Anyone But You

Hello, Alternate Universe

SYDNEY

Okay, this is it!

Kalahati lang yung naririnig ko sa mga sinasabi ni Ryan as we stood together sa elevator. Nanlalamig yung kamay ko as I stared at it through the mirrored doors of the elevator. Sana hindi nararamdaman ni Ryan yung lamig as he clutched my hand at parang pasmado pa ata ako. Or namawis na yung kamay ko habang hawak nya.

Get a grip Syd! First time mo bang makipag date? First time mo bang mahatid sa harap ng unit mo?

"They invited you." Ryan continued.

Sabi ko nga kalahati lang sa katinuan ko yung nakikinig. The other half was busy thinking how I would end the night. OMG eto na ba yun? Is this the night that I would finally kiss a date? I can feel my body tense and my hand grow colder. It didn't help that finally bumukas na yung elevator to my floor.

"I mean if you think we're moving fast, it's fine. But seeing as you've already met all our cousins and my brother, why not right? What do you say?"

"Huh?" Finally, I looked sideways at Ryan as we took our time walking towards my unit. Or rather ako yung nagmamabagal mag lakad and sinasabayan nya lang ako.

"My parents are arriving next Saturday and may brunch on Sunday. They sort of invited you." Oh wow.

I stopped walking and I looked at him. I can't believe na eto yung mga pinagsasasabi nya sakin sa elevator and I wasn't paying any attention. I was worried about not freezing for the goodnight kiss and ang sinasabi na nya is that I should meet his parents!

"Wait they know about me?" I frowned. Pero the frown isn't really my answer.

"Yup. I'm close sa kanila." Of course, he is. Syd, not because you don't have any relationship with your parents doesn't mean lahat ng tao ganon. And Ryan is the type na hindi nakakagulat na close sa magulang nya, because, well, he's perfect.

Normally, I would say that it's too soon since we've only gone out on a few dates, but he's different. Sa lahat ng lalakeng naka date ko dati, and yung mga naging boyfriends ko, he's different. Like he's the one I've been looking for. Yung perfect guy. The one you bring home to your parents. The one you saw your future with. The one you wouldn't be afraid to be with because he was stable. He's sure with who he is and what he can give you. And what's he's willing to give is what I've always wanted.

"Alam naman nila that we're not official yet but they want to meet you. Sorry, my mom can be really pushy." He looked like he said the last word with fondness.

"Wow, mag pinsan nga kayo ni Dean, you just can't wait for me to meet your family." I joked. "Well, I mean, Dean and I are only friends, but you get my point." Medyo defensive and I'm hoping Ryan didn't catch that.

"Trust me, if you survived his mom, tita Diana, my parents are a piece of cake." Ryan chuckled as we continued walking. Yup medyo fail yung sa nanay ni Dean who was judging me from head-to-toe kahit na napaka sandali ko lang syang nakaharap.

"Okay sure." I answered. Why not. Ngayon ko lang mararanasan yung mapakilala sa magulang by the guy I'm just dating. It might be a good thing to see his family kasi if they're horrible, I can decide early on if I'll run away from Ryan or stay.

"Wow, brave." He joked.

"Brave is my middle name." I chimed. Weh. E nanlalamig ka nga ngayon over an impending parting kiss.