Escaping Strings

Chapter 26: Intrigue

“Ah... tito—” I had been cut from talking when someone rang the doorbell.

“Ako na.” Agad na tumayo si Jacob para pagbuksan ito.

Fuck! It's getting hot in here. Nakaka-tense 'yung mga tinginan nila sa akin. Lalo tuloy akong kinakabahan. Wait, I should be here with Martina, right?

“Tito! You're here!” pabaklang sabi ni Jacob bago inakay papasok ang bagong dating.

It's him.

“My niece is hopeless about marriage,” he said. “I hope you change her perspective about it.”

That moment of us happened so quick. It was weeks ago when we accidentally bump into some business conference. Literally quick kasi napadaan lang talaga siya sa tabi ko nang sabihin niya iyon... plus Iris... her words yesterday was like it's linked to it. Dammit for real.

“Dad... you came,” Diane who looks surprise from her father's arrival said before she kiss his cheek.

“Matt, this is my coolest dad, Daniel.”

“Hello po, tito,” I greeted as I get on my feet before we shook hands.

He then claim the seat beside his daughter on the long couch, leaving Jacob standing beside him.

“So, what's up now?” Tito Daniel asks, “Where's Martina?”

“She's still on bed, tito. Alam niyo naman ang mga preggy, tulog nang tulog, parang si Diane,” my gay but handsome cousin joyfully proclaims.

“What?!” Dad.

“Preggy?” Mom.

“What is happening?!” Tito Martin.

I sighed. He is not thinking, damn him. Jacob, Jacob, Jacob... bagay na bagay talaga kayo ni Diane. I nearly scowled, glaring at him. Napayuko na lang siya at unti-unti naglakad papuntang kitchen. Seriously, yesterday, it was Diane who accidentally got her tongue slip from talking about that matter on the hospital. Bestfriends, tsk.

“Jacob, where are you going?” Tito Daniel captured his attention.

“Dad, hayaan niyo na siya,” Diane said.

“Anong hayaan? Eh, ano 'yung sinabi niya? Ikaw, Diane, 'pag nalaman ko lang talag—”

“Dad!” she yelled. “Si Martina at Matthew ang pinunta natin dito, hindi kami ni Jac!”

“Don't worry, my coolest tito, I won't get her pregnant unless we're married,” patawa-tawang sabi ni Jacob na nagpasinghap sa mga magulang namin.

“Jac!” sigaw ni Diane rito nang para bang umuusok na ang ilong sa galit.

I wanted to laugh, and yes, medyo nabawasan ang kaba ko, pero kinakabahan pa rin talaga ako. I don't wanna get lost from the fun, baka wala lalo akong masabi sa mga magulang namin. I wish I could be cool to Tito Martin just like Jacob to Tito Daniel.

“Jacob, what is this?” tanong naman ni dad sa kaniya.

“What is what, tito?” painosenteng pagbabalik ng tanong nito.

“Hay nako, kayo talagang dalawa... magpinsan nga kayo. Mga galawang Mondragon talaga eh, 'no? Magkaiba ng atake pero saktong-sakto,” mom kidded.

“Ma naman,” saway ko rito.

“Anyway, let's go back to Matt.”

“So, what's exactly happening?” Tito Martin asked.

“Ganito po 'yan....”