Chapter 9: His Cousins

"Double the giggles, double the grins, double the TROUBLE"

***

Eiffel's PoV

"Eiffel, would you care for more tea?" tanong ni Mama sa akin.

Kasalukuyan kaming nagmemeryenda sa may garden kasama ni Papa.

"No, I'm good already" I answered.

"Napagusapan namin ni Tito Gene mo na ilang mga kamaganak nila lamang ang imbitado sa kasal niyo ni Clyde Princess" informed by my Dad.

"Uuwi daw ang kapatid ni Gene from Japan, they wish to see their nephew's bride." Singit ni Mama.

"That would be brilliant. I also want to meet Kuya Clyde's family" I rejoiced.

Ilang araw na lang at gaganapin na ang kasal namin ni kuya Clyde. Kinakabahan at excited ako. For the mean time, I prefer to get myself busy with the wedding details, saka ko na iisipin ang mismong araw ng kasal namin.

Nagpatuloy kami sa paguusap nang biglang may lumapit sa amin kasunod ni Yaya Rosy.

Dalawang babaeng magkamukhang magkamukha. Aakalain mong naduduling ka. Sa tansya ko ay kasing edad lang sila ni kuya Clyde.

Pareho silang nakasuot ng puting bestidang nadedesenyohan ng mga itim ruffles at ribbons. Mayroon din silang headband at choker na katerno ng damit nila. Their curly brown locks fall perfectly above their waist with their bangs that gives off a gothic barbie doll look! They're so beautiful!

"U-Um, how can we help you dears?" tanong ni Mama, sabay silang napatingin sa kanya.

"Good afternoon Mr. and Mrs. Sinclaire" sabay nilang bati habang nakangiti.

"My name is Kathrene Fuentabella" pagpapakilala nang babae sa kaliwa." And I'm Kathlene Fuentabella" dugtong naman nong isa sa kanan

"We are Clyde's cousin" they said in unison.

Walang nabangit sa akin si Kuya Clyde na may pinsan siya.

"That's fantastic! I never knew na kambal pala ang pamangkin nila Sophie!" nakangiting sabi ni Mama.

"Would you care for some tea ladies?" alok ni Papa at sabay silang napangiti at umiling.

"No thank you,"

"We came here to meet our cousin's bride"

"Would you mind if we borrow our cousin's bride for a while Mr. and Mrs. Sinclaire?" Sabay nilang tanong at nagkatinginan sila Mama at Papa.

"Guess that would be alright" sagot ni Papa.

"Yatta!" they rejoiced.

Sabay nila akong nilapitan at hinawakan ang dalawa kong kamay.

"Nice meeting you Eiffel! We will have a great day promise"

Napangiti nalang ako. I'm happy knowing that Kuya Clyde's cousin are both nice.

"I'll be in your care" sagot ko nalang at tumingin sa mga magulang ko.

"Aalis muna po kami" paalam ko and they both waved at us.

"Take care" bilin ng mga magulang ko.

Clyde's PoV

Humahangos na nagpunta ako sa garden nila Eiffel at nakita kong andoon ang mga magulang niya.

Hinihingal lumapit ako sa kanila habang tagaktak ang pawis ko.

"C-Clyde! Are you alright? What happened iho?" nagaalalang tanong ni Tita Pau.

"W-Where's Eiffel Tita Pau?" hirap na tanong ko.

"Oh? She's with your cousins. Nagpaalam sila na magbobonding lang daw silang tatlo" sagot ni Tita Pau at napanganga na lang ako.

Shit! Nahuli ako!

"Is there something wrong iho?" tanong nman ni Tito Raven.

"N-No, everything is good... I guess. Did they inform you kung saan daw sila pupunta Tito Tita?"

Umiling si Tita Pau "They just stated that they'll have a great day together"

NO!!!!!!

Nanlaki ang mga mata ko at pinagpawisan ng malagkit.

Shit talaga!

"Si-Sige ho Tito Tita, hahanapin ko nalang po sila para masamahan ko po. Mahirap na at puro babae sila" nakngitng pagsisinungalijng ko

"That is so sweet of you Clyde. Sige, magiingat kayo, ikaw nang bahala sa mapapangasawa mo" bilin ni Tita Pau at ngumiti nalang ako saka sumibat na.

Bakit kasi ngayon lang sinabi sa akin ni Mommy na andito na ang kambal na iyon?! Agad akong sumakay sa big bike ko at pinaandar ito ng mabilis. Fuck! Ang laki ng Manila! Saang mall ko sila hahanapin?!

Eiffel is not safe with those two!

"Please, be safe Eiffel"

Eiffel's Pov

"Wahhh!!! Hontou ni kawai Eiffel-chan!" sabay na puna nila ate Kathrene at Kathlene habang magkasiklop ang dalawang kamay.

Andito kami sa Mall of Asia at nagshohopping.

Napapangiwi nalang ako sa dami ng mga damit na kinukuha nila at pinapasuot sa akin.

Nakasuot ako ng isang pulang na off- shoulder puffed sleeve dress with corset na hangang tuhod ko at may makapal na petecote. Red ribbons and raffles sa laylayan ng palda at may malaking ribbon sa gitna ng dibdib, red clossed shoes na may laces na nakatali sa medyas ko at white headband with red ribbons at the both sides na katerno ng damit ko as my raven wavy air flows freely at my back.

Very gothic style tulad nila.

"We'll take them all" sabay na sabi nila sa sales lady.

"Paki sama narin ito at ito." Bilin ni Ate Kathlene habang inaabot ang mga damit na nakahanger.

"And also these shoes" dagdag pa ni Ate Kathrene.

Napapangiwi nalang ako sa ginagawa nilang pamamakyaw sa loob ng shops.

Pagkatapos nilang bilhin ang halos lahat na paninda ng shops ay nagtungo kami sa isang open cafe sa harap ng mall.

Nakasunod sa amin ang dalawa nilang bodyguard na nahihirapang maglakad habang bitbit ang naglalakihang mga kahon at mga nagraramihang papper bags.

Lahat ng mga tao ay napapatingin sa aming tatlo dahil sa mga kasuotan namin pero pareho silang walang pakealam na tila sanay na sa atensyon ng mga tao samantala ay hinayang hiya naman ako.

"Clyde's so damn lucky having you as his bride Eiffel" puna ni Ate Kathlene.

"Yeah! And I'm so excited to have Eiffel as our Cousin-in-law twin!" segundo ni Ate Kathrene at nagappear pa silang dalawa.

Napangiti nalang ako habang kumakain ng chocolate cake.

"Um. If you don't mind, can I ask a question?" nahihiyang tanong ko

"Shoot it" sabay nilang sabi.

"How is kuya Clyde as a cousin?"

Sabay silang natigil sa paginom ng shake at nagkatinginan.

"You see, dahil kambal kaming dalawa ay kami lang ang nagkakaintindihan. We don't like talking with other kids." Umpisa ni ate Kathrene.

"We would always shut ourselves inside our room and play. We also love dressing ups at wala namang problema ang mga magulang namin. It was perfect having our own world" Pagpapatuloy ni ate Kathlene.

"Then, Clyde came along and insisted to be with us, kahit na may pagkaweird kaming dalawa ay kinaibigan parin niya kami. Then slowly, we started to open up with other people because of him"

"But sadly, they needed to go back in the Philippines when he was six and he had no choice but to go again." Malungkot na dagda ni ate Kathlene.

"But we stayed as good friends and cousins"

"We really love Clyde and when Tita Sophie informed us that he will be marrying at an early age, we went here to personally meet his wife"

"Yeah, we are only seventeen but he is willing not just to be engaged but actually be married!"

"Clyde changed drastically Eiffel, you can't blame us if we suddenly wanted to know you especially since you're just child. Buong akala namin ay pinilit lamang siya ng mga magulang niya pero laking gulat namin ng malaman namin mula kay Tita Sophie na siya mismo ang nagpropose sa iyo, that's why we wanted to know if our cousin is serious about this" seryosong puna ni Ate Kathlene.

"His parent believes that he is rebelling right now for refusing to be our family's successor. Just like us. We are just the second branch of the Fuentabella family but the pressure is nothing compared to him who is born in the first branch"

I see, kaya pala...

"But despite that matter, we really do like you Eiffel" sabay nilang puna at napangiti ako.

"So maiba tayo... Anong tawagan niyong dalawa?" out of nowhere na tanong ni ate Kathrene at muntik na akong masamid. Nagkatinginan silang dalawang kambal.

"Hurry answer the question Eiffel" sugsug ni ate Kathlene

"U-Um... ano kasi..." namumulang napatingin ako sa ibang direksyon.

"Eiffel!" biglang may tumawag sa akin at napalingon ako.

Kuya Clyde was running towards us puno ng pagaalalaa ang mukha niya.

"Hubby!" gulat na tawag ko pabalik at tumayo.

Pagkalapit niya sa akin ay hinawakan niya ang dalawa kong balikat at tiningnan ako pababa.

Medyo namula ako sa ginawa niya.

"Sinasabi ko na nga ba't ito ang mangyayari sayo!" naiinis na tiningnan na niya ang kambal and they both looked back innocently na parang walang ginawang kasalanan.

"Wala ba silang ibang ginawa sayo?" tanong niya ulit with his serious face.

"What do you mean?" nagugulhang tanong ko pabalik.

"Did they threaten you? Made you cry? Or pressured you not to marry me?" sunod sunod na tanong niya.

Huh? Bat ganoon ang mga tanong niya?

Umiling ako "Both of them were nice to me, they even bought me many clothes and accessories" I honestly answered.

He sighed again at nawala ang pangamba niya.

"So... Hubby pala ang endearment mo sa kanya Eiffel" nangaasar na sabi ni ate Kathlene dahilan ng pamumula ng mukha ko.

"Kathlene, Katherene..." maawtoridad na tawag sa kanila ni kuya Clyde.

"Do you know how many malls I've been to just for searching you? Or did you even bothered informing me that you will kidnap my bride?!" naiinis na tanong ni kuya Clyde.

Naku! Galit na si kuya Clyde. Napapalingon nalang ako sa kanila habang nagsasagutan.

"Oh my, don't spoil our fun couz. We were having our girl's day out and what so good about having an impatient guard dog around?" ate Kathlene retorted.

"We were ready to dispose your bride to be, it was good that you're marrying an angel and not that slutty bitch out there couz." ate Kathrene joined the conversation.

Huh? Sinong tinutukoy ni Ate?

"You have our approval couz." Sabay nilang turan.

Kuya Clyde just rolled his eyes "It's not like I need your consent or what so ever. I will marry who ever I liked" sagot ni Clyde.

"Whatever Tsundere Cly-Cly" sabay nilang sabi.

Kinuha ni kuya Clyde ang kamay ko at hinatak ako paalis.

"Let's go I'm tired searching for you here in entire Manila"

Lumingon nalang ako sa kanila ni ate at nakangiting kumaway. They both waved back with a smile.

Lahat ng tao ay nakatingin sa akin "Haist! Dito pa sa MOA ka nila piniling I parada!" naiinis na puna niya habang mabilis na naglalakad. Pero dahil nakasuot ako ng mataas na sapatos ay nahihirapan akong makasabay sa kanya.

Bigla siyang tumigil sa paglalakad "Are you alright?" tanong niya sa akin.

"Yes, medyo may kataasan lang kasi ang sapatos ko" I answered at napatingin siya sa paa ko.

Bigla siyang umupo patalikod sa akin. "Angkas na"

"Hubby..." nahihiyang sabi ko.

"Dali na kesa nahihirapan kang maglakad"

Nahihiya man ay yumakap ako sa kanya at walang kahirap hirap na tumayo na siya habang nakasakay ako sa likod niya.

I can't help but feel happy, atleast pinapakita niya that he cares about me too. Though hindi katulad ng dati, but that is enough for me now.

"Why do you treat them like that? Don't you like ate Kathrene and Kathlene anymore?" tanong ko habang nakayakap ang mga kamay ko sa leeg niya.

"No, I still love them like when we were kids" sagot niya.

Bigla tuloy akong nagtaka sa mga inasal niya kanina.

"It's just that they're too much. I never thought that making friends with them will cause me miseries" dagdag niya at napakunot ako.

"What's wrong with making friends with them hubby?"

"Huggghhh... First I was the one who's so enthusiastic playing with them. But after we became friends, they started dressing me up whenever they want. I became their doll! They even tried to put make ups on me and made me wear high heeled shoes" he confessed.

Di ko napigilang hindi matawa sa hanaing niya. I can't imagine Kuya Clyde wearing dresses like what I'm wearing now.

"Did you just laughed at me after I confessed everything?" he asked sarcastically.

"I-Im sorry...Pfff-Hahahah!" grabe ngayon lang ulit ako natawa ng ganito.

"Eiffel Sinclaire soon to be Fuentabella!" naiinis na tawag niya sa akin but I kept on laughing till I got tired.

"So sorry Hubby, I just can't prevent myself from laughing. Did I somehow offend you?" I asked innocently.

"Ha.Ha.Ha. What do you think?" napipikong sagot niya.

Mas yumakap ako ng mahigpit sa leeg niya at inilapit ang mukha ako sa leeg niya.

"Having cousins is fun isn't it?" tanong ko with a serene smile.

"Sometimes yes. Sometimes no" sagot niya.

"I wished I had cousins too" pahayag ko. Namayani ang katahimikan at bigla siyang nagsalita ulit.

"You already have now Eiffel"

Naguluhan ako sa sinabi niya. As far as I know. Parehong nagiisang anak ang Mama at Papa ko, kaya wala akong pinsan.

"Kathrene and Kathlene are your cousins now. They will be your family too." He paused at umuklo ulit at bumaba na ako mula sa piggy back ride.

Andito na pala kami sa parking lot katapat ng isang kotse.

"You will marry me. My cousins will be you cousins, my parents will be your parents and I will be your husband. Your family" he said. "That's just how things will be. You will be a Fuetabella after all and you will be my wife"

I was tremendously blushing! Hearing kuya Clyde talking like this made my heart throb faster than a running horse.

Magsasalita pa sana ako ng biglang magvibrate ang phone ko. I checked it and laughed after seeing what I just received from my new cousins.

"What's so funny?" nagtatakang tanong ni Kuya Clyde

"W-Wala. Pfffttt-"

And I continued laughing. Bigla niyang inagaw ang phone ko at tumambad sa kanyang pinagtatawanan ko. It was his picture when he was a child. And you're wondering what's so funny with it?

It's just because he was wearing a dress full of ruffles, complete with a wig and hat with ribbons.

"KATHRENE AND KATHLENE!!!!!!" naiinis na sigaw niya.