My Chinese Marvel

Chapter 14

The Tengs

Maagang natapos ang training namin ngayon. 6:30 palang ay dismissed na kami. Kung sabagay, maaga din naman kaming nag start. Kaya, hayahay ang buhay.

December na at malapit na din ang aming Christmas break. Tradition ng family namin na mag out of town or out of the country tuwing holiday season. Kung minsan, team mates ko naman ang kasama kong nagbabakasyon kahit isang linggo lang, kaya I wonder kung saan kami pupunta this year.

"Eh. Cienne naman eh. Kahit one week lang. Just one week, gusto lang namin kayong makasama ngayong pasko." Pag mamakaawa ni Ara at nag pout pa. Yup. We're currently face timing the twins.

"Yuck. Tigilan mo nga pag pout. Kadiri Ars." Sabi ni Cienne na nagpatawa sa aming lahat. On point.

"Tigilan mo din ako ha, spidey." Natahimik si Cienne dahil nag backfire yung pangbu bully niya kay Ara. "So ano na? Any plans of going home? Kahit short vacation lang."

"Hindi talaga pwede eh. We have to be here for at least five years straight para sa citizenship. I'm so sorry guys." Page explain ni Camille.

"5 Years Straight?! Eh pano si Kib?" Tanong ni Carol.

"Don't worry. He'll come here soon naman to visit me eh." Then Camille smirked. Maya maya pa nang matahimik ang mundo namin dahil nagsi datingan na yung archers.

"Good evening." Bati sa akin ni Jeron at ngumiti. "Hi kambal!" Nag wave din siya dun sa kambal.

"Hi, Jeron." Aba't nagpa cute pa yung dalawa.

"Tigil tigilan pagpa pacute ha. Pareho na kayong may boyfriend." Then they both laughed.

"Guys! Himala, si Van Opstal nagfe face time!" Masayang sigaw ni Thomas at tumawa. Napa tahimik tuloy kami at napa tingin sa screen ng mac ni Kianna. There, we saw Cienne and she was silent. We knew she heard what Thomas just said.

"Ikaw kasi eh." Ara whispered then lightly slapped him on the shoulders.

"Sorry! Hindi ko naman alam." He explained.

"Sagutin mo na, Bro. It's hard to keep the kapre waiting." Then Kib laughed.

"Hi Guys!" Masayang bati ni Van.

"Hey bro! What's up!" Bati ng Paps.

"Eto, life goes on. Actually, I just got home from sending Rosie to the airport. She's going to Canada." Napa tingin muli kami kay Cienne na tahimik lang habang sumisipol. Naman kasi eh.

"Ahh. We're at the gym bro. And the girls are here." Pagi iba ni Jeron ng topic.

"Really? Patingin naman!" Pinakita ni Jeron yung phone ni Thomas at hinarap sa amin ang camera. "Hi Spikers! Miss you guys!" Sa hindi inaasahang pagka kataon, nahagip din ng camera ng phone ni Thomas ang screen ng mac ni KKD. "Hi asawa ko, I mean, Hi kambal!" He said with a weak smile

Muli tuloy kaming natahimik. Dama namin ang bigat ng atmosphere lalo na nang batiin ni Van ang kambal. He even slipped and said 'asawa ko' which used to be their endearment way back. 

"Hi Van." Naga alangang bati ni Camille then secretly looked to her twin. Tinapik niya ito. "Hi daw." Mukha namang nabuhusan ng malamig na tubig si Cienne dahil nabalik siya sa realidad.

"Hi asawa k--- Van." She weakly smiled. Sinenyasan naman ni Ara si Thomas to just take his phone away dahil sobrang bigat na ng atmosphere.

Sayang yung dalawang yun. They've been together for three years. Sila na when we started college. But it was after season 76 when they told us about their break up. Hindi namin alam yung main reason dahil hindi nila sinabi pareho.

Nagulat nalang kami when Van said goodbye to all of us and told us that he's already returning to Germany. Maybe they thought that Long Distance Relationship won't work for them. Then after that, we found out that Cienne already have a boyfriend, Andrei. Everything happened so fast. Even Van got back together with Rosie 3 months later. So we thought, maybe, just maybe, they're not really meant for each other.

Anyway, 7pm na pero wala pa ang coach ng Archers. Mukhang, wala silang training ngayon ah.

"Coach just texted me." Isa isang lumapit kay Jeron ang team mates niya nang sabihin niya iyon. Naki tsismis sila sa phone ni Jeron at sumilip.

"Archers, canceled training for today. I have an emergency and I have to meet the board. Enjoy your free hours boys!" Pagbabasa ni Jollo na may pagka tsismoso din pala.

"Okay. I'm done here. I'm out." Jeron smirked at me and I knew what to do.

"Una na ako." I grabbed my training bag then exited the gym before I could hear them teasing me dahil alam kong malakas ang pakiramdam ng mga yun.

Anyway, I wasn't disappointed when I got out of the gym because there was Jeron waiting while clicking something on his phone.

"Dinner?" He offered.

"Sure." Sagot ko as he get my bag and carried it for me. Maya maya pa when I heard his phone buzz. And I think it's a twitter notification.

"Your phone won't stop buzzing," I said.

"I tweeted kasi eh."

"About what?" He shrugged. Na curious tuloy ako. So I opened my phone and checked my twitter account.

'@jeronteng- when the right time comes, everything will be worth it. ? #ThreeIsBetterThanOne'

I mentally facepalmed. He's giving too much hints for our fans!

"Don't you think you gave them too many hints?" I said.

"No. Not at all." Then he chuckled.

We later reached the parking lot. He alarmed his car, open the car door for me, placed our bags on the backseat before starting the engine.

Right now, I don't know where we'll go but one thing is for sure. I want to enjoy this ride with Jeron Teng.

"Miks, wake up."  I was taken aback when Jeron said that. Naka tulog ako?

"Sorry. I slept out." I apologized.

"It's okay. I know pagod ka sa training." He smiled. "Let's go?" He was about to get out of the car when I realized where we are. Mental facepalm it is.

"Why are we here?" I nervously asked.

"For dinner. You're hungry right?" He said.

"Yes, but I didn't tell you to bring me here, ugh!" Out of frustration, ginulo ko ang buhok ko. He just chuckled.

"Relax. They wont eat you." Sinamaan ko ng tingin. "Joke. Mom told me to bring you. Sana sa weekend pa but we have an event this Saturday diba?" Oo nga pala. We've been invited to the Preview Ball this Saturday.

"Eh bat ngayon? At saka, hindi mo manlang sinabi sa akin. Look at what I'm wearing?!" I looked at myself. The usual me na sabog at naka pang training. Tas haharap ako sa pamilya niya?!

"Mom insisted. And it's okay. Simplicity is beauty. I like you more when you're sabog." Hindi ko alam kung maiinis ako sa pambu bully niya or matatawa sa ka conyo-han niya.

"Conyo ka na. Tigil tigilan mo pag lapit ka Thomas ha." I said. Then he chuckled.

"Wushu. Selos ka lang eh." Lumabas na siya ng sasakyan then went to my side to open the car door for me. Hay. Kinakabahan ako.

"Welcome to our humble home." He said as he opened the gate.

Pumasok na kami at nakita ang tatlong sasakyan na nasa parking. Isang fortuner, isang vios at isang mazda c3. 

"One for dad, one for Achi, and one for Dichi." He said. He was about to open the door when I placed my hand on his shoulder.

"Are you sure about this?" Naga alangang tanong ko. He chuckled.

"They won't eat you. Kwento ko palang kaya excited na makita ka. And besides, they've know you before palang. And not to mention our family ties." Wala na akong ibang magawa kundi angmag buntong hininga nalang at pumasok kasama si Jeron. Wala nang atrasan. Nandito nanaman na kami eh.

Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko at nag bukas na ang pinto. No one is there to welcome us.

"Mom, Dad, we're home!" Jeron exclaimed. At maya maya pa...

"Oh my gosh, Mika! Welcome home anak!" Ikinagulat ko ang pag lapit sa akin ng mama ni Jeron sabay tawag sa akin ng anak and she even hug me. "Finally! I've been dying to see you!"

"Holy crap. ALMIRA! MIKA'S HERE!" Nagulat kami nang isigaw yun ni Achi Alyssa at patakbong lumapit sa akin para batiin ako.

"SIS IN LAW!" Excited na sabi ni Achi Almira at niyakap din ako.

"Grabe. Ako yung Teng diba. Ako yung anak niyo, ako yung kapatid niyo pero parang na neglect ako." Page emote ni Jeron.

"Che. Shut up or I'll kick your butt in front of Mika." Sabi sa kaniya ni Achi Alyssa. "Hihi. Welcome home, Miks. Uy, feel free ha. Always welcome ka dito."

I'm still speechless dahil napaka warm nila sa akin. Oo nga. Maybe it's because of the ties.

"Mas lalong lumapit yung ties natin. We'll be real in laws kapag kinasal kami ng Kuya mo at kayo ni Shoti." Achi Almira said.

"Hala, Achi. Kasal agad? Hindi ko pa nga siya sinasagot." Then I laughed.

"Ma, there is a car outside. Is Jeron he--" naputol ang sasabihin ni Kuya Jeric nang makita niya ako habang naka akbay si Achi Almira sa akin. "The Mika Reyes." He said then smiled.

"Maka 'the' naman to si Kuya. Parang hindi tayo close ah." I joked na agad kina agree nila Achi Almira.

"Oo nga naman. You always visit their dorm sa Taft nung nililigawan mo palang si Wensh. Diba, ahia?" Nag smirk pa si Achi Almira

"Speaking of." Napa nguso sila sa may pinto at nakita si Achi Wensh na may bitbit na isang box ng cake.

"Good evening!" Lumaki ang mata niya as she saw me standing with the two Teng girls. "Mika?!" Gulat niyang sabi. I waved.

"Hi Mrs. Jeric Teng!" Pang aasar ko sa kaniya na agad niyang ikina blush. She went near me for a beso and a hug.

"It's been a while! Pasensya ka na. Hindi na ako nakaka bisita sa Taft."

"Ano ka ba achi. I know busy ka sa work and kay Kuya Jeric." Sabi ko. Bigla namang sumingit si Achi Alyssa

"Saka, madalas na din kayong magkikita now no. Alam kong mapapa dalas na ang pag bisita ni Mika dito sa bahay." Sabi ni Achi at tumawa. Agad naman akong yumuko dahil feeling ko, halos lahat ng dugo ko umakyat na sa mukha ko.

"Tigilan niyo nga tong baby ko!" Sabi ni Jeron at inakbayan pa ako. "Baka hindi niyo na to makita matakot sa inyo." The girls just gave him a glare before we head to the dining. Umupo kami and later on, Jeron's Dad came from his study.

"Good evening po, Tito." He smiled at me.

"Good evening din, anak. Welcome home." They're just too warm.

Umupo na ulit ako at nag order na yung Dad ni Jeron. So Ahia Jeric blessed our table then we started eating. I was quiet at first. Ang dami kong naiisip.

Okay lang sa akin yung parents ni Jeron. Eh pano yung grandparents niya? Baka hindi ako magustuhan dahil wala namang Chinese blood na tumatakbo sa dugo ko. Pano kung hindi ako magustuhan? Hindi naman ako kagaya ni Achi Wensh na half chinese.

"Miks?" Ikinagulat ko ang biglang pag tawag sa akin ni Tito Alvin.

"P-Po?" Why are you stuttering?!

"Don't worry. We don't follow that damn tradition." He said then smiled. Wait. I don't get it.

"We're okay kahit na hindi ka Chinese." Napa sigh ako bigla nang sabihin iyon ni Tita.

"See? I told you, they like you. So, relax." Sabi ni Jeron at tinawanan pa ako. Nakaka hiya.

9PM na nang mag yayang umuwi si Jeron. Pareho din naman kasi kaming may mga class at training bukas kaya kailangan agad naming maka balik sa Taft.

Lumapit ako kay Tita Susan at nag beso na. Habang si Jeron naman, nauna na sa labas para i start yung sasakyan.

"Thanks for visiting Miks." Sabi niya sa akin at ngumiti.

"Nako. Ako nga po dapat mag pasalamat eh. Thank you po sa dinner." Sabi ko at ngumiti rin. "Pasensya na po ha. Wala akong naidala. Jeron dragged me and I was surprised." Then we both laughed.

"Ano ka ba. It's okay. sana, sa susunod na balik mo, ipakilala ka ni Jeron as girlfriend na." Napa ngiti ako bigla. Hindi naman halata na botong boto ang pamilya niya ano.

"Soon po, Tita. Soon." I heard a honk from Jeron's car kaya napatawa nalang kami ni Tita. "Sige na po. I'll head out first. Nagmamadali na si Je eh." Then Tita nodded.

"Ingat kayo ah." I got out of the house and saw Tita waving. Nag wave na din yung dalawa at si ate Wensh.

Naka pasok na ako sa sasakyan ni Jeron and as usual, he scolded me again. Napaka mainipin nito talaga.

"Napaka mainipin mo po. Pano mo ako maiintay niyan?" I joked. Sinamaan naman ako ng tingin.

"I can wait for you." He shrugged.

Tahimik lang kami sa byahe. Ang seryoso kasi niya eh. The silence was broken when I heard my phone buzz. Notification from twitter.

'@KingQueenArcher- @almirateng naks. Si Queen @mikareyesss oh. Meet the parents na?'

Tiningnan ko kung saan nanggaling yung tweet. I saw Achi Almira's tweet na may IG link.

'@almirateng- dinner with the squad. ? (IG Link)'

10PM nang maka balik kami sa dorm. He got out of his car, went to my side, and open the car door for me.

"Thanks for this day, Miks."

"No, thank you." Sabi ko at ngumiti. Muli nanaman kaming natahimik. "Next time, ikaw naman ang pupunta sa Bulacan." Halatang nagulat siya kasi napa angat yung ulo niya at lumaki ang singkit niyang mata.

"Uy. Wag namang ganyan." Then I laughed.

"Don't worry. Hindi naman kita isu surprise. Sasabihin ko sayo para handa ka." Then I smiled. Nag smirk naman siya.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow?" I nodded.

"Goodnight. Thanks again." Sabi ko. Lumapit naman siya sa akin at hinalikan ako sa noo.

"Always welcome my Queen." I watched him as he ride in his car and started its engine.

Muli, naka ngiti akong pumasok sa dorm. I showered, changed into comfortable clothes, and get to bed. But before sleeping, I read one message on my phone. It's from my King.

From: King ???

Thank you so much for coming with me today. My family loves you Miks. More than you'll ever know. And I can't wait for the day that you'll officially be part of the family. Goodnight again, I'll see you on dreamland baby. ?❤️