I dip into a little recount of my first week at film school, and how all the lectures have been going so far. I tell her about Kiara and Diane, too, so she doesn’t worry about me having to make new friends. Lola nods along.
In the beginning, when both my grandparents found out about film school, they weren’t entirely enthusiastic about it. Traditionally, Filipinos are renowned for becoming nurses and doctors, but as someone who:
1. Never got above C in science
2. Has a slight tremble in my hand when I so much as try to hold a pencil
I’m definitely doing the medical field a favour by staying far away. Gratefully, Mum and Dad always supported me, wanting to break the cycle of these career expectations with Ria and I. Now, my grandparents are more accepting, though I still get the occasional comment about nursing. Oh well.
Lola’s attention turns to Ria once I’ve finished my recount, and she informs her all about the woes of starting Year 11, and the preparations she’s been undergoing for the upcoming HSC trial exams which aren’t even for another few months. Mum then updates Lola on work and how she’s reaching her 10th year at her company. Dad, on the other hand, gushes about his recent promotion to Financial Manager.
That’s when Lolo emerges again from the kitchen, and the moment my eyes fall on the bowl of chicken asado in his hands, my body buzzes in anticipation.
Before digging in, we all link hands and Lola leads the prayer over the food. Then, it’s every man for themselves.
From the first bite my stomach grumbles in agonising anticipation. The sweet, citrusy mix of the sauce melts on my tongue and I sigh. I can never grow tired of Lolo’s cooking. After a few bites, Lola dips into conversation with Mum and Dad in Tagalog, and I begin to get lost in some of the terms used. WhileI understand tidbits of Tagalog here and there, I still find myself struggling. Thankfully, my parents and relatives have never shamed me for being unfamiliar with their mother tongue.
Still, I don’t want to feel left out with my own family.
Lola and Mum begin to gush over Jonathan and Tita Bea, with Mum mentioning the upcoming impromptu engagement party this Sunday. She then places her utensils down and pulls out her phone, turning the screen toward Lola as she scrolls through the photos. Lola makes a sound of surprise, lips parting as she looks over at me.
“Is this you and Marlon, Lene?” she asks, pointing at the screen.
Mum’s cheeky smile says it all as she turns the phone. Of course, it’s the photo of Marlon and I at karaoke. I want to shrivel up and crumble right there and then. Embarrassment floods my cheeks. While Lola Alma and Lolo Angelus are less knowledgeable of the Marlon-Jaslene saga, they know enough to agree with everyone else. My lips twist, and I try to shape it into a smile and less of a grimace.
“Yes,” I state, levelling my tone so it doesn’t come out as a grumble.
Lola coos, clapping her hands together.
“Angcutesa iyong both!” she enthuses. I resist the urge to faceplant and tell her that there is nothingcuteabout us at all.
In a more rational manner than my mental state felt, I say, “Thanks Lola, but we are not together. He’s just a -”
He’s a what, exactly? He isn’t a friend to me. He isn’t family. He’s someone who’s been a constant throughout my whole life against my will.
I wave away with my hands, and try to move on from the topic.
“He’s just Marlon. And I’m not really looking for a boyfriend right now. I’m too focused on film school.”
Which is, of course, a lie. They don’t need to know that Rafayel’s face just drifted across my thoughts. Lolo and Lola look pleased at my answer, nodding in approval.
“That’s good Lene. Boys always come second to studies.” I’m nodding along with them now, enthusiastically. Lola gets me! “Then, when you graduate, you can marry this Marlon.”
Nevermind.
Mum and my Lola both erupt into giggles as they slap each other over the table like teenagers. Ria nudges me, sparing an almost pitiful glance over her fork, but the hint of amusement in her eyes just negates it entirely.
Afterward, we settle into the living room. Lolo and Lola turn on the Filipino cable channel, and my parents watch alongside them, while Ria and I scroll mindlessly on social media. I wonder if there’s going to be another relationship hard launch on my feed.
Thankfully, it’s just business as usual.
ABridgertonedit. A publishing house announcing a new novel. A new kpop dance challenge by a newly debuted girl group (I bookmark that one to learn later).
That’s when I get jumpscared by Marlon.
He’s one of the more semi-active posters, meaning he only pops up on my feed once or twice a month. This post is a photo of him holding a basketball, clearly sweaty from a game or practice, grinning into the camera with two other boys surrounding him. I study his face, and wonder what everyone around me seems to see in him.
Where a girl may find his dimpled smile, his brown curls and wide eyes cute, I just see the face of the demon who once turned off all the lights in the house to scare me.
