FLORENCE AND LAURY (Completed)

CHAPTER 22

Chapter 22

It’s a big day for me. Maliban sa graduation ko, pinakilala ko kina mama si Florence. And they weren’t surprised anymore. Traydor talaga si Kuya, sinabi pala niya kina Mama dati pa lang. It’s just that my parents trust me and they waited for me to open to them and now is the time that I think is perfect to do so.

I received a lot of congratulations from friends and relatives at may munting salu-salo sa bahay and of course, Florence was invited para na rin ma-meet niya nang maayos ang mga magulang ko.

I never saw him as stiff as today. Okay naman siya kanina noong nasa bahay nila kami kung saan kami naglunch kasama si Lolo Terrence. Florence’s mom didn’t arrive although she said she’ll be there and I saw disappointment in his face ngunit tila sanay na siya sa ganoon.

Ngayon ay nasa sala siya ng bahay namin, tuwid na nakaupo at nakasalikop ang kanyang mga palad.

“Relax Florence,” bulong ko sa kanya. “Mabait si papa, may shotgun nga lang.”

It didn’t help because it only made him look even nervous. I held his hand and I was right, ang lamig ng kamay niya. Hindi ko maiwasang matawa. Dati pa man ay kinukulit na niya ako na ipakilala siya sa mga magulang ko tapos ngayon, nanlalamig siya.

Nang kumakain kami ay hindi siya halos makasubo. Ngayon ay nasa sala kami kasama si Papa at may Q and A na nagaganap.

“Ilang taon ka na ba hijo?” tanong ni Papa sa seryosong boses.

“17 po.”

“Ang bata mo pa pala.” I pouted at my father who looked at me. “My Laury is yet to turn 17.”

“I’m aware Sir.”

“Anong plano mo sa senior high?”

That question made Florence silent for a while. He gulped and looked at me. I asked him the same question before and his reply ay ang makasama ako. Surely he cannot give the same answer to papa. Baka masapak siya ng wala sa oras dahil hindi ‘yon nakakakilig para sa ama ko.

Florence looked at me as if he’s asking for help kaya ako na ang sumagot sa tanong ni Papa. “Mag-i-ABM po Papa, gusto niyang maging businessman.”

“Ganoon ba?”

Florence nodded. “Yes Sir.”

“Ano bang gusto mong negosyo kung sakali?” tanong ulit ni Papa.

Florence panicked again and looked at me. His hands were shaking kaya ako ulit ang sumagot. “Papa depende naman ‘yan kung ano--”

“Hindi ikaw ang tinatanong ko Law,” sagot ni Papa. His tone is not scary, just his normal one pero parang maiihi sa pantalon si Florence anumang oras.

“A-actually po gusto kong maging engineer,” sagot ni Florence.

Tumango lang si Papa at tumayo. “Haharapin ko lang muna ang ibang mga bisita.”

He left us on the living room at nanatili sa kusina kung nasaan ang ilang mga kakilala’t kaibigan na inimbitahan para sa salu-salo. When I looked at Florence, he was looking at somewhere, biting his lips. Alam kung hindi maganda ang pakiramdam niya dahil sa inasal ni papa. I held his hand kaya napatingin siya sa akin.

“Labas tayo?” tanong ko at tumango siya.

We held hands as we walked outside our house. Tahimik lang siya habang naglalakad kami patungo sa mini-park na hindi kalayuan doon. We sat on the metal bench na malapit sa lamp post at tahimik pa rin siya. I didn’t let go of his hand and looked at him.