Chapter 28

Family

"Good evening, Manang." Binati ko si Manang na siyang sumalubong sa amin ni Kalyx nang dumating kami sa bahay.

"Magandang gabi rin sa inyo, Rina..." Pagkatapos ay giniya na kami nito sa dining room kung saan naghihintay na rin sina Mommy at ate.

Kasama rin ngayon ni Ate Eris sina Kuya Axel at ang baby nila. Kaya naman excited din ako na makita ang pamangkin ko. Minsan ko lang din kasi siya makita dahil may sarili nang bahay sina ate at hindi rin ako palaging nakakapunta sa kanila. Since my sister got married. And since I was a graduating student and na busy rin ako sa university bago pa man ako naka-graduate. And also, ang dami rin talagang nangyari sa akin pati sa amin ni Kalyx.

"Rina!" My sister went to me and hugged me.

"Ate." I smiled as I hugged her back.

At pagkatapos naming magyakapan ay pumunta naman ako kay Mommy. "Good evening, Mommy." I kissed her cheek.

"Good evening, Rina. Maupo na kayo ni Kalyx." She told us.

At sumunod naman na bumati sa kaniya si Kalyx pagkatapos din niyang batiin ang ate ko. And we greeted Kuya Axel who was also there with us.

"Ate, where's Jarvis?" I asked about my nephew.

"He fell asleep. Mamaya gigising din iyon. Probably after we eat you can play with him." My sister smiled.

Ngumiti rin ako at naupo na roon pagkatapos din akong pinaghila ng mauupuan ni Kalyx. Pagkatapos ay saka siya sumunod din na naupo sa tabi ko.

And over dinner we talked about our plans because Mommy was asking, too. And Kalyx was just so ready to answer my Mom's questions. At napag-usapan na rin naming dalawa ang tungkol sa mga plano namin para sa amin.

So we told my family about us getting married first.

"You're not just marrying my sister because you got her pregnant, right?"

Bahagya naman pinigilan ni Kuya Axel si Ate Eris sa deretsahan nitong pagtatanong.

"No." Umiling si Kalyx sa ate ko. "I was happy when she told me she's pregnant. It's a blessing. But even when she's not carrying my child, I will still marry Rina."

Ngumiti ako kay Kalyx nang tumingin din siya sa akin. Pagkatapos ay muli pa siyang bumaling sa pamilya ko.

"I know that we're still young. But I also know that I only want Rina in my life. So I will work hard for us. And also for our child. And I know that this won't be easy for her. But I will be here for her..." Pagkatapos ay bumaling siya ng tingin sa akin at bahagya akong nginitian.

Ngumiti rin ako sa kaniya. At pagkatapos nang binalingan namin muli si ate ay nakangiti na rin siya sa amin ni Kalyx.

"How about you, Rina? Ano'ng plano mo? After giving birth? Magtatrabaho ka pa ba?" si Mommy naman ang nagtanong sa akin.

"I still... have to think about what career I'd take, Mom." To he honest, hindi pa rin ako sure sa law school na plano na noong gusto rin para sa akin ni Mommy. "But, yes, I would want to work..." I looked at Kalyx again. I also want to help my husband.

"Papayagan mo ba siyang magtrabaho, hijo?" Mommy asked Kalyx next.

"It's not really necessary, Attorney. I can work and provide for us, and for our family. But if Rina wants to pursue her own career then I won't also stop her." He told my mom like what he already told me before.

Ngumiti na si Mommy sa sagot ni Kalyx pagkatapos.

At sa huli ay napangiti na rin ako sa kinalabasan ng dinner namin. And then after that I also got to play with my baby nephew. Bago kami umuwi na ni Kalyx sa condo niya.

"Kalyx, I'm not really sure kung ano ba talaga ang gusto ko na career... After I give birth to our son, hindi rin ako sigurado kung tutuloy pa ba ako sa law school..." I honestly told him when we were already inside the car going home. When I remember ang pinag-usapan namin kanina sa dinner sa bahay.

"It's all right, Rina. You can do what you want... You can also just be a Mom to our child and a wife to me. There's nothing wrong with that. And I and our children would appreciate that much." Galing sa pagmamaneho ay sinulyapan ako ni Kalyx at ngumiti siya sa akin.

"But of course, nasa 'yo pa rin naman ang desisyon. If you will become a lawyer one day then I and our child would support you the same. Kahit ano ang gusto mo, Rina. I will support you." He said.

Napangiti na ako sa sinabi niya. Ngayon ay hindi ko na kailangan pang mangamba para sa hinaharap. Because like what Kalyx said now, I can be a lawyer or just be a mother and wife and him and our children would still support me. And it's just what I need. It's reassuring, too. It's nice to think that they will have my back no matter what.

And when we were already cuddled comfortably in our bed that night, I also talked to Kalyx about his family before we fell asleep. "Kalyx, about your family..."

"Yes... What about it..."

Bahagya akong gumalaw para makita ko pa ang mukha niya. At tumingin din naman siya sa akin na nakahiga ngayon sa dibdib niya.

"Your brother, Kyle, he's a cute kid. Have you ever spent some time with him before?"

Bahagya siyang umiling sa tanong ko. "We don't live in the same house. And since my Dad got married again, I moved out..."

"Maybe you can try talking to him, too... I think he wants to spend some time with you too, Kalyx. The way he looks at you... It's like he's longing for his older brother..." I looked at Kalyx. "And you've been talking about our wedding. Don't tell me you won't invite your family?"

Kalyx sighed a bit. "We would invite them, Rina..."

"Of course, they are your family. And you know, Kalyx, when our baby's out and he or she grows up, kikilanin din ng anak natin na family ang family ng Daddy niya. Kaya naman hindi rin okay kung hindi pa rin kayo okay ng Daddy mo sa time na 'yon, 'di ba?" I asked him.

I didn't want to force him, but I feel like Kalyx just needs a little more push. At pakiramdam ko na gusto na rin naman niyang makipag-ayos at bigyan ng chance and Dad niya and his family.

Unti-unting tumango sa akin si Kalyx at hinagkan niya ako sa noo ko pagkatapos.

And I did not expect that Kalyx would still have a formal proposal to me for marriage when he already bought me a wedding ring and it was even in front of our family! Kaya naman sobrang saya ko na rin na nagsamasama ang mga pamilya namin para sa amin ni Kalyx ngayong gabing ito.

Ang sabi niya lang na mag-d-dinner daw kami ngayon sa labas. Pero pagdating namin sa isang exclusive na restaurant ay nandoon na ang pamilya ko and also his family!

We all had dinner together in one long table and then Kalyx proposed to me in front of them with the beautiful diamond engagement ring he had on his hand for me!

Sobrang nagulat pa rin talaga ako sa nangyari nang gabing 'yon. But I deeply appreciate Kalyx's efforts and the presence of our family there.

"Yes!" I answered happily and then I received the pretty ring from Kalyx.

He stood up, galing sa pagkakaluhod niya sa harapan ko pagkatapos. And then we hugged each other. While our family clapped for us. And they were all smiling and also happy for us.