WILD ROSE (BOOK2)

Chapter Twelve: This is what I’ve been wishing for all my life but never had.

I closed the door and looked up.

The sight of Justin’s house was enough to make my heart beat faster.

Justin held my hand. “Come on, mine.”

We walked towards the main door and then Justin stopped for a moment. “Judgement time.”

I was too tense to laugh at his joke. I feel that my heartbeat is all over my body.

In fact, I can feel my body shaking.

Nang makita nito yung kaba sa mukha ko. He squeezed my hand reassuringly.

He leaned down and kissed my forehead. “Everything is going to be fine. They will love you. They would be crazy not to.”

I doubt that.

My own parents hate me for god’s sake.

Instead of voicing my thoughts, I just squeezed him back and gave him a weak smile.

Nakangiti naman na ginulo nito yung buhok ko.

Imbis na mag doorbell, Justin typed some code at the small screen beside the bell and then used his own key to unlock the door.

Inakay agad ako nito papasok sa kanila.

I looked around us.

Their house was very similar to my parent’s house but ours were cold and gloomy, Justin’s was full of lights which made the ambience so warm.

There were family pictures and portraits everywhere.

And there’s a sweet smell of freshly baked cake or maybe cookies lingered in the hall.

“My mom must be in the kitchen. That’s her hideout.” Justin said with a warm smile as he led me into the kitchen.

He’s right.

Inside the kitchen, we saw his mom near the sink.

 “Mom.” Justin called.

I let his hand go and a gasps escaped my lips as she whirled around to face us.

Justin’s mom is simply gorgeous. She was still an attractive woman despite her age. Totoo talaga yung sinasabi nila tungkol sa magagandang lahi.

Mabilis na humakbang si Justin papalapit dito at mahigpit tong niyakap.

 “You still know your way home?” Justin’s mom asked, pretending to be angrier than she really was.

“I know it by heart.” Nakangisi naman na sagot ni Justin habang hinahalikan yung buhok ng mama nito.

Habang tinititigan ko sila, hindi ko maiwasan na hindi maging emosyonal. My eyes tear up. This scene in front of me is picture perfect.

Pagkalipas ng ilang minuto, binalingan ako ni Justin dahilan para kabahan na naman ako.

 “Mom. This is my girl, Armie.”

My worries suddenly vanished when Justin’s mom flashed me a welcoming smile. “Oh tama nga si Justin, hija.” Nakangiti ako nitong nilapitan at niyakap. “You’re so pretty.”

I can feel my face heats up. “Thanks ma’am.” I shyly mumbled.

“Ma’am?” Nae-eskandalo na tanong nito. “Call me Mama Jas.”

Mama Jas?

Ninenerbyos at nahihiya ulit akong napatitig dito.

Justin nudged me in playful manner dahilan para mawala kahit papano yung tensyon sa katawan ko. “Ma—-mama Jas.” I said in stuttered.

Devon stifled a chuckle kaya naiinis na siniko ko to sa kabila nang pamumula ng buong mukha ko.

Natatawa naman na pinisil lang ni Justin yung bewang ko.

Natigil lang kami nang marinig namin yung mahinang pagtawa ni Mama Jas.

Alanganin at nahihiya ulit akong bumaling dito. But she just smiled warmly at me in return.

She was about to open her lips when someone screamed behind us.

“Kuya JD!” Masayang sabi ng bagong dating kasabay nang paglalambitin nito sa leeg ni Justin.

Hindi ko maiwasan na hindi mapangiti nang makita ko yung paglambot ng expression ni Justin.

Justin clearly adored this one.

 “Mine, this is Rachel, my cousin.” Baling sakin nito pagkatapos nitong batiin ng happy birthday at guluhin yung buhok ng pinsan nito.

I’m expecting someone around the age of 30’s but Rachel is just probably, two or three years younger than me.

Inalis ni Rachel yung pagkakalambitin nito kay Justin habang nagtataka na tinitigan nito yung buong mukha ko.

“Armie Cortez. Advance happy birthday Rachel.” Pagpapakilala at bati ko din dito.

Sa pagtataka ko, patuloy lang to sa pagtitig sa mukha ko but this time, with open admiration.

Justin flicked Rachel’s forehead in a playful manner. “Stop daydreaming Rach. You’re drooling.”

“Oh shit! Sorry.” Rachel exclaimed habang naiinis na tinulak nito si Justin.

“Rachel Guizon!” Justin’s mom reprimanded her.

Rachel held up her hands in surrender. “Sorry Tita.”  She replied sheepishly.

And then she looked at my direction, looking quite shy. “Sorry Ate.”

Ate?

Maybe she’s younger than I thought.

 “You’re way prettier in person.” Nahihiya na dahilan nito.

“Oh. Thank you.” I let out an awkward smile. “You like reading Vogue?”

“Vogue?” Nanlalaki yung mga mata na ulit nito. “You’re a model?”

I frowned. Bakit may comment syang way prettier in person kung hindi naman pala nito alam na naging model ako ng vogue?

“That was a long time ago.” Pagtatama ko dito.

“Oh really? Kaya naman pala you’re so pretty! You know—–”

Rachel’s blabbing was cut off by Justin’s ringtone.

We all looked at his direction.

He took his phone out of his back pocket. “Ladies, I just need to take this call.” Baling nito samin pagkatapos nitong tignan yung screen.

“I’ll be back soon, mine.” He leaned down and kissed my forehead bago pa ako makapagprotesta.

 “No bad mouthing about me Rachel. I don’t want to see my woman running.” Nakangiti na babala naman nito kay Rachel na ngumisi lang dito.

“You’ve got it bad Kuya JD.”

Justin just laughed and nodded his head. “Yeah, hook, line and sinker.” Sagot nito na naging dahilan para mas lalong mamula yung buong mukha ko.

“Mom—”

“Don’t worry hijo. I’ll take care of her.” Putol ng mama nito sa kung ano mang balak sabihin ni Justin.

Justin wrapped his other arm around his mom’s shoulders.  “Thanks mom. You’re the best.” He whispered affectionately, kissing his mom’s top head.

Who would have thought, na sa aming dalawa ni Justin.

Ako yung may dysfunctional family.

Hindi ko tuloy maiwasan na hindi mainggit sa nakikita kong closeness nila.

This is what I’ve been wishing for all my life but never had.

A family.

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