The Guy Who Loves Me (The Guy Who Doesn't Like Me Book 2)

II - Family

Matthew

"I told you. Dapat hindi na tayo pumunta ron." We're currently on our way to Gabby's family reunion sa father's side niya. She kept on telling me since last week na wag na kami pumuna. Her aunt invited us and the moment she got the invitation, sinabi niya agad sakin na hindi kami pupunta ron.

"Baby, I think it's best to bond with your family." Umiling agad siya.

"It's best if we just stayed at home and spend our time together." Gabby's a family person. She loves her parents and her extended family. But one thing she won't stand is her family sa father's side.

"I bet they'll ask us again if may nangyayari na satin or kung kelan tayo ikakasal— I just can't. And iniisip ko pa lang na makikita ko si Tita Ping, hindi ko na kayang sikmurain." I glanced at her and she look stressed. Ganyan yan every time na may gathering sa side ng Dad niya. Lagi niyang sinasabi na she can't stand them kaya naman pagdating namin lagi ron, tahimik lang siya throughout the day. Hindi rin siya nakiki-mingle sa mga pinsan niya sa side na yon. Sabi niya, before close silang lahat but laging may plastikang nagaganap.

"Then we tell them our wedding is happening soon." I've already mentioned that I wanted to propose pretty much since we got together for a year. But her Mom won't let me. And every year, ganon lang lagi. I thought ayaw nila sakin but sinabi nga nila na di pa sila ready na pakawalan si Gabby.

"Then they'll ask the ring. Kapag hindi sila nakakita ng ring, they say na we're just ruining our lives and—" I cut her.

"Babe, bakit kasi hindi pa tayo magpakasal?" I can see in her eyes na she's still uncertain. I tried to think about that uncertainty that bothers her but I just can't find any. We're really good. We barely fight and then we have a rule kapag nag-aaway kami. A rule that can make us okay. At hindi lang sa pag-aaway; sa lahat din ng bagay. I made rules dahil I don't wanna lose her. I don't want us to feel hate towards each other. Gusto ko pulido lahat samin. Perfect relationship kumbaga.

"Anyway, just suck it all up. If may hindi ka nagustuhan sa mga sinasabi nila, do what you always do— ignore them and stay away from them. Love, they always feel your presence even when you're quiet. Kahit nga nasa corner ka lang, pansin na pansin ka pa rin nila.

"That's the point. Nasa corner na nga ako, papansinin pa rin nila ako. Mamatahin pa rin nila ang mga kinikilos ko." I saw how she's annoyed and uneasy. I sighed and stopped the car sa tabi for a while. I held her hand and looked her straightly in her eyes.

"Okay, I'm sorry for dragging you here again. But you have to understand na the more na hindi ka nagpapakita, mas pag-uusapan ka nila. Remember when I told you na may nakita akong Facebook share ng pinsan mo and puro comments ng mga tita mo when you didn't attend your niece's birthday? That made me so mad I had to do the same; pinatamaan ko sila by defending you." She sighed and closed her eyes.

"Babe, please understand. Hindi ako papayag na ganon lang ang gawin nila sayo habang ikaw, walang kamalay-malay na may ganon nang nangyayari. Kaya instead na proving them na talagang lumalayo ka sa kanila, prove them wrong." Then she opened her eyes and looked at me. And then once again, I saw her smile. That made me smile automatically.

"Okay."

Pagdating na pagdating namin sa venue, which is isang malaking resort dito sa Laguna, as expected, all eyes on us... again. It couple kami ng pamilyang to. Kapag nandito kami, lahat nakasubaybay samin. All eyes and ears are on us. They all greet us with respect and eyes twinkling. It maybe like that but I know those are just a facade. I've been around them for the past 4 years and kabisado ko na silang lahat.