After days of waiting for Amelie to come home, it's finally the day that I get to see her at the same time my flight to Cebu. My flight's at three in the afternoon and Amelie will be here before eleven.

"You look great in your uniform, Kithian."

I was surprised when I saw dad sitting in the living room. Ang mommy ko ay nasa pang-isahang sofa at namumula ang mga mata.

"What happened? Mom?"

Mom tearfully smiled.

"Your dad just gave me a precious gift."

"You liked it so much that you cried?" natatawang tanong ko.

"Yes! Of course... I love it so much."

"Alright, well, I'm off now."

Hinila ko ang bagahe ko upang umalis na.

"When will you be back?" Mom asked.

"I'll be back in three days, mommy. You take care here."

Nagmadali akong sumakay sa kotse at dumiretso sa airport. Pagpasok ay nilingon ako ng mga kasama. Nakita ko rin si Jasper na inaayos ang uniporme.

"Man, I did not expect to see you here. Saan ka ngayon?"

"Cebu. Ikaw?"

"Bacolod. Three days ka rin?"

Sabay kaming naglakad. I looked at my watch and calculated that Amelie will be here any minute now. Kailangan kong magmadali. Kung papayagan ay isasama kong kumain ng lunch.

"Oo."

I went out to wait for Amelie. I instantly saw her walking with their luggage. Sinalubong ko agad at hinalikan sa pisngi.

"Hi, love. Ang gwapo mo naman."

I wanted to tickle her for teasing me like that but I heard her mom cleared her throat.

"Hello, tita, tito."

Lumapit ako at nagmano. The dark demeanor of her dad instantly caught me off. At ang striktang mga mata ng mommy niya.

"Tita, Tito, ilalabas ko po sana si Amelie for lunch date."

Her mom's face hardened.

"Amelie's tired. Can't you let your girlfriend rest?"

"Ma, hindi po. Aalis po si Kithian ngayon, gusto ko rin na kasama siyang kumain ng lunch," Amelie said.

I touched her hands to feel her warmth. Ngumiti ako kahit kabado. I just need a little time to win their hearts so they could finally be comfortable about me and Amelie.

"Ibabalik ko naman po agad. Ihahatid pauwi."

Time consuming but I think I'll make it back in time. Just to get her home safe.

"Bakit? Hindi na ba 'yan babalik?" sarkastikong tanong nito.

"Ma!" Amelie held my arm.

She's gripping my arm gently. She's embarrassed. There's nothing to be embarrassed about. It's normal for strict parents to react that way. At naiintindihan ko dahil unang boyfriend din ako ni Amelie.

"When will you be back, Javier? You can't take her to lunch at this critical moment. Kailangan din magpahinga ni Amelie."

Tumango ako. It was her dad. Rerespetuhin at susundin ko ang gudto nila. At the end of the day, Amelie's mine. And that's what matters.

Hinarap ko si Amelie. I held her in my arms gently and whispered to her.

"I missed you so much, my love. I'll be back in three days, let's have a date, okay? Wait for me. I love you."

Her embrace tightened.

"I'm sorry. I love you too. Ingat ka ha? I'm sorry, love."

"Let's go, Amelie. We need to rest," striktang ani ng mommy niya.

I had no choice but to let her go. Tinanaw ko ang pag-alis nila. I hope one day they'll like me for their daughter. Hindi pa ngayon. I'll win their votes. I'm certain of that.

"Mamayang four pa ako, bro. Ingat ka."

Tinapik ni Jasper ang aking likod. I nodded and walked away. The thought of Amelie's longing eyes kept me thinking.

"You too, bro."

Hanggang paglapag ng eroplano ay okupado pa rin ang isip ko. Pagdating sa hotel ay siya agad ang tinext ko. While waiting for her reply, I also texted my mom.

Amelie:
Natulog ako agad pag-uwi, love. Nagtatampo ako kay mama at papa. I know my boundaries yet they act like I'm still a child.

I let out a chuckle. I'm going to eat outside the hotel. Susubukan ko ring mag-uwi ng kahit ano para kay Amelie at sa pamilya ko. This will serve as a remembrance of my first commercial flight.

Ako:
You are their baby. And my baby. I'm the first man in your life aside from your dad so it's normal for them to worry. Just let them, baby.

Amelie:
I'll call.

Seconds after, my phone rang. I immediately answered Amelie's call.

"No, love. They're being too much! You're my boyfriend now and they have to respect you, too. You're very respectful sa kanila yet they're still so hard! Urgh! Nakaka-frustrate. Hindi naman ako pagod kanina! I was actually looking forward to eating lunch with you but sinira nila iyon. Naiiyak na ako rito. Miss na kita talaga, love."

Napaupo ako sa kama nang marinig ko ang singhot nito. Oh how I wish I was there to hug her and give her baby kisses.

"Let's give them time to digest, honey. I'll win their heart so you don't have to worry, alright? Huwag ka ng umiyak. I'm not there to hug you."

"I miss you so much, Kithian. I wish we could go somewhere far from here. Nasu-suffocate ako minsan kay mama. And I also want to say sorry on how they acted towards you."

I cleared my throat. I don't want her to hate her parents.

"It's okay, baby. No harm done. I totally understand where they're getting all that. Sinusubukan ka lang nilang protektahan."

"Protect me from who? Sa 'yo? I chose you to be my boyfriend. You have courted me for almost a year. I played hard to get just to please mama! Kahit na gustong-gusto rin naman kita dati pa. Nasasaktan lang ako kasi parang wala siyang trust sa mga choices and decisions ko sa buhay."

God knows what's inside her parents' heart. And I hope they'll open their minds to the fact that Amelie is now an adult who can freely decide on her own.

"Let them adjust first, baby. In their eyes, our relationship is still fresh. Intindihin muna natin."

"You're too kind, love..."

I am not.

"I'll go out for dinner tonight," paalam ko.

"All alone? Wish I could spend time with you. It's been too long."

I can feel her sulking inside her room. Napangiti ako sa naisip. My girlfriend is too cute for me to handle. I just wanna lock ourselves in a room so we could be together forever.

"Wait for me to come home. Magt-trabaho muna ako ng maigi para sa future nating dalawa. Let's trust God's plans for us, alright, my love?"

"Of course!" Her voice became lively again. "I'll wait for my one and only love love to return home. Then we'll have a date somewhere far ha? So they won't bug us."

"Yes, love. We will certainly do that."

I ate dinner alone in a nearby restaurant. Bukas na ako bibili ng pasalubong para madala pauwi. And I'll make sure to get something nice for Amelie's parents too.