right strings

-158-

-psyche pov-

"tuloy ka jake" gumilid ako para tuluyan na makapsok si jake sa bahay, "here, for you" inabot nya sa akin ang bouquet ng flower.

nagulat ako pero agad ko naman iyon na tinanggap. "t-thank you" he smiled and pat my head after.

pinaupo ko muna sya sa couch, at naupo din ako sa tabi nya"do you want something?" umiling naman sya agad.

"no, i am okay don't worry" he assured me. "i'm kind of nervous, ngayon lang ako may dinala sa bahay na kaibigan ko.. it was so new to me" he let out a small laugh.

"bonus pa na boyfriend mo ako" parang timang naman 'to, kailangan talaga iremind pa ako huhuhu

"you are blushing, don't worry mas kinakabahan ako" he whispered that makes me laugh.

"jake~" napalingon kami kay mommy na kalalabas lang sa kusina.

"tita, good evening po" jake greeted her and gave the another bouquet that his holding

"omg, thank you" mom smiled at him. "tatapusin ko lang 'yung paghahayin sa kusina.. padating na din yung daddy ni psyche" muli kaming naupo ni jake sa couch after umalis ni mommy.

"mom also wanted to meet you again, besides namiss ka na ni layla"

"we can go there, no problem" sagot ko sa kanya.

"maybe sa friday? after natin makuha result natin sa entrance exam" i almost forgot that one. i suddenly feel anxious about it.

"hey, don't worry.. i am sure naman makakapasa ka" he reassured me and i gave him a small smile so he won't bother.

"miss, nandito na po si sir" tumango ako sa isa sa kasama namin sa bahay. "dad" i greeted him and gave him a small hug. "good evening sir" narinig kong bati naman ni jake mula sa likuran ko.

"good evening, let's go.. let's enjoy the dinner" hinila ko si jake papunta sa kusina at sakto naman na tapos na si mommy sa pag aayos.

naupo kaming lahat at nagsimula kumain. "you came home late today" saad ni mommy matapos lagyan ng pagkain si dad sa plato nya.

"something came up" maiksing sagot ni dad.

"enjoy yourself, jake" baling ni dad kay jake, jake just smiled and nodded.

dad opened a conversation about jake's family background.. it makes me uncomfortable, though i already know na macu curious talaga sya sa family background ni jake.

"we are running a real estate sir," sagot ni jake. "and i heard you took medical as well like psyches'" jake nodded immediately.

"my brother was into that business but i like science a lot, sir" i saw dad nodded with amusement in his eyes.

"by the way, i am curious about you two..." mom interrupted dad. "about what, mom?"

"are you really into a serious relationship, huh?" i saw how mom looked at me with her teasing eyes.

"mom!" saway ko sa kanya. "yes, of course tita" jake laughed a bit that make my mom squealed.

"i trust you so much jake" mom gave him a smile. "here, kumain ka pa" jake looked at me and smiled.

"i actually liked you for my daughter, she's so special to me" dad make jake stopped from eating.

"what do you mean sir?"

"i would like to discuss your relationship together with your parents" napakunot ang noo ko sa sinabi ni dad.

"i don't want psyche to get hurt, i wanted to secure the future of you two to avoid some problems" umiling ako sa sinabi ni dad.

"why are you talking about that suddenly? bata pa kami, dad.. are you talking about arrange marriage or something?" dad raised his brow on mine.

"this will be good for the two of you though" dad defended himself.

"but this isn't something we need to rush, dad. i know and i understand your concern.. but we don't want to rush somethings between us," i calmly told him.

jake don't like me though..  and hindi ko naman gusto na umabot kami sa punto na ganito. i can't claim him because he's not mine at the first place though.

dad chose to pursed his lips. i know he is tempted to shout in front of me. "hey, it's okay. let's finish our dinner fir-" mom interrupted us.

"no, i am full.. i just answer the phone call i missed earlier... excuse me" tumayo si dad at tumahimik naman kaming lahat sa hapag.

"you should not have been said that, psyche" mom almost whispered.

"telling your opinions and defending yourself isn't not bad as you think mom" i shrugged and mom just sighed.

---

"i'm sorry about earlier" sumandal ako sa gate at sumandal naman si jake sa kotse nya, pauwi na sya ngayon.

"no, i understand you" he gave me a smile.

"i.. am proud of you" i frowned. "about what?"

"on how you defend yourself and what you want." he patted ny head and i smiled on him genuinely.

"thank you"

"see you tomorrow?" he opened his car door. "yes, see you tomorrow" i watched him placing the lunch boxes on the back seat. pinadalhan kasi sya ni mom ng ibang pagkain.

"ingat!" he smiled and opened the door of the driver seat.

"i will- oh wait," he stopped and walk towards me.

"huh? did you forget someth-"

"goodnight" he placed his lips on my forehead.

parang binalot ako sa yelo ni elsa, hindi ako makaalis sa kinatatayuan ko... ang bilis pa nang kabog ng dibdib ko.

"g-goodnight..." i almost whispered. i heard he giggled a bit.

"cute"