Marian's POV

Kinikilig pa rin ako hanggang ngayon habang hawak ko ang bulaklak na ibinigay sa akin ni Seth. He was the first guy to ever give me flowers. We stopped by a restaurant after going to church and had lunch. I felt like this was a date kahit hindi naman. Hindi naman siguro masamang mag-ilusyon?

I turned my head to Seth. His eyes were fixed on the road as he drove. Why does this jerk have to be beautiful and dreamy? Okay, so I guess I was having a crush on him. Big surprise. Who wouldn't have a crush on a man who looks like that? I was sure women melt in the street at his feet daily.

"What?" He asked with his eyes still fixed on the road.

"Ano?"

"Why are you staring at me?" Asiwang sabi niya. "Naiilang ako sa'yo."

"Oh, I just want to say thank you to you." Medyo nahihiyang sabi ko. "I really had a great time with you, Seth."

His lips lifted slightly. "Ano'ng thank you? Next time it's your treat."

Oh my god! I squealed inside. My next time pa?! "Bakit ako? Ikaw ang mayaman d'yan?"

He opened his mouth to say something but his phone rang. He took it out of his pocket with his right hand while his left was still on the steering wheel. "Mom?" There was a sudden panic on his face. "What? What kind of emergency?" His voice boomed throughout the car. "Mom, tell me! Are you okay? Is Dad okay?" He asked with worry in his voice. "Are you sure you're all okay?... I'll be right there as soon as I can." At ibinaba niya na ang phone.

"Ano'ng nangyari?" Tanong ko sa kanya.

"I don't know." Kibit-balikat na sabi niya pero halata sa mukha ang pag-aalala. "They won't tell me what's going on."

Hindi na ako nag-usisa pa. Bumilis ang takbo ng kotse niya. Seth seemed more serious, like he couldn't be bothered. He was too focuse on the road. It took me thirty minutes to notice na hindi na pamilyar sa akin ang mga dinadaanan namin. In fact, we were going the opposite way.

"Seth, where are we going?" Tanong ko.

He cursed under his breath. "I forgot you were there."

"Saan nga tayo pupunta?"

"I'm going to my parent's." He answered. "I can't drop you off your house now. It would take me another hour. Nagmamadali ako."

"Ibaba mo na lang kaya ako d'yan sa tabi. Magtataxi na lang ako."

"No." He gave me a quick glance before turning his attention back on the road. "Madilim na. Baka sa tarantadong driver ka pa masakay."

"Paano ako makakauwi niyan?" Nakakunot ang noong tanong ko.

"You'd just have to come with me. This would be quick, I'll take you home as soon as I find out what's going on. I promise." He sighed.

"Sige na nga. Basta hahatid mo ko ah." Pagsisiguro ko. Mahirap ng humanap ng taxi pag ganitong gabi na at sa lugar na hindi ko kabisado. Sabi niya naman sandali lang daw kami sa pupuntahan niya kaya pumayag na din ako.

Minutes turned into an hour but we were still on the road. Hindi ko naman siya makulit dahil mukhang alalang-alala at seryoso siya. I didn't realize I had fallen asleep until he woke me up. I felt him shook my shoulder and my head instantly shot up.

We were parked in front of an elegant country house made of natural stones and bricks. Sandali akong hindi nakagalaw sa kinauupuaan ko habang nakatingin sa malaking bahay sa harap ko. I'd never seen a house as beautiful and grand as this.

"Marian, come on, we need to get inside." He said as if in a hurry.

"Kaninong bahay yan?" Tanong ko nakatingin pa rin dito.

"My parents'." Sagot niya at binuksan na ang pinto ng kotse. He got out of his car at nagmamadaling sumunod ako sa kanya. His steps were big and fast, I was almost out breath when I caught up to him. He pushed the front door to the house open.

"Mom! Dad!" Sigaw niya pagpasok sa loob.

Agad na sumalubong sa amin ang mabangong amoy ng pagkain. I didn't know what food it was but it smelled delicious. I felt my mouth water and my stomach grumble. I hardly even noticed the elegant interior of the house.

"Seth, deary." Isang babae ang agad na lumapit sa amin. She looked like she was in her late 40s, she was tall, slender, and every move she made screamed sophistication- kahit ang paggalaw ng baywang niya habang naglalakad siya palapit sa amin. She was one of those women who had aged beautifully and gracefully. Kahit na alam mong may edad na siya, maganda pa din siya. She had even probably modeled during her younger years.

"Mom! What happened? Where's dad?" Bakas sa boses ni Seth ang pag-aalala.

"He's watching tv in the living room." Nakangiting sabi ng ginang bago humalik sa pisngi ni Seth. "We missed you so much."

"Ano'ng emergency ang sinasabi niyo?" Seth slightly raised his voice in what sounded like frustration as he looked at his mother.

"Hindi ka na namin nakikita ng daddy mo. Minsan ka na lang bumibisita sa amin." The lady sounded upset. "It's our anniversary today and we just want to spend some time with our unica hijo."

"There's no emergency?" Seth asked.

"None. I'm sorry I lied to you. Gusto ka lang talaga namin makasama ngayon." His mother said and her eyes suddenly averted to me, finally noticing my presence. "You even brought company with you. Hello there, sweetheart." She warmly said before giving me a cheek to cheek kiss. "I'm Elizabeth Fonacier, Seth's mother."

"Hi po, Mrs. Fonacier." Medyo nahihiyang sabi ko.

"Just call me tita Liza." She said. "Are you my son's girlfriend?"

"Hindi po. Magkaibigan lang po kami." Agad na sagot ko. I felt myself blushing. Why was I blushing? "Ako nga po pala si Marian."

"Please to meet you, darling." She sweetly said. "I'm sorry. It's just that you're the first woman he'd ever brought home."

"I was panicking. You told me it was an emergency, akala ko kung ano na ang nangyari sa'yo o kay daddy." Sabi ni Seth.

"It's an emergency dinner." His mother laughed. "Let's just have our supper. Kanina pa naghihintay ang pagkain."

Tinawag ni Tita Liza ang asawa niya at lumabas ito mula sa living room. Kamukha niya si Seth. He looked of some Spanish descent, just like Seth. Kahit halatang may edad na, he was still attractive. He probably looked like a hollywood star in his younger years. I mean, right now, he still does.

"You didn't tell us you were going to bring a date." Nakangiting sabi ng tatay ni Seth habang nakatingin siya sa akin.

"You told me this was an emergency." Seth sarcastically said.

"You hardly visit us anymore. If we tell you that we just want to have dinner with you sasabihin mo na naman sa weekened na hanggang sa makalimutan mo na." His dad sighed. "It's our anniversary today. Iregalo mo na lang sa amin ito."

Seth shrugged. "I'm already know. It's not like I can do something about it now."

"So who is this fine lady you're with?" His father asked returning his eyes on me.

"Marian, a friend." Matipid na sagot ni Seth.

Before his dad could talk again, an alarm went off in the kitchen.

"Oh, the chicken is ready." Sabi ni tita Liza bago tumalikod papunta sa kusina. Seth's dad took us to the dining table. I sat next to Seth and he sat on the opposite side of the round table. Pagkaraan ng ilang sandali ay lumabas si tita Liza dala ang isang malaking chicken. It smelled delicious, my tummy began to grumble in anticipation. We'd been on the road for hours kaya siguro gutom na ulit ako kahit kakakain lang namin bago umalis.

Ibinaba niya iyon sa mesa kung saan nakahanda na ang mashed potatoes and gravy, some sauted vegetables in butter, salad ,and pasta. Tita Liza sat next to her husband. And then there helper started serving us a bowl of soup. It was a clear with flower petals floating on it. I took the spoon and tasted it. It didn't have much taste... it was actually bland. This was rich people food and I just wasn't used to it, I thought. Kinain ko pa ang mga petals na lumulutang, it was crispy, it at least added a little taste and texture to the soup.

Humigop ulit ako ng sabaw bago ako nag-angat ng tingin sa akin. Seth was grinning next to me while the his parents were just staring at me.

"Ang sarap po ng soup. Kayo po ba gumawa nito?" Tanong ko sa mommy ni Seth. Of course, it wasn't true, I was just trying to be polite.

"Um, darling, it's a fingerbowl." Tita Liza faltered.

I looked at her, confused.

"You dip your hands in it before eating." She said, showing it to me.

I could feel my cheeks burning in embarrassment. Lalo akong nahiya ng marinig ko ang pigil na hagikgik ni Seth sa tabi ko. I elbowed him in annoyance. He should've told me. Nag-eenjoy talaga 'tong gagong 'to pag nagmumukha akong tanga.

"Ah..." Iyon na lang ang nasabi ko. "Pero masarap po talaga siya." I said, trying to cover up my shame.

Tita Liza just smiled at me, understandingly. They must've thought I was retarded. I was internally face palming myself.

The dinner went on without thankfully, bringing it up. Tita Liza's food were all delicious. She inherited the recipe to her chicken from her grandmother, she was the one who made the mashed potatoes aand it was so good, her pasta was to die for. Sabi niya cooking daw talaga ang passion niya.

"What about you Marian, what do you do?" Seth's, tito Nelson, asked.

"May flower shop po ako." I answered politely.

"That's nice. I love flowers. Maybe I'd stop by your shop sometime" Nakangiting sabi ni tita Liza.

"Why flower shop?" Tanong ni tito Nelson. "Ano ba ang natapos mong kurso?"

"I have a degree in botany. The flowershop has been our family's business since I could remember kaya tinuloy ko na lang. Kilala na rin naman po kasi ang flowershop kaya marami na kaming regular customers."

Seth's father slowly nodded. "That's good. Iyon nga ang sinasabi ko kay Seth, kung pipili siya ng babae, piliin niya yung may utak. Don't choose beauty and boobs instead of beauty and brain." Sabi ni tito Nelson bago binaling ang atensyon kay Seth. "Every woman can have big breasts, every woman has a vagina pero iilan lang ang may utak. Her mindset will raise your children and not her body."

"Nelson, this shouldn't be discussed in front of the food and certainly not in front of our guest." Mahinahon pero mariin na sabi niya.

"I apologize for my lack of manners, hija." His dad said.

"Totoo naman po ang mga sinasabi niya. Marami naman po talagang babae ang mass malaki pa ang dibdib kaysa sa utak nila." I chuckled. "Katulad na lang po ng mga dinadala ng anak niyo sa condo niya."

"Marian!" Inis na sabi ni Seth.

"Bakit? Totoo naman ah." I rolled my eyes at him.

Narinig ko ang malakas na tawa ng daddy ni Seth. "You know what, Marian, I like you."

His parents were cool and laidback. Akala ko nga noong una mahihirapan akong makihalubilo sa kanila dahil nga mga alta. I thought they'd be rigid and uptight but I was wrong. The dinner ended well and his parents' liked me. Nag-aya ng umuwi si Seth nang matapos ang dinner.

"Honey, you should stay for the night. Magmamadaling-araw na at baka kung ano ang manyari sa inyo sa daan." Tita Liza said.

"Mom, I need to drop Marian off her house." Dahilan niya.

"Marian, honey, magpalipas muna kayo ng gabi dito, please. Delikado nang umuwi ng ganitong oras." Pakiusap nito sa akin. I looked at Seth, not knowing what to say. Bumuntong-hininga si Seth bago umiling. I couldn't say no to tita Liza.

"S-sige po." I couldn't say no to tita Liza.

She smiled and I heard Seth make a low grunt of annoyance.

"Saan naman matutulog si Marian?" Tanong ni Seth.

"She could sleep in Abuela's room." Sagot ng mommy niya "Why don't you take her to her room, Seth."

"Okay." Parang walang ganang sabi nito. "Come on." Sabi niya bago tumalikod at sinundan ko naman siya. We walked up the stair and into the hallway.

"Sino si Abuela?" I curiously asked.

"My grandmother." He answered.

"Abuela ang pangalan niya?"

"No, it means lola in spanish. She's a pure Spaniard, limited lang ang alam niyang tagalog."

"Nandun din ba siya?"

"She died a year ago in her room. She just slept and never woke up." Pagkasabi nun ay huminto kami sa isang pinto.

Napahawak ako sa braso ni Seth. "Yan ka na naman, tinatakot mo lang ako."

His lips lifted into a smirk. "I'm not trying to scare you." Binuksan niya ang pinto. "Magpahinga ka na. Maaga pa tayong aalis bukas."

I swallowed before stepping into the room. Kinapa ko ang switch ng ilaw at binuksan ito. Mukhang antique ang mga gamit sa loob ng kwarto. There was a huge bed in the middle of it and a Victorian style rocking chair on the left just beside the window.

"Don't worry, babantayan ka naman ni Abuela habang natutulog ka. Goodnight, Marian. If you need anything I'll be in the room on your left." Sabi ni Seth bago isinara ang pinto.

My heart started to beat a little faster as I walked into the room. Pinakiramdaman ko ang kwarto at sinubukan kong palakasin ang loob ko. Dahan-dahan akong umupo sa gilid ng kama. This was probably the bed where she died. I silently gave myself a pep talk as I layed on the bed. Kung nandito nga talaga ang multo ni Abuela wala naman siyang magagawa dahil multo na lang siya. Ghosts can't harm people.

Sinubukan kong isara ang mga mata ko pero lalong naging active ang imagination ko. I imagined an old lady taking her last breath on this very same bed. I opened my eyes again. Halos mahulog ako sa kama ng tumambad sa mukha ko ang picture ng matandang babae na nakapatong sa bedside table. At tuluyan na akong nahulog sa kama ng gumalaw ang rocking chair sa tabi ng bintana. The window was open and it was windy but my overactive imagination said it was something else. I couldn't take it anymore. Alam kong hindi ako makakatulog dito. I'd probably die of heart attack.

Tumakbo ako palabas ng kwarto at sinubukan kong buksan ang katabing pinto sa kaliwa ko. Nakita ko si Seth na nakadapa sa kama at tulog na tulog na. He wasn't wearing anything but his boxers. I found myself biting my lower lip.

Have mercy on me, oh Lord for I am weak.

Nagkatabi na naman kami na halos wala din kaming damit. Isang gabi lang naman tiyaka wala naman malisya ito. Maingat at dahan-dahan akong pumatong sa kama at humiga sa maliit na space sa tabi niya. Tumalikod ako sa kanya at ipinikit ko na ang mga mata ko. I was ready to doze off to sleep when I felt an arm circling around my waist and another cupping my breast. Napasinghap ako. He cupped my virgin breast!

Be merciful unto me, O God, for a man would swallow me up.