Virtue of Love in Mendiola (Manila Series #1)

Chapter 17

"S-Sister?" gulat kong tanong tsaka ako napatingin kay Jazen at tinanguan naman niya ako. Nang humarap naman ako kay Jade ay nakangiti siyang tumatango. Nakaramdam ako ng pamumula ng pisngi dahil sa kahihiyan.

"Ara, are you okay?" Jazen asked but then I just nodded. We continued eating the food while they're talking just as what usual family does. Hindi ko ramdam na out of place ako dahil Jazen's family never let me feel that way.

"Mija.." Jazen's dad said which made me look at him. What made him call me 'mija'? "Don't be shocked. I consider you my daughter now dahil dun din naman ang uwi no'n." he said while cutting the steak on his plate. Nakita ko ang ngiti sa labi ni Jazen habang abala siyang kumakain kaya maging ako'y napangiti na lang din.

"Mija, what are your parents doing for a living?" Tito Jaden asked me.

"My father is an architect po same with my mother." I answered then I continued eating.

"Really? Why did you took Legal Management instead of architecture?" Jade asked me dahilan para bahagya akong mailang.

"So you're a Law student?" Tita Celest added up.

"Yes po. I'm currently taking Legal Management. That's what I aspire to become in the future. Also, Mom told me to follow my dreams." Sabi ko habang nakatingin kay Jazen remembering how he told me that line. "Right Jazen?" I said trying not to laugh.

"Water, kuya?" Jade said offering Jazen a glass of water dahil mukhang nasamid siya sa sinabi ko and that made me chuckle.

"No, thanks." Jazen said. After having dinner with Jazen's family, Jazen and I went to the garden.

"So how was it? Having dinner with my family?" Jazen asked.

"Great. I had fun eating with you and your fam." I said. "Your mom cooked the foods?"

"Yes. How was the foods anyway?"

"Good. Great, rather. You're Mom's good at cooking pala. How I wish I am as well." I chuckled as I say that.

"We can cook together. I'll help you learn how to cook. If that's fine with you." Jazen said with a smile while looking at me.

"Why not? That would be awesome!" sabi ko at hindi ko inaasahan ang pagyakap ko sa kanya dahil sa tuwa ko. "Uh, sorry." sabi ko habang inaalis ang sarili ko mula sa pagkakayakap kay Jazen.

"T-That's.. fine." he said. "Hm, Do you wanna go home now?" he asked me then I nodded. Pumasok muna kami sa loob ng bahay nila para magpaalam sa parents niya.

"Thank you po Tito Jaden and Tita Celest for having me tonight! I had fun po and the food's great po!" I said.

"You are always welcome, Ara! Let's have dinner together again soon!" Tita Celest said then she hugged me.

"Sure po!" sabi ko habang nakangiti sa kanilang magasawa. "Jade, thank you! Cloud's such a cutie!" I said to lessen the awkwardness.

"Thank you too, Ara! See ya around!" she said then she hugged me as well. "Let's hangout some time with Jill and Ali!" sabi pa niya at tumango naman ako.

"It's getting late. I'll drive Ara home now, Mom, Dad." Jazen said then he hugged his parents.

"Drive safe, anak. Magingat kayo, ha?" Tito Jaden reminded us then we both nodded.

"Ara.." Jazen said while driving. Lumingon ako sa kanya tsaka ko siya hinintay magsalita muli. "About what happened earlier, that's fine."

"Yes, I know. You told me earlier, remember?" I said then he nodded. Nanatili lang kaming tahimik buong byahe hanggang sa makarating kami sa parking lot ng condo.