Husband For Rent (Published, Now in Bookstores)

Chapter Fourteen

Typo errors are alot.

Chapter Fourteen

 

 

“M-Mike?” Hindi makapaniwala si Jack na makakaharap niya ngayon ang nakakatandang kapatid niya. And both of them were surprised to see each other too.

“Nandito ka rin pala.” His older brother said—sarcastically. For all those years, they still haven’t fixed the rift between themselves. His brother was four years older than him, the guy was 31 and he was 27. At gaya pa rin ng dati, mainit pa rin ang dugo nito sa kanya.

Napalipat-lipat lang ng tingin si Cheska sa dalawang lalakeng kasama niya ngayon. The other one whom Jack referring as Mike was also very familiar to her. Kung tama ang pagkakaalala niya, kuya ito ni Jackson. When they were teenagers kasi, magkapitbahay ang mga Torres at ang mga Asenjo. But she wasn’t that close to their family, maliban lang sa mga kuya niya.

“Mike!” Parehas naman silang napatigil na tatlo nang may paparating na babae. The woman then approached Jack’s older brother and quickly wrapped her hand around Mike’s arm.

“Hi.” Nakangiting bati nito sa kanila—oblivious to the tension that was happening between the men. The woman looked very lively.

Napatingin naman ang babae kay Jack, “Oh, wait, Mike, ito na ba ang sinasabi mong kapatid mo?” Anito na parang namukhaan na kung sino si Jack, “Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Vivianne. You can call me Vie. I’m Mike’s girlfriend.” Pagpapakilala nito sa kanila. The lady offered them a handshake.

Pero hindi pinansin ni Jack ang pagpapakilala nito sa kanila. Napansin naman ni Cheska na nakikipagtagisan pa rin ito ng tingin sa kapatid nito.

“Hi,” Cheska smiled tightly as she shook Vivianne’s hand. “I’m Cheska.. Uhm, Jackson’s wife.” She answered awkwardly. She could really feel the tension between the brothers.

Napatingin naman sa kanya si Mike at napakunot-noo. “Wait, you’re familiar.. You’re Cheska Monique Torres, right?” Namukhaan nga siya nito kaya naman napatango siya.

“Mike, pumasok na tayo sa loob, baka hinahanap na tayo ng Lola mo.” Vie suddenly interrupted. Mukhang nahalataan na rin nito ang tensyong nangyayari.

“Y-Yeah, let’s go.” Tinalikuran na nga sila ng mga ito at nauna ng pumasok sa resthouse.

“Jack, are you okay?” Tanong ni Cheska rito nang mapansin niyang sinusundan lang ng tingin nito ang kapatid nitong kakapasok lang sa loob. Jack was looking at him intensely.

“Jack, it’ll be alright.” She assured as she squeezed his hand. Parang wala kasi ito sa sarili. And she thinks he is not in good terms with his older brother.

Napansin naman ni Jack ang paghawak niya sa kamay nito. He then turned his head at her, “U-Uh, yeah. Tara na, pumasok na tayo sa loob.” He just said and quickly smiled at her. Pumasok na nga silang dalawa sa loob na magkahawak pa rin ang kamay.

“Jackson, Cheska, nandiyan na pala kayo,” Nakangiting salubong sa kanila ni Lola Rose nang makapasok na sila sa loob. “Hali na kayo para kumain.” Anito sa kanila at sumunod lang silang dalawa rito.

Dumating na rin sila sa dining table ng resthouse kung saan sila manghahapunan. Nakita rin nila sina Mike at Vivianne na nakaupo na sa kabilang side ng table.

Cheska and Jack then sat opposite the couple. Katabi rin ni Jack si Lola Rose habang si Lolo Pots naman ay nakaupo sa kabisera ng dining table. Everything was settled already at the table.