Escaping Strings

Chapter 16: Island

“You, what are you doing here? Akala ko ba ay pabalik ka na ng Manila?” I asked back.

“Yeah, after this island hopping with my girlfriends,” he said.

“Wait, magkakilala kayo?” tanong ni Diane habang papalit-palit ang tingin sa amin.

“Yes, he's my cousin,” I said.

Jacob is handsome, smart, rich, and all but he is not a he at all. Well, Jac is scary. Marami siyang tinatago, at masyado siyang magulo. Sa nakikita ko, mukhang ayos na naman na sa kaniya. Matagal na iyon, tapos na 'yon, and he seems so fine about it.

“Yes, we are,” he confirmed proudly.

Sana nga.

“Well, you have similarities though,” Cara said.

“Still, we didn't saw that coming,” Iris added.

“Let's go?” tanong ni Martina and we all nod.

Nasa loob kami ng company van nila habang nakaakbay ako sa kaniya. Siya naman ay komportableng nakayakap sa akin.

“Hey, Matty!” tawag ni Jacob at sabay kaming napatingin ni Martina. “No, not you, Matt,” he laughed. “Sorry, I have the same endearment for the both of you.”

Why, cousin? I shook my head at the thought as to what he said. I remain calm, wala akong dapat na ikabahala.

Sa unahan namin nakapuwesto sina Jacob at Diane, sa likod naman sina Cara at Iris.

“Oh, I hate you, Jac. You are not faithful to me,” Martina acted like she was hurt.

“Actually, kay Matt ako hindi naging faithful,” he laughed.

“What?” She instantly move away from me.

“I hate the both of you.”

“Babe naman... he's my cousin.” I pull her for a hug.

“Sorry, Matty, mumsh na lang ang itatawag ko sa'yo, or Tin ulit,” he grins and Martina gave him a glare.

“Don't dare. Martina or mumsh will do. Just not that.”

“Hahaha! Anyway, kailan pa naging kayo at parang wala akong alam?” Jacob asked.

Mukha namang ayos lang sa kaniya na girlfriend ko ang kaibigan niya. Oh, I can't stop worrying!

“Ah... she's the woman I am talking about, my babe,” I said.

“But that was just early this morning, Matt. So, since when?”

“Almost three months na, Jac.” Napatingin ako sa sinabi ni Martina and she just smiled at me. “'Yun nga lang, break na kami, kahapon lang,” she chuckled.

Tumingin si Jacob sa aming dalawa. “Sinong niloloko niyo? Tsk, para kayong sira.” Lumipat siya sa tabi namin para makigulo.

“Hot ng pinsan ko, mumsh, ano?” he chuckles as he says it.

Totoong okay naman yata sa kaniya, so I do not have to worry. That's right, I should think like that.

“Ito?” turo niya sa akin bago ako lingunin, “Saan banda?”

“Babe naman.” Hinigpitan ko ang pagkakayakap ko sa kaniya mula sa likod. Nakaharap kasi kami kay Jacob habang nakasandal ako sa bintana.

“Kidding, babe,” she laughs as she holds my hand and intertwined it together.

“What can you say about us?” tanong niya kay Jacob.

“Perfect couple na nga oh, kayo na!” He cross his arms, “Magbalikan na nga kayo at wala namang mapapala 'yang mga kaartehang ganiyan.”