Harlequin I

"Opo, andiyan na po!" Brian snapped at his dad as he locked his cell phone's keypad. Maria's text message kept on repeating itself in his head as he went back to the kitchen.

"No more kisses? No more hugs? Oh yes you've changed. I think sumthng is terribly wrong w/ me. Evry guy i've been w/ seems 2 get cold as months pass by. Where could i've gone wrong? :'("

Clanking glasses, echoing laughter, constant blaberring, running children, and barking mutts filled tito Jun's house as he celebrated his 55th with family and friends. Brian, as usual, was in the kitchen cleaning after the guests' clutter. He let out a sigh as he absent-mindedly put liquid hand soap on the dishes.

"Tsk!" Been wanting to scream, Brian threw the dishwashing sponge in his hands at the sink and stared at it with disgust. He backed away a bit to look at his mess when arms were thrown around his neck.

"Brian, for the love of God, rescue me from this klumpen!" It was Eoni, his cousin. She was trying to get away from TJ's relentless inquiries. She clutched Brian's wet hands and demanded to know:

"Brian, what are you going to do about Maria? I heard tito Jun doesn't like her. God in heaven! Such a waste! I don't like women, though I am one, but she's one of the good ones. Listen schatz! We all go sour and get wrinkles! Don't waste your good years. Don't waste hers either!"

Removing his hands from hers, Brian answered in monotone, "Eoni, nag-usap na kami. Hindi ko siya bibitawan! Pinaglaban ko siya at ipaglalaban ko pa rin!"

Breaking with a sigh, Brian added, "Kaso, she says she wants time and space. Tsk."

Eoni almost hit him but resolved to calmer words, "Brian you're a bigger klumpen! No woman wants time. Without a man, she doesn't know what to do with it. Look at Karl! He’s too fat, too old and one day he’ll drop dead on the way to the office – but I love him. When he goes, I’ll shrink up like a winter apple.”

A faint smile appeared on Brian’s face. Not able to hold her annoyance, Eoni hit Brian on the forehead with a spatula and exclaimed, “Now go and tell her! Don’t ask. Just say ‘Now or never!’ And if she argues, tell her how much you love her truly.”

Scratching his forehead where the spatula left a mark, Brian let out a sheepish grin and said, “Bukas na lang po, huhugas pa ko mga pinggan eh.”

Eoni finally rolled her eyes and left Brian with two spatula marks on his forehead.

…to be continued,