Escaping Strings

Chapter 14: Mood

"It's my grandmother's. Come," he guided me into the house.

Simple lang siya pero sobrang ganda. Malaki rin ito. Pwede bang dito na lang ako? Shocks, nakakatunaw ng puso.

"Where's my grandma?" Tanong niya sa isang babae.

"Nasa garden po, sir."

"Thanks."

"Bakit hindi ka na lang dito dumiretso at nag-hotel ka pa?" I asked.

"Gusto kasi ni grandma na sa sunod na pagbisita ko sa kaniya ay kasama ko ang girlfriend ko."

I look around, "Hindi mo naman kasama ang girlfriend mo ah."

"Babe...."

"Right, I am," I look at the side then, back to him.

"What?" I asked when he suddenly flash his gorgeous smile.

"Thank you," he kissed me.

"Tumigil ka nga. Baka magbago isip ko," I chuckled.

"Ang sexy mo ngayon," he said as he is holding my waist, pulling me towards him.

"Lagi naman," I rolled my eyes.

"Matthew, apo."

"Grandma, I missed you," he said and kiss his grandma's cheek.

"I miss you too, and who is this pretty woman beside you?"

Inakbayan niya ako, "Grandma, this is Martina. My girlfriend."

"Hello po," bati ko.

"Oh, hi! You're so beautiful, hija. Bagay na bagay kayo," his grandma announced as we kiss each other's cheek.

"Of course, grandma. You know Tito Martin, right? She's a daughter of him."

"Yes, Martin. Your father's great friend. Kaya naman pala parang familiar ka, hija. I've seen you before. Oh, I knew you'll be part of this family," magiliw na saad nito.

"Kumain na ba kayo? Let's go to the living room and I'll prepare some snacks for you."

"No, it's fine, ma'am," I said.

"Oh, please. Hindi naman na iba ang family niyo sa amin. You can call me grandma. I'd be glad if you do," hinatid niya kami sa living room.

"Diyan lang kayo. Gusto kong matikman niyo 'yung ube na ginawa ko."

"Sige po, grandma, 'wag po kayong magmadali at baka madulas kayo," paalala ni Matt.

Inilibot ko ang tingin ko. Ang ganda naman dito. Ang classy lang ng dating. Maaliwalas pa. Nilapitan ko 'yung nakita kong frame. I think, it's their family picture. Nakita ko ang kasiyahan sa bawat mata nila. Lalo na si Matt at 'yung babaeng kayakap niya.

"That was three years ago," sabi niya habang niyakap ako mula sa likod.

"Who are they?" I asked.

"That's my beautiful mother, Bella," turo niya sa magandang babae.

"My dad, lolo and lola, my cousins, aunts and uncles," pagpapakilala niya sa lahat. Except to that woman he was hugging.

"And she is?" I asked.

Fuck! Curiosity kills. I can't help it.

"That is Cass," he said, "My friend."

"Ah... friend," patango-tangong sabi ko.

In your family photo? Are you kidding me?!

"Yes, we're just friends."

"Baka friends with benefits," I grumbles as I put down the frame.

"Are you jealous?" He asked, laughing.

"No," sabi ko saka umalis mula sa pagkakayakap niya.

"Hey," hinila niya ako.

"What?" Inis na sagot ko.

"You don't have to feel jelly. I'm yours," he kissed the tip of my nose.

I'm yours ka pang nalalaman. Sapakin kaya kita? Friend? Pauso mo.

"Ang kulit mo."

"I love you."

I love you, your face.

"I ...."

"Here it is!" His grandma and a maid came with some snacks, "Ubusin niyo 'yan. Pasensiya na kayo at kailangan kong umalis. Your grandfather called. May date daw kami."

"Ang sweet niyo talaga ni grandpa. Don't worry about us, grandma. You can go. Aalis na rin kami, maya-maya. Alam niyo naman si grandpa, mainipin."

"Why don't you sleep here. Para naman makilala at maka-bond ko si Martina."

"Next time, grandma, at hindi ko siya naipaalam sa kapatid niya."

"Sayang naman. Sige, maiwan ko muna kayo. You can do anything you want," tumingin ito sa akin, "Feel at home, hija. Soon, this will be your own."

I gave her a smile, "Ingat po kayo," I said as we wave good bye.

"Paano ba 'yan, we can do anything we want daw," I saw him grinning.

"That's right so can we just watch a film?" I answered, innocently.

"Sure," he kiss my head as he touched my butt.

"Maniac!" He laugh.

Doon kami sa room niya nanood dahil naroon daw lahat ng discs. Dinala ko 'yung tray ng pagkain at naupo sa kama niya. Habang namimili siya ng film ay kain lang ako ng kain. Sarap kasi ng gawa ni grandma. Feel na feel ko eh. 'Yung alin? 'Yung pagkain o 'yung pagtawag ng grandma? Pwede both? Shut up!

"Is this fine, babe?" He asked and I just nod.

Horror film ang napili niya. Actually, akala ko talaga noong una ay horror film lang... pero may mga love scenes din pala.

I cleared my throat, "Fast forward mo nga. Tagal naman niyang love making nila."

"They're cool. Why?" Lalo siyang lumapit sa akin, "Can't help it?"

"Yup," hinawakan ko 'yung mukha niya, "Can't help but hurt you," pinisil ko 'yung pisngi niya.

"Ouch! Hahaha."

"'Yung kamay mo ah. Puputulin ko 'yan." Hawak nang hawak kung saan-saan.

"My hands has their own life," natatawang sabi niya.

"Oh, I love you! Ugh!" Linya ng babae sa film.

Nagkatinginan kami ni Matt and he flashes an evil grin.

"Hoy, tumigil ka," I said habang lumalayo sa kaniya.

Palapit siya ng palapit, "Oh, baby!" He kid as he copies the line of the man on the film.

"Stop! Mahuhulog na ako. Kadiri ka," I laugh.

He pulled me. "I love you," he captures my lips.