Kryptonite (The Youth #3: Law & Maerazen)

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M A E R A Z E N           Z U N I G A

"Ate, don't you want a love like what our parents have?" Tanong ni Mirallete habang nanonood ng romance period drama sa TV.

"What?"

This time, my sister looked at me. She had this look of being a hopeless romantic in her face. "Sabi ko ayaw mo ng love na katulad ng kila mama."

I remained silent because I'm not sure what my answer is

I don't think love is a necessity. I may want it and I may have it in the future but I'm not requiring myself to have and feel it.

While people rush to feel what love is like, I, myself, does not intend to seek it until it reaches me first.

The first time I made the first move and confessed, it didn't quite end well. It only left a crack to what was supposed to be a bond.

"To have someone who is your strength and at the same time your weakness. Don't you want that, ate?" Tanong muli nito. I eyed Mirallete suspiciously.

"Bakit mo ko tinatanong?"

"Wala lang, hehe." She giggled. "You look like someone who doesn't want love."

"Talaga? What made you think so?" Takang tanong ko. She smiled unsurely at me.

"Eh kasi naman, ate! Masyado kang seryoso tingnan. Everyone is intimidated and scared by you. Even boys! Saludo nga ako dun sa mga sinusubukan na nilagawan ka eh! Kaso nabasted silang lahat." Nag-simula na syang dumaldal.

"Bakit wala kang natipuhan dun sa mga nanliligaw sayo?" She reached the bowl full of candies and opened one.

"Hindi ko sila type, Mirallete," sagot ko, "besides all they ever say are empty words. Sa panliligaw lang sila magaling. I'm a very practical person, Mira. I prefer them actually doing what they promised rather than just saying it."

Mirallete looked at me with amused and hopeful eyes.

"And that is something you might not understand kase bata ka pa. Now, why the hell are we talking about this topic again?"

Sumimangot ang mukha ni Mirallete. "Wala lang curious lang ako. Akala ko kasi si kuya Law parin eh." She looked at me with teasing eyes and I rolled mine.

Hindi ko talaga mintindihan kung bakit iniisip ng iba na hindi parin ako nakaka-move on kay Law. Oh, please! Give me a break! I was a 15 years old girl at that time. I was naïve about love and pain back then.

"Law Urbina is someone from the past." Sagot ko bago muling tumingin sa pinapanood.

"Alam ko, ate. In-assume ko lang, hehe. Since halos lagi kayong nagkaka-salamuha ni kuya Law given our family's relationship with the Urbinas. Plus, he's in the same group of friends." Paliwanag nito.

Ah, it's because of the fact that I always see Law that made everyone think I still like him. What kind of bullshit is that?

"Tapos ngayon enrolled ka sa parehong school na pinapasukan ni kuya Law! Oh diba!" She said as if she realized something big.

"And? Sa inyo lang naman big deal yon eh." Inirapan ko sya dahil ma-issue silang pareho ni mama.

"Hehe. Peace tayo, ate." Nag-peace sign ito bago ako niyakap. "I want you to find someone who deserved you." Aniya at sinandal ang ulo sa balikat ko.