Between The Lines

13• Tori

Cousin's trouble
# 13

The waiters placed tables at each on us. Madami din ang pagkain na inihanda. Lobsters. Italian style spaghetti. Steak . Turkey. Madami. Iba't ibang menu na ma-i-seserve. I placed the table napkin on my lap and started to get some food.

Unti lang kinuha ko. Nakaka walang gana kasi ang pagmumuka ng lantant rosas na yun . Masama ang tingin niya sakin.

What? Feeling insulted?

Inirapan ko siya at nagsimula ng kumain. They keep talking about something but I tried my best not to listen. Pretend it's just me and mama Jane who's at this dining table.  Napansin ko din ang laging pagsulyap sakin ni Tim. I kept ignoring him. He's pretty annoying ever since. He's shy and silent but he can be really annoying at times.

" Matagal tagal na rin kayong hindi nagbobonding na magpipinsan noh?" Tito Vicky says as he eats.

" Yeah...." Mahinang sagot ni Tim.

" How about golf? Tomorrow?" He looked at me.

It's like I'm the one his asking. Para namang hindi niya ako kilala. I hate going to crowded places.

" I'm busy"

" With what?" Palaban na tanong ni Keir.

" None of your business"

" S-siguro next time nalang dad" mahinhin na sabi ni Tim.

Nagkibit balikat siya saka tumango. Bumalik na rin sila sa pagkain. Mama Jane seems uncomfortable. But it's not just her. Kanina ko pa gustong umalis dito. The way they looked at me. It's like I'm in a spotlight and all eyes on me. Waiting for my next move. It's like they're expecting my mistake. They're expecting I'm gonna do something stupid. All judgefull eyes are on me.

I tried my best just to ignore them. I never try to interrupt with the topic they started. Sometimes I feel like I'm an outcast, kahit palagi naman.

" Mommy uwi na us?" Tanong ng dalawang kambal. Kakatapos lang kasi nilang kumain at mukang nabobored na ang mga bata. They're 8 years old. They also hate things like this kasi napilitan sila.

I don't even know why their mother Joy named them Mad and Sad . Kahit lagi naman silang masaya. They we're named after the emotions. Pauso ng nanay nila. Walang magawa si tito Alphert kaya hinayaan na niya.

" Mamaya nak. May band pang mangyayari mamaya . You want to watch?" Sabi ng nanay nila.

They nodded happily. I continued eating. Even though I'm not enjoying the food. We finished when Tito Vicky told us to go the other room where there are bands that are playing violin, piano, guitar and other instruments.

Sabay na kaming pumunta dun ni mama Jane. May mga upuan sa tabi ng mga bintana. Habang yung Banda nasa isang sulok. They're playing classical music. The twins and Loisa my other young cousins are playing around. Running.

I sat down crossed arm and legs. Poker faced. I was sitting quietly when Tim sat down next to me. He smiled first before sitting down. Like asking if he can sit beside me. But I ignored him. Like his not here.

" Kamusta ka ate Tori?"

Hindi ko siya sinagot.

" Gusto mo ulit tumugtog ng violin ate? I'll ask dad kung gusto mo magplay sa band dun..." Mahinhin at nakangiti niyang sabi.

I deadly look at him." Tim. You really are..." Diniinan ko ang pagsabi sa panghuli. "...annoying"

His smile instantly disappeared. It's like he was hurt. Kasalanan niya. He started it. I breathe deeply. Kinapa ang bulsa ko. Trying to see if I have gum. I need to stop talking. Pero Wala. Wala akong dala.