Messenger
March 08

FAM BAM: PARENTLESS EDITION 👻

Genie
I still can't believe that our grand-uncle is visiting us next month.

Leigh
Same here. I still can't believe we have a grand-uncle from the van Acker side, period.

Rus
What's so hard to believe about that, ate?

Rus is typing...

By the way, you should really start referring to him as Grandpa Richard. It's what he wants us to call him.

Genie
That's nice of him. ☺️

Genie is typing...

I do get Leigh's disbelief, though. After all, we grew up knowing practically nothing about our relatives in the US.

Leigh
True. Kapag relatives ni Dad ang pinag-uusapan, automatic na ang mga Reginio ang tinutukoy. Bukod kay Tita Rizzi, sino pa bang van Acker ang kilala natin? 😂

Rus
Kayo, wala na. Ako, kilala ko na ang family ni Grandpa Richard. They invited me to dinner last night. 😛

Genie
Wow, really? How was it? Tell us more about his family!

Rus
He has three daughters. The oldest, Auntie Fiona, is about Dad's age. She's married and has a son, Rios. Kung hindi ako nagkakamali, kaedad ni Ate Leigh si Rios.

Leigh
OMG. Gwapo ba? 🤭

Genie
Leigh! Ano ka ba, second cousin natin 'yon! 🤣

Leigh
Ay, oo nga pala. Sorry naman! 🤪

Rus
Take it easy, Ate Leigh. 😂

Rus is typing...

Next is Auntie Jean. She's unmarried. Siya ngayon ang kasama ni Grandpa Richard sa bahay nila rito sa Providence. Sina Auntie Fiona kasi, sa Newport nakatira.

Genie
Sila lang ni Grandpa Richard ang magkasama? How about his wife, our grand-aunt?

Rus
Sadly, Grandma Beth died five years ago, in a car accident that also took Auntie Lucy's life.

Leigh
Auntie Lucy... the third daughter?

Rus
Yup. She's driving Grandma Beth to the hospital, for a routine checkup. Pero may nakabanggaan silang isa pang kotse na nawalan ng preno.

Genie
Oh. That's horrible. 😭

Rus
Indeed. But they're okay now, I think. Grandpa Richard and the rest of the family. Ang kukulit nga nila, e. They're fun to be around, especially Auntie Jean. She's like an older version of Ate Sim. 😂

Genie
I wish I could meet our aunts someday!

Rus
Gusto nga nila na magbakasyon tayong buong pamilya rito.

Leigh
We better start convincing the parentals, then. 🙈

Rus
Yeah, about that... Anong reaksyon ni Dad tungkol kay Grandpa Richard? He sounded calm enough when we talked over the phone, but how was I to be sure?

Genie
Dad seems to be in shock. I mean, who wouldn't be? After all these years, bigla na lang nagparamdam ang kapatid ng tatay niya.

Rus
How about Tita Rizzi? Alam na kaya niya?

Leigh
Yup. Sinabi sa kanya ni Mom. Bumisita sila rito ni Ate Rhi noong isang araw. Unlike Dad who's torn about the whole thing, Tita Rizzi is elated. Excited na siyang ma-meet si Grandpa Richard. She said he's the closest thing to a father that she and Dad could get.

Genie
Aww. Tita Rizzi is so precious. 🥺

Rus
Mga ate, sorry but can we move on to another topic? I need your advice about something.

Leigh
Sure. Tungkol saan naman 'yan, bunso?

Rus
Grandpa Richard suggested something to me over dinner last night, and I've been thinking about it ever since.

Genie
Hang on, something came up here at work. Rus, wait for me before you share! I'll be right back.

Leigh
Ano ba 'yan, Ate Genie! Pambitin ka naman. 🙄

Leigh is typing...

Go on, Rus. Pag-backread-in na lang natin si ate mamaya.

Rus
Nah, let's wait for her.

Leigh
Pfft. Fine. Pero kahit clue lang muna, please? What will we talk about next? Kahit wala munang details. I'm intrigued!

Rus
Hihintayin natin si Ate Genie, o ire-remove ulit kita sa group chat natin?

Leigh
Hoy, grabe! Sabi ko nga, hintayin na natin si ate. 🤭

Rus
Madali ka naman palang kausap. 😝

Seen by Leigh, 10:03 PM