That lonely place

Jennifer whipped out a single motorcycle. I had no clue about the brand or model, but it was old school – a 2-stroke engine. I was drowning in envy and awe; she knew how to ride a motorcycle, and I didn't! She asked me to open the gate, and then she started the engine. The ground sloped down from their yard to the rough road. Once I closed the gate, I hopped onto her motorcycle.

"Isn't it just near CEMPELCO? Don't wiggle too much and put your feet on the steps there."

"You really know how to drive, huh? What if we crash?", I worried.

"No way. Just don't counterbalance. I mastered this bike since I was in fifth grade."

"Braap, braaap!!!", Jennifer drove smoothly. She wasn't hesitant on the road and was confident in her speed. In no time, we reached Auntie's house.

"Knock, knock... Hello, Auntie?", I called out.

"Oh, it's Kuya Tom-Tom... Mom!!!!", my cousin shouted.

"Mom!!!! Kuya Tom-Tom is here with his girlfriend!!"

"Come in, Tom-Tom!!! Head straight to the kitchen!", Auntie yelled from almost the other end of the house. Jennifer and I went inside, and she was delighted with my other little cousin. She carried her and brought her with us to the kitchen. Jennifer was great with kids, always playing with my cousin. She said she just missed her two younger siblings, who were with their grandmother.

"Sit down, you two. What do you want, coffee? Milo? Go ahead and make some. Do you want bread or rice? There's some fried rice.", eggs, dried fish, tomatoes with shrimp paste – my favorite breakfast, but I was cautious since Jennifer opted for just pandesal and Milo, so I joined her. We had mechado for dinner last night.

Auntie sent my cousins away, telling them to go up to the hut near the house. I noticed that Auntie seemed a bit off, like Jennifer and I weren't welcome. She was unusually quiet and not very chatty. We sat across from Auntie at the table, drinking hot chocolate. Jennifer and I sat next to each other. Auntie let us finish eating before she started a conversation we didn't expect.

"How did you two meet?", Auntie asked. Jennifer and I exchanged glances, and she nudged me to answer.

"We're classmates, Auntie...", I figured Auntie was just curious about me sleeping over at Jennifer's house last night. And if she asked if anything happened between us, I'd just deny it!

"Have you been this close since you became classmates?"

"No, Auntie... Chris and I often work together in group projects, so we talk a lot. We were supposed to work on a project yesterday, but we waited for my dad, and he didn't show up, so I asked him to come over because I was alone.", Jennifer explained. She lied, so I had to back her up.

"Yes, Auntie, I was supposed to leave when her dad arrived. But he didn't come. I slept in the living room, Auntie."

"Your dad doesn't come home there, Jennifer, because he lives with your grandmother in Calasiao. With your mom's parents. I know your father, Jennifer. I know that house on the hill because we were there for the house blessing; Tom-Tom's mom was there too, and you were still in your mom's belly.", Jennifer and I looked at each other, and I felt a chill. My neck was tingling.

"So, I don't believe what you two are saying. You're lying.", Auntie said calmly.

"S-Sorry.", Jennifer said, her gaze now fixed downward, consumed by shame. She barely spoke after that and just listened.

"Auntie, we weren't doing anything bad.", I said.

"Good.", Auntie quickly replied, still calm.

The three of us fell silent, and then Auntie dropped the bomb that made my chest and head feel tight.

"Your grandpa Acilino - our father - your mom's father (Aunt looked at me)... And Jennifer's dad's father - Uncle Manolo, are brothers. So, you two are cousins! You're cousins because your mom (looking at me) and your dad (looking at Jennifer) are cousins. So whatever is going on between you two, stop it. It's not your fault because you didn't know."

We were speechless. Sometimes, I glanced at Auntie, but I was in shock. I couldn't even look at Jennifer, no matter how hard I tried. I couldn't tell if she was crying. I just heard her sniffle, and then my tears started to well up too. But I didn't know why. I didn't feel any regret or guilt about whatever happened between Jennifer and me.

"Don't cry, dear. It's not your fault. It's not either of your faults. I know your situation; that's why I talked to your dad, Jennifer; I will take care of you. I just haven't had the time because my job is so demanding. I handle graduating students and term papers, plus my master's studies. But I've talked to my husband, and we will support you. We can't predict your dad's situation.", as Auntie said those last words, Jennifer burst into tears. Auntie then told me to go up to the hut.