Can't Help Falling In Love

Kabanata 32

Kabanata 32

Sister

It's Christmas Eve tonight! Everybody is excited for Christmas, even I was excited! I knew it was the right thing to do in times like this... To be with my family.

Ngumisi ako ng makita ang dalawa kong pinsan na sabay pumasok sa kitchen. "Jon! Robb!" Lumapit ako sa kanila at niyakap ang dalawa kong pinsan. "I got here before you two! Now who's the workaholic bitch?"

Tumawa si Jon at ikinawit ang braso sa aking leeg. "Not me." Aniya at nginuso si Robb na ngayon ay abala sa kanyang cellphone. "Fuck off, you two." Ani Robb na ikinatawa naming ni Jon.

"What are you doing?" Ani Jon at pinakawalan ako. "I'm baking muffins."

"Since when did you learn to bake?"

"Marunong ako college palang!" Pagyayabang ko because it's true! I took food technology as an elective when I was in high school. And baking is not that hard, just exact measurement and little tweaks. Unlike cooking, masyadong maraming ginagawa.

"Where's Kevin?" Tanong ng Robb. "I need to talk to him about something. Kevin!" Sigaw niya.

"He's not here, Robb. Bakit ka ba sigaw ng sigaw jan?"

"He's not here? Why are you here?" Aniya na parang naguguluhan.

"Bawal ba akong umuwi sa sarili kong bahay ng hindi kasama si Kevin?"

"Kailan siya pupunta dito? This is ASAP." Ani Robb na para bang ako ang sagot sa mga tanong niya. "I don't know?"

"I'll just call him." Aniya at tinalikuran kami ni Jon. Walang kibo na nagpatuloy ako sa paghahalo ng ginagawa kong coconut muffin. "Have you eaten lunch? Mayroon pang Grilled Pork sa counter at may rice at pasta pa, I think."

"Yeah? Good, I'm hungry. Kupal na Robb iyon masyadong nagmamadali umuwi... He won't even stop for a Subway to-go."

Tinawana ko na lamang ang sinabi ng aking pinsan. "You're alone... Don't have a girlfriend for Christmas?"

"Why are you judging me, Kate? Christ." Tumawa ako. Why is he acting like it's taboo? "Don't me, Jon."

"Fine, mom called me last night. She said she doesn't want any 'plus ones' tonight or I'll never see the sun again." Humagalpak ako ng tawa dahil doon. So! He was given an ultimatum! "Didn't know you were that scared of tita Cat."

"Shut up, Kate." He scoffed which made me laugh more. After popping my muffins in the oven, ang ginawa ko naman ay ang pesto lasagna na request ni Arya. Pagktapos kong i-dry ang Basil leaves ay idiniretso ko iyon sa food processor.

Sinundan ko ng tingin si Jon nang tumayo siya at dumiretso sa counter para sa Grilled Pork na lunch naming kanina. "Nakasalubong ko si Roose sa mall the other night. He said he saw you sa hospital. Sinong na-ospital?"

I was momentarily shocked about it. Sinabi kaya niya na nakita niya akong umiiyak at kung bakit? Pinagmasdan ko mung ang reaksyon ni Jon bago ako sumagot. "Just a friend..."

Nagkibit balikat lamang siya at nagpatuloy sa pagkain ng late lunch niya. "Kung alam lang namin na may ganap pala kayo ni Kevin ay hindi ko na rin sana hinayaan si Robb na ireto ka kay Roose. Man, he was so sad about it. He really liked you." Ani Jon at humalakhak. "And probably the reason why Kevin was so pissed when Robb was telling him that he was setting you up with someone."

Umiling na lamang ako at hindi na nagkomento sa sinabi ng aking pinsan. I decided to just forget about the Kevin issues and just focus on my family. I don't want to mess this holiday just because I'm upset.