Enmeshed Kinship

13

"Blake, can we talk?"

[ How significant is it? I'm sorry I'm busy right now, what about day after tomorrow?]

"oh, what are you doing?"

[Preparing for finals?]

["Blake faster! What took you so long?]

Oh Blake you're busted. I heard Allison's voice after him. Do they have a date? I mean, na naman? when will they stop?kidding.

" Blake, stop fooling around." I told him with a warning tone in it.

[Come on, I'm sorry, give me this day okay? Next time?]

"Tomorrow"

"uh no, that's really when I'll start reviewing for finals" He told me with probably matching 'scratching his nape' action.

I ended the call and texted him the rendezvous. I don't want to tell him yet what is it we'll talk about. And I want him to answer my questions although I have no idea since when they started planning about deceiving all of us. Wala akong maasahan kay Michael. After what he told me pinulot niya yung blanket at tinalikuran ako para humiga na din sa couch, doon daw siya matutulog, last night.

I just woke up and the first thing I did is call my brother.

I stepped outside to drink some water after fixing my bed. I'm not really into cold water kaya sa jag lang ako kumuha. Michael was still asleep kaya I forced myself not to bungle that might cause to disturb him. I was about to go to my room para kunin yung mga kailangan ko para makaligo na din at dahil isa lang ang restroom wala pa sa loob ng room kaya kailangan ko pa lumabas but then in front of the couch where he's lying down, I felt him held my hand, the reason why I had to stop walking and turn my gaze on him.

"Yeah?"

He agilely sat down and looked at me.  He also drank the water I placed on the center table so he can take it if he ever wake up.

"Sit down".

"Oh uhm, why? I'm swamped. Can we just talk later?" I asked him. I was actually refusing to talk to him. I wanted to avoid him for the mean time, they were too mysterious and it bothers  me.

"Won't you continue asking?"

I immediately sat down beside him placing the pillow he used over my lap, waiting for some tremendous truths he'll tell me.

But then he only looked at me. What? Magtatanong na naman ako? Ugh, fine.

"Explain the whatnot you told me last night."

"I was the gaudy Blake. Remember now?"

"No. I mean, that's the last thing I want to know. Tell me why did you do such thing."

"Because of Blake"

"Oh that's absurd!" I scoffed and continue talking. "How would you say that? You both drifted ways, so there must be deeper reason than just wanting to see and talk to him"

"Yes. You"

"What are you implying?" I asked him. I wasn't absolutely thinking about flirtation. It wouldn't be like that. I know they were up to something.

"I thought of you as my steer, you could be."

"So you're doing the same thing right now, aren't you?" I never understood him, he's too whimsical unlike Blake. Comparing them is the last thing I want to do, but they were making it complicated, it was too inevitable not to.

"No."

"I don't really know you, from now on let's just keep this relationship professional. The Snitch and P.I relationship, I mean" he didn't respond although I'm not waiting for it. I did go back to what I was planning to do before we had our conversation.

I just took a bath, and now wearing my casual 'outfit of the day'. Allison texted me their location. She wanted me to meet Blake now, if it's important daw.

"Sara." Oh he was early. And fast. He already took a bath and it confuses me right now. I just wore my outfit, tapos na agad siya? He seemed to be waiting for me, I saw him bago niya ako makita, sitting down overlapping his elbow on his leg.

"Where are you going?"

"I don't know either. I'll go now"

"Please give me some time to answer you. But not now"

"Don't you ever think of that Michael" I chuckled. "I won't coerce anyone for my best interests.How immature of me"

"You're not sulking then?"

"What? Of course not, I know you, Michael. I can't and definitely won't change you."

He was about to walk towards me so I gestured my hand to stop him. "But please, you have to respect me as well"

"I'm sorry Sara. I can't just respect you" My eyes widened and saw him now in front of me. "I do and will always treat you reverential" he then tucked the strand of my hair behind my ears.

"Uh, Michael, they're expecting me to be there. I'll go now"

"I'll go with you"

Hindi ko na siya pinansin. Hanggang sa makarating na kami sa lugar na sinabi ni Allison.

"I thought you don't know me. Thanks for letting me go with you though"

"Shut it. Let's go" I told him.

Allison saw us as we walked inside the restaurant.

"Oh here they are."

We greeted each other. And I saw Blake looking pissed right now. Well, I'm sorry I was invited.

"Sit down, now may I know what is it?"Allison asked as if she's the reason why we came here.

"We're here to interrupt." Michael answered instead of me.

"Whatever happen, don't tell her about your relationship with you dad and Blake. It's a secret right?" He whispered.

Why is he treating me like a child? Oh how cringey! Really? Manipulate me?

"Please. Don't" he held my hand so I just nodded.

"Hey what are you two talking about huh?"

"Why do you always feel suspicious about us?" Michael and I laughed as I asked Allison, at si Blake, ayun inis padin.

"Of course not. I was just thinking why are you two holding each others hand, there's something between you two that we don't know, is not it?"

"Oh I'm sorry I just heard it in a grapevine." She continued.

"Is the grapevine named Kristine?"I asked her. Siya lang naman kasi ang sinabihan ni Michael about dun.

"Well, your guess is as good as mine"

I know it was her though. When I looked at Michael, I don't know but I saw relief, the question is why?