Escaping Strings

Chapter 26: Intrigue

“Matt, akala ko ba ay ayaw niyo—”

“Hay nako, tito!” pagputol ni Jacob sa sasabihin ni Tito Martin, “Akala niyo lang per—” Naputol din naman ang sasabihin niya nang pasukan ni Diane ng tinapay ang bibig niya.

“'Wag ka nang makisabat....”

Pinitik naman niya ito sa noo bilang ganti na nagpahaba ng nguso nito.

“Sandali nga, bakit ba wala ang anak mo rito? Aba't tanghali na ah. This is not Martina,” Tita Irene said pertaining to her daughter.

“Right, she has to be here,” Tita Lia, Diane's mother agreed.

Our gaze shifted to Martina who just got out from the bedroom, gently rubbing her eyes.

“Speaking of,” bulong ni mommy kay Tita Irene.

“Babe, why did you left me? What's the noise all ab....” Natigilan siya nang makita kaming lahat.

“Mom?! Dad?! Tito.... What's happening? Why are you all here?” gulat na tanong nito.

Mabilis ko naman siyang nalapitan. Buti na lang at mahaba ang long-sleeved polo ko sa kaniya, kung hindi kasi ay baka nakitaan na siya.

“Babe, are you okay? What do you want?” I asked as I held her waist.

“I–I'm fine,” she replied, still eyeing our family together in one room.

Hindi niya maiwasang mapatingin sa kanila at mukhang kinakabahan na rin siya. Well, she's here now, I feel like I can say everything even the impossibles.

“Can you both explain now without any interruptions?” Tito Martin asks and dad agreed.

“How....”

“I don't have any idea, babe. We'll pry Jacob later,” I answered.

Alam ko na kasi kung ano ang sasabihin nito. I guided her on the free seats in front of our fathers. She's holding on my hand tightly and I know the reason.

“Kailan pa ba naging kayo? Hindi ba ay kailan lang kayo nag-meet sa M&I Suites sa Bohol? That was just a month ago if I am not mistaken,” tanong ni Tito Daniel.

“Actually po....”

Hindi ko alam kung anong sasabihin ko. Fuck! Paano ko ba ipaliliwanag sa kanila?

“Akala ko ba ay ayaw mo kay Matthew, Martina?” tanong naman ni Tito Martin sa anak niya.

Agad ko rin siyang nilingon nang dahil sa tanong na iyon, naghihintay sa isasagot niya. Seems like she's open to her father about this matter.

“Dad, I told you, I know Matt. We just had a disagreement within those days. And no, Tito Daniel, matagal na po kami ni Matt,” she answered and I felt relief as my heart pounds in joy.

“So, kailan pa?” Tita Lia asked.

Martina glance at me and say, “February po.”

I don't know but I found myself smiling. So she really is considering me as her boyfriend for that long? I mean, since the day we met in such an insane way? Oh, of course, just for the formality! Tss.

“Okay, hindi na kami magtatanong pa kung paano naging kayo. Ang importante ay kung masaya man ba kayo at sa nakikita namin ay mukhang ayos naman ang pagsasama niyo,” Tito Martin said. “Hahayaan na namin kayong—”

“Ah...,” I spoke.

This time, ako naman ang magsasalita. I can't be afraid nor shame about declaring this thing.