Scent Of Consanguinity (Book 1 of Scent Trilogy)

Kapitulo 11

"Ang ganda mo naman, Ate Boss, ah!"

'Yan ang bungad sa'kin ni Dave nang makababa ako. Sinamaan ko siya ng tingin dahil napansin kong ang ganda ng mood niya samantalang may nakalimutan ata sila. I'd never see them being busy with these past few days.

"What do you need?" I asked.

"May pera d'yan sa ibabaw ng fridge. Mama said, you need to go groceries." Si Dave at nag iba ng chanel sa TV.

"That's why you complimented me maganda?" I rolled my eyes. "You guys aren't busy this past few days. Did you forgot what date is today?"

"July 23. Why? It's just a normal day, Ate Boss!"

"Yeah, It's July 23 and It's Kuya Jham's birthday!"

"Then?" Tinaas niya ang isang kilay niya. "Happy birthday to him!"

"What kind of cousin are you?" Inis ko pang sabi. "And where's your brothers?"

"Si Matmat kinuha ni Kuya Jham kanina after we attended a mass. Sa Allena, kayo lang ni Kuya Leyo ang hindi nakasama kasi tulog mantika kayo! And then si Vinzent, I don't know. Bigla nalang siyang umalis pagkatapos niyang kinuha ang 100 d'yan sa ibabaw ng fridge. Pagkasyahin mo nalang ang pag go-grocery, Ate." Mahabang sabi pa ni Dave.

"Are you kidding me?" Naging maarte kong tugon. "You want me to go groceries without a service?"

"Shit! Nakalimutan ko nga palang maarte ka at hindi ka sanay mag commute," Dave stood up. "Why don't you call your boyfriend? Diba may motor siya? Or call Kuya Leyo? Hiramin niya nalang 'yung kotse ni Kuya Jham. But, before that... you need to eat breakfast first!"

Wala naman akong makukuha kung patuloy lang akong makipagsagutan kay Dave. I called Leyo but maybe he still asleep, nakailang missed calls na ako pero hindi niya pa din sinasagot. I don't want to call Kent since he told me yesterday na marami pa siyang gagawin kapag nakauwi na siya after camp. May mga kinakailangan pa siyang ipasa bukas so I don't want to bother him. I dialed Jasper and he immediately answered it. Siya ang sumama sa akin mag grocery saglit at nang pauwi na kami, na stuck pa kami sa traffic.

"May chika ka ba?" Jasper asked. Hindi pa din umiisog ang sasakyan. "Kasi ako may chika ako."

"Why are you guys not busy? Wala man lang bang surprise party para kay Kuya Jham?" I asked.

"I don't know. Sabi ni Jhamer, ayaw niya daw na ng ganoon." He answered. "He just want a simple family dinner tonight. Hindi ko alam kung pupunta ba sina Lolo J at Lola J."

"You're impossible," I smirked. "Kuya Jhamer likes parties. Kapag birthday niya, gusto niya laging nandyan 'yung mga friends niya to celebrate with him and now you tell me na ayaw niya na?"

"I don't know with him. You can even ask him later if you want. Simple is good as so as enjoy."

Napairap nalang ako at unti-unti na ding nawawala 'yung traffic at nakapagmaneho na din si Jasper ng maayos.

"So, what's your chika?" I asked.

"Gago, babi!" Tumawa muna siya ng una.

"Bakit?"

"Nagjajakol kasi ako kanina," He laughed.

"The fuck?" Masama ko siyang tinignan.