Scripted Relationship

Chapter 20

"What are you doing?" Pabulong na tanong sa akin ni Erik. "Can't you see he's in pain?"

"Alam ko," pagbulong kong sagot sa kanya. "Pero kailangan niyang tanggapin din na pagkakamali niya iyon kaya iniwan siya ni Irene."

"This is not the right time for that."

"Kailan ang right time?"

"When do you suggest?"

"Now!"

Nagkatitigan lang kaming dalawa ni Erik. Hindi na siya sumagot. Marahil naintindihan niya ang sinabi ko kasi biglang nawala ang nakasimangot niyang mukha.

"What do you suggest we do?" Tanong sa akin ni Erik.

"Kailangan niyang tanggapin ang kasalanan niya."

Nakangiting sumang-ayon sa akin si Erik. Binalikan naming si RX na nakayakap na sa hotdog pillow niya. Parang bata nga kung gumalaw na sinisipsip ang kanyang hinlalaki. Ganito na ba ang mga young adult ngayon? Tumatandang paurong? Tinaasan ko tuloy siya ng kilay.

"Bro," tawag ni Erik kay RX. "Do you want Irene back?"

"Oo naman, brad," sagot sa amin ni RX. "I would do anything to have her back."

"Good. Then, better fix yourself," utos ni Erik kay RX.

"How will I fix myself if I couldn't fix my relationship with Irene?"

Ano bang klaseng lalaki itong si RX? Hindi ako nakapagtimpi at binulalas ko sa kanya. "TANGA! Tigilan mo na ang pag-iinarte mo diyan, RX. Tutulungan ka namin ni Erik na makipagbalikan sa iyo si Irene!" Sorry, pero naririndi na ako sa sobrang kaartehan nitong si RX.

Napatulala lang sa akin si RX. Nagulat yata sa sinabi ko. Tapos, tiningnan niya si Erik na parang humihingi ng tulong. Tumingin ako kay Erik at nakitang nagkipit-balikat siya kay RX.

"That's the reason I fell for her, bro," sabi ni Erik kay RX sabay ngiti.

----- O -----

ERIK

I went out of RX's room to talk to Tito Roberto and Tita Claire who were in the living room. I left Rose stay in the room so that RX will be enlightened and cautios of his actions. After all, RX would surely not want to earn the ire of Rose. I laughed myself in my mind. When I saw Tito Roberto and Tita Claire, I immediatel explained to them the situation just to give them some relief. They know their son too well when he is hurt because of a relationship.

"That is the reason why we do not want him to pursue his maritime ambition," Tito Roberto expressed to me with some concern. "He has this tendency to lock himself and might commit something extreme."

"Hindi naman kami nagkulang sa kanya ng paalala sa maraming bagay," Tita Claire interjected. "Can you help him, Erik?"

"I will, Tita," I said to them assuringly. "He's in the room with Rose. You can talk to him na po."

They both nodded and proceeded to RX's room. When they entered the room, Rose went out and went to me.

"Anong sabi nila sa'yo?" Rose asked.

"They wanted me to help RX," I answered. "Well, they trust me when it comes to RX."

Rose simply nodded. We went to the kitchen because Tito Roberto had Manang prepare food for Rose and I as gratitude for our time and concern. In the kitchen, we saw Manang already finished preparing the food. I thanked her for her kindness before she left us. I offered Rose to seat in one of the chairs.

"Tingin ko, mahal na mahal mo rin ang parents mo," Rose said out of the blue.

I looked at her inquisitively. "How do you say so? Are you a soothsayer?"