"Congratulations, Reymark!"
Napalingon kaagad ako sa babaeng biglang lumapit kay Reymark at yumakap dito. Niyakap din kaagad ni Reymark ang babae nang makitang si Jenny ito.
"Thanks for coming. I'm glad you're here!" Ani ni Reymark.
"Of course, congrats, ha? Ang galing mo!"
Biglang nagtama ang mata namin ni Reymark nang mapansin niyang nakatingin ako sa kanila. I sighed and rolled my eyes on him. Nagmamadali naman kaagad akong sumunod kina Leyo papalabas ng Auditorium.
"Have fun, guys!"
I wave my hand to Dave in the video call of Vince's phone while we were having our family dinner, in a fine restaurant, after the talent competition.
Nginitian ko lang ang kapatid kong si Vince sa tabi ko nang binigyan niya pa ako ng kanin at ulam. Ang Lolo at Papa ko naman ay nasa magkabilang dulo ng mesa. Katabi naman nila ang kanilang mga asawa. Si Tita Cassy at si Dave lang ang wala dito.
"Jenny was there, right?" Tito Charlie asked. "Why you didn't invite her to this dinner, Reymark?"
"Rhealyn invited her, Tito, but Jenny said that she really needs to go home right after the competition." Reymark answered.
"Kilala niyo pala siya, Tito?" I asked.
"Of course, beside of she's one of the scholars of Allenas, she's also Reymark's girlfriend." Si Tito Dwight ang sumagot.
"Ex na, di'ba?" I said, seriously, and drink my glass of juice.
"Ay, oo. Ba't ka galit?" Tito Dwight pouted.
"Hindi ako galit."
"Oh, Jenny is there? I didn't see her." Marahang sabat naman ni Lola. "Next time, send my regards to her, Reymark, apo?"
"Okay, Lola. I will." Maikling sagot ni Reymark.
"Close pala kayo 'nun, Lola?" I asked, sarcastically.
"Why do you sounds so..." Si Ymee.
I side-eyed Ymee.
"Nevermind," Ymee smirked. "Anyways, I really can't forget how you shouted for Jemaica, Couz!" Ymee suddenly opened up the topic, she's talking with Reymark beside her.
Jasper and Lyrel laughed again. Nakikisabay pa si Kuya Jhamer, Leyo, Hva at Edmar sa kanila. Even Tita Clarise and Tito Dwight are making fun of it.
"Stop laughing," Natatawang sabat ni Lolo. "Hindi tayo mabubusog kung panay tawa kayo d'yan!"
Napairap ako sa kawalan. Nginisihan naman ako ni Vince sa tabi ko sa ganoong paraan. Si Chin naman ay inaasar ako sa tabi ko. Panay bulong sa akin sa sinigaw ni Reymark. Napatingin ako kay Reymark at inirapan siya kaagad nang nagtama ang mata namin.
"Reymark was just so proud to his cousin," Natatawa din si Tita Eyla sa anak.
"Yeah, kung ako nga rin 'yun, mas sobra pa ang sigaw ko." Ani naman ni Tito Tepen.
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Scent Of Consanguinity (Book 1 of Scent Trilogy)
RandomA Series #1 (Scent Trilogy) "Everything that happens in this world happens at the time God chooses." Ecclesiastes 3:1-21 J.A.S. May 15, 2023 - April 10, 2024