"Reese!" I was snapped out of reverie when Ate Tiara sat beside me. I blinked and smiled at her.

Ate Tiara Alyssa Yap is the closest to me among all my other cousins in my father side. Probably because she's just a year older than me. We get along with almost anything and practically grew up together.

"Ate!" I acknowledged her as I stared at the lushful greenery across our resthouse here in Batangas.

Our family has this yearly reunion during our grandmother's birthday and we all make sure to attend. Even our relatives who are across the globe adjusted their schedules just to make it to the Zoom Party.

"Kumusta na kayo ni Luke? Yieee! Dalaga na talaga ang pinsan ko!" She teased and I blushed.

"Ate naman! Magsalita ka, parang wala kang boyfriend ha!" I shot back and instead of giggling with me, she rolled her eyes.

"Nako. Don't ask. Hindi kami nag-uusap." She told me and sighed.

"Hala! Bakit? Nag-away kayo?" I asked and she began airing out her concerns. "Ano ba yan! Pero, mahal mo naman siya di ba? And loving equates to having faith and trust in him. Maybe, kailangan mo lang magtiwala sa kanya na maayos rin ang lahat."

"Baka nga.. Pero hanggang kailan? Bakit pakiramdam ko ako lang ang may gustong maayos to?" Ate Tiara's  eyes started to water.

"You, guys, need to talk. Hindi pwedeng hindi nyo pag-usapan yan. If you think, your relationship is not helping you both to grow and is getting toxic, get out. Before it's too late." I said and caressed her back.

It's a good thing that the wooden chair we are sitting is long and sturdy enough to support our weight because our cousin, Cruzes, jumped in to startle the two of us.

"Huy! Ano yang dinadrama niyong dalawa dyan!" Cruz chuckled and sat beside me on my left. "Luh, bakit umiiyak yang si Tiara? Pinaiyak mo no! Lagot kaaa! Tita oh! Si T—"

"—Tigilan mo, Cruz." I warned him and grope his neck before he even finished his words.

"—aack! Oo!" He tapped my arm and Ate Tiara and me both laughed. "Awit ka, Reese! Muntik na akong hindi makahinga don!" He complained and massage his neck as soon as I let go of it.

"Sorna! Kaw kasi eh!" I laughed and leaned on his side.

"Napuwing lang ako, Cruz! Masyado ka! Bakit naman ako iiyak!" Ate Tiara exclaimed after wiping the tears that slid off her cheeks earlier. "Ano na ganap dun? At bakit ka nandito? Di mo ba nakikita, girls' talk kami?"

"Wala! Andon, pinapasayaw lang nila si Addie at Burger. Akala mo ngayon lang nila nakita." He shook his head and pulled out his phone.

"Eto naman. Ang kj!" Ate Tiara chortled. "Hayaan mo na sila. Atsaka ang cute kaya nila Addie at Burger!"

She commented referring to our niece and nephew, our cousin's babies. Both are a year older than the other and the latest bundle of joy in our clan.

"Graduating ka na din, diba, Reese?" Cruz asked me suddenly and I nodded. "Ayos yan! Magtatrabaho ka na kila Tita Lexie?"

My eyebrows furrowed at the mention of our Aunt's name who is in the States.

"No. Absolutely not. Bakit mo naman nabanggit si Tita?" It was my turn to ask him.

"Hindi ba, matagal na nilang plano na sumunod ka don kahit noong mga bata pa tayo. Ngayon na graduating ka na, for sure, yun ang gusto nila Tita sa'yo." He shrugged and sipped on his milktea.

"Oy, andaya! Bakit may milktea ka? Kami wala?" Ate Tiara protested when she saw the famous milktea logo.

"Andon yung sa inyo sa ref!" Cruz objected when Ate Tiara started pinching his arm. "Tiaraa! Ano baa!"

"Lika! Samahan mo ko! Andaya mo ha!" Ate Tiara yanked his arm from where he was seated and they went inside the house while I was left flabbergasted in my spot.

Ako?

Sa States, magtatrabaho?

But, paano si Luke?

What will happen to us?

How will I tell it to him?

Is it possible for Mom's wishes to change?

After all, I still need training here, right?

I don't have to go right away to Tita Lexie?