin. Gusto niya daw kasi na katabi niya si Jimin. Hindi naman ako nagreklamo at hinayaan sila. Okay na ako na medyo magkaharap kami ni Jimin. But I have to admit, it felt quite lonely habang kumakain without my girlfriend next to me. Yung tipong parang na-OP ako, siguro dahil tahimik ako at hindi pa sinasali sa chika nila: mga life update nila sa isa't isa, about sa pagpapagawa nila ng bahay, pagbanggit ng relatives, pagkamusta nila sa acads ni Jimin, about internship, at mga plano niya after graduation.

 

Tito Tony's convincing her to try and apply for an internship in Korea where there are a lot of opportunities for communication majors like us. Since Jimin's keen on pursuing a writing career, maganda daw na in demand ito doon dahil boom na boom ang entertainment at media industry nila ngayon with all the K-drama releases and variety shows. Marunong naman din mag Korean ang bebe ko at onting aral at training pa ang kailangan so language won't be much of a problem for her. Araw-araw ba namang tumatambay sa Duolingo 'to...alam ko nasa three thousand days na ang streak niya. Kinausap niya rin ng Korean itong si Yeji kanina nung ipinakilala kami. Tuwang-tuwa naman si tito. 

 

And as they talked some more, Jimin would give me a glance from time to time and I gladly expressed my approval about tito's idea. I would simply nod, giver her a thumbs up, and smile I chew endlessly on my food.

 

I just know living in Seoul has been a long-time plan of her parents, particularly tito. Gusto din kasi talaga ni tita ma-experience ni Jimin ang kabilang kultura kung saan din siya nababahagi. Not to mention, the quality of living and a much higher wage na meron doon. Hindi nga lang natutuloy ito because of Jimin's stubborness of staying here, not wanting to leave her friends behind—lalo na ako. For those reasons, I try to be at my very best behavior when I'm around Jimin's parents, feeling apologetic for being one of the reasons why their life in Seoul never happened.

 

After sitting on this table for two hours, yung focus ng chika ay napunta na kay Yeji. Meanwhile ako, paubos ko na ang sixth serving of rice na sinandok sa akin ni tita dahil utos sa kaniya ni tito, at patuloy pa din ako sa pakikinig sa kanila as I remain patiently waiting for my turn to talk at the table. Ako na lang kasi hindi nila kinakamusta—hopefully masingit namin agad ni Jimin yung about sa amin. Just from the way she's fidgeting in her seat, I could tell she's somewhat agitated at gusto na ring matapos yung kinekwento ni Yeji sa aming lahat:

 

Anak ng boss ni tito Tony.

 

Seoul National University dropout.

 

Rough time growing up.

 

Knows a bit of tagalog.

 

Single.

 

Dito na sa Pinas itutuloy ang pagaaral.

 

Marami pa siyang sinabi at kinwento about sa buhay niya sa Korea pero ayan lang ang mga nag-retain sa akin. Find it childish of me or not, but I stopped listening when tito asked Jimin kung pwedeng makitira si Yeji sa apartment namin when the upcoming semester comes. Bukod sa big four, nag-apply din daw siya sa FEU, iAcademy, sa MINT College, at SMU.

 

With no hesitation, Jimin gladly nodded and welcomed the thought of Yeji staying with us. 

 

I badly wanted to say something, gusto ko sanang mag-text kay Jimin at sabihing ayoko. Ayokong mawala privacy namin, yung alone time namin, and she knows how closed off I can be when meeting new people. Madamot na kung madamot. Tulad na nung mga bagong kasal na ayaw pang magkaanak at gusto munang sulitin ang honeymoon phase nila. Pasimula pa lang yung amin ni Jimin. Ano pa ang masusulit namin pagbalik sa apartment after Christmas break with Yeji around? 

 

Bigla ko naman narinig ang pag-ubo ng girlfriend ko, putting my sad girl thoughts into a halt. May dalawang glass pitcher ng tubig na nasa lamesa at agad kong kinuha yung isa at tumayo para lagyan sana ng tubig ang baso ni Jimin. Ang kaso, naunahan ako ni Yeji. 

 

Bumalik na lang ako sa upuan ko, relieved to see her drinking plenty of water. Wala naman sa akin yung nangyari, and actually, kanina pa ako nauunahan. Yung pag-abot ng kanin, mga ulam na gusto niya, pati nga pagpunas ng kutsara at tinidor siya na ang nakagawa...alam kong 'di naman niya sadya 'yun. I figured she's just an acts of service type of person at hinahayaan ko na lang kasi siya ang pinakamalapit sa jowa ko. But because it made me miss Jimin even more, naisipan ko na siyang i-text. Maingat kong nilabas ang selpon ko, maingat din na nagta-type sa ilalim ng lamesa.

 

Me: Miss na kita baby :<

 

Bumuntong hininga ako at nag-type pa.

 

Me: Pansin ko din na kanina ka pa inuubo. I hope you're okay. Inom ka gamot later <33

 

Tumunog ang selpon niya and she didn't hesitate to read my messages right away while Yeji and her father continued talking. It caught me off guard a bit when I saw her typing. Just a simple heart react from her or a flash of a smile from across the table was more than enough for me.

 

Pero eto siya, magrereply.

 

Misis ko 💙: Miss miss ka jan 

 

Misis ko 💙: Bagal bagal mo hmp

 

Hala? Napatingin ako sa kaniya and saw her pouting.

 

Me: At least nakainom ka po ng tubig agad :((

 

Misis ko 💙: Yeah, thanks kay yeji.

 

Eto na naman ang girlfriend ko sa medyo off niyang mood. 

 

At least this time, gets at sure ako kung bakit.

 

Me: Baby : (

 

Tumadtad pa ako.

 

Me: Labyu huhu

 

Misis ko 💙: Back at you..

 

Me: Hehe sige na, chika ka na ulit kila tito. Kikinig lang po ako here. Nag chat lang talaga ako para sabihing namimiss kita. Kahit seen mo na ako! 😊

 

Hindi niya ako sinunod at nag-type pa.

 

Misis ko 💙: Minjeong, how can you not be bothered one bit?

 

Me: Haaaa?

 

Mariin ko siyang tinignan imbes na dagdagan ang aking reply but she's paying me no mind at all at madiin na nagco-construct ng passage sa selpon niya.

 

Misis ko 💙: I know kanina ka pa lumalayo out of respect, but like hello? You're giving too much way for yeji. You're barely even talking tapos yung sa water pa. Aren't you even selos? Kasi if not, ako magseselos for you.  

 

Tulong, natatawa ako?!

 

Me: Hey, i'm just waiting for my turn to talk naman po. Wala din naman akong pake kay yeji. She's actually nice and pretty like you said. Tsaka siya naman pinapakwento nila tito.

 

Kita kong may tinatype siya ngunit hindi niya tinuloy kaya ako na lang.

 

Me: How about we talk about this later? Napapansin ka na nila sa phone mo. And again, i love you.

 

Napatingin siya sa akin at nag-type na. 

 

Misis ko 💙: But minjeong 🥺

 

Misis ko 💙: What about the main event? 🥺🥺🥺

 

Me: Hmm?

 

Misis ko 💙: TAYO ang main event !!!!!

 

Hay nako ang bebe ko, ayaw pang tumigil. Ayoko na talagang mag-phone since napapansin na din ako ni tita sa tabi ko. May kinekwento pa kasi si Yeji kaya tinaasan ko na ng kilay ang jowa ko at malambing din siyang nginitian, kindly trying to tell her na ibaba muna ang selpon niya.

 

She still typed on her phone though. Kulit talaga.

 

Misis ko 💙: Magselos ka muna

 

Napabuntong hininga ako ulit.

 

Misis ko 💙: MA-OFF KA PLS

 

Wala na, natawa na ako.

 

Me: Baby, ang crazy mo 😭 

 

Me: Ayoko 'tong ibig deal pls bwahshahaha

 

Misis ko 💙: I'm serious kasi!!!! Weren't you even listening kila daddy? They were like setting me up kay yeji pero idk baka oa lang utak ko. Basta, ang uncomfy lang na they're not making you talk kanina pa 😭😭😭

 

Me: Tita talked to me naman from time to time hehehe

 

Misis ko 💙: So? Kahit na!!!

 

She typed some more, sighing heavily as she slammed her back against the backrest of her dining chair.

 

Misis ko 💙: Look, this is really frustrating me, babe. Sorry if i'm making a big deal out of this, but it just feels wrong na parang wala lang sayo :<<

 

Now it's my turn to pout as I softened at the sudden endearment, patiently waiting for her to meet me in the eye before telling her what she wanted to hear.

 

Me: Anong parang wala lang sa akin?

 

Me: Jimin, I wanted to sit next to you kaya! And no, i'm not upset with yeji one bit. I'm more mad at myself kasi ang slow ko nga. Tsaka kung gusto mo talaga akong ma-off, fine. Ayokong tumira saten si yeji kasi paano na kita masosolo? Ikaw naman kasi, payag ka agad.

 

I went on to look at her again only to find her waiting to be looked at. Nakanguso siya, itsurang nagmumukmok.

 

Misis ko 💙: Kainis to

 

Me: Paano yung inis?

 

Misis ko 💙: Tsk onti nalang mahihila na talaga kita sa kwarto ko >.<

 

Napangiti ako. Kita kong may tina-type siya ulit.

 

Misis ko 💙: Mahal, cuddle tayo mamaya sa kwarto bago ka alis ah? Kiss moko matagal, please? Need ko ng kithhh 😞

 

Me: HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA ito namang si pa-baby

 

Me: Pero of course, matic yan. Sabihin muna natin sa kanila.

 

Me: Behave muna tayo, okay?

 

Misis ko 💙: Ihhhh can we tell them na ba now? I think we should na.

 

Me: It's your call, baby. They're your parents after all. 

 

I saw her take a deep breath before placing her phone down on the table at inayos ang pagkakaupo. Pati ako at si tita napaayos ng upo. I didn't think Jimin would go for it right away.

 

Siguro eto na nga....

 

My girlfriend cleared , cutting her father off from talking. I think he was talking about his favorite Korean dishes with Yeji tapos sinasabihan si Jimin na i-gala siya sa mga Korean restaurants around Manila, "Mommy, daddy..." she carefully began, "Pause muna kayo nila Yeji kasi kanina pa kaming may gustong sabihin ni Minjeong sa inyo..."

 

There was an awkward silence, I don't know how to put it. Nagkatinginan lang sila tito at tita sa isa't isa: si tito unti-unting napapangiti, si tita naman parang nagtataka na ewan.

 

Jimin was about to continue when tita suddenly shifted towards my direction, "Tutal, kanina pa tahimik si Minjeong sa tabi ko, siya na lang kaya ang magkwento?"

 

"Aish," tito whined sa sinabi ni tita, "You're being madaya na naman Michelle!" tita gasped.

 

Madaya? Madaya saan? Agad na hinanap ng mga mata ko si Jimin, trying to see if she was as confused as I am.

 

"Daddy, ang weird mo," my girlfriend striked, "Ikaw din mommy, kanina pa kayong dalawa..."

 

"Me? Madaya? You think 'di ko alam strategy mo?" tita lashed playfully at her husband, poking tito sa tagiliran niya. "You used Yeji pa para 'di makapagsalita si Minjeong ah? Akala mo ba you're not halata? Ang pabo pabo mo! Ikaw ang madaya, loko ka!" 

 

Okay, Jimin and I are lost. That's when we both gave Yeji a glance and we knew right away something was up when she shook her head at the playful sight of Jimin's parents bickering with each other.

 

"Hey, what's going on? Stop laughing, this isn't funny na..." pagmukmok ni Jimin sa mga magulang niya. 

 

"Jimin-ah," pagtawag ni tito sa kaniya as tita tried to stop him from talking, "You go tell us what you want."

"No, mag-behave muna kayo ni mommy." Jimin's voice was firm pero wala lang sa kanila 'to.

 

Tuluyan silang nangungulit kung sino sa amin ni Jimin ang magkekwento. It got to the point where they were both trying to cover each other's mouths, tito convincing me to be quiet tapos si tita naman kinukulit si Jimin na ako muna ang ipagsalita kasi kanina pa nga daw ako tahimik. I could tell my girlfriend was getting frustrated na sa kanila. Si Yeji naman parang gusto nang umalis. 

 

In my place, trying to sit still, watching them bicker back and forth was making me feel all dizzy. Seeing Jimin's parents being this playful with each other isn't really something new to me though. They've always been like this since the first time I met them: being all openly expressive, makulit and lovey-dovey like young teenagers in love. 

 

It's no wonder why gano'n din si Jimin sa akin kahit nung mga panahon na magkaibigan pa lang kami. Had my mom lingered around for a bit longer, I'm sure she and dad would have been somehow able to provide me with the same loving environment Jimin grew up in as well.

 

Then maybe, just maybe, loving didn't seem as scary, complicated and difficult as they appear to be in my head.

 

"Mahal ko po anak niyo, tita...tito," I poured my heart out as it thrummed nervously against my chest. The words I spoke was all it took to put them in their best behavior. I can feel Jimin's eyes on me as mine remained solely focused on her parents. "Sorry po for the late notice, but what we've been wanting to tell you both po ay..." I took a deep breath before announcing it.

 

"Kami na," Jimin beat me to it, "Minjeong and I...kami na- w-we're together." she added.

 

At parang lumuwag bigla ang pakiramdam ko...

 

Together, my girlfriend and I waited for a reaction. But her parents just looked at each other, having opposite expressions on their faces: tito was smiling from ear to ear, si tita naman parang natalo sa karera.

 

Just what in the world is going on?

 

Parang baliktad nga ang reaction nila eh. I was honestly expecting tito to be the one disappointed since he's always been cautiously distant sa akin while I was tita's favorite among Jimin's friends.

 

"Yes, yes, yes!" masiglang sabi ni tito nang tumayo siya at sumayaw na parang ewan—deja vu instantly hit me, remembering my girlfriend's celebratory dance when she beat me on our first game a long time ago the day we became friends, "Michelle, I win! Na pabo aniya! (I'm not stupid) Now where's my money?" sinimangutan lang siya ni tita at inirapan. Napalunok naman ako when she looked at me with a disappointed look on her face.

 

"Oh my god you two, pinagpustahan niyo ba kami?!" Jimin lashed at her parents at agad nakatanggap ng yakap mula kay tito which she tried pulling away from, "Daddy, you and mommy better explain sa amin ngayon."

 

Si tita nagmumukmok at natatawa na lang sa tabi ko, "Okay, anak, kalma ka muna." Ako naman ang tinignan ni tita—this time, with a smile, "Minjeong iha, kausapin muna namin si Jimin sa kwarto, okay lang bang maiwan muna kayo ni Yeji dito?" My mind stuttered, nodding unsurely.

 

"Mommy, kung kakausapin niyo ako," pagsingit ni Jimin, "I'm bringing my girlfriend with me."

 

Tito Tony kissed his daughter on the head at naupo na ulit sa upuan, "No, we talk separately."

 

"But daddy..."

 

"Kay Andrew namin nalaman na kayo na," tita Michelle blurted without warning, my eyes widening at the sudden mention of my father's name. "Last week pa, mga anak. Alam ko nage-exam pa kayo nung mga time na 'yun."

 

"Mommy..." my girlfriend looked a bit dissappointed, "alam niyo na pala eh..."

 

"Jusko, eh ano naman? Tagal ko na din naghintay. Nung nakausap namin si Andrew tuwang-tuwa. Hindi na napakali at kinuwento na yung nangyari nung foundation day niyo," Jimin and I instantly looked at each other, remembering the kiss that happened in front of everyone. "Uh, mommy...hindi niyo naman nakita yung video, right?" Jimin mustered up the strength to ask for the both of us.

 

"Ha? Anong video?" takang tanong ni tita Michelle sa amin, and Jimin and I could only sigh in relief knowing they haven't.

 

"Andrew only told us about the auction thing," tita nodded as her husband talked. "Minjeong made pustahan ng twenty thousand sa'yo, anak. True ba 'yon? Ako was very duda when Andrew told me."

 

"Dad, what do you even mean by that? And yes, my girlfriend won me sa auction in front of everyone. Sino kayo ngayon!" Jimin lifted her chin up, crossing her arms, saying it proudly. 

 

Meanwhile, I understood right away why tito Tony doubted the scenario.

 

"I just thought Minjeong was slow and takot sa mga people to do that," Tito said, apologetically looking at me. "Akala ko my daughter was the romantic one..."

 

"Huy, ano ka daddy! I'm still romantic naman!" Jimin gave her father a playful punch on the arm, "At huwag niyo nga inaano si Minjeong. I actually like that she's full of surprises." 

 

Natatawa na lang ako sa nagiging usapan namin, giving Yeji a small smile para hindi siya ma-OP in case she is. I just hope naiintindihan niya kami. Nandito naman si tito kung kakailanganin niya ng Korean translator. Kaya ko din naman mag-Korean ng onti.

 

Bigla namang nagsalita si tita ulit, "Dahil diyan, nagtaka kami kung sino sa inyo unang magsasabi sa amin," I hummed, this must be about their bet. "Sabi ng papa mo Minjeong ikaw daw. Sabi naman ng baliw kong asawa etong si Jimin namin. Tapos ako naman, sa'yo." Jimin gasped, feeling betrayed by her own mother. 

 

"Ako ho manok niyo, tita?" I asked in a playful manner, medyo hindi makapaniwala. 

 

"Oo, kaya kainis ka, iha!" gigil at natatawa niyang sabi. "Akala ko ba naman sasabihin mo na kanina nung naiwan tayong dalawa sa sala."

 

Yeah...I strangely figured something was up with the bible passage we talked about.

 

"Aish, buti na lang me and Yeji didn't tagal sa alfamart kundi you would have won." It was tito Tony's turn to sulk beside his wife. Jimin and I, along with Yeji, just shook our heads at them.  

 

"Mommy, daddy...alam niyo ang crazy niyong dalawa. Sarap niyo talagang pag-untugin." Jimin said to the two. Her mother only made a silly face.

 

"'O siya, let's usap-usap na," pag-aya ni tita at sabay silang tumayo ni tito. 

 

Tumayo din ang girlfriend ko, nervously looking at me, hoping that I'd do the same. But as I was about to, tita Michelle stopped me by the shoulder ang said, "Op, op, op, dito ka lang muna, anak. Samahan mo muna si Yeji. Mamaya ka na namin kakausapin ng baby loves ko," maingat niya namang tinignan ang asawa niya at girlfriend ko, "Si Jimin muna kakausapin namin. Pagsasabihan lang namin siya." 

 

I caught my girlfriend gulp at her mother's words, "Mommy, ang hilig mong manakot."

 

"Heh! Mauna ka na sa kwarto mo do'n at gigisahin ka namin ng papa mo," tita daughter. Agad namang nag-inarte si Jimin papunta sa akin, sulking while wrapping her arms around my neck from behind my seat. "Mahal, I'm scared..." her playful words muffled into the crook of my neck and I can't help but stiffen in my seat. 

 

Everyone's eyes were all on us and my girlfriend here seemingly doesn't mind.

 

"You c