She Found A Girl

Eight

Author's Note:

Last chap before epilogue. Short lang talaga plan ko for this ever since hehe :) Ara Galang for NT pa rin!!!

ARA

"Ready?", nakangiting tanong ni Thomas pagkababa namin ng kotse. Natagpuan ko ang sarili kong umiiling.

Bakit ba ako ninenerbyos? Hindi ko naman first time ma-introduce sa magulang ng kaibigan. Chill ka lang, Ara.

Thomas held me by the shoulders and brought me to face him.

"Inhale...", he said and I breathed in. "Exhale." Huminga ako nang malalim. There's something about the way he speaks that makes me believe and follow him.

"No one can escape your cuteness, ok?", sabi niya sabay kurot sa pisngi ko. Sumimangot lang ako at pinalis ang kamay niya.

Buwisit 'to, pa-fall.

Inakbayan ako ni Thomas pagkabukas niya ng pinto.

"Mommy?", he called out. Just then, a beautiful woman came out from the hallway on the left.

"Ah, finally! Kat! They're here!", tawag niya sa may hagdan bago siya lumapit sa amin. Thomas' mom was beautiful, she definitely aged with grace.

"Mom, si Ara po. Manghihingi daw ng malunggay."

Natigil ako sa pagtitig sa nasa harap ko nang marinig ko yung sinabi ni Thomas. My head snapped sidewards and I glared him. Aba ang loko nakuha pang ngumiti.

Just then, I heard his mom laugh. Hala ano ba 'to, nakakahiya.

"Ehem. Good evening po, Ma'am. My name is Ara po. And nag-jojoke lang po si Thomas.", I said, reaching out my hand.

"Oh, no need for formal introductions, dear. Siyempre kilala na kita.", she replied smiling before pulling me for a hug.

"Call me Tita Jane, ok? Or Mommy na lang rin."

"Po??"
"Mom...", sabay react ni Thomas.

"OMG!", narinig naming may sumigaw at bumitaw kami sa yakap. Standing by the stairs was a teenage girl who was all smiles. Must be Thomas' sister.

"Hi Ate Ara!", she ran to me for a hug. Is their family really that touchy? Hindi kasi normal samin yun after what happened. Masaya din pala. The warmth in their home made me feel welcome. Note to self, hug my parents every time I go back in Pampanga.

"I'm Kat po pala. I'm happy to finally meet you! Alam mo ba ate, ikaw yung unang girl na dinala ni Kuya dito.", she said excitedly.

Nagtaka ako sa sinabi niya, kasi nakwento ni Mika noon na nagka-girlfriend na si Thomas. But at the same time, I felt my heart did somersaults. Kalma ka lang, heart. Friends lang diba??

"O, mamaya mo na ibuko ang kuya mo. Come on, dinner's ready.", aya ng Mommy nila at sumunod kami sa dining hall.

On the way, lumapit si Thomas sa akin para bumulong.

"Pasensya ka na sa kanila. Masaya lang talaga yang mga yan. Told you they love you, right?"

Ginantihan ko lang siya ng ngiti. I wish with that, he understood how thankful I am.

"O Ara. Kumain ka nang marami ha. Wag kang mahihiya.", sabi ni Tita Jane. Thomas' mom prepared nachos, roasted chicken and mashed potato.