Drowning Emotions (Isla Series #5)

17

"We have to prepare for our dinner with Dad. He hates people who are late pa naman."

Iniwan ko si Marco roon sa kitchen at tinahak ang daan papunta sa kwarto ko para makapaghanda na.

"Ano'ng susuotin ko? Ano'ng dadalhin ko? Wine? Eh, may wine naman na siguro doon. Magdadala pa ba ako ulit? Baka isipin ni Sir na wala akong common sense. Flowers? Baka hindi siya mahilig noon!" Marco sounded startled as he trailed behind me. 

I stifle a laugh as I looked back at him. "Can you stop overthinking and just get dressed? I swear, you don't have to bring anything."

"Hindi, kailangan ko magdala." He shook his head, and I knew I couldn't do anything but give him what he wanted.

Tumingin ako sa wall clock ko at nakitang sobrang dami pa naman naming oras. I just feel like time is flying by because I prepare like a slug.

"Well, he likes a certain food but maybe it'll take time to prepare," I said slowly, thinking. Well, malapit lang naman ang bahay ni Dad so I guess I didn't have to worry.

"Ano?" atat na tanong niya, lumapit pa sa 'kin nang nakalahad ang kamay na akala mo naman may ibibigay ako sa kaniya.

"Biko with lots of latik and nuts." He nodded and turned his back on me, striding down the stairs without saying anything. "We can just order! I know a restaurant!" Sumilip ako sa hagdan.

"Magluluto ako! Kailangan ma in love ng Dad mo sa akin!" sigaw niya pabalik bago siya nawala sa paningin ko. Bahagya akong natawa at pinabayaan siya.

I stepped outside of my apartment just as the clock struck 7. Nakita ko si Marco at Ares sa patio nila, nakatalikod sa akin. May box sa lamesa. I immediately concluded that it was the biko Maki prepared. Hindi na ako nagtaka na natapos niyang lutuin dahil palagi itong may ingredients.

"Paano ba kasi? Takte, kinakabahan ako, bro! Paano ba simulan? Good morning, Sir-"

"Gago, Kuya. Gabi na," putol kaagad ni Ares at binatukan si Marco sa pagkakamali niya.

"Gago ka rin. Tangina, ang hirap! Pucha, Ares! Paano ba?" Minasahe ni Marco ang sentido niya. "Ilang beses ka na naka meet the parents, 'di ba? Bakit buhay ka pa rin hanggang ngayon, eh, mas matino naman ako magsalita kaysa sa 'yo?'

Ares chuckled, leaning on the wall. "Bro, I'm different in front of older people."

"That's one thing that I find very hard to believe in, Quentin," Marco said, smiling a little. Napangiti ako nang ginulo niya ang buhok ni Ares. "Damn, I cannot believe you grew so fast."

"Kilabot, 'ya! Tinawag ba naman ako sa second name ko! Kadiri!" Ares frowned as he pushed Maki.

"Ubod ka ng kaartehan." Marco scoffed, pulling out a stick of cigarette from the box. He immediately returned it like he remembered something.

"Walang emote ngayon. Mag-practice ka na ng speech mo baka gawin mo pang tanga sarili mo. For starters, good evening ang sasabihin mo, ha. Kung iyan mamali mo, hindi talaga kita aangkinin," pananakot ni Ares.

Hindi ko na napigilan lumapit. Hinila ko na agad si Marco paalis dahil baka kung saan pa makarating ang pag-eensayo niya.

"Shit. Teka lang, babe. Kinakabahan ako!" Hinila niya ang kamay ko pabalik noong malapit na ako sa pino ng bahay ni Dad.

My laughter invaded the silent night. I held his cheek gently and pierced my eyes through his to communicate better. "You will be okay. Just be yourself and be comfortable," I reminded.

"Paano nga kung ayaw niya sa 'kin?" The level of his voice went low like he didn't want me to hear it.

"We'll have to see, then."