Escaping Strings

Chapter 26: Intrigue

“I'll take it.” Tumayo si Iris para buksan ang pinto.

Again, I had been cut when I was fully ready. Who could it be this time? I hope, whoever they could be, they won't be a pressure to me just like Tito Martin, my parents and Tito Daniel. Parami na sila nang parami at mukhang mas hindi ako makakapag-explain nang maayos.

“Tita, you made it!” She hugs the woman. “Mommy? Oh my — You're here!” sabi naman niya sa isa bago ito niyakap at paghahalikan sa pisngi.

Wait, what?! Really? All of them, here in my condo? Hihimatayin yata ako.

“Oh, my daughter,” she replied, hugging Iris back.

“Where's your twin?”

“She's still on bed, mom, tita,” Iris said as she guided them to come in.

Mabilis din namang sinalubong ni Diane 'yung tinawag ni Iris na tita na mukhang mommy niya saka sumunod si Tito Daniel.

“Ma'am!” Tito Martin happily walk to his wife to hug her.

“I am still mad at you, sir. Don't go near me,” sabi nito bago inalis ang pagkakayakap ni Tito Martin sa kaniya.

“What have I done?” Sinundan niya ito nang lumipat ito sa kabilang side ni Iris na natatawa sa kanila.

“Ewan ko sa'yo!”

Hindi ko maiwasan ang mapangiti. Nakikita ko si Martina sa kaniya. Napatingin naman siya sa akin at biglang napalitan ng kasiyahan ang mukha niya.

“Matthew? Hijo, ang laki mo na!” sabi niya bago lamutakin ang mukha ko.

Hihimatayin yata talaga ako. Parang gusto ko na lang tabihan si Cara na may kausap sa phone sa isang tabi. Okay lang kahit hindi niya ako kausapin, baka kasi himatayin ako rito sa daming tao. Sa kabila naman ay isang pamilya rin ang nagkukulitan. I mean, kinukulit ng mommy ni Diane si Jacob. He's so close with the Fortalejos.

“Irene, how are you, my friend?” Lumapit si mommy sa mommy nina Martina at Iris. Nagbeso sila bago ako muling hinarap.

“Matthew, this is your Tita Irene. You probably don't remember her 'cause you're so young when you met her.”

“Hello po, tita,” nahihiya kong sagot.

“Bella, why didn't you tell me na boyfriend pala siya ni Martina?” tanong ni Tita Irene kay mommy.

“I had just arrived from states like you. We're all clueless. Kahit nga sila Franco ay walang alam.” Natawa na lang sila ni mommy bago napatingin sa lumapit na si Tito Martin.

“Can we please proceed?” Tito Martin asked after he cleared his throat.

“Sure.”

Bumalik kami sa mga puwesto namin. Si dad at Tito Martin ay magkatabi ulit sa dalawang single couches sa harap ko. Tito Daniel and Tita Lia, my Mom Bella and Tita Irene are all in the long couch. I was left alone in front of them. Parang mas kinabahan ako kasi wala akong katabi. I look at Jacob who's sitting on a stool inside the kitchen along with the girls, but he's looking on his feet, smiling like a demon. It really is you! He did this.

“Ano ba ang dapat naming malaman?” tanong ni dad.

Sa totoo lang ay may plano naman talaga akong magsabi sa kanila pero hindi pa ngayon! Paniguradong si Jacob na naman ang may gawa nito. Papatayin ko siya mamaya.

“Ah, dad, mom, mga tito and tita... gusto ko pong pakasalan si Martina,” I declared on point, making dad and Tito Martin fix themselves from sitting.