CHAPTER 06

Hunter made arrangements as soon as we're in our room. He asked to be checked out after making sure that he had booked our flight to Las Vegas. Hunter even asked for us to be dropped off at the airport.

"This is our grand vacation ever!" I exclaimed.

We're in business class. He didn't tell me how much he paid for this flight. But I saw him took out his black card. It just meant that this is expensive as heck.

With American Airlines, it took us 7 hours on the plane and 1-hour layover in Dallas, where he contacted his Auntie Ellie to tell that we're coming, then we arrived in the fabulous Las Vegas.

Habang naghihintay kami na ilabas ng conveyor ang luggage namin ay pabiro ko siyang siniko siko.

"Do you think your Auntie Ellie would pick us up?" I raised a question.

Binalingan niya ako, "Of course, they'll be here to fetch us..."

"They?" I scoffed.

He sneered, "You'll see..."

Hunter said in a mystery. I didn't probe more on what he meant since I already spotted our luggage and he got busy taking our things.

Nang nasa arrival gate ko na nakuha ang pagngisi-ngisi niya kanina. I'm humiliated when I saw his family. Hindi lang ang kanyang tiyahin ang sumundo sa amin. They're a crowd.

It was easy to spot them. With their number and a banner shot up in the air, it's not hard to miss.

"Hunter!" they shouted. 

Hunter, who hardly smiles, smiled as we walk closer to them. 

"Tita Erisa..." he called, and lean in to plant a kiss on her temple.

A lady went forward and smack Hunter on the shoulder. Nagulat pa ako nang makita iyon. 

"I was the one who called for you to come in here!"

"I'm sorry, Tita Ellie, I didn't see you..." he reasoned as he hugged her and kissed her on the forehead. "I miss you, too..."

"Mama we should hurry, it's almost Grandma's bed time..." said a girl in her late twenties. She even smiled at me afterwards.

Tumango si Tita Ellie, "We should go." sabi niya sa amin. "The two of you are riding with us."

"Is she your girlfriend, Kuya Hunter?" tanong nang isang dalaga sa tabi noong babae kanina.

Binalingan ako ni Hunter. Nanlalaki ang kanyang mata. Maging ako ay nagulat sa tanong nang dalaga. Pero hindi sinagot iyon ni Hunter.

"Dahlia!" tawag ni Tita Ellie. "Sorry for that, hija, Dahlia didn't know." she gave me an awkward smile.

"It's fine, Tita, she's not the first one who'd mistaken me for Hunt's girlfriend..."

Nagpatiuna na sila. Hunter and I stayed behind them as we walk the distance of the arrival gate to where they parked.

"Where does your mom fit in the order?" bilang tanong ko. Kinakain na kasi ako ng katahimikan.

Hunter smirked, "My mom's the fourth." 

"Ah so, your mom is the youngest? The bunso, I mean..."

Hunter shook his head, "My mother is fourth born in a sibling of 12."

Kulang ang sabihing nagulat ako. Nagimbal ako! They're 12! Wow! That freakin' many!

Hindi naman siguro masyadong masipag ang lolo't lola ni Hunter 'no? They produced 12 offsprings.

"That many?" hindi makapaniwala kong tanong.

Hunter smirked, "Yeah, she had 10 sisters and a brother." 

"Sipag." bulong ko.

"Why? How many kids would you like for your family then?" he asked.

Muntik na akong maismid dahil nagulat ako sa tanong niya. "Why are you even asking?!" 

He shrugged, "Just curious."

"To answer your question," I covered my mouth with my knuckles, "Two kids at the least..."

Hunter smirked. "Okay." 

What the?! Ano bang tumatakbo sa isip nitong mokong na 'to? Is he mocking me for wanting at least two kids? Well, hindi niya siguro alam ang practicality because he came from a wealthy family.

I, on the other hand, wanted at least two kids for practical reasons. Having kids meant you are stable enough. Since having kids isn't cheap.

From the medical bills from the time you conceive 'til birth. There's also the vaccines, diaper, milk, clothing, and so much more.

I won't have kids until I'm financially stable enough to support my kids. I won't do the same mistake my parents have done. I won't make my kids feel unwanted and unloved. 

When we reached the parking, and we stopped in front of two luxurious van.

"Hunter and Julianne will be on our ride, didiretso kami sa bahay ni Mama..." sabi ni Tita Ellie, "Ellen is coming with us too, right?"

Four out of the ten sisters of Hunter's mom was there to pick us up. However, the two will be coming with us. Which was Tita Ellie and Tita Ellen.

Hindi naman kami nagtagal sa daan. Nasa 30 minutes lamang ang layo ng airport mula sa bahay nang lola ni Hunter. Hindi na rin ako nagulat na malaki ang pamamahay ng pamilya ni Hunter dito.

The Parker family is also a big shot in here. Being one of the leading entrepreneur to supply textiles and fabrics, and also having about six more business I don't know.

Ang alam ko lang, mayaman ang pamilya Parker. Perfect for an old money rich family like the Huntingtons.

Buong biyahe ay tahimik. Hunter offered his shoulder for me since the estimate travel time from the airport to their ancestral home was at least 30 minutes.

Tinanggap ko ang alok niya at umidlip sa biyahe. Nagising na lamang ako nang maramdamang huminto ang sasakyan. Nasa harap kami ng malaking gate at biglaan itong bumukas.

"Buti at gising ka na," Darlene, Dahlia's elder sister, said. "Hunter is already planning on carrying you inside..." humagikhik siya sa huling sinabi.

Umangat ang tingin ko sa kanya. Natagpuan kong nakatingin din siya sa akin at wala siyang sinagot na kung ano sa sinabi ni Darlene.

Hindi ko gaano maintindihan. This douchebag right here, is highly opinionated. It got me thinking why he didn't clear the misunderstanding earlier as well. 

Huminto ang sasakyan sa entry way at si Hunter ang nagbukas ng pinto. Hinawakan niya ang kamay ko upang alalayan niya ako palabas.

"Isusunod na lang namin ang gamit niyo sa loob, mauna na kayo roon para maabutan niyo pa si Mama..." sabi ni Tita Ellie.

Armed with only my hand carry, Hunter took me with him inside. Darlene and Dahlia opened the door for us.

Modern luxurious furniture was an immediate sight. I spotted antiques as well. I guess this house isn't for the faint of heart.

"Hunter?" tawag ng isang matandang babae na naka-night gown na.

"Si Manang Gina." bulong ni Darlene.

Agad umalis si Manang Gina. Hindi man lang yumakap o humalik kay Hunter tulad ng mga tiyahin niya kanina. If my memory serve me right, Manang Gina was Hunter's old nanny from where he stayed with his grandparents.

Hunter and his cousins lead me to the couches so we can seat. Umupo sa tabi ko si Hunter at nagbuga ng hangin.

Nakakapagod bumiyahe. Nagmadali pa kami na maghagilap ng flight. I mean, hindi ganoon kahirap... He paid a hefty price to fly at business class.

Nagulat ako nang sumandal siya sa balikat ko. Hindi ko pinahalata dahil sumandal din naman ako sa kanya kanina...

"Sigurado ka Gina?" umangat ang tingin ko sa ikalawang palapag. Nakita ko si Manang Gina at akay-akay niya sa kanyang mga braso ang isang matanda na naka-Versace robe. "Andito na si Hunter?" 

"Grandma..." tawag ni Hunter. Tumayo na ito, at naka-ngiti pa.

"Oh my God hijo!" the old lady exclaimed, she even hastily went down the stairs. "The last time I saw you was seven years ago!"

Kinulong niya sa mga palad niya ang mukha ni Hunter. The latter look elated being in his grandma's arms.

"I miss you so much!" Hunter said as he hold his grandma's boney hands. The old lady turned her gaze towards me and smiled. "Hello, young lady..." she greeted me.

"Good evening, Madame..." bati ko.

"Is she your girlfriend, Hunter?" tanong ng lola niya at bumaling muli sa akin. "She's gorgeous, hijo..."

I was about to correct her but I caught sight of Hunter shaking his head. Which made me close my mouth.

"I can bond with you tomorrow," the old lady smiled at Hunter fondly. "For now, the two of you shall rest..." nag-utos ang matanda na ihanda ang kuwarto ni Hunter.

"We are going to the Marriage Bureau tomorrow, Mama..." Tita Ellen said.

"Marriage Bureau?" tanong ng naguguluhang si Hunter, "Wait, who's getting married?" he raised a question.

His grandma cupped his cheek, "It's Barbara, hijo, you know how I'm very conservative..."

"Well, Barbara got knocked up and she's currently carrying a child..."

Crickets sound everywhere. The real reason he was asked to come here was to attend his cousin's wedding.

Everyone was asked to come since we will be staying at a hotel right after. Vegas wedding ang mangyayari kaya matapos maproseso ang kanilang marriage license ay may tatlong araw lang para ma-ayos ang wedding ceremony maging ang reception.

We will help Barbara and her family to arrange everything. Tatlong araw lang kasi ang ibibigay na oras para i-prepare ang lahat. 

"This is going to be a family affair," Hunter's grandma exclaimed. "Goodnight to you, Julianne, and everyone..." she waved at me as Manang Gina held her by the arm and escorted her upstairs.

Darlene guide us to Hunter's room. We are silent the entire time. Hindi ko magawang itanong kung magsasama kami sa iisang kuwarto?

Matapos kaming ihatid ay nagpaalam na rin si Darlene ng walang komento. She just said goodnight and left, just like that.

Naiwan kaming dalawa ni Hunter. Tahimik siyang naupo sa kama samantalang naupo ako sa couch habang hinihintay ang bagahe namin. 

"I'm sorry..." he said, I barely heard it. "I don't want to correct Grandma because it'll break her heart and I don't want that..." 

"So you chose to lie to her instead?"

"I'll make it up to you, just keep it a secret until we come home..." 

Napabuga ako ng hangin, "You know, I can't say no..." 

He shrugged and smiled a little. This is actually the first time I saw a different side of him. Ngayon naintindihan ko na, he too was raised by his grandparents.

It was already fifteen minutes passed midnight when I went to bed. Hunter and I shared the bed.

Hindi ko na binigyan iyon ng malisya. Hindi rin naman unang beses na maghahati kami sa iisang kama. We shared bed at times when we booked hotels that are fully booked because of the seasons.

And that put my mind at rest and made me sleep 'til we are asked to get up early. Sabay sabay raw kasing kakain ng breakfast as per their tradition. Plus I will be introduced to the whole family.

I made sure that my luggage is still in order and this very luggage is what I'll be taking with me in the 4 days stay in the hotel. Humugot lang ako ng maari kong maisuot para sa umagang iyon. 

I was introduced to Hunter's 10 aunts and his sole uncle. They're so many names and they are all starting with letter E.

They are a big family. Per family, they have a minimum of two children and four at a maximum. Memorizing names can be a challenge.

Maingay ang hapag nang magsimula kaming kumain. Food are served buffet style. Nakantyawan na naman ako ni Hunter dahil doon.

9 o'clock when we are sorted into different vehicles. I was with Hunter and Tita Elisia, Tita Erisa, and Tita Erika's children.

The ride wasn't that long either. The whole time, I was in engrossed with the girls talking girly things.

"We're here!" anunsiyo ni Kuya Darren, the eldest among the Parker cousins.

The car door slid open. It was Tita Ellie. She's asking us to come with them as they enter the bureau. It was peculiar as to why Hunter and I we're asked to come.

I preferred to just sit comfortably inside the van as I immerse myself with the conversation the girls initiated. Pero pinilit kami ni Tita Ellie dahil gusto raw ni Lola Estrella na sumama kami kaya sumama kami.

Pagpasok pa lang namin ay sinalubong kami nang isang babaeng naka-pink na blouse at itim na slacks. She instructed us to come forward, and asked us of our identification. 

Ang sabi ay marriage bureau ito. We are already clear in the immigration. Why are they asking for our passports again?

Hindi ko maintindihan ang sinasabi niya dahil ambilis niyang magsalita. Inabutan niya lamang kami ng papeles at ayon kay Tita Ellie na nasa tabi namin ay kailangan namin iyong pirmahan.

Even with doubt, I signed some papers. Tapos ay hiningan kami ng 77 dollars. Pagkatapos ay sinabihan kaming maghintay sandali. At saka kami tinawag sa isang counter at inabutan kami ng brown envelope.

I eyed the envelope in Hunter's hands. His brows are furrowed as well as I am. Confused as hell.

I nervously chuckled, "What have we done?" tanong ko kay Hunter which answered with a shrug.

"Well, let me be the first to say Congratulations to you, soon-to-be Mr. and Mrs. Huntington, if you could just please pick the chapel for your wedding..."

"How about in the Eiffel Tower?" Tita Ellie said.

The fuck just happened?!