A string of fate

15

"We saw each other there last time. I even saw you talking to Dean."

Nag angat ako ng tingin kay Primo habang kumakain ng pancake na order nya para sa akin. Funny because it's my first time trying this pancake in Mcdo. Mukha pang hindi sya makapaniwala at sya mismo ang pinili non para sa akin. He even taught me how to put the butter and syrup in the pancake so that I can eat it the right way. He said it's a life hack.

"Uh, yes. We have common friend." Sabi ko sa kanya.

"Do you like him? I mean.. is he messaging you?"

Muli kong tiningnan ng diretso si Primo. Halos hindi sya makatingin sa akin at hindi ko maiwasang matawa dahil doon. It's like first time seeing him like this and he's just so cute.

"I like you and.. no. He's not messaging me." I said it directly and in a way that I know he's expecting. He knows that I can always say things like this.

"Say it again and I will kiss you."

Natigilan ako nang marinig 'yon at naramdaman ko nalang ang kaba sa dibdib ko. Natawa si Primo nang makita ang reaksyon ko at inirapan ko naman sya. I tried to maintain my coolness but I'm not sure if I'm doing it the right way. Nakakawala talaga ng angas ang isang 'to.

Medyo maliwanag na nang makauwi ako sa bahay at naabutan ko si Papa sa garahe na naglilinis ng sasakyan. Humalik ako sa kanya at magpapaalam nading papasok na sa loob. Good thing it's my day off. I'm not really getting enough sleep after my birthday. Ilang beses din kaming nag overtime sa trabaho nung mga nakaraang araw kaya't madalas ay late nadin akong nakakauwi.

Dumiretso ako sa kwarto ko at pagod na humiga sa kama. Nanatili ako sa ganong posisyon nang ilang minuto hanggang sa marinig ko ang pagtunog ng phone ko. Nakita kong tumatawag si Sweet at agad ko nadin namang sinagot 'yon.

"Hey.." Pumikit ako at mas maramdaman ko ang pagod. I waited for my cousin on the line until I hear her voice.

"Sey, are you home?" Sweet asked in a serious tone.

"Yeah. I just got home. Are you okay?" Muli akong dumilat at saka tuluyang bumangon.

"Uh, we're here sa bahay nila Ace. Jaymie's pregnant, Seah."

Mas lalo akong natigilan. "What?"

"We just found out. Sam is getting ready. Kukunin ka nya ngayon. Jaymie needs you here."

Mariin akong napapikit habang hawak padin ang phone ko. Inisip ko agad ang sitwasyon ng pinsan namin at naalala ko nadin ang ex-boyfriend nyang si Andrew. He's the father, right? I heard he's trying to win my cousin's back but Jaymie don't want to anymore kahit mahal nya pa ito. And now she's pregnant? Paano ito ngayon?

"Okay. Alam na ba nila tito? Should I tell Papa?" Tanong ko.

We're close to our parents but I'm not sure if Jaymie wants to tell them just yet. It's also our thing since we were young. Lagi naming pinagtatakpan ang mga kalokohan ng bawat isa noon. If one can't say it, then we'll keep our mouth shut. Napapagalitan nalang kami kapag nalalaman ng mga magulang namin at damay damay kami. This might be a different situation and it's really a serious matter but I will understand if Jaymie can't tell yet.