Meeting the In-Laws

Yes. I already met my in-laws. The Angeles's. Kuya, Mommy and Daddy.

Now I know I'd get hunted by the Angeles clan for being so presumptuous but I don't care. I'm just so happy.

It happened last night. I was in ABS-CBN to accompany my daughter Mariel Rodriguez for a gig. I then felt thirsty so I told her I'll just go to Starbucks to get a frap and wait for her there. I just waited and waited until my sinister sister Rikka Dylim texted me that she was with Hero. Of course I cursed her `til kingdom come for being with him. She then said something about the cast party for Can This Be Love? and that it's gonna happen that night and reprimanded me for forgetting about it since she invited me days ago. I texted back that I didn't wanna go. Then, my phone rang and my caller ID revealed Rikka. So I answered it and wailed that I can't go for fear that I'd look stupid in front of Hero. With my rambling, I didn't notice she passed the phone to Hero. I think he said something which I didn't hear. I just kept going on and on that I can't face Hero and all when all of a sudden I heard, "Huy Jet, si Hero ito."

I almost puked. I was too nervous and my voice again went 92 octaves higher and I said a meek, "Hi." He then said, "O punta ka mamaya ha. Nandun ako." I literally couldn't say anything. My throat was getting dry and my brain was scattered. "O Jet ha. Magkasama tayo mamaya," he continued. I just feebly replied, "Ah....oh sige....bahala na....nandyan pa ba si Rikka? Can I talk to her instead?" He then said again he'd be expecting me, said goodbye and passed the phone to Rikka. I of course screamed at her (in delight) that she made me talk to Hero but I don't know if I'll really go the party.

Anyway, when we talked, I was at the Starbucks area then. I walked back to the Executive Lounge of ABS-CBN where I met Mariel. She was just waiting by the couches but I didn't want to distract her from work so as hard as it was, I tried to contain my excitement. I then texted Rikka, "I don't think I can go to the party. I'm too scared... Can this be love? Hahaha!" A few seconds later, my phone beeped and I looked at it expecting a witty reply from Rikka. Instead, it was Hero and it said, "Yes, it's l0ve...Can this be lOve?" (take note the zero to replace "o"). I just wanted to scream. That must be the sweetest message I ever got from Hero (`cept maybe when he greeted me during my birthday). I wanted to run up and down and shout in happiness but I coudn't do that because in the other room were Johnny Manahan, Mariole Alberto, Olivia Lamasan and other ABS-CBN VIP's and they just might kick me out of their TV station. I was thinking of what to reply to Hero and what to text Rikka when suddenly, I hear a "Pssst...." on my right side.

You see, I normally don't respond to "Psssst's" but it was so persistent. As I was ready to face the source to lash out, I then saw that it was Rikka.... with Hero!!!!! "O ayan Jet. Wala ka nang pakawala. Pupunta ka sa party ha!" was what Rikka said. She then said "Hi!" to Mariel and invited her as well. Mariel readily said yes for her love of me. I couldn't say anything. We then walked down and I suddenly realized Kuya, Mom and Dad were there. I smiled at them and they smiled back at me. I then thought of putting my best foot forward. After all, they might be looking at their future daughter-in-law (in my dreams)! We rode the elevator going down and I was still so nervous I swear I was going to get a stroke. Good thing Rikka said she had to get her bag in Talent Center. I said we'll go with her and then it entered my mind that this is the best way to ditch the party. I mean that party isn't worth a heart attack! I just told a white lie to Rikka and the Angeles's that Mariel and I will just meet them there.

Going out, we passed by my boss's dressing room so we had to do the perfunctory greeting. RJ of Star Quest was also there and in the nearby dressing room was Erik Santos so the greeting became an instant chikahan. Good thing Erik still had to do a recording so he had to leave after a few minutes when I blurted out, that Mariel and I are leaving too. I then checked my phone and it was messages from Rikka that they were already in Cork.

Now there was no way of escaping them because we had to pass by Cork before going to the drop-off lobby of the ELJ Building. Mariel and I stealthily tried to pass through but even the hallway became a makeshift party area so there was no escape. Rikka then waved at us and Mariel whispered, "Mother sige na. You were invited and nakakahiya if you don't go." So I summoned enough courage and I said and entered Cork. There was a seat on the Angeles's table and they said it was for Mariel and Rikka slyly announced, "And you can pull a chair so you can sit beside Hero." Dad and mom just smiled knowingly while Kuya was encouraging me to pull up a chair. My dalagang Filipina values prevailed and I settled sitting on the other table instead. Mariel kept texting me, "Mother, I'm sitting here so you'll have a reason to be here." I almost cried in happiness but still didn't have the courage.

Minutes later, their whole table was laughing and I heard my name. Apparently they were talking about me and whatever. At that point I was halfway through my drink (a double shot rhum coke) and I was already getting buzzed because I didn't eat dinner yet.... Or maybe I'm just giddy because I'm with Hero and his family and it seems they approve of me.... Or maybe I'm just plain delusional.

A few minutes later, I realized that was it. I'm just a delusional homosexual. But as I've written earlier, I don't care. I'm just too happy. For Hero, I can be a delusional homosexual and a lot more. To paraphrase Monica in her song, "for him, I will."