Comrades in Action Book 2: Aiden Montaniez

The Deal

"Baby, is there something wrong?"

"Nothing, mom. Why would you think that?"

Nandito siya ngayon sa kanila. It's been a while since she stayed here. With her parents. She embraced her independence so damn much that even when she have a problem, sanay na siyang solohin ang mga iyon. She could spill her problems to Dani and Jacky. But never to her parents.

She don't want to see the worry etched in their faces. She could not afford that..

"I'm your mother. I can feel it."

Napangiti siya. Palagi na lang. Kahit noon. Kapag may dinaramdam siya, lagi nitong nade-detect iyon. To the point na naging dependent na siya sa kanila. One reason kung bakit mas pinili niyang bumukod. She wanted to learn to fight her demons alone. To be stronger..

She faked a smile. "Don't think too much mom. Nothing's wrong. I'm perfect."

Her mom sighed, "I never wanted to be the one to open this but.." bumuntong hininga ulit ito. "Si Aiden ba? Are you two having a problem?"

She shrugged nonchalantly, "Kelan ba kami nawalan ng problema? Wala namang bago. Hindi kami ito kung magiging sweet kami sa isa't-isa."

"Can't you two get along? Alam namin na kami ang nagtulak sa inyo para ma-engage pero.. hindi niyo ba kayang magkasundo? It has been months. We thought.."

"Mom.. we are fine. Nagbabangayan kami pero ganoon talaga kami. As I've said, hindi kami ito kung walang bangayan. Kung walang samaan ng loob.." mahinang wika niya.

"Nica.. sa isang relasyon, okay lang ang bangyan. To spice things up between a couple. Pero ang samaan ng loob? It is not healthy." Hinaplos ng mommy niya ang buhok niya, "Whatever happened between the two of you... fix it. You two are good for each other. You'll just have to realize it yourselves. Sige, I'll leave you to rest. Goodnight, baby." Hinalikan siya nito sa noo bago lumabas ng kwarto.

She sighed. Then closed her eyes.

Fix it? Tsk.

Easier said than done.

-

Kinabukasan, umalis siya ng bahay ng tanghali para makipagkita kay Dani. She felt like being with her girlfriend today.

Good thing dahil mukhang twilight zone ang weather.

Maaga naman siyang nakrating ng BGC dahil sunday ngayon at walang masyadong traffic. Pagkapasok niya sa coffee shop ay agad niyang namataan si Dani.

"Hey, girlfriend!" Masayang bati nito.

"Hi yourself." She grinned. Nakaorder na ito ng coffee niya. Just like the way she liked it.

"So, how are you?"

Agad pumilantik ang hinliliit nito at tumirik ang mga mata, "Gosh girl, nakakaloka. I met with my gramps last week and she is super duper pushing me na talaga to have a jowaers na. As in jowa with pekpek. So... ew!"

Natawa siya sa sinabi nito. "Eh anong sabi mo?"

"Like duh! Alangan namang mangisay ako sa sobrang pandidiri sa harap ng abuela ko. Eh di natuluyan iyon pag nagktaon." He satrted stirring his cup restlestly. "Girl... anong gagawin ko? I can't stomach it talaga.. masusuka ako sa altar!"

Hindi na niya napigilan ang matawa, "Magtapat ka na lang kasi sa abuela mo. So simple. Just say, "lola, willing naman po akong magpakasal, basta ba lalaki at hindi kapawa ko girl." Ganoon!"

"Loka! Eh di inatake na yun sa sobrang panghihilakbot."

"Ewan ko ba naman kasi sayo. Bakit kasi hinintay mo pang maging ganyan ang kondisyon ng abuela mo bago mo maisipang maging honest."