Parcel | StellJun

Chapter 28 - Grace

VESTER is squirming in his seat. He keeps on nibbling his lips, breathing deeply. He felt a hand reach for him and he turned his head to his right and was met by a smiling Pavlo, showing off his dimple. It's like Pavlo's telling him that everything is going to be alright.

"Relax, Tey-Tey." He can feel his lover squeezing his hands and his bare hands even reach for his cheeks. He can't help but to purr in it. "Kinakabahan ka pa rin ba?"

He smiled timidly. "Medyo. Hindi mo ako masisisi."

Pavlo chuckles, planting a kiss on his forehead. On some occasions, he would fall on that gesture over and over but not today. Pavlo being this extra might kill him. They're both in a public place, though he made sure to make him sit in the farthest corner of the restaurant, he can't help but be conscious and his anxiety is building up once again.

"Pao, not in public... please lang," he whispered, raking his eyes around them and so afraid that someone might recognize them.

"Relax nga lang kasi. Wala naman sigurong makakakilala sa'kin. Pinagsuot mo ba naman ako ng pagkalaki-laking bucket hat." Pavlo plays with his fingers. "Kaunti lang naman ang mga tao rito. No one's gonna know. Trust me."

"Kahit na. Hindi pa rin ako kampante!" he countered, "Huwag nang makulit, please?"

"Basta, magiging maayos din ang lahat, okay? Just chill." Pavlo gave him a glass of water situated from their table. "Ayan, water to avoid dehydration."

"Thanks, baby ko." Vester drank it in one go and that made the older to laugh faintly. He pouted. Pavlo keeps laughing at him.

"Palibhasa, hindi niya feel ang nararamdaman ko," he thought.

He remembered how he had gone paled the moment Pavlo spoke to him about meeting Tita Graciella. He's not yet ready but what can he do? He couldn't help but go back to that certain memory where his man proposed to him the most unexpected thing ever...

"Babe, huwag kang mabibigla, okay?" Pavlo looked at him intently. "You might want to meet my Mom—"

"What?" Vester exclaimed, eyes widening. "I—I mean, seryoso?"

Pavlo chuckles faintly, fixing his bangs. "Ayaw mo ba? Mom wants to meet you na kasi talaga. Actually, matagal na."

Vester stared at him unbelievably. "Ampao ko, kinakabahan naman ako bigla."

"I'm with you." The assurance in Pavlo's voice made his heart swell.

"Alam ko pero kasi hindi naman ako aware na may meet the parents na agad-agad." Vester's hyperventilating to think that he hasn't met Tita Graciella yet.

He saw Pavlo nibble his lips which made him look away to avoid being tempted. "Ayaw mo yata—"

"Wala akong sinabi, Pao. Huwag kang judger diyan!" Vester glares at him. "Normal reaction naman na kabahan. Syempre, Mama mo 'yon."

Pavlo made a face but later on chuckles childishly. "Alam ko pero syempre, ayoko na rin na may iisipin pa. Isa pa, dapat nga matagal na kitang pinakilala eh."

"Pao, what if ayaw niya pala sa'kin?" Vester suddenly asked worriedly. His heart couldn't take it if ever.

Pavlo grins, "Ayos lang. Ang mahalaga, gusto kita."

The younger frowns at him. "Ano ba, Pavlo! Seryoso kasi. Paano kung ayaw pala ng family mo sa akin? Paano kung biglang maisip ng mama mo na hindi naman pala ako worthy para sa'yo?"

Pavlo crosses his arms. "Kakasabi ko lang, 'di ba? Gusto ka man nila o hindi, I don't care. I like you at tayo naman ang nagmamahalan, hindi sila and as far as I remember, hindi pa tayo officially together, they're already asking me na iharap ka sa kanila. As if, I am obliged to. Kaasar!"