Chapter Six

Dinner

We first went to meet my sister, and I noticed Elie was a little nervous. The way she fidgeted with her hands was almost adorable. Her unease didn't escape my notice, so I gently took her hand in mine as we walked up to my sister's house. Napatingin siya sa akin nang maramdaman niyang hinawakan ko ang kamay niya, her nervous eyes meeting mine. I offered her a reassuring smile.

"Do not worry so much about meeting my sister, Elie. Ate Aletheia is a good person. She's even better than me, I swear," I said, half-teasing, to make her smile.

She nodded shyly but didn't say anything. I could tell her nerves hadn't completely faded. She had even brought a gift for my sister—a thoughtful touch that didn't surprise me.

"Akhlas! And..."

Ate Aletheia opened the door, her warm voice greeting us. Her gaze shifted to Elie, who greeted her politely despite the obvious timidity in her tone. I smiled. Meeting family for the first time could feel intimidating, and I knew Elie was no exception.

"Ate, this is Isabeli Flores," I introduced her.

"Oh! Hello! Are you Elie?" Ate Aletheia asked, her smile widening.

Elie nodded slightly, her voice soft. "Good afternoon po..."

Napangiti si Ate Aletheia. Her warmth seemed to ease some of Elie's tension, and I felt reassured. It was a good decision to introduce her to my sister first before taking her to meet Kuya Adam in Masbate. Ate Aletheia had always been the most approachable among my siblings.

"Let's go inside. My family is waiting for you two," Ate Aletheia said, ushering us into her home.

"I'm sorry, Ate. I think we came too early," I apologized, noting that dinner wasn't scheduled for a little while longer.

"Wala kang dapat i-sorry, Akhlas. It's better that you came early," she replied with a smile.

"That's right," a familiar voice chimed in. My sister's husband stepped into the living room. "Your sister even prepared the food ahead of time."

He probably finished work early at the hospital. Since it's the weekend, the kids are also just staying at home.

I smiled at him. "Doc," I greeted. I still couldn't bring myself to call him Kuya—it just felt unnatural—so I stuck with addressing him by his profession.

Ate Aletheia chuckled. "I guess I got a little too excited," she said, brushing off the comment with a playful smile.

Elie and I exchanged amused looks. Ate Aletheia's enthusiasm was contagious.

"You two can relax here for now," she said. "I'll head back to the kitchen and finish preparing the dining room."

We sat in the living room, and my attention shifted to my niece and nephew, who were playing quietly nearby. Like before, they seemed shy around me. Kahit na nagkita na kami noon sa Germany when they visited my parents, they still weren't used to my presence.

And I'm probably just not that good at dealing with children yet.

Elie, however, had no such trouble. She immediately engaged with the kids, her natural warmth drawing them in. Napangiti ako habang pinapanood sila. She was already so good with children, likely because of her experience as a teacher.

"Akhlas," my brother-in-law called.

"Yes?"

"Your sister is calling you and Elie for dinner. The dining room is ready."

I nodded. "Okay, we're coming. Thank you."

I called Elie, and we headed to the dining room. The table was beautifully set, and the aroma of home-cooked food filled the air. As we started eating, Ate Aletheia turned to me with a teasing smile.

"Kaya pala parang bumabait ka na, Akhlas."

"What? Matagal na akong mabait," I replied, smirking at her.

She shook her head, her smile not fading. "I know you're a good person, Akhlas. You've always cared deeply for our family. But now... you're starting to feel softer, more gentle."

Napaisip ako sa sinabi niya. She wasn't wrong. I had always been family-oriented, but my kindness rarely extended to others outside our circle. Now, though, things were different.

I glanced at Elie, who was chatting animatedly with my niece. The sight of her warmed something in me. Hindi naman iba sa akin si Elie. She and her mother already felt like family.

Ate Aletheia's words echoed in my mind. "You're becoming gentler." And maybe she was right. I wasn't the same as I used to be.

The rest of the dinner was light and enjoyable, filled with stories and laughter. Ate Aletheia and her family welcomed Elie warmly, and it was clear she felt at ease by the time we left.

As we drove back, I glanced at Elie sitting beside me. She seemed content, her smile soft as she looked out the window.

"Thank you for bringing me to your sister's today, Akhlas. I really enjoyed their warm welcome. At masarap din magluto ang kapatid mo," she said, her tone light.

I smiled at her. "My sister wasn't always a great cook. But I think having a family has brought out that side of her."

She chuckled, and I found myself watching her, captivated. Her presence had become something I looked forward to—something that grounded me.

And then I realized: she wasn't just a fleeting part of my life. She was someone who made me feel... lighter. Gentler.

Ate Aletheia's words echoed in my mind as I walked Elie to their gate. Dumating na kami sa bahay nila. I've always seen myself as a villain because that's how most of the people I met in the past made me feel. For so long, I had believed that about myself. But Elie made me feel differently. She brought out this gentle side of me—the softer side I never knew I was capable of before.

"Goodnight, Elie," I said softly, watching her smile at me one last time before stepping inside.

I lingered outside for a moment, thinking about what my sister had said earlier. Elie had made me more than I thought I could be. And for that, I was grateful.

Author's Note: Hello, readers! You can now read up to Chapter 14 of this story on Patreon and in the VIP Group. The membership fee is $3 or ₱150 per month. To join the VIP Group, kindly send me a message on Facebook at Rej Martinez. Thank you so much for your support!