Epicenter Tape #2: Point in Time

#PIT50

#PIT50

I talked to my cousins about our relationship that night, they understood our situation and respect our privacy.

Tanner's sitting beside me, he was also explaining and talking to them casually.

"Mahirap talaga pala maging sikat, 'no?" si Luis.

"I'm a fan girl and I really hate hearing my idol having a girlfriend when I was just starting but eventually, I feel like it was toxic and shameful," Kitchie said while looking at us but I know her eyes were on Tanner. "Kaya takot din iyong mga sikat na mag-expose relationship status nila kaya karamihan sa kanila nagsisinungaling na lang at nagtatago."

Tanner nodded a bit. "I didn't really expect it was necessary on the contract. I thought they were just overreacting about the fans."

I'm glad Tanner's really friendly and easy to talk to, nakapag-adjust agad siya sa mga pinsan ko at kalaunang sumali nang bigyan siya ng inumin ni Luis. I already texted coach about my injury, mas lalo yatang kumirot iyon ngayon pero tolerable naman. Hindi ko na lang muna ipipilit i-laro. Besides, I trust my teammates.

"Does Tita Yanna know about you know..."

"Pinakilala ka na ba ni Kiya sa Mom niya, kay Tita Yanna?" tanong ni Kitchie at sumimsim sa baso ng beer.

Tanner only glanced at me while slightly moving his glass of beer, nakatukod ang mga siko niya sa kanyang tuhod at nakalingon sa akin-halata pa rin ang antok sa namumungay niyang mga mata.

Hindi naman napag-usapan ang tungkol dito kahit ang tagal na namin, we don't see the need to inform our family or maybe we were just so busy with our own world and career that we didn't mind it. Besides, I don't really see the need to make it too formal to the both sides.

"Hindi pa," agap ko. "I don't think it's needed, though."

Tanner's mother... isn't that fond of me. But it doesn't make me feel bitter for all these years. I don't know, Tanner's the only important person to me.

"Huh? Of course it's needed, ano ka ba? Formalities, siyempre!"

"Oo nga naman, I remember Tita Yanna asking about you and your relationship status! She was curious about it!" Klaudia said.

I sighed, I glanced at Tanner; his lips puckered but seemed like he was giving me all the time to decide on that.

"Darating din naman kami roon," maingat kong sagot.

Kumunot ang noo ni Luis.

"Wait, how long have you been dating?"

"We're in an official relationship for a year now," Tanner replied.

Nalaglag ang panga nila.

"Are you freaking serious?!"

"Ganoon na katagal?"

"Ang tagal niyo na pala!"

"Paano nangyari 'yon? Anong sikreto at nagtagal kayong ganyan sa kabila ng careers niyo? Parehas kayong walang time at masyadong libreng araw! 'Tsaka hindi kayo nahuhuli? Knowing you both have fans anywhere here. Wow!"

I shrugged coolly. "Yeah, and there's really no need to expose our relationship, you see. We've gotten this far without people knowing."

And it's not like I don't want to let Mom know him, I just couldn't find time. Mommy has gotten busy managing the café in Cagayan, umuuwi siya sa Manila pero mas madalas siya sa Cagayan at naiintindihan ko ang gusto niyang ginagawa roon. Nahihiya rin ako kasi noong huli ay ayaw niya pa sa usapang boyfriend.