It Started with a McFLOAT

CHAPTER 28 (3)

PHILIP

"Hello, dude?" I started the conversation.

(Oh Philip, napatawag ka? Wait, 'di ba nasa ibang bansa ka?) He answered.

"Yeah, well, I was just wondering if you could help me with something."

(Ayos ah, may pag-long distance call ka pa, ha? Eh, ano ba 'yon?) This guy is annoying sometimes, but I know he can think of something.

"Yeah, sure, whatever; if you are getting married to a person you don't love, what will you do?"

(You mean kung hindi si Mojow?)

"Yeah, whatever; what will you do?" Damn, he is so annoying!

(Well, hindi ako papayag, no way. Ano 'yon lokohan? Kung hindi lang si Mojow, 'wag na rin,) God, please give me more patience.

"What if your business is at stake?"

(Business? Ano ka ba, kaligayahan na 'yon panghabambuhay, ang pag-aasawa naman ay hindi parang business deal na ire-renew mo kapag na-expire na 'yong contract. Ang kasal ay panghabambuhay, may iba pa naman sigurong paraan, it's now or never, pre, alam ko naman, may ibang makakatulong at hindi lang 'yon ang tanging solusyon,) he was making sense as I hoped for.

"Solution? Like?" I asked.

(Like, i-cancel ang wedding dahil isang malaking kalokohan naman 'yon, pre. Gano'n kasimple, kausapin lahat ng involve at ipagpilitan na hindi talaga uubra or puwede rin naman na 'wag nang sumipot 'yong mga ikakasal kasi kung mangyayari 'yon, for sure, hindi na matutuloy ang kasal. Well, trouble masyado kaya mas preferred ko 'yong una,) this guy had a lot to say. I must say that he was a smart buddy as well.

"Ah! Yeah right,"

I knew it; he had something in mind. I knew he'd help us somehow.

(Teka nga, ikakasal ka na ba, ha? Oy, loko ka, sabihin mo agad. 'Di ka man lang nang-imbita, eh paano ba 'yan, sa akin na si Mojow?) and then he was annoying again.

"Thank you, dude! No, it's not me, don't worry. We'll still court her; bye!"

(Ah, sige, bye!)

"I know what to do," I said.

"What?" Mike asked.

"Trust me," I said.

"I do," he said.

"Wait, is that weed?" I asked. It was on top of a table. I told him to stop smoking weed long ago because it would mess with his head.

"No, it's not," he said, grabbed it, and threw it in the trash.

That same evening, I talked to my father about the situation that could ruin my cousin's life.

"Dad, there's a huge problem," I said.

"What is it, Philip?" he asked.

"Mike's dad arranged him with a woman she didn't love. Did you hear about it?"

Dad advocates happiness, and I know he would understand my cousin's situation. He will never allow this to happen.

"What? But his dad told me it was Mike's decision."

Surprise and annoyance filled his eyes at the same time. I felt like he'd storm into his brother's house any minute.

"It's all lies, Dad; it is all about the business. To strengthen their company, from what I've heard. Mike told me everything, and Mike is a huge mess right now. We need to help him with this."