"Malaki na pala ang tyan mo." Sabi sa akin ni Uncle Peter pagkabukas ko ng pinto. Kasama niya si Sophia at si Mom.
"Anong ginagawa niyo dito?" Tanong ko kahit alam ko kung bakit sila ngayon nandito. All I could think about now is Cameron and how bad it would turn out once he saw them.
Sana hindi siya magising.
"Hindi mo ba kami papapasukin muna?" Tanong ulit ng kapatid ni Dad na si Uncle Peter.
Hindi ko pa nabubuksan nang maayos 'yung pinto, nagpumilit na silang pumasok sa loob.
"Ameiline, how was the check up? Is it a baby boy?" Tanong ni Mom nang makaupo sila sa sofa. Medyo matagal na rin siyang hindi nagpapakita sa akin. At ngayon, alam ko kung anong pakay nila.
Napatango ako habang nakatingin sa kanila. "Oo. Lalaki."
"Ilang buwan na ang tyan mo?" Tanong ni Uncle Peter tapos nilingon niya ang buong paligid ng apartment ko.
"Mag-aanim na buwan."
"The timing's just as great. Getting pregnant after your father died." Tinignan ako ni Uncle na parang sinadya ko talaga ang lahat. "A smart move, if you ask me."
"A new life is a blessing, Peter." Sabat naman ni Mom. They both shared heated looks and I just let them be. At this moment, I really don't care anymore. My uncle was just not really happy to accept the fact that there is another addition to the family, and he has to step back.
"A new handsome heir for sure." Nakangiting sabi ng pinsan ko. As always, she's trying to save the situation. "The baby has the Vera blood as well. Nasabi ko na ba sa'yo 'yon, Dad?" Tanong niya kay Uncle Peter na lalong ikinapula nito.
"How long have you been staying here?" Uncle looked down at my growing stomach. "Wouldn't you like to go back to your mother's place?"
"Kakalipat ko lang ho dito." Sagot ko. I decided to sit across to them. "Anong kailangan ninyo?"
Uncle Peter stared at me for a moment. "I just want to confirm Sophia's news about you." Pagkatapos inayos niya ang suot niyang salamin. "Congratulations." May kung anong bigat sa boses niya. It seemed like he's not really that happy Mom will get to keep Dad's money.
"Salamat." Matipid kong sabi.
"I am happy for you, insan." Tumayo si Sophia at niyakap ako. "Your Mom was really excited to be here, diba, Auntie?" Nilingon namin si Mom na poker face lang, as usual. "Can I see the baby's room?"
Nanlaki ang mata ko. "Ah, kasi... masyadong magulo sa loob." Plus, there's a hot body lying half-naked on my bed too. "Hi-hindi pa tapos. Next time na lang."
Shucks. I completely forgot about Cameron.
She frowned. "Next time pa? Nandito na kami eh." Bago pa man siya makalayo hinawakan ko na siya sa kamay. "I won't judge, titignan ko lang. Para malaman namin kung anong kulang."
"Not now, Sophia. The room's reall a big mess."
"Hindi mo na nga ako pinatulong sa pag-design tapos ayaw mo pa--"
"She'll show it to us when we're ready." Mom stopped Sophia before she even moved.
"Sophia, get back here." Tawag sa kanya ni Uncle Peter. Bumalik si Sophia na nakanguso at tinabihan niya ako sa sofa.
There was a moment of silence before he decided to break it.
"Pangalagaan mo ang mga iniwan ng ama mo, Ameiline. I don't like your way of thinking, and the ideas you believe in. You are reckless for leaving your family. You shouldn't be inheriting this much but I value the tradition and the rules. So please, take care of what my brother has left you with. Take care of that child, make family proud."
Tumango na lang ako tapos non tumayo na siya at naunang lumabas.
Matagal kaming nagkatinginan ni Mom. "I have to do some document signing, I will visit again soon." Sabi niya. She then gave me the kindest gesture she can allow herself. She patted my shoulders then turned to leave.
"Problem solved." Sophia smiled at me as she squeezed my hand. "My father will be sulking for months, pero magiging okay rin siya. He has to honor the family codes, after all."
I don't want to say thank you, dahil hindi ko naman talaga pinagkaka-interesan ang mana ni Dad. Mas importante na lang sa akin na okay na si Mom at ang mga trabahador ni Dad sa farm na pinangakuan niya ng lupa.
"We have to go." Sophia stood then she suddenly looked like an idiot.
Sinundan ko ng tingin 'yung tingin ni Sophia. Standing by the doorway is Cameron, only with his pants on. He still has his morning face when he smiled and nodded at my cousin.
Parang gusto ko na lang mabaon sa kutson ng sofa.
"Now I understand why the room's a mess." My dear cousin was beaming. "Hello there, Mr. French guy." Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Sophia. "Great to see you again."
"Pleasure's mine, Sophia." He walked towards us. To much of my annoyance and embarrassment, he gave me a quick kiss on the lips. "Good morning, buttercup."
Nanliit ako sa mahinang tawa ng pinsan ko. "Wow. Buttercup, ang sweet naman." She then grabbed her purse when we heard a car honking outside. "Maiiwan ko na kayo. The old man is impatient. See you!"
Cam and I both watched as the car drove away. "What was that visit about? Was that your Mom?" Tanong sa akin ni Cameron habang nakakunot ang noo niya. "The man who was with them, I remember him."
I tried distracting him. "Cameron. Anong gusto mong almusal?"
"He's the one who slapped you the night your father died, wasn't he?"
I opened my mouth to tell a lie, but I can't. Ever since the day we decided to try again, I couldn't brave myself to hide anything from him again. "Yes."
I heard him sigh. "You should've woken me up. I could use some morning boxing exercise."
Napa-marcha ako sa kusina. "Cam, matagal na 'yon. At kapatid ni Dad 'yon--"
"Why were they here anyway?" Biglang sumama ang timpla ng mood niya. Inabala ko na lang ang sarili kong mag-toast ng tinapay para mag-almusal.
Ever since he came back he's always the one to serve me meals, ngayon lang ako makakabawi dahil maaga ako nagising. "Meilin." Tawag niya sa akin. "I hate it when you're like this."
"Like what?"
"Keeping things from me." He looked at me blankly as I handed him a cup of hot coffee.
Napahinga ako nang malalim. "He checked in to see if I was really pregnant or not." Mukhang na-gets naman na niya, considering na nasabi ko na sa kanya lahat nung nakaraan.
He's a little weirded out about the idea of me coming from the world's strictest family, but he managed to understand.
After all, his real mother was once like me.
Pinanood ko siyang humigop ng kape tapos napasandal siya sa bandang lababo. Look at his man and this kind of sight. I could get used to this everyday.
Napansin niya akong nakatingin sa katawan niya kaya napangisi siya. "Feel free to stare, it doesn't cost much."
Mabilis ko siyang tinalikuran tapos inintindi ko na lang 'yung paglagay ng jam sa toasted bread. I heard him laugh behind me. Then this brute of a man smacked my butt. Hard. "Cam!"
"What? Your butt cheeks look so fine today."
"Muntik ko nang malaglag 'yung tinapay!"
He then hugged me from behind before he took a bite from the bread I'm holding. "Hmm, not so bad. However, I make better breakfast than you do."
Can this man get any funnier?
"Wait ka lang." Sabi ko sa kanya. "Sa susunod wala na 'to."
"Lovely."
==
NADATNAN AKO nila Merielle and Chen na masiglang nagtuturo nang pumatak ang alas-kwatro ng hapon. Wala pa silang klase kaya sinundan ko sila sa office pantry pagkatapos ng mga scheduled classes ko.
"Hey guys!" I was all smiles when I greeted them. "Kamusta ang lahat?"
Inismiran ako ni Chen tapos napahawak siya sa ulo niya.
"Kakaiba talaga kapag masayang masaya ang buhay, ano? Nakakaganda masyado. Sana lahat." Tapos tinuro niya 'yung dala kong lunchbox. Balak kong kainin 'yung natira ko kaninang tanghali. "Bukod sa gabi-gabi may katabi kang poging Adan, pinagbabaon ka pa ng masarap."
"Kaya nga, inggit kami." Sabi ni Merielle na naglilista na naman ng mga orders ng raket niyang mango jam. "Meilin, may order ka ba?"
Lately hindi ako nakakakain ng mango jam dahil nag iba ang panlasa ko sa ibang mga pagkain. "Sige, peanut butter na lang. Two jars." Cameron might like that.
May kinuha kaagad si Merielle sa malaki niyang eco bag. "Salamat! Magkano?" Pagkabayad ko, nag-chikahan pa kami konti. Wala pala sa Pinas ang fiance ni Merielle kaya parang low spirits siya pero tuloy pa rin daw ang raket.
Si Chen naman iniinda ang masakit na ulo dahil panay gimik siya. "Ang tagal mo kasing manganak, wala na akong kasama uminom." Sabi niya.
"Kahit naman tapos na ako manganak, hindi na ako magiging palainom." Sabi ko.
"Good luck with that." Sagot naman ni Merielle. "Soon to be Mrs. Winemaker." Nagtawanan silang dalawa ni Chen at hindi na natapos ang pangaasar nila sa akin habang kumakain ako ng tirang baon ko.
Mahirap na kasi kapag napagalitan ako ni Cameron kapag nakita niyang hindi ko naubos 'yung niluto niya.
"Ay, Meilin? Pwedeng favor?" Tanong ni Merielle sa akin.
"Basta kaya ko ha."
I RECALLED Merielle's instructions before I stepped into the elevator. Nakikisuyo kasi siyang ipaabot sa kaibigan niyang Tristan ang pangalan itong mga peanut butter at jams niya. Hindi naman gaanong mabigat kaya pumayag ako.
Umpisa na kasi ng afternoon shift niya at hindi na niya maaabot, sakto namang tapos na ang trabaho ko kaya tinanggap ko na lang rin. Nagkasundo rin kaming bukas ko na lang iabot 'yung bayad sa kanya.
Pagkarating ko sa ground floor, lumingon lingon ako para maghanap ng lalaking mahaba ang buhok at palagi raw naka-leather jacket.
Pero iba ang nakita ko. Sa labas ng building, nakita ko si Cameron na naghihintay at parang may kinakalikot na maliit na black box. Nakasandal siya sa kotse at halatang hinihintay ang pagbaba ko.
Napangiti ako nang mag-angat siya ng ulo at magkatinginan kami. He looked a little weird when he hid the box in his jacket pocket and waved. Lalapit na sana ako sa kanya nung may humarang sa akin.
"Hi." Sabi ng lalaking mahaba ang buhok at naka-brown leather jacket. "Are you Merielle's friend?"
Tumango ako. "Oo. Tristan diba?" Tanong ko pabalik. Tumango siya at mabilis kong inabot sa kanya 'yung bag ng mga orders niya.
Inabot niya sa akin 'yung bayad niya sa peanut butter. "Thanks, uhmm..." Nangamot siya tapos nag-alok ng kamay. "You are?"
"Meilin." Sabi ko habang nakangiti. Saglit ko lang hinawakan 'yung kamay niya dahil napalingon ako sa lumapit kay Tristan. Si Kuya Jorge!
"Uy, nandito ka?" Gulat niyang bati sa akin. "Akala ko kung sino 'yung kinakausap ni Tristan eh."
"Wait a sec, you two know each other?" Nalilitong tanong ng kaibigan ni Merielle.
"Dito ka nagtatrabaho? Small world!" Tanong ko. Tumango si Kuya Jorge tapos napangiti siya sa akin. Maya maya nakaramdam ako ng kamay sa bewang ko.
"What's taking so long, love?" Tiningala ko si Cameron na nakakunot ang noo. He then threw a heavy glares towards the two men I was talking with.
Jorge and Cameron shared a long look. The kind that looks like they're sizing each other up. "Ah... hindi. Kaibigan ni Merielle si Tristan, may pinasuyo lang na orders." Tapos tinuro ko 'yung malaking red na bag. "Tapos 'yung kapitbahay ko dati si---"
"Jorge." Nagulat ako nung mag alok ng kamay si Kuya Jorge kay Cam.
"Ah, the former neighbor." Cameron Clarke accepted it without any friendly looks on his face. "The name's Cameron. I'm the husband."
Nanlaki ang mata ko sa sinabi ni Cam. Pumagitna na lang ako kasi parang hindi aware si Tristan na may namumuong konting tension sa dalawa. As far as I could remember, parang nagkita na sila dati sa Medora noon eh.
I'm just not sure why they don't seem friendly to each other.
"Husband?" Nginitian lang ako ni Kuya Jorge. "Wala ka namang singsing. Kelan ka kinasal?" Tinuro niya 'yung daliri ko.
I felt Cameron tensed a little and I knew better than to say here any longer.
"Ah, sige, alis na kami. Salamat!" Tapos hinila ko na si Cameron papalabas ng building. Nang makalayo kami, nilingon ko siya na parang namumula ang mukha sa inis. "What was that?"
"I should be asking you that, Mei." Padabog niyang sinara 'yung pinto ng sasakyan nang makaupo ako sa passenger seat. Hinintay ko siyang pumasok at ganon rin ang pagdabog niya sa kabilang pinto. "What on earth was that? Why was your ex-neighbor at your workplace?"
"Nakisuyo lang si Merielle ng order dun sa kaibigan niya." Paliwanag ko. "Hindi ko alam na doon rin pala nagtatrabaho si Kuya Jorge. Bakit ka ba galit na galit?"
"Don't I have the right to be mad?" He laughed sarcastically. "I think I do. Two men are smiling at you like idiots!"
Tinaasan ko siya ng kilay. Padabog niyang kinabit ang seatbelt niya tapos mabilis siyang nagpatakbo. "Wala kang dapat ikagalit. Relax ka nga lang, Cam. Slow it down!"
"I asked you a question, Mei. I do have the right to be mad, don't I?"
"Hindi mo kailangan magalit ng ganyan. Ano bang problema mo?" Napakapit ako sa sobrang bilis ng takbo niya. "Can you slow down? Do you want to kill me and this baby?!"
Dahan-dahan niyang binagalan 'yung pagmamaneho niya. Saka ko pa lang naisuot 'yung seatbelt.
Parang humupa na 'yung galit niya kaya nagsalita ulit ako.
"Jorge is a friend. Matagal rin kaming naging magkapitbahay noon, Cam. You shouldn't be like this, you're acting like you are jealous--"
"Of course, I am." Napahinga siya nang malalim bago niya ako lingunin saglit. "Why wouldn't I be?" Tinikom ko ang bibig kong nakauwang dahil sa sinabi niya.
"Cam." Tawag ko sa kanya. He just gave me a quick sideway glance. "Buntis ako at dinadala ko ang anak mo." Paalala ko sa kanya. "We're together... again. We're staying at the same house, we breathe the same air, sleep on the same bed. Bakit ka magseselos?"
"That neighbor guy has hots on you, Mei. I could see it clear as a day. Pregnancy just made you look even lovelier. He likes you."
I scoffed at the idea. "Si Kuya Jorge? No. No way." Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin. How can this man act like an angry jealous boy?
"And you call him that?" Bumalik 'yung pagkairita niya bigla. "Jesus, shoot me now--"
"You're a thirty year old man with a teenage-boy jealousy issues, Cam."
"Sorry, I didn't know there's an expiration date when it comes to human innate feelings such as jealousy."
"Cam. Pwede ba?" He stopped the car at the red light. "Kumalma ka nga. Bakit ka ba sobrang threatened?"
Hindi na siya nagsalita buong byahe hanggang sa makarating kami sa apartment. Dere-deretso siya sa loob ng kwarto para kunin 'yung bag ng mga damit namin.
Nagkasundo kaming mag-stay muna sa bahay ni Gran dahil wala siya doon ng isang linggo. Grandma Frances is with Sara's family for a short vacation in Baguio, and she asked us to stay there instead.
Hindi ako pinansin ni Cameron nung ilagay niya sa trunk 'yung mga gamit namin. Nagpalit na lang ako ng mas komportableng damit at sapatos.
When I entered the room, I saw something on the floor. It was a small black box. Cam must have dropped it.
Kahit kinakabahan ako, pinulot ko 'yung box at binuksan. It was a yellowish round-cut diamond ring. Oh no, what is he planning?
Sinara ko kaagad 'yung box at bago ko pa ibalik ulit sa sahig, pumasok bigla si Cameron sa kwarto. Narinig ko siyang magmura nang napakahina pero napakadiin.
It seemed like I ruined something that is 'supposed to be' a surprise.
==
Hello! I hope everyone's good and safe!
~FL01