Take Me Home (City Series #4)

Chapter Seventeen

L

"Oh my gosh." I let out a breath as Z and I stood outside the house of his cousin. "Nahihiya ako."

"H'wag kang mahiya." Tumawa siya at hinawakan ang kamay ko. "It's just my family."

"Your cousins and your titos and your titas and your dad and your mom and Reese and your buong angkan!" I whispered, but it sounded as if I was shouting silently. "Seryoso, kinakabahan ako!"

"Love, wala 'tong mga pinsan ko sa mga kuya mo."

Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin kaya mas natawa siya.

It's December 23, and their family's hosting a quick Christmas dinner. Bukas pa naman ang celebration ng pamilya nila, pero bukas rin kasi yung sa amin kaya naman nag-handa sina Tita Sol ng dinner dito para daw maipakilala ako sa iba pa nilang nga kamag-anak.

"Baby, just calm down, okay? Your hands are freezing." Tumawa siya. "Tara na ba sa loob? Are you ready?"

Huminga ako nang malalim at tumango. Once the door opened, it was as if I entered a house with the Christmas Village inside it. The foyer had so much life in it, and I could already see the giant Christmas tree by the living room.

"Hi, nakong!" bati kaagad ni Tita Sol sabay beso. "Pasok kayo! Nathan, yung coat ni Lia."

Z nodded and helped me remove my coat. I was wearing a white sweater and some leggings with uggs, and it felt like my clothes fit in perfectly with his family's theme.

"Wala kayong masyadong Christmas decors sa bahay, ano?" I laughed. "Nandito kasi ata lahat."

"Very true." Z chuckled and placed his hand at the small of my back before leading me towards the dining room.

They had a big, long table a few adults were sitting at while drinking only what I can assume is hot choco or coffee. The kids weren't even included, since may sarili silang table sa kabilang side na mas maliit.

"Uh, Tita, Tito, si Lia po." Z smiled. "Girlfriend ko po."

"Ay, si Lia!" a woman exclaimed. "I'm your Tita Karla!"

I smiled and shook her hand. "Hello po, Tita."

"Nasaan nanaman si George, Karla?" tanong ni Tita Sol.

"Alam mo naman 'yon, working pa rin! 23 pa lang kasi ngayon. Nako, sayang, Lia, your Tito George is not here. You can meet sina Uncle Joe, Nathan ipakilala mo sa mga tito mo."

I continued to smile as Z introduced me to his other titos and titas. Iniwan na rin namin sila doon at pumunta sa sala dahil hindi pa daw handa ang dinner.

"These are my cousins." Z scratched his head. "Okay ka pa? Kaya mo pa?"

I laughed and nodded. I probably can't remember half the names that were introduced to me a while ago, but I can still manage. "Kaya pa naman."

Z nodded and grabbed one of his cousin's arms. "This is Vance. Ka-age lang natin, but I'm the better Enrique."

Vance rolled his eyes and looked at me. "Oh, ibang babae 'to, ah? Z, iba naman pinakilala mo sa amin last week."