Pick A Fight

Dinners are usually filled with conversations about anecdotes on how our day had gone. Last Tuesday night's dinner wasn't different. Except that when Tito and Tita had their arguments and petty quarrels, it wasn't Tito who would usually share it first. However, that night when I arrived and asked how their morning appointment at a certain government office had gone, he started to tell me how Tita had been so pissed and the arguments that they had that day. 

"Ano ba yan, kayo na lang lagi magkasama, mag-aaway pa kayo." I said while setting the plates for dinner. 

"Naku, kung nandito si Kuya tapos nakita kayong ganyan, ewan ko na lang kung anong magiging reaction nya." I added chuckingly. 

"Alam mo yung mga nagkakasundo, sila yung mga naghihiwalay." Tito suddenly blurted while asking for another scoop of rice. 

"Hindi pa kasi kayo nagkakaron ng partner kaya ganyan kayo makapagsalita." Tita supportingly added to Tito's statement. 

Me, puzzled, asked, "Bat naghihiwalay? Eh magkasundo nga sila?" 

"Yung away kasi isang way yan para makilala nyo ang isa't-isa at para matutunan nyon tanggapin yung isa't-isa."  Tita explained. 

"Tsaka yung sa magkasundo, pagsinabing 'maghiwalay na tayo' at nagkasundo sila, o diba maghihiwalay nga sila? Di kasi sila nag-aaway." Tito added. 

"So, pano yun? Ok lang mag-away?" I was really troubled. 

"Kunsabagay, nung kami ni Gibo, di nga talaga kami nag-aaway until nung mag-decide akong ayoko na talaga." I said.

"Natural lang sa mag-asawa at nagsasama ang mag-away. Naririnig mo naman ang mga kapitbahay natin kung pano magmurahan diba? Pero nagsasama pa rin sila." Tito explained. 

"Pero di ko naman kayo nakitang ganun katindi mag-away ni Tita. Tsaka si Mama at Papa hindi rin. Silent treatment lang lagi si Mama kapag naiinis sya kay Papa." I said, almost done with my last spoon of rice to stuff into my mouth. 

I am not really good at arguments. My previous relationship had been so calm that it reached a point of boredom which then lead to cheating finally to the bad break up. 

I will just also have to remember, a sweet smile, a sorry, a calm conversation and a cup of Halo-halo from Chowking can always make miracles. 

That's Tito secret weapon to melt Tita's heart over and over again.

--- 

7:24PM 

Written while waiting at the passenger jeepney lane, after attending the first day of the World Streetfood Congress where everything is overpriced. Ok fine, the Bali BBQ Back Ribs was to die for.