Let Me Be The One

Chapter Three - Flying Ipis

Right before dinner ay nakauwi na kaming dalawa ni Zach sa bahay. Mom was already preparing the table with the help of Bea while Dad was still making his final touch sa special recipe niya sa may kusina.

“Ate, ano ‘yang uwi mo? Para sa’kin ba ‘yan?” tanong ni Bea sa akin habang nakatingin siya sa box na hawak ko.

I walked towards the fridge and put the box of cake inside. “Binigay sa akin ni kuya Zach mo. Late birthday gift daw niya sa akin.”

“Wow. Ang bait naman niya. Kuya Zach, how about me? Magkasunod lang kami ni ate ng birthday ah.” tanong ni Bea kay Zach na nasa likod ko.

Zach smiled and pinched my sister’s cheeks. “Oh, sorry, love. I promise, I’ll buy you a gift tomorrow. Wanna come with me? We’re going to the mall.”

Nagtatalon naman sa tuwa si Bea, wrapping her arms around Zach. “If only your sister will come with us.” Zach said, looking at me, waiting for my response.

“Sure! Why not?” I beamed.

“Sabi mo ‘yan ate ha. Baka mamaya umatras ka.”

“Nope! Promise!” sagot ko, raising my right hand.

“Oh sige, tama na muna ‘yang kulitan niyo. Kumain na muna tayo.” Mom demanded, setting the bowl of rice on the table.

Nagsimula na kaming umupo. Dad was at the edge with Mom on his side and Bea was beside her. Ako naman, sa kabilang side ni Daddy with Zach beside me.

Nagsimula na kaming kumain. Mom and Dad cooked sinigang na baboy, ‘coz this was Zach’s favorite Filipino dish. Tuwang-tuwa naman siya after niyang tikman ‘to, praising Dad na it tasted like heaven which made Dad so proud of himself.

We spent the rest of dinner talking and laughing about Zach’s stories with his life in Ireland. And then moments after, he immediately became silent.

“Okay, so I guess, it’s now the time for me to tell you Shane, what my surprise is.” Zach blurted, looking at me, his blue eyes glistened the moment he smiled. And I was shocked when he held my hand under the table, squeezing it gently.

Turning my eyes across Mom and Dad, I felt like they already knew what surprise Zach had for me.

Ano naman kaya ‘yun?

“I decided to continue my studies here. And that’s why I decided to live with you again, guys.” He beamed, making his blue eyes shined with excitement.

“That’s... that’s great!” I answered, leaning forward him to wrap him in a bear hug.

Gosh! Wish granted na ba talaga ‘to?! Oh my, thank you Po!

“But, what did your Mom and Dad said about this?”

Zach shook his head, still grinning ear to ear. “They were actually so happy about my decision. I’ve been telling them that I wanna come back here in the Philippines again. And actually, Mum and Dad promised me that they’re going to visit here this Christmas.”

“Hmm, that’s very great to hear, ijo. I’ll call Maura later!” Mom whooped.

****

It was already past 10 in the evening but I couldn’t still sleep. I was just lying on my bed, staring blankly up the ceiling.

Ewan ko ba. Pero di ko maalis sa isip ko ‘yung moment na nakita ko si Josh with Gracelyn. And it made me feel something na hindi ko na dapat pang maramdaman towards him.

Selos.

And I didn’t even know why I had to be jealous.

Three months pa lang naman kaming nagbebreak and it seemed like they’ve already been together for a long time.