"No mom it's okay, I'm going to be fine I promise," I calm her down as I put the steak on her plate. She keeps on babbling about how worried she is for me if I ever get accepted or on how I am going to survive all alone. I appreciate the care and concern but I just hope she'd start to worry a little less when it comes to me. Her baby girl is all grown up now.
"So, is it a deal?" my uncle asked.
"But tito, can I pass my portfolio around March? Last week of March? I have lots of school works to finish until February, I won't be able to spare some time to have a photoshoot, plus, I have to look for subjects, kailangan ko ng maganda or gwapong subject na pang model ang aurahan, give me more time, please?" I pleaded.
Tito Angelo sighed, "Okay okay, but, make sure to finish them as soon as possible before fourth week of March, fourth week of March flight ko to New York so I should have it with me before fourth week of March. I'll let you know if sa branch sa New York or London ka nakapasa if ever they'll accept you, okay?"
"Okay po tito, thank you so much!"
"Mia, don't talk when you're chewing food. You're a college student, at least eat with manners," mom nagged.
"Alam mo namang isip bata yan hayaan mo na."
"Paaa, come on guys I'm already 20 years old, and besides, I only have less than 4 months left till I graduate. It's just that I don't want you to be sad that's why I'm acting a bit childish. I can still remember the look on your face when kuya Jake introduced ate Camille. You guys almost cried in front of them realizing that your baby boy is all grown up, and I don't want it to happen again," I sighed and smiled. I miss my older brother so much.
"What do you mean you don't want it to happen again?"
"What I mean is, I hate seeing you and mom sad, I hate seeing your eyes getting a bit watery because you're controlling your tears. I don't like seeing the two of you sad Dad," I smiled at him.
"It's how it goes Mia, for sure on your wedding day, we all will shed tears. When you have a child, you'll be just like me and your mom too, for sure you'll be a nagger mom as well," we laughed as mom gave us a glance, then so we giggled.
"By the way don't forget the criteria for the portfolio ha, just plain pictures, no designs etc."
"Yes uncle, all noted," I smiled.
"Better make sure not to disappoint your uncle iha," Dad laughed.
My goodness. Dad is a funny man. He just can't stop laughing sometimes.
"Of course Dad, I promise to do my best I swear," I crossed my heart.
"Nah, I know Mia can do it. I saw her shots online and it's amazing, mala Shaira Luna na but Shaira will always be the best," he smiled.
My eyes widened, "Tito! Are you friends with her!?"
"Mia lower down your voice wala ka sa bahay," Mom whispered. Oops. My bad. This place is so comforting it just feels like home.
"Why? Are you a fan?"
"Yes tito! I've been dying to meet her but she's always busy traveling since she's a full time photographer. I already prayed that He can take me after I meet Shaira Luna," I fake a sob.
"He won't take you at a very young age, masamang damo ka eh."
"Daaad," me and mom both glanced at him.
"Guys hurry up and finish your food, you still have to take me to Camp John Hay. It's been 10 years since the last time that I've been there."
"Why uncle? Only 5 years have passed since when you went abroad right? And before you went abroad, you were living here? In Baguio city?" I curiously asked.
"Nako, your tito Angelo broke up with the girl whom she really loved in Camp John Hay, that's why even if he lives in Baguio, for 5 years, freaking 5 years Scarlet, he never ever went to Camp John Hay after that. Then 5 years later, he decided to go to the states to work there," Dad and tito Angelo sighed.
"I feel sad," I sighed too.
"See anak? Sometimes, break ups cause good things. Even if it hurts, it hurts on purpose," I looked at her as a I scooped a spoonful of ice cream.
"Just always remember that everything happens for a reason and that we met people for a reason, either they're a blessing or a lesson. If it wasn't for the girl who broke your uncle's heart, going to the states won't ever cross his mind, but look where it has gotten him now, he's a professional photographer now and is doing good," Mom smiled, probably proud of her younger brother.
"I still feel sad, I wanna know their love story and how and why it ended, I'm feelin' the pain right now," I sighed again.
"Just finish your food Mia, I'll tell you the details later," he chewed on his steak.
"So have you moved on tito?" I raised an eyebrow.
"I could say so, it's been 10 years and I barely remember the past. But I remember it all now since your mom and dad brought it up," he smirked in behalf of sadness. Pretty sure it's still breaking him inside. I can see it. I can hear his heart tearing apart. Oops, my bad.
"Please tell me the details later, I wanna hear your story," I whispered to him.
"Sure sure, just finish your food so we can go," he smiled.
My uncle is 30 years old, old but good looking, that's why bunch of ladies are after him. My parents said he'd date them but will never settle down. Maybe he's just trying to forget about her, or maybe he had looked for her in every girl he met but couldn't just find her.
AN: If you'll check the cast list, the uncle is Gong Yoo, if you don't know him, he's the last man, the father, the oppa who died in Train To Busan, it's tragic, I know. Anyways just search him on google in case you wanna see what he looks like hehe :)
Ahhh love. It's scary.
