Escaping Strings

Chapter 19: P for Protection

“Ano ba?” Iris hissed nowhere.

“Huy, umayos ka nga! Ano bang nangyayari sa'yo?” Napalingon ako sa iritado kong kambal. Goodness, what did I do?

“My gosh! What's up with you? Anong iniisip mo at parang napakalalim? 'Di ko na nga malangoy oh,” Cara added.

“Sorry.” Yumuko ulit ako, “Iniisip ko lang kung kailan ba ako huling nagkaroon.” What?!

Still facing down, I look from left to right. Parang natauhan ako sa sinabi ko. Unti-unti kong inangat ang ulo ko para tingnan sila, and I was right. I saw the three of them look amazed, wide-eyed, staring at me.

“Oh... okay...,” sagot ni Diane at bumalik sa pagkain.

I stared at her open-mouthed. I was about to say something but no word came out. I glance to the other two.

“Ah — ehem!” I cleared my throat.

“I want some ice cream. How about you?” I changed the topic and called the waiter.

“No, thanks.”

I can still feel their gazes as I am talking to the crew. Hayaan na nga kung anuman ang isipin nila. Hindi naman totoo eh, saka next week, for sure, magkakaroon na ako.

“How about you, mumsh? Kumusta kayo ni Kean?” I ask Iris.

“Kean? Ahm, we're good. We are,” she answered, nodding.

“Bakit parang gulat na gulat ka? Nag-away kayo, ano? Tsk, tsk,” Cara said like she's mad about that idea of them fighting.

“Hindi ah....” Tinungga niya ang isang baso ng tubig.

“They're good raw, mga mumsh. They are,” I said with sarcasm.

"Eto.... Hindi mo nga sinagot 'yung tanong ko eh, tapos ipapasa mo sa akin,” she rolled her eyes.

“Eh 'di we're good too,” I chuckled.

“Bwisit ka,” she uttered calmly.

“I love you too.”

Cara and Diane laughed at us.

“Ayiiee!” pang-aasar pa nang dalawa sa kaniya.

“Gusto niyo?” Iris asked lifting her fist like she will punch them, but they didn't care. Instead, they continued, “Stop tickling me, para kayong bata.”

“Sino kaya?” Diane raises her eyebrow, “Ikaw na ang super mature.”

Actually, right at this moment, all of them were being immature. Hihi, isama niyo na rin ako kasi nakikigulo ako.

“And it seriously came from you, mumsh?” I asked and we all laughed.

Well, what do we expect from Diane? Asar-talo naman lagi 'yang babaeng iyan.

“Ako na ang bata,” she pouted her lips.

“No, isip-bata,” Iris clarifies and she rolled her eyes.

“Si Jac oh!” turo ni Cara kay Jacob na may kausap sa counter.

Diane sonicly look at the direction where Cara is pointing. Napansin din naman ni Cara ang reaksiyon niya kaya agad niya itong inasar.

“Uyyy, excited.”

“Lagi naman, mumsh, hindi na kayo nasanay. Playmate niya 'yon eh, pareho silang bata,” sabi ni Iris.

“Tss, hindi ba puwedeng napatingin lang? Tinuro niya eh,” sagot nito kay Iris habang nakaturo kay Cara.

“Jac!” I called him. “Sit with us.”

Lumapit naman siya. Inurong ko ang upuan ko para makasingit siya sa gitna namin ni Diane.

“What are you doing here? Visiting one of the Fortalejo's? Which one?” Cara asked as she took a glance at Diane.

Diane, si Diane na nakasimangot. Problema nito? May problema ba siya? Sorry, I really have no idea.

He glance at Diane before responding to Cara, “Ah, I'm visiting all of you. Napadaan lang din ako kasi may pinapasabi si Matty kay Martina. 'Di ba?” tanong niya sa akin.

“Huh? Ewan ko. Kanina lang ay magkasama kami,” I answered innocently.

“Ahm, may nakalimutan daw siyang sabihin.” I felt him squeezed my hand under the table.

Are they? Is he?

“Oh, okay.” Sinakyan ko na lang siya, malay ko ba naman kasi, 'di ba?

“Why are you suddenly quiet, Diane? Aren't you excited to see Jacob now? Well, earlier, you are,” Iris teased.

“No, I am not. Why would I?” she said firmly.

I saw Jac rolled his eyes. Really, what is happening? Dati naman ay hindi sila nag-aaway ah? Kung magkatampuhan ay bati rin agad.

“Let's go na, Martina. I need to tell you what Matty had told me to.” Then, he pulled me out of the restaurant.

“What is it?” I asked when we got out and he faced me confusedly.

“I knew it! Matt and I were just your excuse,” I said in disbelief.

He laugh, “Sorry. Ikaw kasi eh, tinawag mo pa ako. I was actually in a hurry because I don't want any of you to see me in your building.”

“Why? Are you some kind of assailant now?” I chuckled. “What is up with you and Diane? Magkaaway ba kayo?”

“Sort of. Actually, she is the reason why I am here. I wanted to show her that I am sorry by sending her a little surprise.”

“Ang sweet mo naman!” I give him a hug, “Akin ka na lang po,” I teased and he hugged me back.

“Baliw ka talaga. Sinasamantala mo ang kahinaan ko, irereklamo kita,” bigla na namang lumabas ang pagkabakla niya. Kainis.

“Wala na, bakla na naman siya,” I muttered as I move away from our hugs.

“Puwede bang mag-english ka na lang palagi? You really look so hot when you do. Ang gwapo mo kaya! Tsk, sayang lang talaga,” reklamo ko sa kaniya.

“Ikaw talaga, puro ka kalokohan. Isusumbong na talaga kita kay Matty, ginugulo mo ang kaloob-looban ko. Pasalamat ka, love kita kung hindi... nako!” He laugh.

“Eh, kasi naman....” He place a finger on his lips, sign for me to keep silent.

Oh, Jacob! You're so gay! Fine, bahala ka na nga.

“Sige na, Matty na girl, get inside.” Hinawakan niya ako sa balikat at saka hinarap sa entrance ng restaurant. “Baka magbago pa ang desisyon ko.” Decision? What decision? “And thank you for covering me. Bye!” He pushed me in gently.

Mga Mondragon talaga, masyadong pa-mysterious. May mga hidden meanings ang mga binibitawang salita. Tsk, tsk, tsk.