“NowLene -” Mum begins, her tone dancing on chastising and amusement.
“It’s okay Tita, I’m used to Jas’ strange ways by now,” Marlon retorts, before he heads toward the living room area, where his Dad sits. Hopefully, he stays there, and out of my way for the rest of the day.
Finally, I reach the table. I reserve a special space on my plate just for palabok. The remaining space on my plate, I fill with servings of pork sisig and fried rice, and head toward the breakfast nook, where Ria and my cousins are.
We chat idly about our studies. At the moment, Kuya Joseph is in his third-year of his IT course, whereas Kuya Peter had only recently deferred university to pursue his singing more seriously.
“Your song has been getting so many views lately, Kuya!” I exclaim, nudging him with my knuckles. It’s comforting knowing that Ria and I aren’t the only creatives in the family, and watching Kuya Peter’s success skyrocket has been amazing.
Stephanie, on the other hand, had just started Year 9. She gives us all an update on her love life, appearing to be torn between a boy she’s been friends with since Year 7, and a new girl that transferred to her class this year.
“I like them both so much, but so differently, it’s so hard!” she groans, leaning her forward against her perched hands.
I take a sip of my water, sniffing, “At least youhaveoptions, Steph. And they both seem to be interested in you, from what you’ve told us.”
Steph glowers at me over her spoon, “I don’t know what’s worse Ate Lene. Having options and having to choose, or having no options at all and being at peace.”
Huh. When she puts it that way…
I reach forward, patting her hand comfortingly.
“I know your heart will lead you to the right one. Choose the one who is last on your mind before you go to sleep. They’re the ones who fill your consciousness when you least expect it.”
Stephanie tilts her head, raising a brow, “Always the perceptive one in love, aren’t you Ate?”
“If only she had any luck in it,” Ria remarks, and I kick her under the table.
Later on, Jonathan calls us all into the backyard. We do as he says, scattering ourselves amongst the outside decking, where the sun casts a comfortable heat on us. The backyard is adornedwith a selection of different potted plants, reminding me of how fond Tita Bea is of gardening. I wonder if Jonathan is too.
As the two centres themselves on the decking, Tita Bea begins by thanking us all for coming and celebrating her engagement with Jonathan. They begin to recall the moment they first met each other -‘I was having lunch with my coworkers and god, the service was terrible, so I went to complain, and guess who was the manager of the place? None other than the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen’- the moment they had their first kiss -‘She was looking over Darling Harbour and I knew I had to secure that moment with a kiss’and the moment they fell in love and realised they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together -‘We were watching WALL-E on TV and Bea had tears rushing down her eyes, in that moment I just knew’.
While they speak, I linger on the glint in Tita Bea’s eyes whenever they fall on Jonathan, or the way his face would soften at her laughter.
Warmth spills over my body, capturing me like a hug. It’s the same warmth I feel whenever I observe my parents being cheesy with each other.
To witness a love so pure, so real, and to know it’s happening to someone I cherish so dearly feels like such a blessing. Tears spring to the corners of my eyes, unexpectedly, as Tita Bea and Jonathan gush about their excitement for their new lives, and the adventures they’ll face.
I can’t wait until it’s my turn, sharing adventures, sharing the pages of my chapters with my person.
The couple raises their glasses in a hoorah - “To forever!” - and we all follow suit, raising our own. We clink each other’s drinks.
They then direct our attention back inside, informing us of today’s special dessert - an ube leche flan cake that Jonathan’s older sister baked for today. I marvel at the sentiment ofsomeone who isn’t of Filipino descent, baking a Filipino delight for us today.
My stomach rolls over in delight once I spot the cake on the kitchen counter. When I grab my slice, I sit back at the breakfast nook, this time occupied by Tita Regina, Tita Bea, Mum and Ria.
“Marlon! Come over here!” Tita Regina calls.
I freeze, my mouth open and fork suspended mid air. There’s a space, perfect for two more people, still unoccupied beside me. Please, Mum,no.
“Marlon, there’s space here!” Tita Bea calls.
I refuse to look at Marlon, to acknowledge him. I keep my eyes trained on my ube slice.
“Oh, that’s okay, I was just going to sit here with Da-”
“Don’t be silly, both of you sit here!”
This has got to be the worst of all nightmaresever. The chair beside me pulls out, and Marlon lowers himself. Hesitation rolls off of him in waves, and I wonder if it’s only me that can feel his resistance. At least that’s one thing we have in common; our desire to be as far away from each other.
